• March 19, 2024

The Development Of the Nick Foles-Riley Cooper Connection

One of the biggest developments in this season has been the increased production of Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper.  Cooper’s explosion from a production standpoint is a major reason the Birds are getting ready to host a playoff game on Saturday.

The former Florida University wide receiver was virtually non-existent in the stat sheet during the first four or five games after taking Jeremy Maclin’s spot, when the starter went down with a torn ACL during training camp.  Nobody had any idea that Cooper was going to become such a big play receiver, when Nick Foles took over for Michael Vick, when Vick suffered a hamstring injury during the game against the New York Giants.

A connection was formed between Foles and Cooper, after that Giants game and before the battle with the Buccaneers.  Foles started throwing the ball to Cooper, even when it looked like he was covered.  This phenomena started in the Tampa Bay game, then it exploded in the Oakland Raiders game.  Foles targeted Cooper six times in the Bucs game.  He caught four of the passes for 120 yards with the longest connection going for 47 yards and a touchdown.

In the Raiders game, which saw Foles throw a record-tying seven touchdown passes, three of the tosses went to Cooper.  He was targeted six times in that game by Foles.  Cooper came down with five of those throws for 139 yards with the longest of the three scoring catches going for 63 yards.  The big, physical wide receiver averaged 27.8 yards per catch.

Next up on their schedule was the Green Bay Packers in Wisconsin.  Foles targeted Cooper five times and they connected three times for 102 yards, which was a 34 yards per catch average.  Two of the three catches were touchdowns, which was amazing to say the least.

[media id=375 width=400 height=320]This didn’t just happen.  According to Cooper, It occurred over time when the receivers earned the trust of quarterback Nick Foles to the point that he would throw the ball up to them, even when it looked like they were covered, when he saw them in a one-on-one situation.

“When we started kind of getting going the first few games after all those bumps and bruises, kind of figuring everything out”, Cooper said.  “It was kind of one of those things we talked about as a group, as a receiver group not just me.  As a receiver group, trust DeSean, trust Avant, trust me that we’re either going to come down with it or we’re not going to let them come down with it.”

“I think over time we kind of developed that trust”, Cooper explained.  “Okay, he threw a ball, we didn’t come down with it, but we batted it down like DeSean did in the end zone.  That to a quarterback is when he has that trust in you.  He’s not afraid in one-on-one matchup throw it up, he’ll come down with it, or else incomplete, move on the next play.  So I think that’s kind of what we’ve been doing.”

This was an amazing development and clearly it’s one of the main reasons that Foles was able to throw 27 touchdowns passes and have only two interceptions.  Cooper singled out Jackson for breaking up a pass that could have been intercepted, but Cooper was the guy who benefited the most from Foles throwing to guys in one-on-one situations, even when it looked like they were covered.  He made a point to give Foles credit for his accuracy.

“He put the ball where it needs to be”, Cooper said with a smile. “You know on the deep balls, he throws it where only we can make a play.  He tries to throw it where only we can make a play. You’ve got to love that from a quarterback when he has that (smile) (confidence in you)”.

Number 14, the former outfielder, who was drafted a number of times by Major League ball clubs, has benefitted from his history of chasing fly balls in the outfield.  It became a common thing during this season for Foles to throw the ball up and let Cooper use his superior, size and strength along with his ability to judge the ball in the air, to come down with the football. You can see that the confidence and trust flows both ways.

At first I thought it was luck, but it’s not luck when you start putting up the numbers this duo was putting up.  Defensive coordinators have been put in a bind because of that.  They can’t give Jackson too much attention or they will mean leaving Cooper one-on-one.  They can’t focus on LeSean McCoy and the Birds running game too much or that will mean allowing both Cooper and Jackson to flourish.

“Now defenses when they look at us, they know we’re going to use everybody”, Cooper said.  “They’re not focusing on one guy.  They’re thinking,  they’ve got a lot playmakers.   They have a lot of ability on the offensive side of the ball.  They have to account for everybody.  They can’t just pay attention to just one person.  Let’s really focus on this guy.  Nick,  he’s going to throw it.  He’s going throw to everyone.  He’s going to let everyone get touches.”

GCOBB

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IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
January 2, 2014 8:46 am

This is the number one reason I had to put aside my skepticism on Foles and really start looking at him as a legit QB in this league. I don’t know about Franchise QB but a Schaub/Hasselbeck type right now. He puts receivers in positions to make plays after the catch etc.

This is the exact reason anyone supporting Vick either has no football clue or an obvious agenda. Riley Cooper looked like a waste of space with Vick.

mhenski
mhenski
January 2, 2014 9:38 am
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

i think the same izzell, we all laughed and were embarrassed when we found out riley cooper was our #2 wr. then nick came in and made the stiff of the last few years look like riley cooper. blows my mind…

schaub stinks and i dont think you can compare him to nick as nick is already better than schaub ever was… hasselback maybe…

Biglion821
Biglion821
January 2, 2014 3:02 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

Or just maybe Coper has realized his talent, I watched at Florida where his QB was Tebow and his production was great so maybe just maybe we should give Riley Cooper for his coming out party and not who’s throwing him the football.

greenfan
greenfan
January 2, 2014 10:29 am

izzell, I think that is a fair comparison. Schaub had a number of good and productive seasons up until this year. These are better comparisons than the very premature Brady or Manning bullsh*t. The best thing that Foles has going for him right now is his low turnover rate. He is very diliberate, sometimes too diliberate for the situation it seems, but will make the decision that throwing it away when the coverage dictates, has allowed them be successful. It is amazing that with the number of times he diliberately throws the ball away, he still has a very good completion percentage, which is a credit to his overall accuracy.

IrishEagle
IrishEagle
January 2, 2014 1:05 pm
Reply to  greenfan

I think it’s as much bullshit to compare him to Schaub/Hasselbeck as it is to compare him to Brady/Manning.

To me he is nothing like any of those quarterbacks.

If you had to think of a quarterback that’s like Ben Roethlisberger, who would you pick? – I say nobody is like Ben… And I say nobody is like Foles.

When I watch Foles he looks like no one I ever saw before. He’s different…

I just hope he continues to be successful.

btc24
btc24
January 2, 2014 10:51 am

Is it Saturday yet?

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2014 10:54 am

Not to Change the Subject..

How about the Story of the other 3 Hosting NFL Teams this weekend
who have still not “Sold-Out” their Tickets to their Fan Base which may lead
to Localized Black-outs in Green Bay, Indianapolis, & Cincinnati..
Green Bay is epsecially hard to believe since they have a 20 year waiting list of r regular Season TIckets…

Tickets Unsold as of Last Evening
Cincinnati – 8,000 Tickets Unsold
Green Bay – 7,500 Tickets Unsold
Indianapolis – Approx 4,500-5,000 Tickets Unsold

Isn’t this crazy and is quite embarrasing to these Teams and the NFL in general and apparently Commish Goodell is going thru the roof …
The NFL waived the usual “72 Hour Rule” for th Bengals due to New Years Holiday falling on Wednesday and to allow an extra-day of Ticket Sales as the Bengals Host the Colts on Sat afternoon and must Sell out these Seats..
by 4pm Today..

Meanwhile the Eagles Tickets Sold-Out within an hour per reports…
I Just thought I would share this with the Best Fans in the NFL.

Go Eagles.

greenfan
greenfan
January 2, 2014 11:05 am
Reply to  paulman

I just read an article on Yahoo about the lack of sellouts. Funny, they talked mostly about Green Bay, but never mentioned that Philly had sold out.

I know that we are all sensitive to the subject, but the national media is really predictable when it comes to coverage of the city’s sports fans. The Minnesota game earlier this year had the fans pelting the Vikings with snowballs during the game (check out Adrian Peterson’s comments) but yet they only talk about a game in Philly since 1968. The media love the Green Bay fans, but the Philly fans sellout in no time….I know, it doesn’t make much of a difference, it is just that I am sick of the bad rap that we continually get from lazy journalists who just rewrite the same old storys without actually doing any work to see that things have changed!!

GO BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLAYOFFS!!!!!

haveacigar
haveacigar
January 2, 2014 11:12 am
Reply to  greenfan

extremely lazy journalism… Fox, ABC or whoever comes to philly here is what you can expect…a shot of a dude making cheesesteaks and some story on the fans…”if this offense doesn’t get it going the boobirdds will be out”
meanwhile santa clause was in ’68 i think… i turn the channel

greenfan
greenfan
January 2, 2014 11:21 am
Reply to  haveacigar

That is why it is better to turn down the sound and listen to Merril.

You are so right….the cheesesteak picture and question “did you get your cheesesteak yet..blah, blah, blah”…then they will find the one fan in the stands who is booing. Lazy. I hate it.

mhenski
mhenski
January 2, 2014 11:23 am
Reply to  greenfan

thats my move greenfan merril. total pain in the ass to synch it with the tv but its worth it

mhenski
mhenski
January 2, 2014 11:17 am
Reply to  greenfan

greenfan stories and headlines that celebrate x cities fans just dont sell papers, get pageviews, and arent interesting. thats not going to change unfortunately

Stevo
Stevo
January 2, 2014 11:33 am

yup… you guys nailed it…. I live in MN and when I support my team i hear about Santa and snowballs and bla bla bla….

The Cheesesteak line was dead on and….. i would LOVE to hear MR call the games.

I am LOVING this guys…. just a few more days,

pheags88
pheags88
January 2, 2014 12:36 pm

Those other fan bases are so pathetic. If San Diego was home they would be another one since they cant sell out anything even though they have a pretty good young team/coach and have nice weather on top of it. You also have people getting killed in parking lots like KC, but those incidents get no publicity whatsoever compared to a couple of snowballs. There is a picture of Fed Ex field after halftime in the redskins/chiefs game, which has like 20 people in the stadium. Its hilarious, I’ve been to that stadium to see the Eagles and they are all a bunch of frauds too.
I actually love the Philadelphia hate because for the most part its just pure jealousy that their professional football experiences are as exciting as a high school football game.
However, the commentary on the Eagles games when they are away is annoying. They were kissing the Cowboys ass last Sunday night. How many times are they going to show Jerry rotting in his box, Romos wife on her cellphone, Garrett winking on the sideline at one of his players who he probably showers with after the game(btw what does that loser even do since he doesn’t even call the plays)..its like some retarded soap opera in Dallas.

greenfan
greenfan
January 2, 2014 12:52 pm
Reply to  pheags88

LMAO pheags….that wink got to me too…he should have just blown him a kiss…WHO DOES THAT ON A FOOTBALL FIELD?

Between Dallas and Washington, we are blessed with the 2 most dysfunctional organizations (ok…maybe you might throw Oakland in there) in the NFL….and they are both in our division.

GO BIRDS!!

pheags88
pheags88
January 2, 2014 1:18 pm

It probably pisses off the national media that Philly is the only home playoff game sold out and that we sold out in 3 minutes according to reports.
Most of those talking heads on TV have no business talking about sports.

I dont miss home playoff games. I had my tix since monday morning and will be going to the stadium at around noon to get pumped up just like the rest of the loyal eagle fans that will be going/watching.

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2014 2:01 pm

**NFL NEWS***

Bears Sign Jay Cutler to a 7 Year – $125 Million Deal ($50 Million in Guaranteed $$) This beats the $17.6 Million Average per Season Deal that Detroit Lions QB Matt Stafford Signed last July with teh Lions..
Bears also sign 4 Other Upcoming Free-Agents from their 2013 Roster…
CB Tim Jennings, Guard Matt Slauson, Kicker Robbie Gould & FB Tony Fiametta..

Chance’s are, the Bears will say goodbye to LB’s Lance Briggs, CB Charles Tillman, and Possibly DE Julius Peppers to clear Cap Space and re-build their Defense with younger, cheaper players….

mhenski
mhenski
January 2, 2014 2:11 pm
Reply to  paulman

wow bears got ripped off. jay now makes more than brees, brady and peyton

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2014 2:29 pm
Reply to  mhenski

Actually on a Per Year Average, Jay Cutler will be just below the Following

Aaron Rodgers $22 Million Per Year
Matt Ryan $20.5 Million per Year
Drew Brees $ 20 Million Per Year
Peyton Manning & Tom Brady $19 Million Per Year
Tony Romo $18 MIllion Per Year

and just above Matt Stafford’s $17.6 Million Per Year Average

Wonder where QB’s like Cam Newton and Andrew Dalton whose Rookie Deals are about to come up.. Then Colin Kapernick, Russell Wilson,
Nick Foles as their Rookie Deals come up in another couple of Seasons..

mhenski
mhenski
January 2, 2014 2:45 pm
Reply to  paulman

paulman I show the averages are:

brady 12/per
manning 19.2/per
brees 14.3/per

maybe what im reading doesnt isnt incorporating signing bonuses though?

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2014 3:04 pm
Reply to  mhenski

I just took years under Contract and the Total Amount

A Rodgers 5 Years $110 MIllion ($22 Million Average)
Joe Flacco 6 Years $120.6 Million ($20.1 Million Average)
Drew Brees 5 Years $100 Million ($20 Million Average)
Matt Ryan 5 Years $103.75 MIllion($20.6 Million Average)
P Manning 5 Years $96 Million (19.2 Million Average)
T Brady 3 Years $57 Million ($19 Million Average)
T Romo 6 Years $108 Million ($18 Million Average)
M Stafford 3 Years $53 Million Average ($17.6 Million Average)

These Stats listed by ESPN Fyi

mhenski
mhenski
January 2, 2014 3:15 pm
Reply to  paulman

ah different sources different amounts. rotoworld which is generally spot on has:

2/25/2013: Signed a five-year, $60 million contract. The deal is fully guaranteed, including a $3 million signing bonus and additional $10 million “signing” bonus in the first year. 2014: $2 million (+ $15 million in “signing” bonus payments), 2015: $7 million (+ $5 million “signing” bonus), 2016: $8 million, 2017: $9 million, 2018: Free Agent

agreed with ur manning numbers. and i goofed on my brees math, thought he had a 7 year deal.

regardless imo no gm can pay jay cutler that much money he just isnt a difference maker, and an average at best qb. id rather have chad henne probably even vick.

johnnyeagle
johnnyeagle
January 2, 2014 2:14 pm

Why does Foles have that trust? Does Michael have that trust in the receivers? What is the difference in the thinking of the two QBs? Anyone have a theory? Please do not respond with a race based answer. Thank you for your thoughts.

mhenski
mhenski
January 2, 2014 2:21 pm
Reply to  johnnyeagle

mike waits for wr to be 3 yards open b4 he pulls the trigger, nick anticipates and throws to spots hoping to throw them open like all the great qbs do

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
January 2, 2014 2:29 pm
Reply to  mhenski

Maybe its because the packages used earlier on in the season were a little bit different? IE, Avant use compared to Cooper’s use…Avants catches tailed off a bit with the emergence of Cooper…there’s a reason for it, its use of personnel

haveacigar
haveacigar
January 2, 2014 3:06 pm
Reply to  RealTalk777

I think cooper said it best… Foles throws the ball up and let’s his receivers make a play… I don’t think it is more complicated than that

IrishEagle
IrishEagle
January 2, 2014 7:50 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Foles and Cooper were second stringers together for a long time. They practiced together everyday. That makes a difference.

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2014 2:56 pm

**More NFL News***
Vikings LB Erin Henderson arrested again for DWI (this is twice in the last 6 Weeks) and probably will earn him his Release

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
January 2, 2014 3:55 pm

Lol bears resigned Cutler!!

Pretty much guarantees no playoff success for them for the next 5 years or so. (even though no one position is more important than another)

Cutlet

Biglion821
Biglion821
January 2, 2014 9:28 pm

You know Vin, I’m far from a Cutler fan but Sunday was all about bad Bears defense 3 4th downs allowed on that last Packers drive. The contract he received was no worse or better than Flacco’s or Romo’s.

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2014 4:50 pm

***NFL Coaching Moves

O’Brien to Texans
Lovie Smith to Tampa Bay

Josh McDaniels to Interview with Cleveland Browns
Dana Beavall, Jack Del Rio to Interview for the Minnestoa Vikings

Look for Jay Gruden (OC of the Bengals-Younger Borther of John) to Interview with Detroit) a Dark Horse Candidate is Curtis Strong from the University of Louisville

Look for the Redskins talk to Ken Wisenhut for HC who will bring in Russ Grimm as his OC (Grimm a former Redskin OL) to bring some Discpline
and Focus to a Franchise that’s been all over the board
Look for Redksins to talk to Former Vikings Coach Leslie Frazier as Redskins next DC

As far as Penn State Goes
I see Job being Offered Al Golden of University of Miami and Former HC of Temple and Possibly the Fired Greg Schiano from TB Bucs,Ruthers who Coached under Paterno before taking the Rutgers Job some Years Back…

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
January 2, 2014 4:59 pm

I can’t believe that anyone is still interested in McDaniels. That dude stinks. Del Rio gets a another gig for sure this year.

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2014 8:01 pm
Reply to  bugsyhawk

Joe Banner has always had a man-crush on
McDaniels who is a bright Coach.. He was immature and not ready
when he took that Broncos Job a few Years back
The Browns will give him another shot if he’s interested ..

greenfan
greenfan
January 3, 2014 11:42 am
Reply to  paulman

I think Banner has the “man-crush” as you described because of McDaniels time in New England, and to Joey and Jeffy, anything from New England is better. That is why they were fighting over “the chippa”.

Biglion821
Biglion821
January 2, 2014 9:30 pm
Reply to  bugsyhawk

Bugsy neither one of those bums deserve another head coaching job.

jakedog
jakedog
January 2, 2014 9:08 pm

Great point Irish

jakedog
jakedog
January 2, 2014 9:53 pm

Hey big, not to bring up old wounds, cutler does not have “it”, he is a punk, soft, he has a hose and a half, a howitzer of an arm, but not worthy of that contract, not even close

Biglion821
Biglion821
January 2, 2014 10:30 pm
Reply to  jakedog

LOL yes we agree there Jake and just for kicks compared to Cutler, Foles has tons of “it”.