Joyner: Cooley underrated

MTK · 06-12-2007, 11:37 PM

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insid..._kc&id=2901510

This is the first of a series of articles covering the most overrated and underrated players in the NFL. The criteria I used was contrasting the player's 2006 metrics with his perceived performance level.

This week's list features overrated and underrated tight ends.

Overrated tight ends

Jeremy Shockey
Shockey was a Pro Bowl alternate last year, but the metrics indicate he didn't deserve the selection. Shockey ranked 23rd in yards per attempt among qualifying tight ends last year (5.6). He ranked last in medium pass YPA and 18th in short pass YPA.

Shockey is perceived to be an excellent downfield threat when lining up as a wide receiver, but that is also a mirage. He had a 4.7 YPA on passes thrown to him when he was flexed out, a total that placed him next to last in that category.

In a nutshell, Shockey's YPA figures place him more in the company of Randal Williams and Alex Smith, not Jason Witten and Alge Crumpler (the other two NFC Pro Bowl tight ends in 2006).

Randy McMichael
This is the second consecutive year I've identified McMichael as being overrated. His move to St. Louis has revealed that some people still believe he is one of the elite tight ends in the NFL. The metrics say otherwise.
McMichael's overall YPA (6.9) was adequate, ranking him 13th among tight ends last year. Unfortunately, he is a one-trick pony. Of the 92 passes thrown to him last season, 71 were short passes (1-10 yards). The reason McMichael wasn't thrown more vertical passes is his YPA on the 21 combined medium/deep/bomb passes last year was a meager 7.0 yards.
McMichael also had the lowest YPA and success percentage for a tight end when flexed out. He should do a fine job in St. Louis as a check-down target, but he is certainly no longer one of the best tight ends in the NFL.

Underrated tight ends

Chris Cooley
Cooley is already considered by many to be one of the top 10 tight ends in the NFL, but the metrics indicate he deserves even more praise. Cooley posted the fourth-best overall YPA among tight ends. He had the sixth-best medium pass YPA and the best short pass YPA. His YPA when flexed out (10.8) was easily the highest in the NFL. That he was able to put up these numbers, despite the struggles of the Redskins' quarterbacks last year, speaks volumes about his ability.

Desmond Clark
Last year, Rex Grossman claimed Clark was his go-to receiver, and the metrics show why. He ranked third in YPA, finishing ahead of players such as Cooley and Jason Witten. Clark's numbers were not skewed by a smaller number of attempts:

In addition to his impressive overall numbers, Clark also ranked fourth in both medium and deep pass YPA. If he puts up similar numbers in 2007, he should receive a lot of votes for the Pro Bowl.

KC Joyner, aka The Football Scientist, is a regular contributor to ESPN Insider. His latest release ("Scientific Football 2007") is available for a special preorder price at his Web site.

GridIron26 · 06-12-2007, 11:58 PM

Finally, someone finally looks at Cooley as one of best TE..

backrow · 06-13-2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Finally, someone finally looks at Cooley as one of best TE..

He's our best, that's for sure! I look to pick him up in Fantasy FB.

wilsowilso · 06-13-2007, 12:19 AM

I really hope he has a huge year, but how much money can we afford to pay this guy? No offense, but he is not a game breaker and we can't afford to pay him massive money. He is a big weapon, but I wish he would just stay under the radar in the very good, but not elite category so we don't lose him to some ridiculous offer.

dblanch66 · 06-13-2007, 12:25 AM

Well, everyone on this site and all of FedX knows this already but it's nice that CC is getting national attention.

FRPLG · 06-13-2007, 01:17 AM

Shhhhhhhhhhhh!

We're trying to extend him. Don't pump up his market value.

Is there anyone who is a Redskins fan who doesn't believe that Cooley is a top 5 TE in the league right now? I can't think of 5 better.

Gonzo
Gates
Heap maybe

I mean there are a lot of guys who could come in and probably do just as well. Miller, Witten, Smith, Clark are all pretty even talent and skill wise compared to Cooley but Cooley fits so well in the system and is used extremely well. He runs good routes, knows how to get open, runs heavyand hard, catches almost anything thrown his way, it goes on and on. In short just does everything he is supposed to do very well. He doesn't have the athleticism of Gates or Gonzo but after those guys he is as good as anyone in the league.

hooskins · 06-13-2007, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Is there anyone who is a Redskins fan who doesn't believe that Cooley is a top 5 TE in the league right now? I can't think of 5 better.

Gonzo
Gates
Heap maybe

Cooley fits so well in the system and is used extremely well. He runs good routes, knows how to get open, runs heavyand hard, catches almost anything thrown his way, it goes on and on. In short just does everything he is supposed to do very well. He doesn't have the athleticism of Gates or Gonzo but after those guys he is as good as anyone in the league.

Exactly, Cooley is top 5 for sure. They are right he is underrated on the national scheme. Easily should be in the probowl, IMO. Who is a better TE in the NFC beside him and Shockey? I think all Skins fans know how good he is. I am glad people can see that. He really should be in the Probowl next year.

saden1 · 06-13-2007, 02:08 AM

Love Cooley...I wish the Skins would use him more. Hopefully Saunders got his shit together and uses him like he used Tony Gonzalez.

GridIron26 · 06-13-2007, 02:16 AM

Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??

saden1 · 06-13-2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??

Because he doesn't play in NY?

GridIron26 · 06-13-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saden1

Because he doesn't play in NY?

Lol what does NY have to do with probowl?

djnemo65 · 06-13-2007, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??

Anti-mormon bias.

Aussie_Skins_Fan · 06-13-2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??

He'd have easily made it two years ago, but was classed as a FB and i think Mack Strong got in front of him, which is fair enough for the FB position.

But last year he was listed as a TE and just got overlooked...Crumpler got in ahead of him, which i think was ok given he had slightly better stats (think he had more TD's and Yards). But Cooley should have been selected as the number 2 TE. I think even Shockey who went, was originally the alterante? If thats right, who was the other TE originally selected? Witten?

dmek25 · 06-13-2007, 07:23 AM

ok. we have established cooley as one of the leagues best. exactly what is that worth? i do not want to break the bank for him. yes, i want him here, but not at all costs

skinsfan_nn · 06-13-2007, 07:42 AM

I'm glad he's finally seen as underrated by others including sports writers. Because he is. This guy is becoming the face of this organization.

Also, one of the VERY BEST at his position.

Hope they are smart enough to get the deal done with Capt. Chaos at TOP tier money AS HE DESERVES! Take care of your own first....that are getting it done!

06-12-2007, 11:37 PM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,518	Joyner: Cooley underrated http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insid..._kc&id=2901510 This is the first of a series of articles covering the most overrated and underrated players in the NFL. The criteria I used was contrasting the player's 2006 metrics with his perceived performance level. This week's list features overrated and underrated tight ends. Overrated tight ends Jeremy Shockey Shockey was a Pro Bowl alternate last year, but the metrics indicate he didn't deserve the selection. Shockey ranked 23rd in yards per attempt among qualifying tight ends last year (5.6). He ranked last in medium pass YPA and 18th in short pass YPA. Shockey is perceived to be an excellent downfield threat when lining up as a wide receiver, but that is also a mirage. He had a 4.7 YPA on passes thrown to him when he was flexed out, a total that placed him next to last in that category. In a nutshell, Shockey's YPA figures place him more in the company of Randal Williams and Alex Smith, not Jason Witten and Alge Crumpler (the other two NFC Pro Bowl tight ends in 2006). Randy McMichael This is the second consecutive year I've identified McMichael as being overrated. His move to St. Louis has revealed that some people still believe he is one of the elite tight ends in the NFL. The metrics say otherwise. McMichael's overall YPA (6.9) was adequate, ranking him 13th among tight ends last year. Unfortunately, he is a one-trick pony. Of the 92 passes thrown to him last season, 71 were short passes (1-10 yards). The reason McMichael wasn't thrown more vertical passes is his YPA on the 21 combined medium/deep/bomb passes last year was a meager 7.0 yards. McMichael also had the lowest YPA and success percentage for a tight end when flexed out. He should do a fine job in St. Louis as a check-down target, but he is certainly no longer one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Underrated tight ends Chris Cooley Cooley is already considered by many to be one of the top 10 tight ends in the NFL, but the metrics indicate he deserves even more praise. Cooley posted the fourth-best overall YPA among tight ends. He had the sixth-best medium pass YPA and the best short pass YPA. His YPA when flexed out (10.8) was easily the highest in the NFL. That he was able to put up these numbers, despite the struggles of the Redskins' quarterbacks last year, speaks volumes about his ability. Desmond Clark Last year, Rex Grossman claimed Clark was his go-to receiver, and the metrics show why. He ranked third in YPA, finishing ahead of players such as Cooley and Jason Witten. Clark's numbers were not skewed by a smaller number of attempts: In addition to his impressive overall numbers, Clark also ranked fourth in both medium and deep pass YPA. If he puts up similar numbers in 2007, he should receive a lot of votes for the Pro Bowl. KC Joyner, aka The Football Scientist, is a regular contributor to ESPN Insider. His latest release ("Scientific Football 2007") is available for a special preorder price at his Web site. __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

06-12-2007, 11:58 PM	#2
GridIron26 Playmaker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Age: 36 Posts: 3,417	Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated Finally, someone finally looks at Cooley as one of best TE..

06-13-2007, 12:19 AM	#4
wilsowilso Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Age: 51 Posts: 2,841	Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated I really hope he has a huge year, but how much money can we afford to pay this guy? No offense, but he is not a game breaker and we can't afford to pay him massive money. He is a big weapon, but I wish he would just stay under the radar in the very good, but not elite category so we don't lose him to some ridiculous offer.

06-13-2007, 12:25 AM	#5
dblanch66 The Starter Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Age: 58 Posts: 1,176	Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated Well, everyone on this site and all of FedX knows this already but it's nice that CC is getting national attention.

06-13-2007, 01:17 AM	#6
FRPLG MVP Join Date: May 2004 Age: 46 Posts: 10,164	Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated Shhhhhhhhhhhh! We're trying to extend him. Don't pump up his market value. Is there anyone who is a Redskins fan who doesn't believe that Cooley is a top 5 TE in the league right now? I can't think of 5 better. Gonzo Gates Heap maybe I mean there are a lot of guys who could come in and probably do just as well. Miller, Witten, Smith, Clark are all pretty even talent and skill wise compared to Cooley but Cooley fits so well in the system and is used extremely well. He runs good routes, knows how to get open, runs heavyand hard, catches almost anything thrown his way, it goes on and on. In short just does everything he is supposed to do very well. He doesn't have the athleticism of Gates or Gonzo but after those guys he is as good as anyone in the league.

06-13-2007, 02:08 AM	#8
saden1 MVP Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Seattle Age: 45 Posts: 10,069	Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated Love Cooley...I wish the Skins would use him more. Hopefully Saunders got his shit together and uses him like he used Tony Gonzalez. __________________ "The Redskins have always suffered from chronic organizational deformities under Snyder." -Jenkins

06-13-2007, 02:16 AM	#9
GridIron26 Playmaker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Age: 36 Posts: 3,417	Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated Actually hooskins made me to think of one question.. How come Cooley has never been to probowl??

06-13-2007, 07:23 AM	#14
dmek25 MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: lancaster,pa Age: 63 Posts: 10,672	Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated ok. we have established cooley as one of the leagues best. exactly what is that worth? i do not want to break the bank for him. yes, i want him here, but not at all costs __________________ "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt." courtesy of 53fan

06-13-2007, 07:42 AM	#15
skinsfan_nn Playmaker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Newport News,Virginia Age: 60 Posts: 4,495	Re: Joyner: Cooley underrated I'm glad he's finally seen as underrated by others including sports writers. Because he is. This guy is becoming the face of this organization. Also, one of the VERY BEST at his position. Hope they are smart enough to get the deal done with Capt. Chaos at TOP tier money AS HE DESERVES! Take care of your own first....that are getting it done! __________________ "There's no greater feeling than moving a man from Point A to Point B, against his will." #68 THANKS COACH GIBBS FOR EVERYTHING! YOUR THE MAN AND ALWAYS WILL BE!

Joyner: Cooley underrated

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