OAKLAND – Raiders Amari Cooper broke the 1,000-yard barrier during Sunday’s 30-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers and immediately tried to downplay it.
“I guess it’s a good thing to do,” Cooper said. “Then again, people go for 1,000 yards every year, so it’s not really a big thing.”
The accomplishment might be common around the league, but it’s a special moment in these parts. After all, rarity adds value.
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The Raiders went a full decade without a 1,000-yard receiver. Randy Moss did it in 2005, and while a few receivers have come close, Cooper was the next Raider to reach that plateau.
Cooper is right that receivers reach four digits quite frequently. Those around Cooper understand that frequency doesn’t demean the accomplishment even though the rookie wasn’t exactly jumping for joy.
“He is the ultimate team guy, so it doesn’t surprise me that he said that,” quarterback Derek Carr said. “That said, anytime you can do that in this league, against the best defensive backs today that is no small feat. That means you’re a really good wide receiver, one of the best in the world.”
[INSTANT REPLAY: Raiders eliminated from playoff contention with loss to Packers]
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Cooper is building the best rookie season in franchise history. He is the first Raiders rookie to reach 1,000 yards, and is the fourth NFL player 21 or younger to get there.
Cooper now has 68 receptions for 1,040 yards and six touchdowns. Those totals were padded by a solid day against Green Bay, when he had six catches for 120 yards and two key touchdowns. He got the safety to bite on a double move for his first score. Cooper beat his man on a jump ball for the second touchdown that put the Raiders up 20-17.
Cooper has two more games to increase his season total, and more games like Sunday will vault him higher on the all-time list. Cooper’s 1,000-yard season is the 25th in team history, but it’s still something to be remembered.
“He works his tail off,” Carr said. “I know he’d rather win than have any stats, but he deserves a lot of credit for what he has done.”