ALAMEDA – Amari Cooper is warming up to the idea that reaching 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie is kind of a big deal. Slowly.
The Raiders’ No. 4 overall pick crossed that barrier during Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, and should end up relatively high among the franchise’s single season receiving totals.
Cooper is considered a favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and has wowed many with his immediate impact on the NFL.
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Always his worst critic, Cooper still doesn’t believe he has earned a Pro Bowl spot.
“Making the Pro Bowl is something that I’ve thought about. I’m sure every player does entering the NFL,” Cooper said. “I don’t think I’ve earned it, if I’m being honest with myself. I think a lot of other receivers have played really well this year.”
Some may argue that fact, but we’ll know soon enough. The Pro Bowl rosters will be announced on Tuesday evening, and several more not on that list will end up in Hawaii as fill-ins and alternates.
He has 68 catches for 1,040 yards thus far, which puts him No. 13 in that category. It’s possible Cooper doesn’t make the league’s annual all-star game this season, but he leads all rookies statisticially. If he continues at his current pace, Cooper will finish with 1,183 yards this season. Cooper is incredibly hard on himself, and is ever critical of his performances.
NFL
It's hard to find fault in a big game against Green Bay, with six catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns a week after he left Denver without a catch.
Twice this year Cooper’s been held down, and twice he has responded with a big day.
“Amari is ultra-competitive,” offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said. “He, along with Derek, expect to have consistent performances. When that doesn’t happen, Amari is set on making amends.”