Cooper's First Day On The Job

[RugbyMuffin]

http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and...-The-Job/4a3df500-ed1b-4af3-a6be-e556e0ef9af6


EDIT: Sorry for being completely ignorant. I was actually hoping Cooper started at RG. I got it switched around, so what is stated below is true but not really exciting as if he was at RG
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Key point: Jonathan Cooper playing LG.

So, the battle is for RG, and I assume the name PENCILED in at the top is Daryn Colledge.

That's big, IMO.

 

[General Chaos]

I think it's smart to put Cooper at the spot he can excel at most and not put him on the right side since there's an average level guy in taking his spot.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

This makes sense...On the left side, he will have a veteran LT in Brown, to help him out. On the right side, the veteran Colledge will be able to help with Massie's growth.

 

[Cardiac]

I read an article several years ago that made a case for the RG position being the 2nd or 3rd toughest along the Oline to play. Forget all the technical reasons why but it was an interesting read. Having said that I would put Cooper at LG to max his value as a rookie.

 

[MoeIsBetter]

This makes sense...On the left side, he will have a veteran LT in Brown, to help him out. On the right side, the veteran Colledge will be able to help with Massie's growth.

Really good point.

 

[sundevil04]

Levi and cooper on the left side should make for some nice holes to run through. With Palmer and Fitz to worry about in the air defenses will be forced to stay honest

 

[BigDavis75]

Hasn't Colledge played LG his entire career? Is there a reasonable chance that he can make the transition to the other side within one offseason?

 

[joeshmo]

I wouldnt read to much into it as of right now. Lets wait until there are 90 peeps on the field then see where they line up. He could of been at lg just because there were only 38 guys on the field and it was the best use to get them all involved so they can learn the terminology. He could still be at lg when everyone else shows up but its probably better to wait for the OTAs before reading to much into it.

 

[Mitch]

Hasn't Colledge played LG his entire career? Is there a reasonable chance that he can make the transition to the other side within one offseason?

BD75, he played both tackle (LT & RT) spots and LG at different times with the Packers. The guard transition from left to right isn't nearly as difficult as tackle switches. That said, the plan is to play Cooper and Watford as soon as they are ready.

 

[Mitch]

I wouldnt read to much into it as of right now. Lets wait until there are 90 peeps on the field then see where they line up. He could of been at lg just because there were only 38 guys on the field and it was the best use to get them all involved so they can learn the terminology. He could still be at lg when everyone else shows up but its probably better to wait for the OTAs before reading to much into it.

Agreed. My one worry about Cooper as a rookie at LG is having to block Justin Smith head up and Aldon Smith on tex stunts. If he can hold his own as a rookie versus those two, we will know we struck gold.

 

[BigDavis75]

BD75, he played both tackle (LT & RT) spots and LG at different times with the Packers. The guard transition from left to right isn't nearly as difficult as tackle switches. That said, the plan is to play Cooper and Watford as soon as they are ready.

Yeah, I'm certainly not familiar with how it is to switch but I cant think of a ton of players, regardless of position, who have switched sides and been successful. There just seem to be a lot of factors involved that he has comfort with from one side (pulling, help, muscle memory overall) where I'd be impressed if he performs well at RG. I'm glad Watford is on the team, but I'm a little bit hesitant about his timeline to move to a starter at this level. At the very least, RG is a position to watch.

 

[Mitch]

Yeah, I'm certainly not familiar with how it is to switch but I cant think of a ton of players, regardless of position, who have switched sides and been successful. There just seem to be a lot of factors involved that he has comfort with from one side (pulling, help, muscle memory overall) where I'd be impressed if he performs well at RG. I'm glad Watford is on the team, but I'm a little bit hesitant about his timeline to move to a starter at this level. At the very least, RG is a position to watch.

Good points.

It looks to me like BA isn't going to like Colledge at guard because he doesn't have the feet. This is one of the reasons why I believe the Cardinals knew going into the draft that they were going to take two guards...and they got the two they like the best. BA has no qualms about playing rookies, especially when they fit the offense. I think Cooper and Watford are going to blow the camp competition away.

 

[Goldfield]

Good points.

It looks to me like BA isn't going to like Colledge at guard because he doesn't have the feet. This is one of the reasons why I believe the Cardinals knew going into the draft that they were going to take two guards...and they got the two they like the best. BA has no qualms about playing rookies, especially when they fit the offense. I think Cooper and Watford are going to blow the camp competition away.

I hope your right... I would love it if Watford won the starting spot. Or Kelemete...

 

[Jetstream Green]

Good points.

It looks to me like BA isn't going to like Colledge at guard because he doesn't have the feet. This is one of the reasons why I believe the Cardinals knew going into the draft that they were going to take two guards...and they got the two they like the best. BA has no qualms about playing rookies, especially when they fit the offense. I think Cooper and Watford are going to blow the camp competition away.

I think he has the feet alright, but Colledge simply does not have the strength in my opinion

 

[mwanamatapa]

BD75, he played both tackle (LT & RT) spots and LG at different times with the Packers. The guard transition from left to right isn't nearly as difficult as tackle switches. That said, the plan is to play Cooper and Watford as soon as they are ready.

I asked Colledge via Twitter a while back, how easy the change was, his reply was that it's tough -

@DarynColledge71 How tough/easy is it to switch from right to left guard or vice versa?
@mwanamatapa I think its tough, especially in the league.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I read an article several years ago that made a case for the RG position being the 2nd or 3rd toughest along the Oline to play. Forget all the technical reasons why but it was an interesting read. Having said that I would put Cooper at LG to max his value as a rookie.

I forgot the name of the author but remember the article.

The link is buried somewhere in the chronicles of ASFN

Regardless, putting Colledge or someone close to his talents at RG may improve Colledge's play by doing more out being asked less of him.

Edit: Ross Tucker was the author:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ross_tucker/04/02/oline.rankings/1.html

Got them confused. He says its RG that is harder, and LG is easier for what it is worth..............................so, uh, I am complete wrong in this entire thread

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Agreed. My one worry about Cooper as a rookie at LG is having to block Justin Smith head up and Aldon Smith on tex stunts. If he can hold his own as a rookie versus those two, we will know we struck gold.

Can't think of any offensive lineman we have on the roster that will alleviate that worry. Might as well give the rookie trail by fire.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I asked Colledge via Twitter a while back, how easy the change was, his reply was that it's tough -

@DarynColledge71 How tough/easy is it to switch from right to left guard or vice versa?
@mwanamatapa I think its tough, especially in the league.

Thanks!

That was way cool. Talk about getting it from the source. Good stuff!

 

[Totally_Red]

I agree with putting JC at left guard next to Levi. The best thing is to put him where he's going to be for the next 10-12 years and leave him there. From what I can tell, he played left guard for his entire collegiate career at a very high level. I have zero concern about him blocking Justin Smith. Justin Smith should be concerned.

 

[Chopper0080]

I hope he stays at LG.

Our offensive line should be very interesting to watch as there are a bunch of questions which hopefully will be answered this year.

Will Bruce Arians offense help Levi Brown become the LT that he was drafted to be? Will the two TE sets and Carson Palmer help out his struggles with speed rushers outside?

Will Jonathan Cooper develop as quickly as this team needs him to and provide an immediate impact at LG?

Who will win the RG spot?

Can Massie continue the solid play he showed at the end of last season and be the stable pressence at RT that the Cardinals need?

I am excited to see how this plays out because I feel our offensive line is the key to this team's success this season.

 

[Totally_Red]

I hope he stays at LG.

Our offensive line should be very interesting to watch as there are a bunch of questions which hopefully will be answered this year.

Will Bruce Arians offense help Levi Brown become the LT that he was drafted to be? Will the two TE sets and Carson Palmer help out his struggles with speed rushers outside?

Will Jonathan Cooper develop as quickly as this team needs him to and provide an immediate impact at LG?

Who will win the RG spot?

Can Massie continue the solid play he showed at the end of last season and be the stable pressence at RT that the Cardinals need?

I am excited to see how this plays out because I feel our offensive line is the key to this team's success this season.

This is truth. An above-average offensive line would do wonders for this team by taking pressure off the defense. Three seasons of 50+ sacks and a non-existent running game has almost erased the Warner years from my memory.

Let Fitz be Fitz!!

 

[Cardiac]

I forgot the name of the author but remember the article.

The link is buried somewhere in the chronicles of ASFN

Regardless, putting Colledge or someone close to his talents at RG may improve Colledge's play by doing more out being asked less of him.

Edit: Ross Tucker was the author:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ross_tucker/04/02/oline.rankings/1.html

Got them confused. He says its RG that is harder, and LG is easier for what it is worth.

That's the one, thanks for finding it.

So based on Tuckers theory shouldn't Cooper be the RG. He excells at pass blocking and pulling. Having him pull and help lead running plays to the left side could generate a strong running game.

 

[Duckjake]

This is truth. An above-average offensive line would do wonders for this team by taking pressure off the defense. Three seasons of 50+ sacks and a non-existent running game has almost erased the Warner years from my memory.

Let Fitz be Fitz!!

We had a non existent running game during the Warner years as well. Cards finish in yards per rushing attempt 2005-2009:

32, 32, 30, 31, 23.

Total rushing yards:

32,30,29,32,28.

5 of the last 8 seasons the Cards have been 30th or worse in yards per attempt. Does it really matter though? 2007-2009 were 3 of the most succesful seasons in Arizona from a W-L standpoint. They were 11th in ypa in 2010. And finished............... 5-11.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

That's the one, thanks for finding it.

So based on Tuckers theory shouldn't Cooper be the RG. He excells at pass blocking and pulling. Having him pull and help lead running plays to the left side could generate a strong running game.

Yeah..........oops.

 

[Cardiac]

Yeah..........oops.

Well after I posted this I read Chopper's post and having Cooper to help out Levi in pass protection might be better.

The other thing is that Tucker's theory is contrary to what many NFL teams were paying LG's more than RG's at the time he wrote the article, as he states himself. So is his theory accurate?