Edgerrin Cooper’s Time to Shine: Packers’ Under-the-Radar Star Ready to Limit Saquon Barkley
When the Green Bay Packers kicked off the season in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles, rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper played 11 defensive snaps in his NFL debut.
In getting ready for the rematch, Sunday’s NFC wild-card matchup in Philadelphia, Cooper watched the game – and himself – this week.
“I had a few good plays and little hiccups here and there, but that’s part of growth and that’s what I’m here for,” Cooper said on Wednesday.
As the year has progressed, Cooper has gone from his own hiccups to causing opposing coordinators to suffer from indigestion. In the process, he has become one of the most important players on the roster.
On Sunday, Cooper will take center stage as the Packers try to stop the NFL’s rushing leader, Saquon Barkley.
The coaches have repeatedly tapped on the brakes of the hype train. Yes, he’s made a bunch of impact plays, they’ve said, but he’s also left a bunch of plays on the field.
But Cooper’s athleticism, instincts and physicality are impossible to ignore, and they could be a big factor in at least limiting Barkley, whose 2,005 rushing yards are more than 20 teams.
Tackles: Second, 87. (Tyrice Knight, Seahawks, 88)
Solo tackles: First, 57. (Payton Wilson, Steelers, 49).
Tackles for losses: First, 13. (Marist Liufau, Cowboys, 4).
Sacks: First, 3.5. (Liufau, 1.5).
Quarterback hits: First, 7. (Knight, 4).
Interceptions: Tied for first, 1 (Liufau and Wilson, 1).
Even while missing three games and starting only four, Cooper among all rookie defenders finished fifth in tackles, third in solo tackles and first in tackles for losses.
Among all off-the-ball linebackers, regardless of experience, Cooper led the NFL with 13 TFLs.
Cooper – aka Frosty – became the first player since 2000 with at least 12 tackles for losses on defense and 10 tackles on special teams, according to TruMedia.
