The biggest accomplishment of Eagles quarterback Nick Foles is the way he’s has helped wide receiver Riley Cooper blossom as a receiver. Prior to Foles taking over as the starter, Cooper did next to nothing out there at the wide receiver position opposite DeSean Jackson. He was a good a blocker for LeSean McCoy and the team’s running game, but as a receiver, he was missing in action. Defenses single-covered Cooper and didn’t bother worrying about him.
When Foles took over at the quarterback position he started throwing the ball in Cooper’s direction. He would throw it even though it didn’t seem like Cooper was open, but to everyone’s surprise, Cooper would find a way to come down with the football. Cooper has a feel for the football when it’s in the air.
When this happened for the first couple of times, I brushed it off, but after seeing Cooper do it time and time again, I’m acknowledging that this isn’t luck. It’s an ability to use his size and instinct to judge the ball in the air, outfight the cornerback and come down with the football.
Foles has helped Cooper become a weapon in the Eagles offense. They have been torching cornerbacks and that will probably open up some opportunities for Jackson in the last five games of the season. Yesterday Cooper talked about why he things Foles was named the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
“He’s just playing great football right now”, Cooper said. “I think Mike said he’s got the hot hand. He’s just playing great football. He trusts in me. We have great chemistry. He throws the ball to me.”
There’s no question that Foles believes in Cooper and he has no problem throwing the ball up for grabs to give Cooper a chance to take away from a cornerback. In a two game stretch against the Raiders and the Packers, Cooper caught five touchdown passes from Foles.
“I think Nick has good chemistry with a lot of the guys” Cooper said yesterday. “That’s just his style of quarterbacking. He likes spreading the ball out, using everybody. Like a I told you, when you do that, it opens up the running game and it opens up everyone and everyone having a big game. I think that’s one of his strengths.
They could have another big day this week if Cooper can again use his size, 6’3″ 222 pounds against the Cardinals small 5’10” 187 cornerback, Jerraud Powers. There’s no question that Foles is going to give Cooper some opportunities to outmuscle Powers for the football. It could be the difference in the game.
I think the Eagles should re-sign and extend Riely Cooper’s Contract now and lock him up for the next 3-4 Years…not at Crazy $$$ but a reasonable Salary with maybe some BOnus $$$ tossed in .. I have to admit, I never saw this type of Production & Playmaking ability from Cooper, but he’s young, a 4 Year Vet that Plays Special Teams, Physical BLocker for the running game and should only improve as a Receiver with more Reps with QB Foles
I Think they should Re-Sign Cooper now, then try to Re-Sign Maclin and in doing so, would have to release jason Avant who has been a great Teammate and mentor to they YOunger PLayers, But he would have to go for Salary-Cap reasons and you really need your 4th/5th WR’s to play on Special Teams for Roster Flexibilty which Avant does not do…
Jason Avant has played special teams for years… Cooper is doing a really good job as G mentioned, I’m plesantly surprised. He should have some opportunities this week, as Peterson will probably cover D-Jax. Might be some opportunities for the TEs this week.
Yes Avant has played ST when he was younger but no longer does and probably won’t as he gets older in future Seasons.. S/Teams are for the Young Players