Oakland Raiders: 5 Players To Watch In First Preseason Game
By Kevin Saito
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, the Raider Nation has been eagerly anticipating the debut of Oakland’s newest weapon. And why not? The former Crimson Tide standout has shown that he has the skills, as well as the maturity, to become – as Oakland legend and Hall of Famer, Tim Brown put it – the Raiders’ next great receiver.
From the moment Reggie McKenzie and Jack Del Rio drafted him, Raider fans have been eagerly anticipating seeing what sort of connection he and second year quarterback Derek Carr will have – with most believing it will be a connection that will yield plenty of touchdowns as well as victories.
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Cooper has terrific speed, terrific hands, and is an elite route runner. In one video posted from training camp, he was shown to absolutely embarrass second year – and possible starting cornerback – Keith McGill. The abuse he dished out to McGill left people shaking their heads and with their jaws on the floor.
But it’s abuse the Raiders hope to see him dishing out plenty of to defenders not wearing Silver and Black.
As for Cooper himself, he doesn’t seem to be sweating his professional debut too hard.
“I’ve always been all business-like. I just want to go out there and play an excellent game. There might be some mistakes, but I’ll deal with them then.”
That sort of cool nature and ice in his veins mentality could be exactly what the Raiders’ receiving corps needs this season.
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