Player Spotlight: Chris Cooley (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2006 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Chris Cooley, TE, Washington Redskins

Player Page Link: Chris Cooley Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[radballs]

With Lloyd and Randle El on board, the ball should be spread around a bit more and I don't see him getting as many receptions as last year.

58 receptions, 610 receiving yards, 5 TDs

 

[Rev]

With Lloyd and Randle El on board, the ball should be spread around a bit more and I don't see him getting as many receptions as last year.

58 receptions, 610 receiving yards, 5 TDs

Cooley only recieved 103 targets last season and averaged less than 11 yards/reception. He made the best of his targets, hauling in 71 of them.Next season, the Skins look to use him on more long pass routes in an attempt to get him down the field, which means more yards per catch. They also plan to split him out periodically, I believe. So, despite the newcoming WR talent, I expect Cooley's targets to remain about the same, or maybe go up about 1 or 2 per game. I expect upper 70s in receptions with about 14 yards per reception.

Cooley demonstrated surprising elusiveness and running ability last year, so I expect him to continue making big plays with the ball.

My high end projection: 79/1100/9

 

[radballs]

Wow, even 7 time Pro Bowler and certain HOFer Tony Gonzalez has only eclipsed that much FP in a season twice. Some of these tight end projections (Heap and Cooley are off the charts).

 

[gman8343]

My high end projection: 79/1100/9

 

[Bankerguy]

With Lloyd and Randle El on board, the ball should be spread around a bit more and I don't see him getting as many receptions as last year.

58 receptions, 610 receiving yards, 5 TDs

Cooley only recieved 103 targets last season and averaged less than 11 yards/reception. He made the best of his targets, hauling in 71 of them.Next season, the Skins look to use him on more long pass routes in an attempt to get him down the field, which means more yards per catch. They also plan to split him out periodically, I believe. So, despite the newcoming WR talent, I expect Cooley's targets to remain about the same, or maybe go up about 1 or 2 per game. I expect upper 70s in receptions with about 14 yards per reception.

Cooley demonstrated surprising elusiveness and running ability last year, so I expect him to continue making big plays with the ball.

My high end projection: 79/1100/9

Considering the Skins have a horse in Portis.Add in a very good Santana Moss, and the additions of Randle El and Brandon Lloyd.

I find it hard to agree with your projection. If anything, I could maybe see Cooley going down slightly (This is not based on his talent, in fact I really like this guy). I'm just not sure he'll have the opportunity.

Off the top of my head.....

62

700

6

 

[sacked4loss]

48 rec. 480 5tds thats my high end

 

[zamboni]

I can see his numbers roughly in line with last year's. If anyone is hurt by the addition of ARE and Lloyd, I think it may be Moss more so than Cooley.

 

[Fantasy Strategist]

55/660/5

 

[DCThunder]

Look back at the numbers for Clint Didier during the Gibbs I days. Cooley is the new Didier, the deep ball catching TE/H back. He'll go in motion from the H-back spot and cut up into the slot and run a deep post or skinny post down the middle of the field. Sellers is the blocking/goal line TE, a la Donny Warren or Doc Walker.

So don't fool around with projections, just look at what Didier put up and you'll have a good baseline for Cooley's production.

 

[Jack Ham & Eggs]

68/820/7

 

[Capt Hook]

Some of you with the low numbers for Cooley (or dismissing the very high ones) obviously did not see or remember this quote from the former Chris Cooley thread:

Redskins | Cooley excited with new offense

Tue, 16 May 2006 22:27:02 -0700

David Elfin, of the Washington Times, reports Washington Redskins TE Chris Cooley, who has moved from H-back to tight end, is excited with the team's new offense. "I'm excited," said Cooley. "We're moving around even more than we did last year. We're going to try to stretch the field more, get more guys downfield, get huge chunks (of yardage) more than we have in the past."

I will bet on a minimum of 65/650/7

 

[DocNiner52]

I too believe that Moss' numbers will be affected a little more than Cooley's this year with Lloyd and Randel El coming in. I think his total receptions will drop some but his yardage will go up if according to their plan of getting bigger chunks of yards down the field comes to fruition. I think he'll still be an excellant red zone target and I can see his numbers improving from last year. I say he ends up a top 5 TE at years end.

Recpts- 60

Yards- 995

TD's- 8

 

[Lott's Fingertip]

I too believe that Moss' numbers will be affected a little more than Cooley's this year with Lloyd and Randel El coming in. I think his total receptions will drop some but his yardage will go up if according to their plan of getting bigger chunks of yards down the field comes to fruition. I think he'll still be an excellant red zone target and I can see his numbers improving from last year. I say he ends up a top 5 TE at years end.

Recpts- 60

Yards- 995

TD's- 8

Almost 17 yards per catch... he had less than 11 yards per catch last year. Egads.

 

[Sidewinder16]

I too believe that Moss' numbers will be affected a little more than Cooley's this year with Lloyd and Randel El coming in. I think his total receptions will drop some but his yardage will go up if according to their plan of getting bigger chunks of yards down the field comes to fruition. I think he'll still be an excellant red zone target and I can see his numbers improving from last year. I say he ends up a top 5 TE at years end.

Recpts- 60

Yards- 995

TD's- 8

Almost 17 yards per catch... he had less than 11 yards per catch last year. Egads.

I expect Cooley's YPC numbers to go up, but certainly not to that extent. Also, I personally don't believe looking at Redskin HB/TEs of the '80s will help much in predicting Cooley's production this season. Al Saunders is in control of the offense now. Not Gibbs.I'm expecting an increase of Cooley's YPC (something similar to what Gonzalez did in KC w/ Saunders) with a slight decrease in number of receptions due to the addition of other receiving threats.

60/750/6

 

[Bri]

Where does the whole H-back/fullback/TE shtuff fit into your predictions here?

Cooley, Sellers, and Royal combined for 15 TE TDs according to most FF league sites last year. This year Sellers is listed as a RB.

The 6's seem a bit low but I figure there's a reason since it's a common # here

 

[nygiants56]

With Lloyd and Randle El on board, the ball should be spread around a bit more and I don't see him getting as many receptions as last year.

58 receptions, 610 receiving yards, 5 TDs

Cooley only recieved 103 targets last season and averaged less than 11 yards/reception. He made the best of his targets, hauling in 71 of them.Next season, the Skins look to use him on more long pass routes in an attempt to get him down the field, which means more yards per catch. They also plan to split him out periodically, I believe. So, despite the newcoming WR talent, I expect Cooley's targets to remain about the same, or maybe go up about 1 or 2 per game. I expect upper 70s in receptions with about 14 yards per reception.

Cooley demonstrated surprising elusiveness and running ability last year, so I expect him to continue making big plays with the ball.

My high end projection: 79/1100/9

great prediction! OC Al Saunders loves to utilize the TE, and gibbs now says he will not call plays,leaving Saunders fully in charge of the offense..he could leapfrog other TE's and finish 2nd behind Gates..

 

[nygiants56]

Wow, even 7 time Pro Bowler and certain HOFer Tony Gonzalez has only eclipsed that much FP in a season twice. Some of these tight end projections (Heap and Cooley are off the charts).

Haven't seen a Todd Heap projection, but I suppose people think Steve McNair will improve that offense dramatically. With the Raven's defenese slipping a notch, the offense will need to be more productive. It could finally be the year that Billick actually shows he knows a thing or two about offenses..lolas for Gonzo, he was a one man show in KC..the WR's were bland, and most of the offense went thru him and Portis..

With the depth at the WR spot that Washington has Cooley will be left in many one-on-one situations with LB's..

 

[Bri]

as for Gonzo, he was a one man show in KC..the WR's were bland, and most of the offense went thru him and Portis.

ITYM Priest or LJ

 

[redman]

Good thread discussing this subject here.

My projections: 58/667/6.

 

[redman]

Double post.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

67 rec 704 yards 6 TD

 

[redman]

With Lloyd and Randle El on board, the ball should be spread around a bit more and I don't see him getting as many receptions as last year.

58 receptions, 610 receiving yards, 5 TDs

Cooley only recieved 103 targets last season and averaged less than 11 yards/reception. He made the best of his targets, hauling in 71 of them.Next season, the Skins look to use him on more long pass routes in an attempt to get him down the field, which means more yards per catch. They also plan to split him out periodically, I believe. So, despite the newcoming WR talent, I expect Cooley's targets to remain about the same, or maybe go up about 1 or 2 per game. I expect upper 70s in receptions with about 14 yards per reception.

Cooley demonstrated surprising elusiveness and running ability last year, so I expect him to continue making big plays with the ball.

My high end projection: 79/1100/9

great prediction! OC Al Saunders loves to utilize the TE, and gibbs now says he will not call plays,leaving Saunders fully in charge of the offense..he could leapfrog other TE's and finish 2nd behind Gates..

First of all, I haven't seen where Gibbs is surrendering play-calling to Saunders. As is typical of Gibbs, he's going to delegate a lot, but still maintain final say on things like that. Saunders is simply redesigning the playbook. Second, Saunders loves to use the TE . . . except when he doesn't. The '99 Rams rarely bothered with their TE. Saunders loves to use multiple targets. It so happens that his best weapon (as measured by ability to create mismatches) in KC was Gonzo, but he'll use what he's given.

I love Cooley, but he's not the athlete Gonzo is and he's not capable of doing everything that Gonzo does. Moss is where the mismatches will come from. I also think that we have yet to see the best from Lloyd and Randle El, so they're untapped resources too.

I think what you saw from Cooley last year represents what amounts to a ceiling for him. I can't imagine him outperforming his 2005 numbers, and I think he'll decline a bit. Remember, that passing offense was severely imbalanced in favor of Moss and Cooley because of how few other targets there were. Mike Sellars caught 8 TD's for crying out loud!

The way that they envision this offense IMHO, Cooley is the 3rd or 4th option overall. While game situations will still enable him to be utilized nicely, if you're thinking he's going to turn into Gates or Gonzo I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[Rev]

I think what you saw from Cooley last year represents what amounts to a ceiling for him. I can't imagine him outperforming his 2005 numbers, and I think he'll decline a bit. Remember, that passing offense was severely imbalanced in favor of Moss and Cooley because of how few other targets there were. Mike Sellars caught 8 TD's for crying out loud!

The way that they envision this offense IMHO, Cooley is the 3rd or 4th option overall. While game situations will still enable him to be utilized nicely, if you're thinking he's going to turn into Gates or Gonzo I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

Cooley's birthday = 7-11-82

Cooley's age = 24

Cooley's experience = 2 NFL seasons

Cooley's total stats = 108 catches for 1088 yards and 13 TDs

Does this sound anything like a player who has hit his peak?

 

[Sidewinder16]

I think what you saw from Cooley last year represents what amounts to a ceiling for him. I can't imagine him outperforming his 2005 numbers, and I think he'll decline a bit. Remember, that passing offense was severely imbalanced in favor of Moss and Cooley because of how few other targets there were. Mike Sellars caught 8 TD's for crying out loud!

The way that they envision this offense IMHO, Cooley is the 3rd or 4th option overall. While game situations will still enable him to be utilized nicely, if you're thinking he's going to turn into Gates or Gonzo I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

Cooley's birthday = 7-11-82

Cooley's age = 24

Cooley's experience = 2 NFL seasons

Cooley's total stats = 108 catches for 1088 yards and 13 TDs

Does this sound anything like a player who has hit his peak?

redman can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he was refering more to what he believes Cooley's athletic ability can accomplish, which isn't really going to change much from what we've already seen. I'd have to mostly agree with him.Gonzalez is the #1 receiver in KC for 8 seasons running because of superior athletic ability. Cooley is no Gonzalez.

I believe Cooley can improve on some of his numbers last season (I think his YPC and TDs are the most likely stats) at some point in his career, but I don't believe he will ever be his team's #1 receiving option.

 

[redman]

I think what you saw from Cooley last year represents what amounts to a ceiling for him.  I can't imagine him outperforming his 2005 numbers, and I think he'll decline a bit.  Remember, that passing offense was severely imbalanced in favor of Moss and Cooley because of how few other targets there were.  Mike Sellars caught 8 TD's for crying out loud! 

The way that they envision this offense IMHO, Cooley is the 3rd or 4th option overall.  While game situations will still enable him to be utilized nicely, if you're thinking he's going to turn into Gates or Gonzo I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

Cooley's birthday = 7-11-82

Cooley's age = 24

Cooley's experience = 2 NFL seasons

Cooley's total stats = 108 catches for 1088 yards and 13 TDs

Does this sound anything like a player who has hit his peak?

redman can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he was refering more to what he believes Cooley's athletic ability can accomplish, which isn't really going to change much from what we've already seen. I'd have to mostly agree with him.Gonzalez is the #1 receiver in KC for 8 seasons running because of superior athletic ability. Cooley is no Gonzalez.

I believe Cooley can improve on some of his numbers last season (I think his YPC and TDs are the most likely stats) at some point in his career, but I don't believe he will ever be his team's #1 receiving option.

I've changed my sig, Rev, so you may not be aware that I'm a lifelong 'Skins fan. Still, I try to use my knowledge about my team to be objective in the way I evaluate it, rather than just being a "homer".

I'm a big Cooley fan. Objectively speaking, however, he's just not the athlete that Gonzo is. For that reason, they won't build the offense around him like Saunders did in KC with Gonzo. That's actually good news for 'Skins fans because the offense will be more diverse and explosive, however as far as Cooley's numbers go this will necessarily represent a decline.

I'm curious though. Why is it that you think he's going to see his ypc jump by 2-3 yards, and see his already good numbers increase? Is there a reason you can point to?

 

[Rev]

I've changed my sig, Rev, so you may not be aware that I'm a lifelong 'Skins fan.  Still, I try to use my knowledge about my team to be objective in the way I evaluate it, rather than just being a "homer". 

I'm a big Cooley fan.  Objectively speaking, however, he's just not the athlete that Gonzo is.  For that reason, they won't build the offense around him like Saunders did in KC with Gonzo.  That's actually good news for 'Skins fans because the offense will be more diverse and explosive, however as far as Cooley's numbers go this will necessarily represent a decline. 

I'm curious though.  Why is it that you think he's going to see his ypc jump by 2-3 yards, and see his already good numbers increase?  Is there a reason you can point to?

Simple: Your Skins are planning to use Cooley for more downfield passes, which means more YPC even if he gets less receptions. Also, here are Tony Gonzalas' 1st 3 seasons:

1997 Kansas City Chiefs 16 0 33 368 11.2 30 2

1998 Kansas City Chiefs 16 16 59 621 10.5 32 2

1999 Kansas City Chiefs 15 15 76 849 11.2 73 11

And, for your viewing pleasure, here are Cooley's first 2 seasons:

2004 Washington Redskins 16 9 37 314 8.5 31 6

2005 Washington Redskins 16 16 71 774 10.9 32 7

In other words, Cooley is progressing even faster than Tony Gonzalas did. Now, whether he's the next Eric Johnson or the next Tony Gonzalas remains to be seen, but the fact is, we have no reason to say that he's an average Tight End or that he'll never put up big numbers. He's started with 2 very solid years, and is coming along just fine.

 

[Longrifle]

C. Cooley will be one of the top 3 TE in the NFL this season. There has been a lot made of the additions of Randel El and Lloyd but I think this will only have a positive impact on Cooley. Let’s play a little game all of us remember from Sesame Street ….”Which one of these is different from the others”

Name Ht Wt

C. Cooley 6-3 250

S. Moss 5-10 190

A Randel el 5-10 192

B Lloyd 6-0 192

Jocobs 6-0 202

Thrash 6-0 205

By process of elimination C. Cooley is the only big target (by 3 inches and 45 lbs) on the field for Burnell to throw to. He will probably be the only one constantly in the middle of the field. I see the speed in Moss and Randel el clearing out some of the middle for Cooley to work. Simply put Cooley has the opportunity to have a good season if not a great season. IMHO

Receptions 80

Receiving YDS 880

Receiving TD 8

 

[Rev]

C. Cooley will be one of the top 3 TE in the NFL this season. There has been a lot made of the additions of Randel El and Lloyd but I think this will only have a positive impact on Cooley. Let’s play a little game all of us remember from Sesame Street ….”Which one of these is different from the others”

Name Ht Wt

C. Cooley 6-3 250

S. Moss 5-10 190

A Randel el 5-10 192

B Lloyd 6-0 192

Jocobs 6-0 202

Thrash 6-0 205

By process of elimination C. Cooley is the only big target (by 3 inches and 45 lbs) on the field for Burnell to throw to. He will probably be the only one constantly in the middle of the field. I see the speed in Moss and Randel el clearing out some of the middle for Cooley to work. Simply put Cooley has the opportunity to have a good season if not a great season. IMHO

Receptions 80

Receiving YDS 880

Receiving TD 8

 

[Big Score]

C. Cooley will be one of the top 3 TE in the NFL this season. There has been a lot made of the additions of Randel El and Lloyd but I think this will only have a positive impact on Cooley. Let’s play a little game all of us remember from Sesame Street ….”Which one of these is different from the others”

Name Ht Wt

C. Cooley 6-3 250

S. Moss 5-10 190

A Randel el 5-10 192

B Lloyd 6-0 192

Jocobs 6-0 202

Thrash 6-0 205

By process of elimination C. Cooley is the only big target (by 3 inches and 45 lbs) on the field for Burnell to throw to. He will probably be the only one constantly in the middle of the field. I see the speed in Moss and Randel el clearing out some of the middle for Cooley to work. Simply put Cooley has the opportunity to have a good season if not a great season. IMHO

Receptions 80

Receiving YDS 880

Receiving TD 8

Don't forget about Mike Sellers; Height 6-3 Weight 277 with 7 TD's in 2005.

 

[zamboni]

C. Cooley will be one of the top 3 TE in the NFL this season. There has been a lot made of the additions of Randel El and Lloyd but I think this will only have a positive impact on Cooley. Let’s play a little game all of us remember from Sesame Street ….”Which one of these is different from the others”

Name  Ht Wt

C. Cooley                 6-3 250

S. Moss                 5-10 190

A Randel el 5-10 192

B Lloyd                 6-0 192

Jocobs  6-0 202

Thrash  6-0 205

By process of elimination C. Cooley is the only big target (by 3 inches and 45 lbs) on the field for Burnell to throw to. He will probably be the only one constantly in the middle of the field. I see the speed in Moss and Randel el clearing out some of the middle for Cooley to work. Simply put Cooley has the opportunity to have a good season if not a great season. IMHO

Receptions  80

Receiving YDS 880

Receiving TD  8

Don't forget about Mike Sellers; Height 6-3 Weight 277 with 7 TD's in 2005.

Sellers is more of an H-back/gadget type player, as opposed to a true pass catching TE.Don't let the 7 TDs fool you - he didn't have many catches, and the TDs were just about all of the 1 yard variety. That's not to say that he won't continue to get many of those, but things could be a bit different under Saunders.

 

[msommer]

Just out of curiosity which of the stellar WRs employed by WAS last year was taller than 6-0?

 

[zamboni]

Just out of curiosity which of the stellar WRs employed by WAS last year was taller than 6-0?

I think Taylor Jacobs is/was, but I don't think he qualifies.

 

[Bri]

C. Cooley will be one of the top 3 TE in the NFL this season. There has been a lot made of the additions of Randel El and Lloyd but I think this will only have a positive impact on Cooley. Let’s play a little game all of us remember from Sesame Street ….”Which one of these is different from the others”

Name  Ht Wt

C. Cooley                6-3 250

S. Moss                5-10 190

A Randel el 5-10 192

B Lloyd                6-0 192

Jocobs  6-0 202

Thrash  6-0 205

By process of elimination C. Cooley is the only big target (by 3 inches and 45 lbs) on the field for Burnell to throw to. He will probably be the only one constantly in the middle of the field. I see the speed in Moss and Randel el clearing out some of the middle for Cooley to work. Simply put Cooley has the opportunity to have a good season if not a great season. IMHO

Receptions  80

Receiving YDS 880

Receiving TD  8

not really(imo) the Skins regularly employ a two TE offense in the redzone esp inside the 10 so he's hardly the only big target.

 

[Bri]

Also, here are Tony Gonzalas' 1st 3 seasons:

1997 Kansas City Chiefs 16 0 33 368 11.2 30 2

1998 Kansas City Chiefs 16 16 59 621 10.5 32 2

1999 Kansas City Chiefs 15 15 76 849 11.2 73 11

And, for your viewing pleasure, here are Cooley's first 2 seasons:

2004 Washington Redskins 16 9 37 314 8.5 31 6

2005 Washington Redskins 16 16 71 774 10.9 32 7

In other words, Cooley is progressing even faster than Tony Gonzalas did.

rebuttal I hate but it's true so I'll give it to you, tell me what ya think:No it just means he was passed to less often til the QB got more confidence in him

 

[Rev]

Also, here are Tony Gonzalas' 1st 3 seasons:

1997 Kansas City Chiefs 16 0 33 368 11.2 30 2 

1998 Kansas City Chiefs 16 16 59 621 10.5 32 2

1999 Kansas City Chiefs 15 15 76 849 11.2 73 11 

And, for your viewing pleasure, here are Cooley's first 2 seasons:

2004 Washington Redskins 16 9 37 314 8.5 31 6

2005 Washington Redskins 16 16 71 774 10.9 32 7 

In other words, Cooley is progressing even faster than Tony Gonzalas did. 

rebuttal I hate but it's true so I'll give it to you, tell me what ya think:No it just means he was passed to less often til the QB got more confidence in him

OK, I'll bite... here's what I'd say to that rebuttal:If a players stat's are a direct measurement of a QB's confidence in him, then a whole lot of NFL QB's need to have more confidence in recievers like Randy Moss (in Oakland), Roy Williams, and Andre Johnson. That's way too simplistic of an explanation for a player's success.

OR, if you want to play along with the logic, it means that Cooley's QB had more confidence in him than Gonzo's QB did at that stage of his career. Any way you slice it, Cooley's ahead of Gonzo at that point in his career, which says something for him, I think.

 

[Bri]

interesting reply, thanks

 

[Ed Wood]

Does anybody feel Cooley's TD total from 2005 is grossly inflated based on the fact he caught 4 in his last 3 games (including 3 in one game)?

 

[redman]

Does anybody feel Cooley's TD total from 2005 is grossly inflated based on the fact he caught 4 in his last 3 games (including 3 in one game)?

Isn't that just the TD version of the discredited, "Well, if you take away his long run he only averaged . . ." argument?

 

[Ed Wood]

Does anybody feel Cooley's TD total from 2005 is grossly inflated based on the fact he caught 4 in his last 3 games (including 3 in one game)?

Isn't that just the TD version of the discredited, "Well, if you take away his long run he only averaged . . ." argument?

Well, I thought about that before I posted, but I think it's a little different. If a guy rushes for 1400 yards and 14 of them are for 50 yards (total 700 yards), to me that's more of a trend than a coincidence. Whereas with the TDs Cooley got more than half of his in two games. That's a coincidence to me (I might even call it lucky or to more kind, fortunate) and not sure it bodes well for the future.

 

[dannyboy]

First of all, I haven't seen where Gibbs is surrendering play-calling to Saunders. As is typical of Gibbs, he's going to delegate a lot, but still maintain final say on things like that. Saunders is simply redesigning the playbook.

See article on this.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5815508

In the end, only Joe Gibbs can stop Joe Gibbs, and that's what finally happened. Once the Redskins were done after a second-round playoff loss at Seattle, Gibbs met with Kansas City assistant Al Saunders and said, "I don't know if I can do those 20-hour days any more."

Gibbs then did the unthinkable: He gave up his brainchild. He hired Saunders to design and run the offense and call the plays, the first time Gibbs as a head coach has entrusted those duties to anyone else.

"I think after two years, he realized that he may kill himself - and kill all of us," said assistant coach Joe Bugel, another longtime friend of Gibbs. "Being the president of the organization also, what's different is that it's year-round now, free agency, the draft, all these personnel problems, so Joe finally stepped back and said 'Hey, I answer to the owner. I'd better not spread myself out so thin that I don't have answers for anything."'

 

[redman]

First of all, I haven't seen where Gibbs is surrendering play-calling to Saunders. As is typical of Gibbs, he's going to delegate a lot, but still maintain final say on things like that. Saunders is simply redesigning the playbook.

See article on this.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5815508

In the end, only Joe Gibbs can stop Joe Gibbs, and that's what finally happened. Once the Redskins were done after a second-round playoff loss at Seattle, Gibbs met with Kansas City assistant Al Saunders and said, "I don't know if I can do those 20-hour days any more."

Gibbs then did the unthinkable: He gave up his brainchild. He hired Saunders to design and run the offense and call the plays, the first time Gibbs as a head coach has entrusted those duties to anyone else.

"I think after two years, he realized that he may kill himself - and kill all of us," said assistant coach Joe Bugel, another longtime friend of Gibbs. "Being the president of the organization also, what's different is that it's year-round now, free agency, the draft, all these personnel problems, so Joe finally stepped back and said 'Hey, I answer to the owner. I'd better not spread myself out so thin that I don't have answers for anything."'

I'm going to do a separate thread on that article, because I found it interesting about Gibbs for reasons that I'll state.

 

[redman]

Does anybody feel Cooley's TD total from 2005 is grossly inflated based on the fact he caught 4 in his last 3 games (including 3 in one game)?

Isn't that just the TD version of the discredited, "Well, if you take away his long run he only averaged . . ." argument?

Well, I thought about that before I posted, but I think it's a little different. If a guy rushes for 1400 yards and 14 of them are for 50 yards (total 700 yards), to me that's more of a trend than a coincidence. Whereas with the TDs Cooley got more than half of his in two games. That's a coincidence to me (I might even call it lucky or to more kind, fortunate) and not sure it bodes well for the future.

It's only a concidence if you feel that the player is otherwise incapable of putting up those numbers. I don't think that Cooley's talent warrants such an assertion. Certainly, it's unusual for a TE to have 3 receiving TD's in one game - it's unusual for anyone to have that - and Cooley may never do it again. However, he's a very good route runner with excellent hands and instincts, and he's most assuredly a red zone threat. He need not catch 3 TD's in a game again to meet or exceed his overall TD numbers from last season. Now, if you're talking about Mike Sellers' season being a fluke, I think you're onto something there.

 

[nygiants56]

With Lloyd and Randle El on board, the ball should be spread around a bit more and I don't see him getting as many receptions as last year.

58 receptions, 610 receiving yards, 5 TDs

Saunders has already said opposing teams will have to account for Cooley, he's been lining him up wide outside,in the slot, out of the backfield, etc, during mini camps..in 2004, the WR's in kc caught 166 balls, while gonzo grabbed 102.

in 2003, WR's caught 157, gonzo caught 71

in 2005, WR's caught 164, while gonzo caught 78..

the only thing holding me back from thinking Cooley is a top 5 TE this year, is

Mark Brunell.other than that, he's going to be terrific in 2006.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Look back at the numbers for Clint Didier during the Gibbs I days.  Cooley is the new Didier, the deep ball catching TE/H back.  He'll go in motion from the H-back spot and cut up into the slot and run a deep post or skinny post down the middle of the field.  Sellers is the blocking/goal line TE, a la Donny Warren or Doc Walker.

So don't fool around with projections, just look at what Didier put up and you'll have a good baseline for Cooley's production.

Well, first of all, Didier never caught more than 41 passes in a season and only was an above-baseline FF player once in his career, so that comparison isn't really selling me on Cooley.Second, If you look at the prime years of "The Posse" in Washington under Gibbs, you'll see that tight end receiving production was pretty much non-existent. Monk, Clark and Sanders ate up all the receiving yardage.

 

[redman]

Look back at the numbers for Clint Didier during the Gibbs I days.  Cooley is the new Didier, the deep ball catching TE/H back.  He'll go in motion from the H-back spot and cut up into the slot and run a deep post or skinny post down the middle of the field.  Sellers is the blocking/goal line TE, a la Donny Warren or Doc Walker.

So don't fool around with projections, just look at what Didier put up and you'll have a good baseline for Cooley's production.

Well, first of all, Didier never caught more than 41 passes in a season and only had was an above-baseline FF player once in his career, so that comparison isn't really selling me on Cooley.Second, If you look at the prime years of "The Posse" in Washington under Gibbs, you'll see that tight end receiving production was pretty much non-existent. Monk, Clark and Sanders ate up all the receiving yardage.

You're right about the Didier comparison. However Cooley is head and shoulders as a receiver above anything Gibbs has had to coach at TE since he was the offensive coordinator for Air Coryell and had Winslow I for a year or two.

 

[Rev]

Does anybody feel Cooley's TD total from 2005 is grossly inflated based on the fact he caught 4 in his last 3 games (including 3 in one game)?

Isn't that just the TD version of the discredited, "Well, if you take away his long run he only averaged . . ." argument?

Well, I thought about that before I posted, but I think it's a little different. If a guy rushes for 1400 yards and 14 of them are for 50 yards (total 700 yards), to me that's more of a trend than a coincidence. Whereas with the TDs Cooley got more than half of his in two games. That's a coincidence to me (I might even call it lucky or to more kind, fortunate) and not sure it bodes well for the future.

It's only a concidence if you feel that the player is otherwise incapable of putting up those numbers. I don't think that Cooley's talent warrants such an assertion. Certainly, it's unusual for a TE to have 3 receiving TD's in one game - it's unusual for anyone to have that - and Cooley may never do it again. However, he's a very good route runner with excellent hands and instincts, and he's most assuredly a red zone threat. He need not catch 3 TD's in a game again to meet or exceed his overall TD numbers from last season. Now, if you're talking about Mike Sellers' season being a fluke, I think you're onto something there.

Agreed. Cooley worked his cahonies off for those TDs, demonstrating an ability to run after the catch and break tackles that made me want to hang on to him long hall. Whether he matches or suprasses this total in the future, he'll always be in the redzone mix, and is a threat to score when he gets some space from the 30 yardline on in.

 

[dannyboy]

First of all, I haven't seen where Gibbs is surrendering play-calling to Saunders. As is typical of Gibbs, he's going to delegate a lot, but still maintain final say on things like that. Saunders is simply redesigning the playbook.

See article on this.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5815508

In the end, only Joe Gibbs can stop Joe Gibbs, and that's what finally happened. Once the Redskins were done after a second-round playoff loss at Seattle, Gibbs met with Kansas City assistant Al Saunders and said, "I don't know if I can do those 20-hour days any more."

Gibbs then did the unthinkable: He gave up his brainchild. He hired Saunders to design and run the offense and call the plays, the first time Gibbs as a head coach has entrusted those duties to anyone else.

"I think after two years, he realized that he may kill himself - and kill all of us," said assistant coach Joe Bugel, another longtime friend of Gibbs. "Being the president of the organization also, what's different is that it's year-round now, free agency, the draft, all these personnel problems, so Joe finally stepped back and said 'Hey, I answer to the owner. I'd better not spread myself out so thin that I don't have answers for anything."'

I'm going to do a separate thread on that article, because I found it interesting about Gibbs for reasons that I'll state.

So Redman, are you saying you don't agree with that article, and that Gibbs will indeed be calling the plays?

 

[cscmtp]

ummm, long time life long Skins fan here. Gibbs is NOT calling the plays this year. That is a fact for those in the know inside Redskins Park. Back to the topic, Cooley is going to have a MONSTER year, as will the entire Skins offense. Top 3 in the league this year, and a top 5 D. Yep, they are going back to the NFC Championship again, and if they can get solid QB play, they will beat the Panthers to advance to the SB...and i'm not only a member of the Skins homer fan club, but also the president.

 

[redman]

So Redman, are you saying you don't gree with that article, and that Gibbs will indeed be calling the plays?

No. Gibbs will have input and may even override Saunders from time to time, but Saunders will be the play-caller. I didn't end up doing the other thread on Gibbs. Suffice it to say that the messages coming out of Redskins Park this offseason and preseason sound a lot like this coaching staff, which is full of first rate guys who have been around the block, think they've got something special in this team. I'm just taking note (and of course, as a 'Skins fan, I find that to be exciting).