Chris Cooley, WAS TE (1 Viewer)

[Bizkiteer]

Redskins | Cooley a fantasy football owner

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 23:48:17 -0700

Ryan O'Halloran, of the Washington Times, reports Washington Redskins TE Chris Cooley apparently is the only Redskin who, like millions of Americans, is a fantasy football owner. "I've always had a blast playing," Cooley said. "I try to have a couple of Internet teams, and my friends do a team, and we put it online, too. I've been playing since I was a sophomore in high school. I lost in the playoffs last year because I had such a good game against Dallas (for his opponent's fantasy team)."

LOL, brings new meaning to "beating yourself!" Funny how someone else had him rather than himself. I bet he tried to trade for himself all year long...

 

[Portis 26]

I bet he tried to trade for himself all year long...

This raises all kinds of intriguing questions. Would players necessarily trade for themselves? What if they knew they were starting to get run-down as the season progressed? What if they knew their coach had warned them they wouldn't be seeing the football so much?

 

[avoiding injuries]

CAPTAIN CHAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

 

[BoltzNBrew]

Anyone see the ESPN commercial where Reggie Bush talks his buddy out of taking him first so he can take LJ? Pretty funny.

 

[s_ezy]

wasn't there a thread on how Kevin Jones and the Lions have a fantasy team, and he drafter himself in the first round last year

 

[The Shizzle]

I wonder how often Cooley plays with himself.

 

[Football Jones]

What I want to know is why he didn't make sure he drafted himself? I guess he thought he would slip a round or two.

 

[Bizkiteer]

I bet he tried to trade for himself all year long...

This raises all kinds of intriguing questions. Would players necessarily trade for themselves? What if they knew they were starting to get run-down as the season progressed? What if they knew their coach had warned them they wouldn't be seeing the football so much?

LOL, that would be worth shadowing a players team then, you'd know when they were hitting the wall.

 

[Bizkiteer]

wasn't there a thread on how Kevin Jones and the Lions have a fantasy team, and he drafter himself in the first round last year

Yep, I remember that...and his FF teams must have taken the same route the Lions did, huh? Hey, at least he gets a high draft pick like the Lions...if it's not redraft.

 

[Bizkiteer]

I wonder how often Cooley plays with himself.

I guess we all knew this would be said at sometime. I know, you couldn't resist...probably giggling or had that lil smirk while it was being typed.

 

[paz1]

If they play for anything of any value and not just for fun isn't that technically gambling?

 

[dickey moe]

wasn't there a thread on how Kevin Jones and the Lions have a fantasy team, and he drafter himself in the first round last year

What you never hear is that he eventually dropped himself.

 

[Despyzer]

I wonder how often Cooley plays with himself.

Never. He wasn't on his own team. That's the point of the original post.

 

[dickey moe]

I wonder how often Cooley plays with himself.

 

[2112]

If I was ever in a league with an actual NFL player, I would make a rule that he could NEVER have himself on his own team. That'd just be a given.

 

[avoiding injuries]

What I want to know is why he didn't make sure he drafted himself? I guess he thought he would slip a round or two.

Someone else probably drafted him early thinking they could get a king's ransom for him.

 

[redman]

I wonder how often Cooley plays with himself.

Never when there are dozens of cheerleaders to choose from.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

I wonder how often Cooley plays with himself.

Never when there are dozens of cheerleaders to choose from.

seriously

 

[Despyzer]

If I was ever in a league with an actual NFL player, I would make a rule that he could NEVER have himself on his own team. That'd just be a given.

I think I'd take it a step further and say that he couldn't be on anyone's roster. But then again, what is he gonna do? Bomb on the field and destroy his reputation in his chosen career just to win a FF league? Seems a bit far-fetched.

 

[The Kerminator]

If they play for anything of any value and not just for fun isn't that technically gambling?

My thoughts exactly. I wonder where the NFL draws the line.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

This was already posted.

 

[Bizkiteer]

What I want to know is why he didn't make sure he drafted himself? I guess he thought he would slip a round or two.

Someone else probably drafted him early thinking they could get a king's ransom for him.

LOL, that was one of my thoughts. It appears that it didn't work for the other guy, but then again...he did beat him in the playoffs.

 

[Bizkiteer]

This was already posted.

It appears that thread was boring, exclusive to just a few. While this one is fun and for everyone!

 

[Bizkiteer]

I think if he tried to trade himself to me I'd probably turn it down

LOL, that would be suspicious...hey, why are you trying to trade yourself? Are you injured and we don't know about it? Coaches doghouse? Must be sick of wasting a roster spot on yourself, huh?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

This was already posted.

It appears that thread was boring, exclusive to just a few. While this one is fun and for everyone!

Could be, or maybe 'cuz he posted it at around midnight. Who knows.

 

[Couch Potato]

This was already posted.

It appears that thread was boring, exclusive to just a few. While this one is fun and for everyone!

Could be, or maybe 'cuz he posted it at around midnight. Who knows.

Sonny, he called us boring. As soon as I'm through watching golf on TV, straightening my sock drawer, painting my house beige (inside and out), and reading a Bill Belichik Q&A transcript, I'm going to do something about this. Probably take a nap.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

This was already posted.

It appears that thread was boring, exclusive to just a few. While this one is fun and for everyone!

Could be, or maybe 'cuz he posted it at around midnight. Who knows.

Sonny, he called us boring. As soon as I'm through watching golf on TV, straightening my sock drawer, painting my house beige (inside and out), and reading a Bill Belichik Q&A transcript, I'm going to do something about this. Probably take a nap.

Funny you should mention, just woke up from a little cat-nap. Love those...

 

[redman]

Interesting write-up quoting Cooley and Saunders:

Cooley's cry: 'Al-leluia'

By Ryan O'Halloran

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

August 8, 2006

Al Saunders knows offense in general and star tight ends in particular. Two decades ago in San Diego, he had Kellen Winslow, who's now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The last five years in Kansas City, he had Tony Gonzalez, who's on track for Canton.

See why third-year Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley is excited about Saunders' arrival?

"A spark needed to be added and it could have just been the two receivers [brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El], but Coach [Joe] Gibbs knew there was a chance to get the best there was out there and he moved," Cooley said yesterday morning at Redskin Park while sifting through a handful of fan mail. "I look forward to doing some of the things Tony did for Al in Kansas City."

And Saunders looks forward to using Cooley the same way Winslow (three 1,000-yard receiving seasons) and Gonzalez (two 1,000-yard seasons, seven Pro Bowls) were used.

Although he may not match his 71-catch total from last year, Cooley is confident his number of big plays will increase markedly.

"I'm excited," he said, "because I've got that slow-tight end, can't-make-the-plays-downfield, can't-get-downfield reputation. But if I get more of those 60-yard catches like in Seattle last year, I'll get over that stigma, get the H-back title out of here, and have people believe I can be an explosive tight end in the NFL."

Here are four reasons why Cooley should be excited and stands an excellent chance to shed the label he so detests:

1. Room to roam

Because of injuries and ineffectiveness, Santana Moss and Cooley became the Redskins' top two (only two?) options in the passing game last season. And opposing defenses covered Cooley accordingly, using a steady stream of double teams. It made a small difference. Cooley had two catches each (for a combined 20 yards) against Philadelphia and in the playoffs against Tampa Bay.

"It was really tough for me because it was a situation that I hadn't dealt with in a long time," he said. "Trying to work routes in double coverage that I had been running wide open on all season wasn't something I had practiced a lot and wasn't something I was comfortable doing."

The first sign of Cooley taking advantage of the new receivers came in Saturday's scrimmage against Baltimore. With Moss, Lloyd and/or Randle El attracting attention on the outside, the middle of the field opened up for Cooley.

"A lot of things we're trying to do with Chris is give him experience and exposure going down the field," Saunders said. "His repertoire has been mostly short and medium routes and running after the catch."

2. The Saunders factor

Partly out of necessity (not a ton of talent at receiver) and partly because he was so good, Gonzalez became a focal point of Saunders' passing offense in Kansas City. In five seasons with Saunders, he made the Pro Bowl each year and averaged 77.4 catches for 953 yards and nearly seven touchdowns. He had at least 63 catches and six touchdowns a season and had a monster 2004 with 102 catches for 1,258 yards.

Most impressive is Gonzalez' average gain (12.3 yards a catch) and receptions of more than 20 yards (65). Cooley spent time this offseason watching Chiefs videotape and said he's running a lot of the same patterns Gonzalez did in Kansas City.

"We watched a little bit of Rams and Chiefs tape early and it helped because I could watch the picture and see how it was done," he said. "It's the same as what they did there, as far as I can see. I'm starting to get really comfortable. A lot of the routes are different than my first two years. Now it's all speed stuff. There aren't any fakeout- or head move-type routes. I have to get to a spot as fast as I can. At first, it was tough to figure out. On an in route, I had to know my eight steps and to get the feeling of breaking fast and not slowing down. That was different."

Part II of the Saunders effect is moving Cooley around.

"Everywhere -- any position you can imagine," Cooley said. "X, Y, Z [receiver positions], tight end, hand on the ground, halfback. I'll be everywhere."

3. Trust from the QB

Last season, it seemed that Mark Brunell often looked for Cooley when he was forced out of the pocket. Cooley became Brunell's safety valve.

"From right when I got here, Mark and I have got along well," Cooley said. "I feel I have a pretty honest relationship with him. When I come back to the huddle and he asks if I was open, I'll be honest. If I say yes, he'll know next time. And sometimes I'll say, 'Dude, there was nothing there.' And I make plays for him. When he's under pressure, I'll find him and help him out. We've built a great chemistry. When you make big plays for a guy, he'll keep going to you. That's a big reason why I caught 71 balls last year."

When teams had success handcuffing Moss late in the season -- he had three catches at St. Louis, two against Dallas -- Brunell went to Cooley, five catches (one touchdown) against the Rams and six catches (three touchdowns) against the Cowboys.

"We've been together for a couple years now, and I feel as comfortable with him as much as anybody else," Brunell said.

4. Post-catch ability

Cooley's per-catch average rose from 8.5 to 10.9 yards last year, and he had five receptions of at least 23 yards. Although the league doesn't publish yards-after-catch statistics, Cooley had several long gains after receiving a dump-off pass from Brunell.

Saunders said a realistic goal for any tight end is 12 yards a reception.

"I caught a lot of passes three, four yards off the line and then I would run for six or seven yards," Cooley said. "From being in the offense for four months, every ball I'm catching is 15 yards downfield, so I know I can have plays of 20-plus yards. I know I can have explosive plays."

See why he's excited?

 

[zamboni]

Interesting write-up quoting Cooley and Saunders:

Cooley's cry: 'Al-leluia'

By Ryan O'Halloran

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

August 8, 2006

Al Saunders knows offense in general and star tight ends in particular. Two decades ago in San Diego, he had Kellen Winslow, who's now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The last five years in Kansas City, he had Tony Gonzalez, who's on track for Canton.

See why third-year Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley is excited about Saunders' arrival?

"A spark needed to be added and it could have just been the two receivers [brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El], but Coach [Joe] Gibbs knew there was a chance to get the best there was out there and he moved," Cooley said yesterday morning at Redskin Park while sifting through a handful of fan mail. "I look forward to doing some of the things Tony did for Al in Kansas City."

And Saunders looks forward to using Cooley the same way Winslow (three 1,000-yard receiving seasons) and Gonzalez (two 1,000-yard seasons, seven Pro Bowls) were used.

Although he may not match his 71-catch total from last year, Cooley is confident his number of big plays will increase markedly.

"I'm excited," he said, "because I've got that slow-tight end, can't-make-the-plays-downfield, can't-get-downfield reputation. But if I get more of those 60-yard catches like in Seattle last year, I'll get over that stigma, get the H-back title out of here, and have people believe I can be an explosive tight end in the NFL."

Here are four reasons why Cooley should be excited and stands an excellent chance to shed the label he so detests:

1. Room to roam

Because of injuries and ineffectiveness, Santana Moss and Cooley became the Redskins' top two (only two?) options in the passing game last season. And opposing defenses covered Cooley accordingly, using a steady stream of double teams. It made a small difference. Cooley had two catches each (for a combined 20 yards) against Philadelphia and in the playoffs against Tampa Bay.

"It was really tough for me because it was a situation that I hadn't dealt with in a long time," he said. "Trying to work routes in double coverage that I had been running wide open on all season wasn't something I had practiced a lot and wasn't something I was comfortable doing."

The first sign of Cooley taking advantage of the new receivers came in Saturday's scrimmage against Baltimore. With Moss, Lloyd and/or Randle El attracting attention on the outside, the middle of the field opened up for Cooley.

"A lot of things we're trying to do with Chris is give him experience and exposure going down the field," Saunders said. "His repertoire has been mostly short and medium routes and running after the catch."

2. The Saunders factor

Partly out of necessity (not a ton of talent at receiver) and partly because he was so good, Gonzalez became a focal point of Saunders' passing offense in Kansas City. In five seasons with Saunders, he made the Pro Bowl each year and averaged 77.4 catches for 953 yards and nearly seven touchdowns. He had at least 63 catches and six touchdowns a season and had a monster 2004 with 102 catches for 1,258 yards.

Most impressive is Gonzalez' average gain (12.3 yards a catch) and receptions of more than 20 yards (65). Cooley spent time this offseason watching Chiefs videotape and said he's running a lot of the same patterns Gonzalez did in Kansas City.

"We watched a little bit of Rams and Chiefs tape early and it helped because I could watch the picture and see how it was done," he said. "It's the same as what they did there, as far as I can see. I'm starting to get really comfortable. A lot of the routes are different than my first two years. Now it's all speed stuff. There aren't any fakeout- or head move-type routes. I have to get to a spot as fast as I can. At first, it was tough to figure out. On an in route, I had to know my eight steps and to get the feeling of breaking fast and not slowing down. That was different."

Part II of the Saunders effect is moving Cooley around.

"Everywhere -- any position you can imagine," Cooley said. "X, Y, Z [receiver positions], tight end, hand on the ground, halfback. I'll be everywhere."

3. Trust from the QB

Last season, it seemed that Mark Brunell often looked for Cooley when he was forced out of the pocket. Cooley became Brunell's safety valve.

"From right when I got here, Mark and I have got along well," Cooley said. "I feel I have a pretty honest relationship with him. When I come back to the huddle and he asks if I was open, I'll be honest. If I say yes, he'll know next time. And sometimes I'll say, 'Dude, there was nothing there.' And I make plays for him. When he's under pressure, I'll find him and help him out. We've built a great chemistry. When you make big plays for a guy, he'll keep going to you. That's a big reason why I caught 71 balls last year."

When teams had success handcuffing Moss late in the season -- he had three catches at St. Louis, two against Dallas -- Brunell went to Cooley, five catches (one touchdown) against the Rams and six catches (three touchdowns) against the Cowboys.

"We've been together for a couple years now, and I feel as comfortable with him as much as anybody else," Brunell said.

4. Post-catch ability

Cooley's per-catch average rose from 8.5 to 10.9 yards last year, and he had five receptions of at least 23 yards. Although the league doesn't publish yards-after-catch statistics, Cooley had several long gains after receiving a dump-off pass from Brunell.

Saunders said a realistic goal for any tight end is 12 yards a reception.

"I caught a lot of passes three, four yards off the line and then I would run for six or seven yards," Cooley said. "From being in the offense for four months, every ball I'm catching is 15 yards downfield, so I know I can have plays of 20-plus yards. I know I can have explosive plays."

See why he's excited?

Good find - obviously talk is cheap, but you have to like the way this sounds for Cooley's involvement in what could be a very, very good offense.

 

[redman]

To the extent that it's any indication, Cooley was the receiver who shined during Saturday's scrimmage with the Ravens. He was open a lot and was getting downfield, and of course Brunell was hitting him.

 

[redman]

Here's another article on the same general subject matter, but with more detail about how the new system advantages Cooley:

Label fits Cooley

Now listed as a TE, he's hoping others in NFL notice his impact

BY PAUL WOODY

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Aug 8, 2006

INSIDE

TAYLOR FINED: Skins safety docked four game checks by NFL, Page D3

ASHBURN - Chris Cooley will be the first person to tell you that there is more to a name than you might think.

In his first two seasons on the Washington Redskins' roster, Cooley was designated as an H-back.

On the Pro Bowl ballot, Cooley's name appeared with the fullbacks. And while Cooley is a surprisingly effective blocker for a pass-catching H-back, he is not an overpowering fullback-type blocker.

Even with 71 receptions for 774 yards and seven touchdowns, Cooley did not make the Pro Bowl. This year, he is a tight end. And if he can match last year's numbers, he should capture quite a few Pro Bowl votes.

If Saturday's work against the Baltimore Ravens is any indication, Cooley can make an even bigger impact on the Redskins' passing game this year.

Twice, Cooley got open deep down the middle, and quarterback Mark Brunell found him for big gains. Cooley had another opportunity, but the pass bounced off his fingertips.

"They were in a two-deep coverage, and the safeties rolled to the outside," Cooley said. "I think you'll see that a lot this year. And I think you'll see it the other way, too. I think the safeties will take away the deep middle, which will create opportunities on the outside."

Cooley, 24, has been a bit overshadowed by the arrival of the Redskins' two new, sleek and speedy wide receivers, Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd. But Cooley sees that as a good thing.

"A lot of coverage will be off me," Cooley said. "People have to honor what we can do on the outside, and I'll be able to get downfield and make bigger plays. Last season, a lot of guys lined up head up on me, and there was a safety over the top to take away the mid- dle. That makes it tough. The timing gets thrown off, and you can't make a lot of plays.

"But I would take 40 catches if we can win the Super Bowl. I don't care about my numbers. It's a lot more fun around here when we win."

Fun is never far behind when Cooley is in the neighborhood, though. He is perhaps the most relaxed player on the roster, and one of the most relaxed players the Redskins have had in years.

Cooley is able to establish an instant rapport with almost anyone he meets. After one morning practice last week, Cooley was introduced to three local high school stars. He immediately knew their school was a local power, knew where it was located and that a new high school was opening nearby.

He seemed as excited to meet the teenagers as they were to meet him.

Cooley, from Utah State, is excited about one other thing as well. The routes he is running in the offense designed by associate head coach Al Saunders are new and different.

"Last year, I ran a lot of quick type of stuff. This year, it's all speed routes," Cooley said. "It's get there as fast as you can and the quarterback is going to get you the ball.

"I've never really run routes like that, but I'm coming along, I feel like I can do it. As long as I can make plays and continue to do what I've done, I feel like they'll give me opportunities."

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs has no doubt the opportunities will be there for Cooley.

"He's super smart and a real good athlete," Gibbs said. "He knows just the right place to be. The quarterbacks trust him and look for him."

Cooley is working on a new look for this season. His hair is long and flowing. Last year, he had a buzz cut.

"I want to make it into a mullet, but the back has to be longer," Cooley said. "I had a mullet when I was about 10 years old, and it was a cool mullet. I was a Broncos fan, and my mom let me spike my hair and color it blue and orange for the Super Bowl. I was a John Elway fan. I always wanted to be a quarterback. I still want to be a quarterback.

"It's probably not going to work out that way, though."

Probably not, but at least now he gets to be a identified as a tight end.

 

[inca911]

I just noticed that WAS TE spells "waste". Maybe I need a different TE....

 

[zamboni]

I just noticed that WAS TE spells "waste". Maybe I need a different TE....

Good luck with that logic.

 

[redman]

I just noticed that WAS TE spells "waste". Maybe I need a different TE....

Just remember that a "WAS TE" is a terrible thing to mind.