LoyaltyisaCurse
IF AND WHEN HEALTHY...
The fact his name is not called out during broadcasts is a good sign.
Jonathan Cooper
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AZCrazy
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It is not an in-season project, but Cooper needs to not be wasting his time at RG.
Cooper is far and away the most intelligent interior lineman we have. Those of you who don't know his scores or academic record should look them up.
He's also the fastest we have, and we have a number of counter and trey packages where the center has to pull.
Cooper didn't put up a lot of reps in the bench press, but has tremendous leg strength to anchor against NFL NT's.
He did in fact play some center in college, but was primarily a guard. Shuffling around the interior line is not as big a challenge as many newbies think. It's harder to go outside from the interior, and even that's possible, as Watford is showing nicely.
Many notable NFL centers start at guard as young players and move over as their understanding of the game develops. See if any of these names are familiar:
Max Unger, Stephen Wisniewski, Rodney Hudson, Ryan Kalil, Eric Wood, Peter Konz. You may recognize a few names some of us wanted to give away the farm for this past off season.
We won't take the next step to a superior Offensive Line until we get a superior center. Sendlein has manned the position well enough for us for many years now, but hasn't been urgently replaced only because there were far bigger fires to put out. Now that we have some depth and stability, we should at least consider it for next year.
Cooper is far and away the most intelligent interior lineman we have. Those of you who don't know his scores or academic record should look them up.
He's also the fastest we have, and we have a number of counter and trey packages where the center has to pull.
Cooper didn't put up a lot of reps in the bench press, but has tremendous leg strength to anchor against NFL NT's.
He did in fact play some center in college, but was primarily a guard. Shuffling around the interior line is not as big a challenge as many newbies think. It's harder to go outside from the interior, and even that's possible, as Watford is showing nicely.
Many notable NFL centers start at guard as young players and move over as their understanding of the game develops. See if any of these names are familiar:
Max Unger, Stephen Wisniewski, Rodney Hudson, Ryan Kalil, Eric Wood, Peter Konz. You may recognize a few names some of us wanted to give away the farm for this past off season.
We won't take the next step to a superior Offensive Line until we get a superior center. Sendlein has manned the position well enough for us for many years now, but hasn't been urgently replaced only because there were far bigger fires to put out. Now that we have some depth and stability, we should at least consider it for next year.
Jetstream Green
Kool Aid with a touch of vodka
So, what some people are say is that they want Cooper calling the pass protections for the line right now at center, let me think about it... lol
CFLredzoned
Hall of Famer
Keim was asked by a Chicago beat writer about using an early pick on Cooper, making comparisons to drafting Kyle Long 13 picks after Cooper, to also play Guard - 10 thoughts on the Bears' 48-23 loss to the Cardinals - www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-10-thoughts-biggs-bears-cardinals-20150920-story.html#
8. Kyle Long is two games into his new position at right tackle and some thought that using the 20th overall pick in 2013 was too high of a selection for an interior offensive lineman. But it’s worth noting Cardinals right guard Jonathan Cooper was the seventh overall pick that year out of North Carolina. Cooper is just getting rolling now. A broken leg derailed him as a rookie and his season was cut short by a hand injury in 2014. At the time, Cooper was the highest-drafted guard since the New Orleans Saints chose Jim Dombrowski sixth overall in 1986 out of Virginia. He was a mainstay for the Saints for 11 seasons. The Redskins selected Brandon Scherff fifth overall from Iowa this year and he is playing guard for them.
I asked Cardinals general manager Steve Keim what his philosophy was on using high picks on interior linemen. Cooper was his first draft pick as GM.
“I think it is one of those things where even top-15 picks now, when you look at the percentages, they are still risky picks,” Keim said. “I don’t care if it is a risky pick in terms of a personality or character standpoint or an ability standpoint. Constantly top-15 picks are becoming busts so when you find a player you feel is an immediate impact player … you feel good about him.
“Jonathan Cooper came in and in the first two weeks he was here looked phenomenal and was better than anything we ever had on the interior in the last 17 years I have been here from an athletic standpoint. And then he incurred several injuries and people become naturally frustrated but now the player is back to being the player we once felt we drafted and we are extremely happy about him. I know Kyle Long was considered by some a reach and now you look back on it and I’ve watched enough of Kyle on tape to think he could potentially be one of the better offensive linemen in the NFL. Now I have not seen enough of him at tackle yet but as a guard in the early stages, I thought he was tremendous. His upside and his potential as he continues to grow is limitless.”
8. Kyle Long is two games into his new position at right tackle and some thought that using the 20th overall pick in 2013 was too high of a selection for an interior offensive lineman. But it’s worth noting Cardinals right guard Jonathan Cooper was the seventh overall pick that year out of North Carolina. Cooper is just getting rolling now. A broken leg derailed him as a rookie and his season was cut short by a hand injury in 2014. At the time, Cooper was the highest-drafted guard since the New Orleans Saints chose Jim Dombrowski sixth overall in 1986 out of Virginia. He was a mainstay for the Saints for 11 seasons. The Redskins selected Brandon Scherff fifth overall from Iowa this year and he is playing guard for them.
I asked Cardinals general manager Steve Keim what his philosophy was on using high picks on interior linemen. Cooper was his first draft pick as GM.
“I think it is one of those things where even top-15 picks now, when you look at the percentages, they are still risky picks,” Keim said. “I don’t care if it is a risky pick in terms of a personality or character standpoint or an ability standpoint. Constantly top-15 picks are becoming busts so when you find a player you feel is an immediate impact player … you feel good about him.
“Jonathan Cooper came in and in the first two weeks he was here looked phenomenal and was better than anything we ever had on the interior in the last 17 years I have been here from an athletic standpoint. And then he incurred several injuries and people become naturally frustrated but now the player is back to being the player we once felt we drafted and we are extremely happy about him. I know Kyle Long was considered by some a reach and now you look back on it and I’ve watched enough of Kyle on tape to think he could potentially be one of the better offensive linemen in the NFL. Now I have not seen enough of him at tackle yet but as a guard in the early stages, I thought he was tremendous. His upside and his potential as he continues to grow is limitless.”
While not a newbie, I don't understand line play as much as others may. It's just my opinion that moving him to center at this point in his brief tenure as a starting guard is far-fetched.
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Were these real classes or what passes for real classes at UNC for athletes?
I like Coop but I think it's too early to move him, let him settle in at RG he's barely played.
Snakester
Draft Man
Cooper has done very well the first two games. Only Veldheer has played better on the line and to me he is playing at a probowl level.
Cardiac
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Interesting post, gives me something to think about. I have wanted Cooper to be our C because it meant that we were set at the other Oline positions and he would be an upgrade to Sendlein.
Good info on the other Centers that started at OG before moving to C.
Timm Rosenbach
Bye Bye DJ
Jonathan Cooper is right where he belongs. Unbelievable performance today.
AZCrazy
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He'd be a winner anywhere. Leave him well enough alone at guard, but definitely get a center Our line is looking good, but we'll see more against better defenses just how stout the interior is.
So glad to see him finally make it all work
JCSunsfan
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Veldeer had a tough day. He will be better when Iupati is playing next to him.
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it's pretty awesome knowing that this offense is this good and still has a better RB and a Pro-Bowl G coming back to it, along with Floyd who's still rounding into shape.
He should be better with him playing. Had a rough day today which is rare
Amazing for sure. Lot's of weapons and we are deep in some areas.
Cardiac
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I posted elsewhere that Veldheer had a tough day. Thing is that is compared to his usual great days. I think we can all agree that he's not having a Levi Brown kinda of day.
Love that we are getting this spoiled.
NavyVet
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Ahmad Brooks is no slouch. I'll take Veldheer's penalties over Palmer getting leveled and hurt any day of the week.
TJ
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Nice that's what I thought watching it on tv. He actually took out 2 guys because the man he pulverized ran into his teammate who was being hit by another OL at the time.
Right now he's like a basketball player that makes 3's and spectacular dunks but then misses wide open shots or makes dumb passes. he makes great plays, several times a game, but he's not consistent. The thing is, he's getting better, you can see it. He's figuring it out.
I can't wait until Iupati is healthy and he is we'll have 2 very good run blocking guards.
