Also, wideouts tend to move to tight end when they aren't really quick enough to play outside, and there, appearances deceive, or at least stereotypes do. People, even opponents, who look at Cooper and think "big, white possession receiver" can get a surprise. As every story written about Cooper notes, he was drafted by the Phillies and the Texas Rangers as an outfielder.
"He has pretty good speed. He has good enough speed to get deep on you," Eagles corner Joselio Hanson said yesterday. "You can't sleep on him on the deep route. Comes in and out of breaks pretty good, comes back to the ball well, a lot of good tricks going on."
Cooper, a fifth-round selection in a deep draft for receivers, made an impression the first day of live hitting, when he got in a fight with starting corner Ellis Hobbs. Hanson said defenders didn't quite know what to make of Cooper's physical style initially.
"He came off as a receiver that wanted to pummel the DBs," Hanson said. "We were like, 'Damn!' But, hey, good thing he's on my team. I hope when he gets in a game, he does that to the opposing team. He's tough, man. Hard to get around that big body."
"I gotta use my body to my advantage," Cooper said. "I know I'm a big receiver, a big target."
But maybe not quite as big of an eater as Ingram claims. Cooper was incredulous when told what Ingram said about him. Cooper said Ingram's eating prowess is legend.
"That boy, he can chow. He'll be over there with the tackles and guards; he's only about 10 pounds away," Cooper said.
Quarterback Kevin Kolb said what just about everyone said when asked their impression of Cooper - "I think people underestimate his speed a little bit. He's a big, athletic kid. I think he's going to suit us well, I really do."
