Draft prep: Cooley is one of us

Senior Fantasy Writer

Aug. 20, 2008

Chris Cooley is the type of player we love.

Not only is Cooley a great tight end, which helps Fantasy owners, but he also enjoys his job and has fun. His blog, chriscooley47.blogspot.com, brings you an inside look at his life and the Redskins. It's a great read.

On top of that, Cooley also plays Fantasy Football. And he has a story only a diehard fan can appreciate.


Chris Cooley is not only a top Fantasy option at tight end, he's also an owner. (US Presswire)

In 2005, Cooley helped Washington beat Dallas 35-7 by catching six passes for 71 yards and three touchdowns. It was a tremendous day in his second year in the league -- only it hurt him in his other league.

When Cooley got home, he checked his Fantasy team and realized he was playing against himself -- and lost. Since it was a free league, no one knew that Cooley was in it, so he didn't have to hear any trash talk about his three touchdowns helping someone else win.

"I didn't think about it during the game, obviously," Cooley said in a recent interview with CBSSports.com. "It was such a great game for me, and it was so awesome to do it. It was probably the first day that people started to notice me."

Fantasy owners have been aware ever since.

Last year, Cooley had his best season in the NFL with 66 catches for 786 yards and eight touchdowns. He has emerged as a No. 1 Fantasy option, but now he's in for a change this season.

The Redskins have installed the West Coast offense under new coach Jim Zorn, and there could be an adjustment period for Cooley and his teammates. Still, Cooley is excited about the opportunity to catch more passes, which should happen in this system.

"I am excited about the new offense, but it will be tough to switch," Cooley said. "I loved the last offense we had here. It made me a Pro Bowl player. I'm going to miss it. But I am excited because I know we're going to throw the ball more, and I'm looking forward to it. There's going to be a lot of short passes, and I know I have the chance to catch a lot more balls. I should have a higher volume of catches."

Cooley knows his success will depend on quarterback Jason Campbell, who was inconsistent in his first full year as a starter in 2007. Campbell started 13 games and had 2,700 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions before a knee injury ended his year.

The Redskins are hopeful Campbell can improve this year because when Campbell went down, journeyman Todd Collins took over and led Washington to the playoffs. But reports out of training camp are that Campbell has looked good, and Cooley is excited for what Campbell can do.

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"Jason has looked good," Cooley said. "I see him the most comfortable in this offense. Jason is a very smart football player. This offense is going to allow him to work quicker and throw the ball more. We don't have to take a lot of shots down the field when they aren't there. He just has to take advantage of the opportunity."

If Campbell, who should be drafted as a No. 2 Fantasy option with a late-round pick, can improve, then his receivers should also. Santana Moss is a viable starting Fantasy option, and Antwaan Randle El or the rookies, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly -- who are both hurt in training camp -- could make an impact this season.

"We have a great wide receiver corps," Cooley said. "As far as talent, we're stacked. We have some tall receivers, and we didn’t lose any size or quickness. We have so many more threats, and we're going to keep defenses on their toes. Everyone is going to have a chance to make plays."

Cooley is hoping to make plenty of plays this year. He is among the best players at his position, but he has a chance to be No. 1 ahead of Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, Kellen Winslow and Tony Gonzalez if he keeps improving.

Cooley's not concerned where he ranks among great tight ends. He just wants to get the Redskins back to the playoffs and be respected by his peers.

Maybe he can win a Fantasy title as well. He continues to play, and if you're lucky, he might end up in a league with you this year.

Just make sure you start Cooley every week because he might score three touchdowns and help you beat him. Now that would be something to blog about.

Garrett: Murray tweaked hamstring
DeMarco Murray, RB, DAL
12:59 PM

News: Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told the media Tuesday running back DeMarco Murray tweaked a hamstring over the last week. The team opted to be conservative with him and had him sit out practice on Tuesday. Murray was spotted on the sidelines during the Cowboys' first day of OTA workouts.

Analysis: Murray's injury history goes a long way back -- and the Cowboys know it. Keeping him healthy will be a tough chore for the next several months but taking careful, proactive steps like this will keep him from being absent. His health will remain key as he's missed nine games over his first two seasons in the league and has had the injury bug biting him going back to his high school days. But Murray had 10-plus Fantasy points in half of his 10 games last season and has the confidence of the coaching staff. He's a moderately risky No. 2 Fantasy running back expected to get taken between 25th and 40th overall on Draft Day.

Amendola gets to work with Brady
Danny Amendola, WR, NE
5:16 PM

News: The media got to check out the Patriots' second day of OTA workouts in New England. The Boston Globe reports new Pats wideout Danny Amendola spent a lot of time with Tom Brady, working primarily in the slot. According to the Patriots' official website Amendola looked sharp, ran his routes well and got in and out of his breaks quickly. He appeared comfortable which shouldn't be surprising given his past work in Josh McDaniels' offense. "It's familiar," Amendola said. "When Josh was in St. Louis, I got to know it pretty good. It's a little more intricate out here. It's something to grasp. I'm learning every day. It's the verbiage. That's the most important thing, the vocabulary of the offense. I'm learning, day in and day out, studying at night."

Analysis: Amendola is vitally important to the Patriots' offense after the team let Wes Welker go in free agency last year. It's tough to expect Amendola to completely replace Welker in their scheme but he has the potential to be a major factor if he can stay healthy. That's a big if -- he's missed 20 games over the last two seasons. So long as you accept Amendola as an injury-risk who doesn't have the experience of being a volume receiver like Welker, you'll be fine. Amendola is safest as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver with a pick in Round 7 or 8.

MJD's training moves to Miami
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC
10:59 AM

News: Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley confirmed that running back Maurice Jones-Drew will step up the intensity in his workouts in Miami with noted trainer Pete Bommarito. MJD is working his way back from a Lisfranc injury. Bradley is fine with the move because he and Jones-Drew are on the same page with where the running back is at, according to the Florida Times-Union. Bradley especially wanted Jones-Drew in camp while the team installed the offense. "It’s going to take some time and it should come back," Bradley said of Jones-Drew's injured foot. "We're just taking the next step in the rehab process."

Analysis: Expectations remain MJD will be ready for the start of training camp in July and potentially be on the field for a June minicamp. Fantasy owners need to see him before drafting to have some level of confidence in his game. The injury he suffered is a tough one to come back from. On the plus side, Jones-Drew had at least 1,600 total yards in each of his previous three seasons before 2012 when he held out of training camp and ultimately got hurt after six games. Some will be afraid to draft the 28-year-old but most owners should go ahead and consider Jones-Drew a Top 15 running back for now, making him worth a pick between 20th and 30th overall in drafts assuming he is a full participant in Jags camp. That seems to be on pace to happen.

Uninfected Gronk has surgery
Rob Gronkowski, TE, NE
8:51 AM

News: Rob Gronkowski had successful surgery on his left forearm Monday and doctors found no infection inside according to multiple reports. He had a new plate installed in his arm to keep things in place inside his forearm and should be done having surgery there. A consultation on his back is expected within the next three to four weeks with surgery to potentially follow.

Analysis: Great news! Unless there's a setback with the arm or a serious issue with his back Gronkowski should be ready for the start of training camp. That makes him a safer pick in Fantasy Football since he'll have the time to get ready for the season and potentially play 16 games. We're not out of the woods yet but be ready to consider Gronk with a Top 20 pick in drafts this summer.

Romo out until minicamp
Tony Romo, QB, DAL
8:37 AM

News: The Dallas Morning News reports Tony Romo had a cyst removed from his back and will be out until at least Cowboys minicamp in June. He should be fine for training camp. "If this was the regular season and I had to play next week, I could," Romo said. "This is just about being smart. That’s why I did it now. This will have no effect on training camp. No way will it have an impact. And I still think there’s a good chance I’m on the field for minicamp."

Analysis: Romo isn't a quarterback anyone is targeting on Draft Day, he's more like a passer you'll settle for starting in Round 6. There's nothing wrong with that: Romo was one of 10 quarterbacks to average over 20 Fantasy points per game (in standard formats) and has consistently put up big numbers, albeit not amazing numbers. Fantasy owners can win with Romo as their starter.

Miller works with first team
Lamar Miller, RB, MIA
5:36 PM

News: The Miami Herald reports that Dolphins running back Lamar Miller opened with the first team during Tuesday's OTA workout. The report says Miller "showed his usual good burst." Daniel Thomas and Marcus Thigpen got work behind Miller.

Analysis: Miller is expected to start for the Dolphins this year, and he should enter training camp as a potential No. 2 Fantasy running back worth a pick as early as Round 4 in the majority of leagues. He recently said his goals for the season were 1,500 yards and 5.0 yards per carry. We hope he can live up to his words because he could be a special Fantasy option if that happens.

Bolden misses OTA workouts
Brandon Bolden, RB, NE
5:18 PM

News: The Boston Globe reports running back Brandon Bolden was absent from OTA practice Tuesday after spraining his ankle while training. He's expected to return in late May/early June.

Analysis: Bolden is expected to be buried on the depth chart behind starter Stevan Ridley, among others. He's unlikely to help Fantasy owners in 2013 so long as Ridley is healthy.

Taylor has hernia surgery
Jamar Taylor, CB, MIA
5:08 PM

News: Dolphins rookie cornerback Jamar Taylor had surgery to repair a hernia and will cost him up to three weeks of practice time. He's a candidate to be back for a June minicamp and should be OK for the start of training camp.

Analysis: Taylor was impressive at the Senior Bowl and certainly erased any concerns about his overall athleticism with a stellar performance at the combine. Taylor is a better all-around player than former Boise State standout Kyle Wilson, who was selected by the Jets 29th overall in 2010. But since he's a corner, he has minimal Fantasy value. Ignore him in most standard IDP leagues, and he's only worth a late-round pick in rookie-only IDP formats.

Goodson will plead not guilty
Mike Goodson, RB, NYJ
5:07 PM

News: The Newark Star-Ledger has learned Jets running back Mike Goodson will plead not guilty to drug and weapons charges stemming from a mid-May arrest. His lawyer is confident jail time will be avoided. A hearing is scheduled for June 12.

Analysis: Goodson is taking in Jets workouts from the sideline, a sure sign that his roster spot is up in the air. Between the courts and the league there's no guarantee that Goodson will play for all of the 2013 season. For now owners shouldn't have him on their radars, though if his attorney is as innocent as he suggests, that would change before the majority of people hold their Fantasy drafts.

Giants remain confident with Cruz
Victor Cruz, WR, NYG
1:51 PM

News: USA Today reports that Giants chairman Steve Tisch remains confident a deal with receiver Victor Cruz is coming soon. "We're talking. (Cruz's agent) Tom Condon is talking to (Giants general manager) Jerry (Reese) and I'm personally confident that Victor wants to be a Giant, will be a Giant," Tisch said. "He's a great guy. It's just taking its time." The report says Cruz and the Giants have made some progress but a deal isn't imminent, despite a report from the New York Post stating the sides were at the "2-yard line." At this point, it seems they're barely in the red zone, but things could change as the spring winds down. Cruz has yet to sign the tender he was extended as a restricted free agent that would pay him $2.879 million. The Giants could lower the rate to $630,000 if Cruz hasn't signed by June 17, but that might only strain the negotiations.

Analysis: We hope that Cruz is signed prior to training camp because we don't want to see a potential holdout. Continue to monitor what develops, and if Cruz signs on time then he would remain a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver worth a pick as early as Round 4. If he ends up holding out then his value will decline.

More Updates

1	Peyton Manning, DEN, QB
2	Drew Brees, NO, QB
3	Tony Romo, DAL, QB
4	Cam Newton, CAR, QB
5	Tom Brady, NE, QB
6	Aaron Rodgers, GB, QB
7	Robert Griffin III, WAS, QB
8	Russell Wilson, SEA, QB
9	Andrew Luck, IND, QB
10	Michael Vick, PHI, QB
All Rankings

1	Adrian Peterson, MIN, RB
2	C.J. Spiller, BUF, RB
3	Marshawn Lynch, SEA, RB
4	Alfred Morris, WAS, RB
5	Frank Gore, SF, RB
6	Arian Foster, HOU, RB
7	DeMarco Murray, DAL, RB
8	Jamaal Charles, KC, RB
9	Stevan Ridley, NE, RB
10	LeSean McCoy, PHI, RB
All Rankings

1	Calvin Johnson, DET, WR
2	Dez Bryant, DAL, WR
3	Demaryius Thomas, DEN, WR
4	Brandon Marshall, CHI, WR
5	Wes Welker, DEN, WR
6	Eric Decker, DEN, WR
7	Reggie Wayne, IND, WR
8	Steve Smith, CAR, WR
9	Victor Cruz, NYG, WR
10	Marques Colston, NO, WR
All Rankings

1	Rob Gronkowski, NE, TE
2	Antonio Gates, SD, TE
3	Aaron Hernandez, NE, TE
4	Jason Witten, DAL, TE
5	Greg Olsen, CAR, TE
6	Jimmy Graham, NO, TE
7	Tony Gonzalez, ATL, TE
8	Dwayne Allen, IND, TE
9	Kyle Rudolph, MIN, TE
10	Delanie Walker, TEN, TE
All Rankings

1	Matt Prater, DEN, K
2	Stephen Gostkowski, NE, K
3	Shaun Suisham, PIT, K
4	Adam Vinatieri, IND, K
5	Blair Walsh, MIN, K
6	Nick Novak, SD, K
7	Garrett Hartley, NO, K
8	Jason Hanson, DET, K
9	Mason Crosby, GB, K
10	Josh Brown, NYG, K
All Rankings

1	Steelers, DST
2	49ers, DST
3	Broncos, DST
4	Chargers, DST
5	Seahawks, DST
6	Bengals, DST
7	Bills, DST
8	Patriots, DST
9	Texans, DST
10	Packers, DST
All Rankings