bubba9497 Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 As H-back, 'Skins' Cooley moves forward Rookie to fill crucial spot in Gibbs' offense, blending roles of fullback, tight end http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.redskins10sep10,1,6176811.story?coll=bal-sports-football ASHBURN, Va. - Chris Cooley is eager and as unassuming as a man can be when he's 6 feet 3, 265 pounds and has just been asked to start his first NFL game for a Hall of Fame coach at a position the coach helped make famous. The Washington Redskins' rookie H-back replies, "Oh, it feels amazing," when asked about the team's plans to make him a significant part of the offense Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in coach Joe Gibbs' return to football after an 11-year hiatus. Cooley's position is a hybrid fullback-tight end. Gibbs popularized the H-back in the '80s with such players as Clint Didier and Rick "Doc" Walker. The idea was to replace the fullback with a larger blocker. "If you really study offenses, how many times does that fullback carry the ball? If they get it twice a game, that's a lot," said Rennie Simmons, Gibbs' tight ends coach in the '80s and again today. "So they're really a blocker and all we've done is declared that we don't have two backs. We've got another blocker in there instead." The tricky part for defenses is that the H-back, who frequently goes in motion, doubles as a pass receiver. Didier caught 129 passes and scored 19 touchdowns in six years with Washington as an H-back and tight end. Cooley, 22, is too young to remember much about Didier. "I think I was like 10 when he [Gibbs] was last coaching," the rookie said. "Some of that stuff I really would like to watch just to see how those guys were doing it." Mostly, the Utah State alumnus has learned by repetition. "Chris is a smart guy," said tight end Robert Royal. "The H-back is probably one of the toughest positions on the team. You have to learn receiver, fullback and also tight end." Cooley's callowness and puppy-dog enthusiasm mask his size and toughness, two traits that helped vault him ahead of several veterans in the H-back competition. It didn't escape Gibbs that Cooley took a pass in the last preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons and delivered a punishing blow to safety Cory Hall as he turned to drive up the field. The hit elicited an "ooooh" from the FedEx Field crowd. "I think he's kind of proven that he's a pretty good runner when he catches the ball," Gibbs said. "He bounces off people and makes things happen." Cooley caught five passes for 69 yards during the preseason. His climb up the depth chart was helped by minor injuries to H-backs Mike Sellers and Brian Kozlowski. All three are expected to get playing time during the season. "Chris was the only one that made it through the whole thing [training camp] without - knock on wood - getting hurt," Simmons said. Cooley didn't know for certain he was starting until he heard from, of all people, his mother. "We went through practice last week and I was pretty much in with the first team the whole week. We went into the [final] preseason game and they said, 'Well, you'll be in the first series at H,' " Cooley said. But there was nothing official until several days later when, he said, "I [got] an e-mail from my mom that said there's an article that says Coach Gibbs has announced I'm starting. And I'm like, 'Awesome.' " If his veteran teammates don't outwardly share his enthusiasm, that's because of an NFL culture that ranks rookies below most everybody else. "He hasn't done anything yet," quarterback Mark Brunell said. "He's had a good preseason. He's a good player." Guard Randy Thomas was more blunt. "I don't worry about no rookies," he said with a smile. The Redskins traded up in the third round of April's draft to get Cooley, whom they regarded as a good H-back fit. He led the nation's tight ends in receptions as a senior with 62 catches for 732 yards and six touchdowns. But Logan, Utah, is a long way from FedEx Field. This week, a reporter told Cooley he may end up blocking linebacker Simeon Rice, who had four sacks in Tampa Bay's 35-13 rout of the Redskins last season. Cooley just laughed and said he'd do the best he could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Cooley is becoming one of, if not my favorite player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy-the-Greek Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 I am with Code on this one. Cooley has become one of my favorites on the team as well. Thanks Bubba for posting this. I saw the article on the redzone but didn't want to register with the Baltimore paper. Cooley has most of the traits I admire in a football player. It is going to be very exciting watching this kid mature into his role with the team. He has shown fire and passion on the field. You just get the feeling he has the potential to be a outstanding player for Gibbs. When he catches the ball he turns it up field going for the extra yards punishing anyone in his way. It is nice to have a weapon like him minus the arrogance and attitude. I have read a few things about him needing to work on his blocking technique. I will be watching that aspect of his game. This week is going to be a great test for him against the Tampa "D". I want to see him double team Rice and chip him on his arse and slide out and catch the ball for a first down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Originally posted by Tommy-the-Greek Cooley has most of the traits I admire in a football player. Exactly... I feel the same way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share Posted September 10, 2004 Too Cool Cooley :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkelch Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 saw the following bit here on Ben Troupe by chance while reading an article. Some had Troupe as the second highest TE in the draft... Fantasy NewsWed Sep 1 2004 - The Titans used their top draft pick this year on Troupe, and the opportunity was there for him to make an immediate impact after Frank Wycheck retired. But reports out of Nashville say Troupe has been a disappointment and has dropped to third on the depth chart. why mention this, why not?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 I agree with Code and TTG. I love guys who are tough, hard-working and humble, not to mention talented. He appears to be all of those things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpillian Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Originally posted by redman I agree with Code and TTG. I love guys who are tough, hard-working and humble, not to mention talented. He appears to be all of those things. Redman, you love guys? (not that there's anything wrong with that) :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 This kid is a potential Wild Card for Sunday and really the entire season. The best way to attack the Tampa 2 is with a power running game and a seam splitting tight end. Obviously, we have the power running game with Portis. We have Coles to spread them out and keep one Safety out of the middle of the field. If Cooley can make a few catches and force them to play more man, it will really open things up for the entire offense. If he is the weapon that he sounds like, we might just have a top 5 offense by season's end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrfriedm Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 I really like this kid. God, I hope he does well. Not just for my beloved Redskins, but for himself. He has a great attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Originally posted by redman I agree with Code and TTG. I love guys who are tough, hard-working and humble, not to mention talented. He appears to be all of those things. Oh.... I meant because he is white... my bad.... j/k of course....:laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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