There were a lot of things wrong with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014. The passing defense was atrocious. The offensive line was decimated by injuries.
And wide receiver Riley Cooper was terrible.
The number speak for themselves. In 2014, Cooper caught 55 passes for 577 yards and three touchdowns. One season earlier, Cooper caught 47 balls for 835 yards and eight touchdowns.
He also potentially cost the Eagles a playoff spot. Remember his dropped touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers? That was one of several bizarre moments Cooper experienced during a forgettable season.
But we're not being fair to Cooper, the coaches say, particularly wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell. In a recent Philadelphia Daily News piece, Bicknell talks about Cooper's commitment to route running and blocking in the running game as valuable things the University of Florida product does; the kinds of things a team needs to have success on offense, but don't show up on the stat sheet.
I understand that. I truly do. You've got to have everybody pushing in the same direction for the offense to reach its full potential. A wide receiver who doesn't run his route at full speed – even on plays where he knows he's unlikely to get the ball – hurts the team. So too does a receiver who gives less than 100-percent effort on running plays.
But let's also be realistic about the Eagles' situation at this position last year and in the current season. A year ago the unit consisted of Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper and rookie Jordan Matthews, ahead of another rookie in Josh Huff and a bunch of guys you really didn't want seeing the field.
This season the unit has swapped out Maclin for rookie Nelson Agholor and added Miles Austin in free agency. Huff should also be expected to take a step forward and earn some more snaps, while Matthews could be an emerging star.
Where does that leave a receiver who is a lightning rod for controversy (do we really think all of this "Chip is a racist" garbage isn't somewhat linked to Cooper still having a roster spot) and wasn't much of a threat as a receiver in 2014?
Well, it leaves him with a roster spot, because Cooper is a necessary evil. According to overthecap.com, if the Eagles cut Cooper they'd save only $1 million, while costing themselves $3.8 million in dead money. For a franchise with more than $12 million already in dead money for 2015, not to mention that they're up against things with the salary cap as it is, that's not an attractive option.
The guess here is Cooper plays out this season with the Eagles and, barring a return to 2013 form, they send him packing next offseason, when his release would only cost the Birds $800,000.
Being a good blocking wide receiver only takes you so far. Cooper is going to find out this season just how far that is.
