In a somewhat surprising move the Los Angeles Rams have decided to part ways with Pharoh Cooper, who not only made the Pro Bowl last year in 2017, but was also a First-Team All-Pro as a return specialist.
The Rams have waived kick returner Pharoh Cooper. He was named a first team All Pro in 2017 after ranking second in the league in kickoff return and punt return average.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 18, 2018
Pharoh Cooper is now subject to the waiver wire, meaning anyone of the other 31 teams around the league can put in a claim to acquire his services. If he goes unclaimed however, he will become a free agent and is free to sign with any team of his choosing.
As one of those 31 teams, the Dallas Cowboys could be one of the interested parties in acquiring Cooper’s services. After all, adding Amari Cooper worked out pretty well, so why not kick the tires on another Cooper.
With just two regular-season games remaining in 2018, many teams would view bringing aboard Pharoh Cooper as a move with the future in mind. But, with the Cowboys he could literally hit the ground running and contribute right away in one of their weakest areas, as a return specialist.
The Dallas Cowboys are currently deploying Cornerback Jourdan Lewis as their kick returner and Wide Receiver Cole Beasley as their punt returner. Neither is making any kind of impact in the return game, meaning the Cowboys could definitely use an upgrade at both spots and Cooper could be just the man to provide that service.
Like I mentioned earlier, Pharoh Cooper was a Pro Bowl/First-Team All-Pro return man just a season ago. He did most of his damage as a kick returner, averaging 27.4 yards per return. The Cowboys just so happen to fall victim to one of his returns for 66 yards last year. So, they know all too well what he is capable of.
I personally like the idea of the Cowboys bringing in Pharoh Cooper, and not only as a return specialist. After this season their WR depth could be depleted quite a bit. Cooper would provide insurance for depth purposes, even though he hasn’t made much of an impact in the passing game yet in his young career.
Now, I have no idea whether or not the Cowboys will show any interest or put in a waiver claim for the former Pro Bowl return man, but it sounds like a good idea to me. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if another Cooper somehow makes his way to Dallas.
Yes unless there’s some kind of character issue that caused his release. From a strictly football standpoint it would make sense, we’ve had zero kick and punt return contributions this year, we need a returner really bad.
Facts!!
I agree. I can’t remember the last time we had a kick of either kind returned for a TD. And I think the only reason they have Beasley returning punts is because he doesn’t fumble when he fair catches them. It would definitely be nice to have someone who’s a threat to take it to the house on every punt and on those kicks that come down in the field of play.
Some of us are Cowboys fans in sheeps clothing and should cease from commenting on this feed. Sure we need a true returner. It would be a great improvement.
Yes, I agree that we need a kick/punt returner badly. I have never understood why teams act like Special Teams isn’t a huge part of the team. How many games are decided by the points or field position they provide? Even if a player is used only on Special Teams, like Bill Bates was, isn’t that worth a team’s roster spot?
You know, after thinking about this didn’t we sign a guy named Tavon Austin who is going to be active a Sunday and is a natural for this job???