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Cooper Likely a Solid Slot Option for L.A. Offense
TheRams.com
The Rams’ blockbuster trade up to No. 1 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft left them with four remaining picks — two in the fourth round, and two in the sixth. But on Day 3, Los Angeles swapped fourth-round picks with Chicago, moving down to No. 117 to gain an extra sixth-round selection.
With the club’s second pick of the day, the Rams continued to add pieces to their passing offense by selecting wide receiver Pharoh Cooper
.
According to head coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams have had their eye on the wideout for a couple years. They noticed how Cooper was one of the catalysts for former South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier’s offense.
“He was running the football, he was catching balls, and returning,” Fisher said. “He’s just somebody you need to get the football to.”
“We felt like he would be a really good prospect for a slot receiver where he could get in there and uncover and get open because he’s strong, he’s powerful,” Fisher continued. “He’s got really good ball skills.”
Cooper also saw his share of time as a returner — both punt and kick — and even had a few trick plays as a QB in college.
“Every time I get on the field, I’m on the field to make plays, help my team get in situations where I can score touchdowns and win games no matter where I’m at,” Cooper said during last week’s rookie orientation. “Just [making] plays — that’s kind of how I stand out from the rest.”
Because of Cooper’s versatility and physical style, general manager Les Snead admitted rookie camp likely isn’t the best place for him to show off his skill set.
“Right now, I would say, this is the worst time of year for Pharoh. It’s helmet and shorts,” Snead said. “But when you put shoulder pads on and full pads, and he catches a football, then the fun starts.”
Still, Cooper said he enjoyed just getting on a football field again after the long draft process. It’s a common refrain from rookies both on the Rams and across the league.
“Like I said early in the draft process — the Combine process — I’m not a Combine guy. I’m not a Combine freak. I’m a football player,” Cooper said. “So just to step on that field again, and put some cleats on, and a helmet on, start learning plays, running routes — it felt great to actually be out there and catch the football.”
As the young wideout goes through learning the playbook, he may have a slight edge. Cooper was a quarterback in high school, and knowledge from that time aided in his transition to receiver.
“Just knowing where everybody is going to be,” Cooper said. “Cover 2, you know where the safeties are going to be. Cover 3, you know where the safeties and the corners are going to be at. So switching from quarterback to receiver was, pretty much, an easy transition.”
Cooper won’t be alone in studying up on the plays. His new teammate, wide receiver Tavon Austin, had already reached out to lend his support before the two even met in person.
“We actually were on FaceTime,” Cooper said. “He was asking me about the film, asking me what was going on, what plays we were running — little things like that. We didn’t really talk about other stuff. We were just talking football last night.”
On his conference call just after being drafted, Cooper said he had long admired Austin’s career. Now that the two are teammates, Cooper’s relishing the chance to be on the same field at the same time.
“He’s always making plays,” Cooper said. “He’s just so fast and quick. He always makes somebody miss. I just love watching him play.”
As the Rams offseason program continues, Cooper’s looking forward to making strong early impressions not only for the coaches, but also his teammates.
“Just for them to know that I’m a hard worker and that I’m going to compete every day — every day of the week when we have practice,” he said. “I’m going to study the playbook so I’m not on the field looking clueless when the play comes up. I’m not focused on trying to get a starting spot right now. I’m just focused on working hard, trying to get all the formations and plays so that when I get on the field, I know what to do.”
If he’s successful in those endeavors, Snead had a fairly lofty comparison Cooper may live up to.
“There’s a lot of comparisons on him, but I always say he reminds me of a long time ago, a long-time player named Hines Ward coming out of Georgia,” Snead said.
If Cooper becomes that kind of player, the Rams should have a high-quality receiver for years to come.
TheRams.com
The Rams’ blockbuster trade up to No. 1 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft left them with four remaining picks — two in the fourth round, and two in the sixth. But on Day 3, Los Angeles swapped fourth-round picks with Chicago, moving down to No. 117 to gain an extra sixth-round selection.
With the club’s second pick of the day, the Rams continued to add pieces to their passing offense by selecting wide receiver Pharoh Cooper
.According to head coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams have had their eye on the wideout for a couple years. They noticed how Cooper was one of the catalysts for former South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier’s offense.
“He was running the football, he was catching balls, and returning,” Fisher said. “He’s just somebody you need to get the football to.”
“We felt like he would be a really good prospect for a slot receiver where he could get in there and uncover and get open because he’s strong, he’s powerful,” Fisher continued. “He’s got really good ball skills.”
Cooper also saw his share of time as a returner — both punt and kick — and even had a few trick plays as a QB in college.
“Every time I get on the field, I’m on the field to make plays, help my team get in situations where I can score touchdowns and win games no matter where I’m at,” Cooper said during last week’s rookie orientation. “Just [making] plays — that’s kind of how I stand out from the rest.”
Because of Cooper’s versatility and physical style, general manager Les Snead admitted rookie camp likely isn’t the best place for him to show off his skill set.
“Right now, I would say, this is the worst time of year for Pharoh. It’s helmet and shorts,” Snead said. “But when you put shoulder pads on and full pads, and he catches a football, then the fun starts.”
Still, Cooper said he enjoyed just getting on a football field again after the long draft process. It’s a common refrain from rookies both on the Rams and across the league.
“Like I said early in the draft process — the Combine process — I’m not a Combine guy. I’m not a Combine freak. I’m a football player,” Cooper said. “So just to step on that field again, and put some cleats on, and a helmet on, start learning plays, running routes — it felt great to actually be out there and catch the football.”
As the young wideout goes through learning the playbook, he may have a slight edge. Cooper was a quarterback in high school, and knowledge from that time aided in his transition to receiver.
“Just knowing where everybody is going to be,” Cooper said. “Cover 2, you know where the safeties are going to be. Cover 3, you know where the safeties and the corners are going to be at. So switching from quarterback to receiver was, pretty much, an easy transition.”
Cooper won’t be alone in studying up on the plays. His new teammate, wide receiver Tavon Austin
, had already reached out to lend his support before the two even met in person.“We actually were on FaceTime,” Cooper said. “He was asking me about the film, asking me what was going on, what plays we were running — little things like that. We didn’t really talk about other stuff. We were just talking football last night.”
On his conference call just after being drafted, Cooper said he had long admired Austin’s career. Now that the two are teammates, Cooper’s relishing the chance to be on the same field at the same time.
“He’s always making plays,” Cooper said. “He’s just so fast and quick. He always makes somebody miss. I just love watching him play.”
As the Rams offseason program continues, Cooper’s looking forward to making strong early impressions not only for the coaches, but also his teammates.
“Just for them to know that I’m a hard worker and that I’m going to compete every day — every day of the week when we have practice,” he said. “I’m going to study the playbook so I’m not on the field looking clueless when the play comes up. I’m not focused on trying to get a starting spot right now. I’m just focused on working hard, trying to get all the formations and plays so that when I get on the field, I know what to do.”
If he’s successful in those endeavors, Snead had a fairly lofty comparison Cooper may live up to.
“There’s a lot of comparisons on him, but I always say he reminds me of a long time ago, a long-time player named Hines Ward coming out of Georgia,” Snead said.
If Cooper becomes that kind of player, the Rams should have a high-quality receiver for years to come.
