Cooper Kupp

[Don Wassall]

Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp 'consistently showed up' in rookie camp

May 14 (UPI) -- Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is already making an impression for the Los Angeles Rams, according to coach Sean McVay.

The rookie coach praised the rookie player Saturday after the last day of rookie minicamp.

"Yeah. I think when you look at it, we did a lot more 7-on-7 than sometimes you're accustomed to because we just were a little bit limited with our numbers on O-line and D-line," McVay told reporters. "Cooper was a guy that consistently showed up."

Kupp, 23, was one of the Rams' third-round selections in the 2017 NFL Draft.

"I think the first thing you know about Cooper is he's a pro and you can see that," Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur told the team website. "He came in here not like most rookies do. He's an extremely polished route runner, got great hands, is a precise route-runner. You can tell he works at his craft each and every day. He does a great job."

The Eastern Washington product had 428 receptions for 6,464 yards and 73 receiving touchdowns in four seasons for the Eagles. He also threw four touchdown passes and ran for a score.

"He got a lot of touches and I think it was predicated on the routes that he was running," McVay said of Kupp. "The quarterbacks did a good job finding him. So, he got a lot of touches. But like we mentioned yesterday, I thought Josh [Reynolds] showed really well. Gerald [Everett] had his moments where he did some really good things. Even Sam Rogers, he catches a couple balls coming out of the backfield and showed his versatility and athleticism, why you like him at Virginia Tech. It was good."

Fifth-year speedster Tavon Austin enters the 2017 season as Jared Goff's top returning target, but will miss OTAs after getting surgery Thursday on his left wrist. He is expected to be ready for training camp in July, but has been unable to perform to a level justifying his high draft selection. Austin, 26, was the No. 8 pick overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. He has never had more than 434 yards or four receiving touchdowns in a season. He has also never eclipsed 58 catches in a season.

The Rams drafted Austin over Pro Bowlers DeAndre Hopkins, Cordarrelle Patterson and a slew of talented tight ends in 2013.

Los Angeles lost Kenny Britt and Lance Kendricks in free agency and brought in former Buffalo Bills wide out Robert Woods.

Woods signed in March for five-years and $39 million. He has never had a season with more than 700 yards receiving or eclipsed five touchdown catches.

McVay said that Kupp and the other rookies could play immediately.

"Yeah. I think the idea is that we're expecting some of these guys to contribute and they certainly have to earn it and we know that we're always looking to create competition at all spots," McVay told reporters. "Whoever we think is the best player to give us the best chance to have success is who's going to play. I think what you see from some of those players at the receiver, at the tight end position, you're encouraged and you're hoping that it'll project when we get out here with all the veterans and you really see where things are ramped up a little bit."

The youngest coach in the NFL added that Austin's injury won't change the roles for his wide receivers during the offseason.

Kupp told the Rams website that he "can't wait" to work with Goff.

"This isn't the first time I've seen Jared around," Kupp said. "I worked out with him in during this draft process. And it was very clear the tenacity he has, and the desire he has to win. And that's going to show. It just so happens that there's people here to see it, but that's something that's going to be going on when there's no cameras here."

The former Eagles standout recently said he wasn't trying to prove doubters wrong during his time at the NFL combine and during workouts.

"No. Anytime you come out there and you're trying to prove something, you're trying to be something more than what you are. If you're trying to prove something, you've got a weight on your chest," Kupp told the Rams website. "There's no room for error. But I'm just trying to come out and be who I am. I'm just going to play football. I know I'm a great player. So I'm going to come out and just let that show. That should be enough."

The Rams haven't had a wide receiver eclipse 1,000 yards since Torry Holt in 2007. It hasn't had a wide receiver catch at least 10 touchdown passes since Holt did so in 2006.

http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/...ently-showed-up-in-rookie-camp/7581494780611/

 

[Leonardfan]

Would love to see Kupp and Spruce make the team this year and have an impact.

 

[Don Wassall]

I think Kupp has a decent chance of not having to serve a long racial apprenticeship. He may even get significant playing time as a rookie. He's NFL ready, he'll be 24 next month (maybe he's a Mormon and did a two-year mission), and the Rams have a real need at WR. It would be idiotic for the Rams not to get him on the field from the get-go.

 

[Don Wassall]

Cooper Kupp and Jared Goff Could Be a Match Made in Football Heaven for LA Rams
MATT MILLERMAY 25, 2017

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
As Cooper Kupp sat with his friends and family on Day 2 of the 2017 NFL draft, he was waiting to hear his name called. He had no way of knowing that a quarterback he met while training for predraft events would alter his future.

Kupp left Eastern Washington after his senior season, having won awards named after Jerry Rice (FCS Freshman of the Year) and Walter Payton (FCS Most Outstanding Offensive Player) and with the record for most receptions, yards and touchdowns in FCS history. Kupp was no secret to NFL teams, but there were concerns about his lack of top-end speed and where he would fit into a pro-style offense.

Throughout the predraft process of the Senior Bowl, NFL scouting combine and pro day workouts, NFL scouts raved privately about the readiness and intelligence of Kupp, whose father and grandfather played in the NFL.

“You could tell from talking to him for five minutes that he gets it. He’s one of the smartest receivers I’ve ever talked to” is how one area scout described Kupp. He had his fans in draft rooms across the league, but he was about to win over another group of important people who could impact his draft stock—NFL quarterbacks.

Leaving Eastern, Kupp decided to sign with Rep1 Sports for representation. The decision would ultimately tie him to another of the firm’s clients, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, whom he met at the Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals game in early January after signing with the agency.

In training sessions during the months following the NFL season, Goff and Kupp threw together “a handful of times," according to Chase Callahan of Rep1. Just like Carson Wentz and Mack Hollins in Philadelphia or Ben Roethlisberger and James Conner in Pittsburgh, the two clicked and connected while training at the Rep1 facility this offseason. It would leave Goff hoping his Rams would land Kupp in the draft.

Goff’s connection and recommendation of Kupp wasn’t the only one, though. Multiple teams contacted for this story said the quarterbacks they talked to at the Senior Bowl were going to bat for Kupp in formal and informal interviews. “Everyone loved the kid," said one scout who was in Mobile, Alabama, for the event.

Kupp would eventually hear his name called in the third round of the draft, at No. 69 overall, and find himself reunited with his old Rep1 throwing buddy. The connection between Goff and Kupp is already showing up in camp.

A Rams source, who asked to not be named in this piece, said Kupp has been “the team’s best receiver” so far in camp. Better than Robert Woods, who was handed a five-year, $34 million contract this offseason. Said the source, “Kupp gives us the ability to play him in the slot or outside. Which gives Tavon [Austin] flexibility. It’s a good problem to have.” And with Austin sidelined at OTAs, Kupp has impressed.

Throughout rookie minicamp, Kupp was the star. Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News reported Kupp was “the star" of this month’s Rams camp, and head coach Sean McVay praised Kupp as “a guy that consistently showed up," according to Jim Allen of the Spokesman-Review. Following camp, offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur told Myles Simmons of the team website, "...he’s a pro and you can see that. He came in here not like most rookies do.” As Kupp works at receiver and punt returner, it’s clear the team feels like it has a potential impact player.

How good can Kupp be right out of the gate for a Rams offense that desperately needs wide receiver help? "He could lead this team in receptions and I wouldn’t be surprised," said the Rams source. Expectations are high for the third-rounder. NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager predicted Kupp would lead all rookies in receptions with over 70 catches. That’s a high number for a rookie, especially with a developing quarterback, but Kupp was graded by our NFL Draft 400 team with the best hands in the class.

Much of Kupp’s success will be determined by the progress Jared Goff makes in year two—and vice versa. Already reports are coming out of Los Angeles about Goff’s easy transition learning this offense, how he’s bigger and stronger and becoming more of a leader. Every quarterback needs a safety valve, and the relationship on and off the field between Goff and Kupp could make them a very productive duo for the Rams in 2017.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...e-a-match-made-in-football-heaven-for-la-rams

 

[sport historian]

I remember Cooper Kupp's grandfather, Jake Kupp. He was an offensive lineman in the 60's and 70's.

 

[Don Wassall]

Cooper Kupp atop depth chart for Los Angeles Rams

By Jim Allen

Evidently, Cooper Kupp has made a big impression with the Los Angeles Rams.

With fall camp a few days away, the former Eastern Washington All-American already is atop the preseason depth chart for the team that drafted him in April.

The Rams recently provided an unofficial list of preseason starters. There were few surprises, but Kupp was one of them.

That may raise a few eyebrows among the pros but not for Eagles fans, who watched Kupp break every major receiving record in the Football Championship Subdivision during his four years in Cheney.

From the first minicamp, the Yakima native impressed coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur with his reliability.

“I think the first thing you know about Cooper is he’s a pro and you can see that,” LaFleur said.

“He came in here not like most rookies do. He’s an extremely polished route runner who’s got great hands, is a precise route-runner. You can tell he works at his craft each and every day,” LaFleur said.

Kupp likely made the top of the depth chart because the list is based on a three-wide receiver set. The other projected starters are Tavon Austin, a four-year veteran out of West Virginia; and projected go-to receiver Robert Woods.

Woods, a former USC star who played the last four years at Buffalo, signed a five-year, $39 million contract with the Rams this spring.

Kupp’s chances for early playing time increased on July 14, when second-year receiver Mike Thomas was hit with a four-game suspension for violating NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Thomas won’t be eligible to play until Oct. 2.

Expectations for Kupp are all over the board. NumberFire.com recently projected that Kupp would have 29 catches this year. However, Peter Schrager from Good Morning Football predicts a 70-catch season.

The Rams open camp on Wednesday afternoon at UC Irvine, with rookies reporting first. Full camp begins on Saturday.

The Rams open the preseason at home on Aug. 12 against the Dallas Cowboys.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jul/24/cooper-kupp-atop-depth-chart-for-los-angeles-rams/

 

[Leonardfan]

The Rams WR corp has been laughably one of the worst in the league. Austin is not a number 1 wr and was not worthy of his draft position. Woods has been average in his career and after that it's a bunch of black WRs who are on an NFL roster based more on skin color rather than ability. It would be great to see Kupp and Spruce both make the roster and get plenty of snaps.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Some analyst on NFL Networkdidn't catch his name) just said Cooper Kupp "will lead All Rookies in Pass Receptions"..."catches everything in his Zip Code"

Wish there would have been a way to "Morph" the Cooper Kupp "College Thread" with this one...like a progression timeline since his freshman season at Eastern Washington.

 

[Ambrose]

Listen to the narrator's comments: "...he thinks like a quarterback... he's wired the right way... he's always got a plan..." Sounds like he's talking about a white receiver... oh, yeah, he is.

 

[Don Wassall]

The popular fantasy football site Fantasy Sharks projects Cooper to have the following 2017 stats: 26 receptions for 231 yards and 0 TDs. Or an average of just under 9 yards per catch. I enjoy such idiocy because it enables me to effortlessly draft Kupp on most of my fantasy teams, except for the Lambert League, sponsored by Caste Football, whose draft starts Saturday. I expect Kupp to be long gone in the Lambert League when I draft at 1.12. I know Kaptain will draft him with 100% certainty if he's still there when it's his turn.

 

[Kaptain]

The popular fantasy football site Fantasy Sharks projects Cooper to have the following 2017 stats: 26 receptions for 231 yards and 0 TDs. Or an average of just under 9 yards per catch. I enjoy such idiocy because it enables me to effortlessly draft Kupp on most of my fantasy teams, except for the Lambert League, sponsored by Caste Football, whose draft starts Saturday. I expect Kupp to be long gone in the Lambert League when I draft at 1.12. I know Kaptain will draft him with 100% certainty if he's still there when it's his turn.

Thanks Don, I just about forgot about Kupp with summer hijinks going on. I'll draft him and be nice enough to offer him in an outrageous trade to you.

 

[Rocky B]

I wonder how the Sammie Watkins trade will affect CK????
It may help.....Let the other teams' best corner cover SW....????

 

[icsept]

Suspicious trade from a CF perspective. By all accounts, Kupp was the clear #1 receiver on the Rams coming into the season. That would have been unprecedented (and apparently unacceptable) for a White rookie. Watkins is immediately granted #1 status, despite vastly underachieving for a #4 overall pick. If Watkins fails, it will be blamed on Goff. If Kupp succeeds, it will be credited to Watkins. Under no circumstances will Goff be allowed to target Kupp more than Watkins. The only silver lining is Watkins' propensity for injuries.

 

[Don Wassall]

I think it was clear that Tavon Austin was continuing to be a bust as a starting receiver. Robert Woods is also a bust but not on the same scale. Overall I don't see it as a minus for Kupp (or Jared Goff for that matter). If Watkins is actually healthy for once it should only make it easier for Kupp, who is destined to be Goff's "security blanket" (hopefully along with Tyler Higbee) even though he can play and dominate on the outside if used that way.

 

[La France Blanche]

Suspicious trade from a CF perspective. By all accounts, Kupp was the clear #1 receiver on the Rams coming into the season. That would have been unprecedented (and apparently unacceptable) for a White rookie. Watkins is immediately granted #1 status, despite vastly underachieving for a #4 overall pick. If Watkins fails, it will be blamed on Goff. If Kupp succeeds, it will be credited to Watkins. Under no circumstances will Goff be allowed to target Kupp more than Watkins. The only silver lining is Watkins' propensity for injuries.

From the Rams' perspective, it was a terrible trade. Short on future draft picks already, they gave up a second-rounder for a fragile afrolete? Even the DWFs are saying the Rams "lost" the trade.

I can only hope this ends up helping Kupp somehow, one way or another.

 

[Don Wassall]

Thanks Don, I just about forgot about Kupp with summer hijinks going on. I'll draft him and be nice enough to offer him in an outrageous trade to you.

Looks like you forgot about him again. Cooper Kupp is now a proud member of Roll The Bones!

 

[Kaptain]

Looks like you forgot about him again. Cooper Kupp is now a proud member of Roll The Bones!

I didn't forget but I got plenty of white receivers to root for and start and I'll still be rooting for Kupp anyway. I desperately needed to a starting running back so I had to bite the bullet on this one.

 

[Don Wassall]

More praise for the Kuppmaster:

Cooper Kupp may be Rams receiver worth watching

Alden GonzalezESPN Staff Writer

When third down presented itself Saturday and quarterback Jared Goff needed to keep the sticks moving, he went to Cooper Kupp -- four times in eight third-down situations.

Kupp, a third-round pick after a record-setting career at Eastern Washington, has already solidified a role as the Los Angeles Rams' slot receiver. Now he has become a security blanket for the Rams' second-year quarterback.

Sammy Watkins, a reliable possession receiver in Robert Woods, a dynamic wild card in Tavon Austin, and two athletic tight ends in Tyler Higbeeand Gerald Everett. But Kupp is the one who seems poised to lead the Rams in catches this year, because he's so sure-handed and because he has such a knack for getting open.

"He's a great player," Goff told reporters after a 24-21 win on the road over the Oakland Raiders. "He makes it easy for me the way he runs his routes, how friendly of a target he is."

Kupp finished Saturday's game with a team-high six catches for 70 yards. He found himself wide open over the top for a 23-yard touchdown to end the first drive, then made a couple of key catches in drive No. 3, one of which saw him juggle a bullet pass across the middle and somehow hold on to place the ball at the 2-yard line. On the fourth drive, Goff and Kupp connected on two third-down completions. One went 17 yards down the field, the other saw Kupp reel in a catch on a quick slant just before it hit the ground.

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"It's just one of those things where you continue to get comfortable; catch the ball and get a feel for who is around you without really having to look to see who is around you," Kupp said. "Just continue to play faster play in and play out. I think that will just continue to happen the more reps, the farther we get going through this.”

Kupp lives football. He went from no college offers to several college records because he outworks everybody and refuses to be outsmarted or underprepared. He doesn't boast elite straight-line speed, but he makes up for it with instincts and quickness. He has the field awareness of a 10-year veteran and some of the game's most reliable hands. Rams coach Sean McVay considers him "one of the more polished, mature rookies that I've ever been around."

"He just does all the little things the right way," McVay said. "I've been very pleased with him."

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele...cooper-kupp-may-be-the-rams-wr-worth-drafting

 

[Don Wassall]

Cooper Kupp was the first White receiver allowed to start as a rookie since Wayne Chrebet back in 1995. Cooper had an outstanding rookie season and it should be onwards and upwards from there. Here are highlights from his 2017 season:

 

[Thrashen]

The “anti-racist” SJW’s over at ESPN always manage to provide a color-blind analysis in their fantasy football section:

Cooper Kupp: “He is the Julian Edelman of the Rams passing attack and, thus, has WR2/WR3 value.”

If they actually watched the Rams and Patriots on offense, they’d realize that Kupp and Edelman don’t play the same position. I think they meant to say the “Danny Amendola of the Rams passing attack.” For Edelman’s position, Randall Cobb would be a better comparison. Cobb is black and therefore magically superior to every white athlete. The two races are never athletically compared by the Caste media for this reason alone.

 

[Carolina Speed]

The two races are never athletically compared by the Caste media for this reason alone.

Yep. As I've said, I don't watch much football anymore, but tried really hard to watch the Panthers Sunday and McCaffrey was compared to no one and the few other times I've watched I haven't heard anything in the past, although he broke Reggie Bush's Pac-12 all purpose yards record. I do remember hearing that he was tough for his small stature!

 

[Don Wassall]

Cooper is on track in his recovery from a torn ACL:

Each Cooper Kupp update this offseason seems to be more positive for Rams

by Dan Parzych

The Los Angeles Rams continue to make it clear that Cooper Kupp is making great progress this offseason with his recovery from a torn ACL, and appears to be on track to be ready for Week 1.
Three years ago, the Los Angeles Rams felt confident enough that Cooper Kuppwould turn out to be one of the biggest steals from the draft in 2016, and that seems to be the case so far when looking at the receiver’s production over the previous two seasons.

In fact, Kupp was always viewed as a receiver who would play more like a veteran instead of a young wideout, and having the Eastern Washington product as a reliable option in the passing game has worked wonders for Jared Goff on offense.

Even if Josh Reynolds did the best he could in helping fill the void left in the passing game, Kupp is one of those players who is arguably irreplaceable, and one can only imagine how different the outcome of the Super Bowl would have been with the wideout in the lineup.

On a positive note, over the last few months, there have been numerous updates surrounding the status of Kupp during his recovery process, and every single one as of late seems to be the best news possible in regards to him being on track to be ready to go for Week 1.

When taking into consideration that it’s only June, Kupp still obviously has a long way to go since recovering from a torn ACL is never an easy task, but at least the updates that seem to come around each week always seem to be positive.

Even last week, Sean McVay couldn’t seem to hold back his excitement when discussing Kupp’s progress with the knee, and how the wideout has been shining in recent workouts to make it seem like all will be good to go come September.

After hauling in 40 catches for 566 yards with six touchdowns before going down with the injury last season, one can only imagine what kind of numbers Kupp will put up in 2019 if there are no setbacks, and he manages to stay healthy.

These next two or three months will be extremely important for Kupp when it comes to what to expect in Week 1, but if the numerous updates so far this offseason are any indication, the Rams should be in good shape.

https://ramblinfan.com/2019/06/10/los-angeles-rams-trade-targets-oakland-raiders-2019-training-camp/

 

[Don Wassall]

Jared Goff: Cooper Kupp 'looks really, really good' this offseason

by Cameron DaSilva

Cooper Kupp has had a big impact on the Rams offense since being drafted in 2017. Unfortunately, he was limited to only eight games last season due to a torn ACL. He’s well on his way back to being 100 percent and is expected to be fully ready for the start of the season – great news for Jared Goff and the offense as a whole.

Kupp participated in OTAs and minicamp this spring, though in a limited capacity. He’s been cleared for training camp and won’t begin on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which is great news.

Goff threw with Kupp while the Rams were on summer break between OTAs and training camp and says the third-year wideout looks strong.

“Very excited,” Goff said this week of Kupp’s return. “I think Sean (McVay) can talk further on where he’s at physically, but to me he looks really, really good. I’ve thrown with him a few times in the last month and looks strong, looks fast, looks physical. I know he’s ready to go, ready to start fresh and get this thing going.”

Kupp said he “threw quite a bit” with his receivers this summer, hoping to build greater chemistry in advance of the upcoming season. Having Kupp back will be a huge benefit for him, given how often he relied on the Eastern Washington product in the slot.

If Kupp is 100 percent for the start of the season as he’s expected to be, Goff will be a happy camper.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/07/26/nfl-rams-jared-goff-cooper-kupp-knee-rehab/

 

[Don Wassall]

The news continues to be nothing but good about Cooper:

Rams WR Cooper Kupp ‘felt great’ getting hit in practice

by Matthew Schmidt

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was knocked out halfway through this past season due to a torn ACL, but he is on the mend and is ready to return to action this year.

Kupp has already taken some hits in practice, and he says everything has gone just fine:

“A guy gives you a pop, you roll up, hit the ground and pop back up,” said Kupp, according to Jim Alexander of The Los Angeles Daily News. “Honestly, I didn’t really realize I’d gone down. And it’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, my first time really being hit and being on the ground.’ But it felt great. You get that first one out of the way, and you’re good.”

The 26-year-old was on his way to having a terrific 2018 campaign before the injury, as he had hauled in 40 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns. Obviously, it was very difficult for Kupp to watch his teammates play on without him;

“You want to contribute,” he said. “You want to be a part of things to help your guys, help this team produce, help this team put up Ws. At the same time you get to watch your guys out there and have the time of their lives and compete. Guys stepped up, won some big games, made a push obviously to get to the Super Bowl. That part of it was fun, to watch those guys compete and just learn from them.”

The good news is that Kupp seems to be healthy and is prepared to help the Rams get back to another Super Bowl.

Kupp, who played his collegiate football at Eastern Washington, was originally selected by Los Angeles in the third round (69th pick overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He caught 62 passes for 869 yards and five scores during his rookie year.

https://clutchpoints.com/rams-news-cooper-kupp-felt-great-getting-hit-in-practice/

 

[Don Wassall]

More very positive news about Kupp:

The Athletic's Jay Glazer reports Cooper Kupp "timed better" in every athletic test post-ACL tear.
"All his test scores, coming out of his breaks, agility, quickness, every test timed better than it was before he tore his ACL," Glazer writes. "It’s incredible." Kupp managed to avoid Los Angeles' active/PUP list despite tearing his ACL in November and has since had his workload "measured" during camp. Now fully healthy, it's terrific news for all involved as both Jared Goff and Robert Woods performed better at their respective positions with Kupp manning the slot full-time. Currently being drafted as fantasy's WR23, Kupp seems like a good bet to be at full speed come Week 1.