WR Amari Cooper (11.24.23)
How did you see DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) grow in that second start? What do you think the next steps are?
“Well, for starters, we had the whole week to prepare. Just being a player myself, I know how much that could do for a player stepping into a game, especially a quarterback. In terms of next steps, from my standpoint, obviously just to grow, I think that’s a better question for him.”
You mentioned the last time he started that you felt like you hadn’t done enough to help him. As kind of the veteran receiver and everything, what were you able to do to help him this time around in your mind?
“Yeah, communication. That was, I think, the number one thing. We talked about a few things that I won’t divulge here, but I think that went really well for us, communicating about what we communicated about, and it actually showed in the game. And I actually went up to him after the game and just thanked him for just listening, because as the quarterback, leader of the team, you don’t necessarily have to listen. I saw a lot of growth just with that one fact alone.”
You always talk about how it’s just your job to catch the ball, and it doesn’t really matter which quarterback is throwing it to you. But in that particular game, it looked like there was probably about like a half a dozen drops just amongst the pass catchers. What’s your sort of philosophy on that? When you have a new young quarterback in there and there’s, is that hard to adjust to a different ball coming in or is that just got to figure it out and catch the darn ball?
“Yeah. I mean, at the end of the day, if you drop the ball, it’s only for one reason, because you didn’t catch it. But no, it’s because if you have a dropped ball, that means it hit your hands and you didn’t catch it. So, I mean, ultimately, you can never blame a drop on the quarterback.”
And the one that was the interception, what happened on that? Was that just real high?
“No, on the interception, that was, I believe, our one turnover in the game. I was supposed to have stronger hands there and just catch the ball.”
When you look at that Broncos defense. How good do you think (Pat) Surtain is?
“I think he’s real good. I mean, I would expect nothing less. The son of an All-Pro corner. So, I actually was a Dolphins fan growing up in Miami, so I watched them a little bit.”
And then (Justin) Simmons the other guy that jumps out to you when you look at the secondary?
“Simmons actually jumps out a lot. I’ve been competing against him since I was at the Raiders because they were in the division. One of the things that stands out with him is his ability to come down with the ball, jump ball situation. Generally, the corners and especially the safeties don’t have as much ball skills as us receivers, so you don’t quite expect them to go to come down with a jump ball, but he’s a player who can definitely accomplish that if given the opportunity. So knowing that going into the game, just have to be cognizant of it. You’re in a jump ball situation. Make sure you’re high pointing the ball, make sure you’re using all your fundamentals.”
The amount of takeaways Denver’s been getting recently. So, for you and the other receivers, what can you guys do to help DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) take care of the football?
“Yeah, same thing I just mentioned, fundamentals. Making sure we come back to the ball every chance we get. Not just standing there after we break off our routes, actually coming back to the ball, cutting off the ability of the cornerback to undercut the ball, half point in the ball. Make sure we’re assignment sound, make sure we know the game plan so there are as little mistakes as possible. Make sure we have strong hands. All the so-called little things we have to make sure we’re on it.”
One of the best aspects of your guys’ offense this season has been the deep ball to you. Is it important to still try to hit those shots? Even against a team that has so many takeaways and so many interceptions, do you still have to kind of be aggressive, you think, and go for those explosives?
“Of course. A huge aspect of this game is field position. That’s what you’re fighting for at all times, fighting for great field position because the probability of getting points when you have field position goes way up. And a great way of doing that is getting chunks instead of just getting three or four yards of play, trying to get some explosives when the opportunity is there so that you can have great field position, get a field goal and ultimately touchdown.”
What does it mean to bring a guy like Joe Flacco in, not play right away, but somebody who’s experienced and kind of done it all in the league?
“Yeah, I think it’s a phenomenal idea. Obviously, Joe Flacco is a guy who growing up, we all watched, and especially with DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) back there, being such a young player, a rookie, just having guidance, more guidance. So, I think it’s a phenomenal idea.”
How many times have you had to play in Denver, in that mile-high air?
“Yeah, I played there quite a few times. At least once a year when I was in Oakland, obviously. A couple more times after that, once I got out of the division. So, it’s definitely a challenge. They have mile-high written all over the stadium and locker rooms as some sort of tactic. I mean, from my experience playing there, if you’re in good shape, it doesn’t affect you. If you’re not in good shape, it does.”
You guys are going to stay out there. Have you ever done that before? Do you like that idea in the middle of the season?
“Yeah, I have done that before. At Oakland, we always travel two days before the game because the time difference gives our body an opportunity to adapt. And the flights are always really long for four or five hours. So we would go there two days before just to make sure our bodies were right on the actual game day. But yeah, had a couple of situations where we would play, like the Dolphins and then Tampa the week after. So, we just stayed in Florida. It’s a change of pace, I would say, practicing all week from a different spot, staying at a hotel and things of that nature. But at the same time, if that’s a decision that was made by the coaching staff and everybody else, then I’m sure it’s the right decision.”
With Deshaun (Watson) out for the season. How do you feel about your guys still achieving all your goals and dreams this season?
“Yeah, I mean, obviously it’s very unfortunate for Deshaun to be out this season. He had surgery on Tuesday. I called him, made sure he was all right. It sucks. He really wants to play. He really wants to be here. He really wants to be around us. So, it’s a terrible thing, but that’s why football is the biggest team game. We all have his back and we’re going to have to pull together. So ultimately, it just gives us a challenge and an opportunity to see how together we are as a team. I like our chances. I think the camaraderie, the locker room has been great, and we’ve been able to come together, fight, be resilient in the game, enough to win.”
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