Smoke Signals for Dec 4: 'Whatever happened to Chris Cooley?' edition

[GMScud]

Where is he? On pace for nearly 90 catches. No one on the offense is getting touchdowns. It feels like it's been a month since Portis scored (wait, I think it has), Cambpell never throws for more than one a game, and Moss has nearly disappeared of late.

It's also worth noting that Cooley's only TD (and Devin Thomas' for that matter) came on a trick play - a WR bootleg pass from ARE. Cooley never caught particulary long TD passes prior to this season, and right now our red zone offense stinks out loud.

I think his lack of scoring is much more a function of our putrid offense rather than a drop off in his skill/production. It's also worth noting that he is blocking better this season than at any time in his pro career.

[A10sROCK]

Chris Cooley's problem is that other teams have discovered his high value to this offense. They know he is one of the few true talents in a very weak WR corps. Guard him well and you take away a major component of this offense.

He needs help from the WRs who are not carrying their weight, especially in the Red Zone.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by A10sROCK

Chris Cooley's problem is that other teams have discovered his high value to this offense. They know he is one of the few true talents in a very weak WR corps. Guard him well and you take away a major component of this offense.

He needs help from the WRs who are not carrying their weight, especially in the Red Zone.

I agree that he needs help from the WRs (and the offense in general), but I don't think other teams are taking him away. His catches are better than ever, and his yards are right there. He's not scoring because the offense simply can't covert a damn thing in the endzone. Can you even remember the last time he was targeted in the endzone, or the redzone for that matter?? I sure can't.

[A10sROCK]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I agree that he needs help from the WRs (and the offense in general), but I don't think other teams are taking him away. His catches are better than ever, and his yards are right there. He's not scoring because the offense simply can't covert a damn thing in the endzone. Can you even remember the last time he was targeted in the endzone, or the redzone for that matter?? I sure can't.

I think Cooley is the best and have always really liked him as a player. He's doing well. I wear his jersey every game (bought it in his rookie year - custom made). I meet his wife at the Philly game this year, in the stands. Yes, she's beautiful and very pleasant to talk to.

All I'm saying is that the other teams know he's a Pro Bowler. He's not going to be able to hide under the radar. If others would step up [ROOKIES!], he'd be even more effective.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by A10sROCK

I think Cooley is the best and have always really liked him as a player. He's doing well. I wear his jersey every game (bought it in his rookie year - custom made). I meet his wife at the Philly game this year, in the stands. Yes, she's beautiful and very pleasant to talk to.

All I'm saying is that the other teams know he's a Pro Bowler. He's not going to be able to hide under the radar. If others would step up [ROOKIES!], he'd be even more effective.

I agree, although I think the only time he flew under the radar was during his rookie year. LBs can't cover him and safeties and corners can't tackle him without help. He's a beast.

I guess my issue is with this thread, unless we are strictly talking about TDs. And if that's the case, again I believe the lack of TDs is a function of a sputtering offense, not Cooley individually.

[A10sROCK]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I agree, although I think the only time he flew under the radar was during his rookie year. LBs can't cover him and safeties and corners can't tackle him without help. He's a beast.

I guess my issue is with this thread, unless we are strictly talking about TDs. And if that's the case, again I believe the lack of TDs is a function of a sputtering offense, not Cooley individually.

Well said. This offense is not doing well. Hey, when you only have 5 more points then the Lions, your offense is bad.

Lots of blame, but Cooley is not the reason. He's a guy you build on.

My first idea this off season is that Zorn will pass the Oc duties to someone else. That will be the first of many changes.......

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by A10sROCK

Well said. This offense is not doing well. Hey, when you only have 5 more points then the Lions, your offense is bad.

Lots of blame, but Cooley is not the reason. He's a guy you build on.

My first idea this off season is that Zorn will pass the Oc duties to someone else. That will be the first of many changes.......

Not to split hairs, but we actually beat Detroit by 8...

Technically we have an OC in Sherman Smith, however I know what you're getting at, and that would be playcalling. I'm not sure who is better suited to call the plays on our current staff. I wouldn't mind seeing Zorn keeping those duties.

I think the execution needs to be better. Dropped balls, bad pass protection, WRs not getting open, etc etc ad nauseum... I think that hurts us more than Zorn's playcalling.

It will be interesting to see what kind of tweaks are made to coaching, but I don't want to jump the gun. Let's see how the rest of the season plays out.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Not to split hairs, but we actually beat Detroit by 8...

What A10 was saying is that FOR THE SEASON, we have only outscored the pathetic Lions by 5 points. That is an indictment on how bad our offense really is. Take away Portis, and we would be far and away the lowest scoring team in the league.

[A10sROCK]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Not to split hairs, but we actually beat Detroit by 8...

Technically we have an OC in Sherman Smith, however I know what you're getting at, and that would be playcalling. I'm not sure who is better suited to call the plays on our current staff. I wouldn't mind seeing Zorn keeping those duties.

I think the execution needs to be better. Dropped balls, bad pass protection, WRs not getting open, etc etc ad nauseum... I think that hurts us more than Zorn's playcalling.

It will be interesting to see what kind of tweaks are made to coaching, but I don't want to jump the gun. Let's see how the rest of the season plays out.

No, I meant our offense has scored only five more points than Detroit in the entire season [not the game].

Yes, we're only talking about a couple of points. We have the same idea.

Zorn impresses me as a top-caliber rookie coach. What I'm saying is that off season he'll recognize that his sometimes predictable OC play calling is holding the team back. He'll take himself out of that loop. Gibbs did it. Zorn will do the same [my prediction]. He'll get a full-time OC.

Zorn will be in charge of the strategy, emotion, big picture and winning next season. This team will be better for it.

[tryfuhl]

more catches but more checkdowns for short yardage vs beating a LB over the middle