RB Graig Cooper

Posted: July 25th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 13 Comments »

Reports tonight say the Eagles signed Miami RB Graig Cooper

5’10, 205

  • Led Miami in rushing for 3 straight years 2007-09
  • Tore his ACL in December of 2009
  • Returned for Senior season, but wasn’t all the way back. Only ran for 165 yards.

The Good:  The Eagles added a RB that runs well, is a good receiver, and also has KOR experience.

The Bad:  Has durability issues. Likes to run outside, but lacks ideal speed.  Limited Red Zone ability.

Make sure you get his first name right.  Some college coach called him Craig on a recruiting visit and Cooper eliminated the school immediately.  Real good player for his first 3 years.  Ran for 682, 841, and 695 yards.  Those aren’t great totals, but they’re partly held down by injury and partly because Miami uses a lot of RBs.

Cooper lacks top speed, but will break some long runs because he runs so hard.  There is little hesitation in his game.  He has good body control and cuts well.  At his best when he’s got some space.  Very good on screen passes.  Cooper isn’t all that big or powerful, but will lower his shoulder at times.  Has some pop for a guy his size.  Very good balance.  I prefer instinctive runners with excellent vision (Shady), but Cooper can be effective as a role player in the NFL.  Might be at his best when we are in a 3-WR set and Cooper can just look for daylight rather than trying to follow a FB into a certain hole.  Has experience as a PR and KOR.  Ran back one punt for TD.  Combination of good effort and lousy coverage.

Miami bio

NCAA stats page

13 Comments on “RB Graig Cooper”

  1. 1 Stephen said at 10:56 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    I didn’t even realize they could go sign UDFA’s already.

  2. 2 Cliff said at 10:58 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    No one did. Haha.

  3. 3 Tommy Lawlor said at 11:00 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    John Clayton reported it tonight about 7pm. Smart decision by the league. Let the UDFAs get signed tonight so teams can concentrate on UFAs/trades the rest of the week.

  4. 4 Stephen said at 11:25 PM on July 25th, 2011:

    Well it caught me off guard lol.

  5. 5 Netherman said at 12:13 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    CBuck back in green maybe? Suppossdly getting walking papers from broncos.

  6. 6 Stephen said at 12:34 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    I’m shocked Cbucks knees haven’t disintegrated at this point. How is he still playing?

  7. 7 Stephen said at 12:39 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    Tommy should be expect more announcements through the night or should I just go to bed?

  8. 8 Tommy Lawlor said at 1:03 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    I’m going to write up a post on what we know tonight and what might happen tomorrow AM.

    UDFA reports have slowed a great deal.

  9. 9 ian no 2 said at 1:41 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    Every team has a 75K cap on total UDFA signing bonuses, so the Eagles may want to bid high on a couple of guys rather than spread it out due to their numbers.

    This guy has huge upside for an UDFA. A fun first signing. Injury discount, was top pro prospect before the ACL, reportedly has good instincts, vision, cutting.. Has the Eldra Buckley hair and returns punts, hopefully as good at special teams.

  10. 10 Iggles Blitz » Blog Archive » Late Night Update: UDFAs, Kolb Situation, Ray Edwards said at 2:19 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    […] I already posted a report on Cooper here. […]

  11. 11 Sam said at 9:02 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    Graig Nettles, the Yankee 3b, used to have a similar issue. Even playing in the media capital of the world, he was often called Craig. That error was even made on one of his baseball cards.

  12. 12 JonS said at 10:59 AM on July 26th, 2011:

    Tommy, you are on the money with his scouring report. I have seen nearly every college game Cooper has played. In addition to what you said, I have to reiterate how dynamic a KOR and PR he is. He had many called back due to penalties.

  13. 13 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:26 PM on July 26th, 2011:

    @ Sam…

    I was a huge Graig Nettles fan. Worshiped him and Brooks Robinson. Always wanted to be a great defensive 3rd baseman.

    Nettles wrote a book in the mid to late 80s. Good read. Wasn’t as good as the greatest baseball book of all time, though. That is The Bronx Zoo by Sparky Lyle.