Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[url]http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=joyner_kc&id=2901510[/url]



This is the first of a series of articles covering the most overrated and underrated players in the NFL. The criteria I used was contrasting the player's 2006 metrics with his perceived performance level.


This week's list features overrated and underrated tight ends.



Overrated tight ends

[B][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5900"]Jeremy Shockey[/URL][/B]
Shockey was a Pro Bowl alternate last year, but the metrics indicate he didn't deserve the selection. Shockey ranked 23rd in yards per attempt among qualifying tight ends last year (5.6). He ranked last in medium pass YPA and 18th in short pass YPA.

Shockey is perceived to be an excellent downfield threat when lining up as a wide receiver, but that is also a mirage. He had a 4.7 YPA on passes thrown to him when he was flexed out, a total that placed him next to last in that category.


In a nutshell, Shockey's YPA figures place him more in the company of [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5770"]Randal Williams[/URL] and [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7247"]Alex Smith[/URL], not [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6405"]Jason Witten[/URL] and [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5482"]Alge Crumpler[/URL] (the other two NFC Pro Bowl tight ends in 2006).


[B][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6000"]Randy McMichael[/URL][/B]
This is the second consecutive year I've identified McMichael as being overrated. His move to St. Louis has revealed that some people still believe he is one of the elite tight ends in the NFL. The metrics say otherwise.
McMichael's overall YPA (6.9) was adequate, ranking him 13th among tight ends last year. Unfortunately, he is a one-trick pony. Of the 92 passes thrown to him last season, 71 were short passes (1-10 yards). The reason McMichael wasn't thrown more vertical passes is his YPA on the 21 combined medium/deep/bomb passes last year was a meager 7.0 yards.
McMichael also had the lowest YPA and success percentage for a tight end when flexed out. He should do a fine job in St. Louis as a check-down target, but he is certainly no longer one of the best tight ends in the NFL.



Underrated tight ends

[COLOR=DarkRed][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6840"]Chris Cooley[/URL]
Cooley is already considered by many to be one of the top 10 tight ends in the NFL, but the metrics indicate he deserves even more praise. [/COLOR][COLOR=DarkRed]Cooley posted the fourth-best overall YPA among tight ends. He had the sixth-best medium pass YPA and the best short pass YPA. His YPA when flexed out (10.8) was easily the highest in the NFL. That he was able to put up these numbers, despite the struggles of the Redskins' quarterbacks last year, speaks volumes about his ability.[/COLOR]


[B][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4829"]Desmond Clark[/URL][/B]
Last year, [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6358"]Rex Grossman[/URL] claimed Clark was his go-to receiver, and the metrics show why. He ranked third in YPA, finishing ahead of players such as Cooley and Jason Witten. Clark's numbers were not skewed by a smaller number of attempts:

In addition to his impressive overall numbers, Clark also ranked fourth in both medium and deep pass YPA. If he puts up similar numbers in 2007, he should receive a lot of votes for the Pro Bowl.


[I]KC Joyner, aka The Football Scientist, is a regular contributor to ESPN Insider. His latest release ("Scientific Football 2007") is available for a special preorder price at his [URL="http://thefootballscientist.com/"]Web site[/URL].[/I]

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

Finally, someone finally looks at Cooley as one of best TE..

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[QUOTE=GridIron26;317588]Finally, someone finally looks at Cooley as one of best TE..[/QUOTE]

He's our best, that's for sure! I look to pick him up in Fantasy FB.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

I really hope he has a huge year, but how much money can we afford to pay this guy? No offense, but he is not a game breaker and we can't afford to pay him massive money. He is a big weapon, but I wish he would just stay under the radar in the very good, but not elite category so we don't lose him to some ridiculous offer.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

Well, everyone on this site and all of FedX knows this already but it's nice that CC is getting national attention.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

Shhhhhhhhhhhh!

We're trying to extend him. Don't pump up his market value.

Is there anyone who is a Redskins fan who doesn't believe that Cooley is a top 5 TE in the league right now? I can't think of 5 better.

Gonzo
Gates
Heap maybe

I mean there are a lot of guys who could come in and probably do just as well. Miller, Witten, Smith, Clark are all pretty even talent and skill wise compared to Cooley but Cooley fits so well in the system and is used extremely well. He runs good routes, knows how to get open, runs heavyand hard, catches almost anything thrown his way, it goes on and on. In short just does everything he is supposed to do very well. He doesn't have the athleticism of Gates or Gonzo but after those guys he is as good as anyone in the league.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=FRPLG;317599]
Is there anyone who is a Redskins fan who doesn't believe that Cooley is a top 5 TE in the league right now? I can't think of 5 better.

Gonzo
Gates
Heap maybe

Cooley fits so well in the system and is used extremely well. He runs good routes, knows how to get open, runs heavyand hard, catches almost anything thrown his way, it goes on and on. In short just does everything he is supposed to do very well. He doesn't have the athleticism of Gates or Gonzo but after those guys he is as good as anyone in the league.[/quote]

Exactly, Cooley is top 5 for sure. They are right he is underrated on the national scheme. Easily should be in the probowl, IMO. Who is a better TE in the NFC beside him and Shockey? I think all Skins fans know how good he is. I am glad people can see that. He really should be in the Probowl next year.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

Love Cooley...I wish the Skins would use him more. Hopefully Saunders got his shit together and uses him like he used Tony Gonzalez.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=GridIron26;317603]Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??[/quote]

Because he doesn't play in NY?

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=saden1;317605]Because he doesn't play in NY?[/quote]

Lol what does NY have to do with probowl?

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[QUOTE=GridIron26;317603]Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??[/QUOTE]

Anti-mormon bias.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[QUOTE=GridIron26;317603]Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??[/QUOTE]

He'd have easily made it two years ago, but was classed as a FB and i think Mack Strong got in front of him, which is fair enough for the FB position.

But last year he was listed as a TE and just got [B]overlooked[/B]...Crumpler got in ahead of him, which i think was ok given he had slightly better stats (think he had more TD's and Yards). But Cooley[B] should have been selected[/B] as the number 2 TE. I think even Shockey who went, was originally the alterante? If thats right, who was the other TE originally selected? Witten?

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

ok. we have established cooley as one of the leagues best. exactly what is that worth? i do not want to break the bank for him. yes, i want him here, but not at all costs

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

I'm glad he's finally seen as underrated by others including sports writers. Because he is. This guy is becoming the face of this organization.

Also, one of the VERY BEST at his position.

Hope they are smart enough to get the deal done with Capt. Chaos at TOP tier money AS HE DESERVES! Take care of your own first....that are getting it done!

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

his agent is gonna ask for a 12-15 mil signing bonus at least. If the market is like this year's he could really cash in.
Hopefully he'll stay here for less, but we'll probably have to give him at least 13 mil in bonus $.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

Like I have been saying Chris Cooley is the most underrated offensive player in this league. All he does is go out on the field and produce and he gets no respect seeing that he got snubbed the past two seasons for the pro bowl. When your career low in touchdown catches is 6 you are defintely a productive TE. He blocks well, he NEVER drops a pass, and he doesnt draw attention to himself. He is defintely in the top 10 in tight end and I would actually take him over shockey and crumpler for the simple fact that shockey has major attitude problems and crumpler always seems to drop key passes.

Look at Cooley's stats:

2004 37 catches 314 yards 6 tds with a long of 31
2005 71 catches 774 yards 7 tds with a long of 32 (should have been in the Pro Bowl)
2006 57 catches 734 yards 6 tds with a long of 66 (should have gone to the pro bowl)

Chris Cooley have proven his worth in this league and if he doesnt get a 6 year 30 million dollar deal from the Redskins he will get it somewhere else and I will be pissed.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

Yards after catch. Blocking after catch. YAC. BAC. YAC. BAC.

I heart Chris Cooley.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=GTripp0012;317626]Yards after catch. Blocking after catch. YAC. BAC. YAC. BAC.

I heart Chris Cooley.[/quote]


you and me both Gtripp

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

This is a tough one. Cooley is on the verge of being a top 5 TE but he's not in that category quite yet. But the chemistry between him and JC was quite evident last year. I expect him to have a big year in 07 so that could put him in the top 5 category. But how much value do TE's have? Can you afford to pay a good to very good TE several million dollars? I say get the deal done. Sometimes you have to overpay to keep your core guys. If we don't pay him someone else will.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

I try to not get too attached to players, but Cooley is one guy that if the Skins let walk, I'd seriously be disappointed. He's a character and he's a baller. Hard to hate on that.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=hooskins;317600]Exactly, Cooley is top 5 for sure. They are right he is underrated on the national scheme. Easily should be in the probowl, IMO. [b]Who is a better TE in the NFC beside him and Shockey?[/b] I think all Skins fans know how good he is. I am glad people can see that. He really should be in the Probowl next year.[/quote]

Did you not read the article, Shockey is overrated bro :) . Has Jason Witten signed a second deal yet? I'd say pay him what Witten got plus 6-10%. He should not get Gonzo money and I'm not sure if Gates got a deal done with SD, but he obviously isn't that good either. He should get Jason Witten/Todd Heap money, whatever that is.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=Mattyk72;317633]I try to not get too attached to players, but Cooley is one guy that if the Skins let walk, I'd seriously be disappointed. He's a character and he's a baller. Hard to hate on that.[/quote]It just comes down to the whole concept of who is replaceable or not.

The reason I wanted Okoye so bad in the draft is because we will never ever be able to aquire someone like him again.

The same goes for Cooley. His game is so unique from every other TE that if you let him walk, now you have to change the whole offense to account for that.

Derrick Dockery was a loss, but not an irreplaceable one. Cooley could not be replaced.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=Mattyk72;317633]I try to not get too attached to players, but Cooley is one guy that if the Skins let walk, I'd seriously be disappointed. He's a character and he's a baller. Hard to hate on that.[/quote]

Oh come on matty, you know you have big MAN LOVE for the CAPT......

And of course I certainly hope we have learned, he's a MUST KEEP! Sign him to a Witten like contract 6+6 up front, long term deal and be done with it.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=GTripp0012;317636]The reason I wanted Okoye so bad in the draft is because we will never ever be able to aquire someone like him again.[/quote]

Ever again?

I don't think he's a once in a lifetime talent, but that's just me. We'll see how he works out.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;317636]It just comes down to the whole concept of who is replaceable or not.

The reason I wanted Okoye so bad in the draft is because we will never ever be able to aquire someone like him again.

The same goes for Cooley. His game is so unique from every other TE that if you let him walk, now you have to change the whole offense to account for that.

Derrick Dockery was a loss, but not an irreplaceable one. Cooley could not be replaced.[/QUOTE]

I do think he is "replaceable". Guys like Heap, Miller, Witten, CLark and a handful of others are just as skilled and talented but he is a home grown guy who plays his butt off and seems like a locker room leader type and you'd have to pay those other guys just as much. This is a case, as it often is, where a guy, based on talent and skill alone, is worth a certain amount on the open market and based on chemistry and so forth is worth a little more to us. No need to le thim walk unless his contract demands are just out of line. Give him a top 5 deal/extension and move on to Taylor. It would be silly to let it get to the point where he would leave.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=Mattyk72;317646]Ever again?

I don't think he's a once in a lifetime talent, but that's just me. We'll see how he works out.[/quote]How many 19 year olds are going to come out with first round talent AND 4 years of college?

I'd be pretty shocked if it ever happened again.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=GTripp0012;317675]How many 19 year olds are going to come out with first round talent AND 4 years of college?

I'd be pretty shocked if it ever happened again.[/quote]

So it's an issue of age for you?

It could also work against him. He's going to be a boy amongst men. He seems mature enough to handle things but you never really know.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

Cooley is a whole different guy under JC. Brunell had probs hitting him on the fly. JC drills him in stride, and is going to seriously add to his YAC

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=Mattyk72;317677]So it's an issue of age for you?

It could also work against him. He's going to be a boy amongst men. He seems mature enough to handle things but you never really know.[/quote]It's an issue of unique, and seemingly positive qualities. I mean, lots of college exp correlates with success. A young age correlates with potential. Potential + Success is usually a good thing.

Not claiming he will be the greatest ever, just saying that we won't be able to draft someone like him later.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=FRPLG;317647]I do think he is "replaceable". Guys like Heap, Miller, Witten, CLark and a handful of others are just as skilled and talented but he is a home grown guy who plays his butt off and seems like a locker room leader type and you'd have to pay those other guys just as much. This is a case, as it often is, where a guy, based on talent and skill alone, is worth a certain amount on the open market and based on chemistry and so forth is worth a little more to us. No need to le thim walk unless his contract demands are just out of line. Give him a top 5 deal/extension and move on to Taylor. It would be silly to let it get to the point where he would leave.[/quote]

You can't replace Cooley, he is very HUMBLE, team-player, does everything what coaches ask of him, he never drop ball (thanks to someone in earlier strings to remind me, I never realized that until he brought it up), and everything.. And u say that he is replaceable?

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=GridIron26;317692]You can't replace Cooley, he is very HUMBLE, team-player, does everything what coaches ask of him, [B]he never drop ball[/B] (thanks to someone in earlier strings to remind me, I never realized that until he brought it up), and everything.. And u say that he is replaceable?[/quote]
did you watch all the games? cooley dropped his fair share

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=FRPLG;317599]Shhhhhhhhhhhh!

We're trying to extend him. Don't pump up his market value.

Is there anyone who is a Redskins fan who doesn't believe that Cooley is a top 5 TE in the league right now? I can't think of 5 better.

Gonzo
Gates
Heap maybe

I mean there are a lot of guys who could come in and probably do just as well. Miller, Witten, Smith, Clark are all pretty even talent and skill wise compared to Cooley but Cooley fits so well in the system and is used extremely well. He runs good routes, knows how to get open, runs heavyand hard, catches almost anything thrown his way, it goes on and on. In short just does everything he is supposed to do very well. He doesn't have the athleticism of Gates or Gonzo but after those guys he is as good as anyone in the league.[/quote]

Gates then Cooley, in my opinion. Who can burn in the open field and break tackles like Chris Cooley?

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=dmek25;317693]did you watch all the games? cooley dropped his fair share[/quote]

I didn't watch all games cuz I was in Rochester, I'm student of RIT.. I had to go to Tully's to watch Skins' games.. Maybe he dropped his fair share but not much, I mean, not much for most of us to remember..

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=GridIron26;317603]Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??[/quote]



because he is underrated

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[QUOTE=dmek25;317693]did you watch all the games? cooley dropped his fair share[/QUOTE]

???

I can think of one. That is how few he drops. One sticks out in 3 seasons.

And let's not go overboard on his talent level guys. He is good for sure but athletically he doesn't touch Gates or Gonzo. He simply does the lesser athletic tasks of a TE extremely well and that compensates a lot for his athleticism. Not to say he isn't athletic but he isn't in the super atletic freak mold of Gates or Gonzo

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=Mattyk72;317633]I try to not get too attached to players, but Cooley is one guy that if the Skins let walk, I'd seriously be disappointed. He's a character and he's a baller. Hard to hate on that.[/quote]

So was Pierce. Dude came in as an undrafted FA and became a starter and a leader on our defense. But I understand what your saying about Cooley. It's hard not to like him, and his laid back attitude.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=FRPLG;317708]???

I can think of one. That is how few he drops. One sticks out in 3 seasons.

And let's not go overboard on his talent level guys. He is good for sure but athletically he doesn't touch Gates or Gonzo. He simply does the lesser athletic tasks of a TE extremely well and that compensates a lot for his athleticism. Not to say he isn't athletic but he isn't in the super atletic freak mold of Gates or Gonzo[/quote]

I'm sorry, but I still stand by the fact that he is a better overall player than Gates. He does EVERYTHING exceptionally well. Gates is probably a better pass catcher, but Cooley runs after better, blocks better, and basically is better overall (in my opinion).

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=GTripp0012;317675]How many 19 year olds are going to come out with first round talent AND 4 years of college?

I'd be pretty shocked if it ever happened again.[/quote]

I don't think there is any question Okoye is going to be a really good to great player someday. But he is going to need two or three years before he really develops into that type of player. He wasn't the right pick for us IMO.

Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated
 

[quote=GridIron26;317692]You can't replace Cooley, he is very HUMBLE, team-player, does everything what coaches ask of him, he never drop ball (thanks to someone in earlier strings to remind me, I never realized that until he brought it up), and everything.. And u say that he is replaceable?[/quote]

I think TE in the NFL is an easy position to fill unless you have Gates, Gonzalez or even Kellen Winslow. Yes, I said Winslow. He led in NFL in TE receptions his first year on the field with a suspect QB so he is a serious difference maker. Cooley is not A. Gates or T. Gonzalez. So he is replaceable IMO. But no question he is very valubale part of our offense and seems to have real good chemistry with JC.