What it means to Live and Breathe Philly Sports

McNabb you suck! Iverson get off the court! You’re a bum Burrell! Lindros you’re a loser! These are phrases every Philadelphia sports fan knows all too well. When you’re ours your ours forever. Anybody else you are the enemy. Our love for our athletes is unbelievable. A Philadelphia athlete has to be a specific type of athlete to play in this city and be successful. But once you do something great here, your name will live on forever. Players that play here can lift up the entire city. They can bring together white collar and blue collar workers. You have to be a unique player to play here, and you have to have the ability to let nothing bother you and play your heart out. Shawn Bradley once said about Philadelphia fans, “The problem with Philadelphia fans is that they want you to play every game like it’s your last one.” So, truly what does it mean to be a Philadelphia sports fan

The City of Brotherly love we don’t show too much love for our players, but when we do, they won’t only know it but the whole world will know it. Here we love our teams, our players, and our sports. In this city we wear our hearts on our sleeves. We yell and scream at the players who have done so much for us. Whether it is Donovan McNabb or Allen Iverson, our way of showing love is cursing, screaming, and freaking out at our players. That is because we do not want the best for them but for our city, that is because these players are our family and our lives. No matter what life has thrown at the City of Philadelphia, we have always had sports; the Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Phillies to rest our hopes and dreams on. We might not have the most Championships, we might take the back seat to LA and New York with sports success, but no one can say they try harder every season for their teams then the Philadelphia fans do. Philadelphia fans have had bad seasons and rough patches, but we still have hope. We are able to have hope because of our miracles such as 4^th and 26, the step-over, or a World Series. We are passionate fans. We love our teams and players. We will believe in you until you prove us to be wrong.  As Billy Wagner said about Philly fans, “Those people, it doesn’t matter how successful you are. I don’t get it. They boo you. They scream at you.”

Philadelphia is a town of hard working individuals, and we expect the same out of our athletes. We want the best for not only them but us as well. We expect you to go out every game and play like it was your last game, if you do that, and with stand our hate you will live on forever in this town. Players like Iverson who played his heart out and gave his all to the city of Philadelphia; to take a team of rag tag guys to a championship and to play with so much heart. A guy like Pat Burrell who tried his hardest, dealt with the hate of Philly fans because he didn’t live up to his potential, but brought us a championship. These are guys that will be remembered in this city and guys we love, because they played their hearts out. Guys with the true Philly attitude, the never quit give 110% are the guys we love. I asked what does it mean to be a Philly sports fan? To live in the City of Brotherly Love? It means to love your team so much that you are willing to hate on them, it means to support your guys to the death, and finally it means to give your all to your city and players, and hopefully they will give it back to you. It takes a special type of player to play here, because we are no ordinary fans, we are Philly fans. 

-Brett

Has Riley Cooper Reached His Ceiling?

A player having a high ceiling is a term usually saved for prospects before the draft that could eventually develop into a great player. Typically they are tremendous athletes, but have not yet grasped the necessary technical skills. Riley Cooper is entering his fifth season and he still has room to grow. At 6 foot 4 and 230 pounds Riley was a big body receiver that the Eagles wanted to take a chance on. They are still hoping it pays off. Cooper was drafted out of University of Florida where he was a two sport athlete, football and baseball. This gave him less time to improve his football talents. While he used to play for the Gators, he also looks like he should be wrestling them. He also looks more like a cowboy, rather than someone who plays against them.

The 2013 season was a breakout year for Riley Cooper. Last year he put up 47 catches, 835 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Cooper works his tail off day in and day out and earned every bit of success. Since being drafted as a late fifth round pick, each season he has consistently improved. This coming season the Eagles expect the same. The past season he was nothing special and it not all glory. He had his poor plays and dropped passes. The most crushing drop came against the Saints in the playoffs that every Eagle fan wishes they can forget about. Riley Cooper made some great catches but he was not going against top corners that knew how to fight for the ball. Number 14 for the Eagles has to be more consistent. If his mistakes disappear then the Eagles can rely on him on third down. An underrated part of his game is his first step after making the catch. It is very subtle. He knows exactly where the defender is without looking at him. Something that he has worked tirelessly on is the back shoulder fade in the end zone. We did see it work last year, but it needs to be perfected. The most improved part of his game is how he attacks the ball in the air and came down with it. Cooper is ready to take another big step-forward this coming season.

It is Chip Kelly’s second year in Philadelphia. Riley Cooper fits what Chip wants to do. Kelly’s offense demands a strong receiver who can catch the ball in traffic, which Riley can provide. Chip and cooper have a great relationship, which is evident after the contract of 5 years and $22.5 million. Riley knows he is just one player out of the entire offense. He is able to be a serviceable second wide receiver on the depth chart because he fits the offense. Riley does not have to be a star player because the offense spreads the ball around to everybody. The Eagles gave Cooper that contract because they expect him to impact the game when called upon.

Going into training camp last year, Cooper did was not listed as the second receiver until Jeremy Maclin went down with a season ending injury. This year, Cooper knows his specific role and he is able to build on last year’s success. Riley could not have flourished without Nick Foles under center. With Mike Vick as QB in the first five games, Cooper was practically not even there with having only caught eight passes. After the fifth game of the season, Cooper got a lot more passes his way because Foles stepped in. Foles and Cooper is a great tandem because of their timing and chemistry. It was developed from the past two years of being on the second team together during practice drills.

It will also be Cooper’s first season without Desean Jackson opposite of him. DeSean demanded the defense’s respect. I am sure any defensive back, even Richard Sherman, would rather cover Cooper over Jackson. However, many people do not realize Cooper had 17.8 yards per catch compared to Jackson’s 16.2 yards. Cooper is more of a deep threat than people realize. Now with Jackson gone, Cooper will get more attention. Will his numbers go down or up without Jackson? Riley’s role will likely grow without the former number 10. He will now be counted on as a go to target on crucial downs. Nick Foles will be looking for him much more in the end zone as well. Once again consistency is key for Cooper. Young players are supposed to make mistakes, not a fifth year player. Cooper better be a willing teacher because the Eagles brought in talented young WRs who will to Cooper for guidance.  The former fifth-round pick needs to play up to his size and shield the defender from the ball.

The 2013 season was not a fluke year for Riley Cooper. All of his effort and skill-set warranted those numbers and success. It is completely reasonable for the Eagles fan base to believe that Cooper is a one and done. However, do not say that he did not repeat last year’s success if Kelly gives the ball to a different player because that player was the hotter hand. My biggest gripe with him is his stupidity off the field. The Eagles better have put no country music concerts as a clause in his contract. The Eagles most talented, crowded, and competitive position is at wide receiver. Riley Cooper better improve from last year or he will see his playing time diminish.

-Glen