USA TODAY International Edition
COOPER RECEIVES REDEMPTION
He earns back Eagles’ trust after preseason controversy
The headlines are being generated by Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper’s hands, not his mouth.
Cooper’s 20- catch, 462- yard, sixtouchdown tear over the past five games has helped lift the Eagles, who’ve captured back- to- back road wins and climbed into a tie for first place in the NFC East.
It’s a welcome departure from the controversy that swirled during the preseason after a video surfaced showing Cooper uttering a racial slur at an African- American security guard during a June concert.
Quarterback Michael Vick is glad Cooper’s breakout season has become the topic. Vick stood up for Cooper in August when heat was the only thing Cooper was catching.
Vick, who made the most of his second chance with the Eagles after serving a 21- month sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring, publicly forgave Cooper.
“When that happened, Riley came to me and thanked me. He doesn’t have to thank me anymore, because mutually we know how much our friendship means,” Vick told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “I’m just so proud of him to see him having such a great season. I’m glad to say he’s one of my teammates.”
Cooper has emerged as a sorely needed No. 2 receiver to fill the void after Jeremy Maclin suffered a season- ending knee injury early in training camp.
What has been the difference between the fourth- year receiver now and the one who struggled with eight receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown in the first five games? Vick says Cooper is playing with a confidence that comes from healing.
“He’s playing free now, and he was playing hesitant back then — he was just trying to figure the whole situation out,’’ Vick said. “Now he’s back to his old self.”
Cooper, who declined to speak to news reporters Wednesday, told USA TODAY Sports in October that he had completed the organization-mandated sensitivity training and paid a substantial fine. Regarding the epithet that damaged his credibility among some black teammates, he said, “I think about it every day.’’
Now he is third on the team with 28 receptions for 555 yards, averaging a team- best 19.8 yards a catch.
“I’m having a blast,” Cooper told reporters Sunday after catching three passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns in a 27- 13 win against the Green Bay Packers. “I love football. But it feels so good when you’re contributing to the team.”
Cooper’s surprise breakout probably wouldn’t have happened without Vick, given how many thought Cooper would be released by the Eagles after the preseason controversy.
“Michael said, ‘ If I don’t give Riley a second chance, what person in this locker room will?’ ” Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe told USA TODAY Sports. “When Riley went through his situation, you needed one guy of that race to say, ‘ He made a mistake. He said it won’t happen again. Let’s move on.’
“He’s done a great job.” Cooper has won back trust. “He’s put his head down, played as hard as he can, and it’s been great to see,” wide receiver Jason Avant said. “Guys gave him liberation, telling him there would be no acrimony.
“He’s done the little things to stay out of the negative things that could be a distraction.”
Could Cooper’s redemption serve as a lesson for suspended Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito after his racial slur in a threatening voice mail message to teammate Jonathan Martin prompted a league investigation into behavior in the Dolphins organization?
“The problem Richie Incognito has is his history of bad behavior,’’ Sharpe said. “Here’s a guy who has been kicked off Nebraska, Oregon and the St. Louis Rams. If he’s not the dirtiest player in the NFL, he’s the runner- up to ( the Detroit Lions’) Ndamukong Suh. And Incognito is your leading locker room voice? Are we surprised we’re here now?”