Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper keeps it simple when it comes to his goals for his NFL rookie season. While some pundits are predicting the former Alabama All-American will eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in his inaugural pro season, Cooper is more general in his hopes.
"To have a great rookie season, be a great teammate and try to help my teammates be the best that they can be," Cooper said when asked about his goals for the 2015 season.
Cooper visited Mobile on Saturday to sign autographs during the opening-weekend festivities for Dick's Sporting Goods and Field & Stream in McGowin Park.
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On Sunday, he's scheduled to report with the Raiders' other rookies to Oakland's training camp in Napa, Calif. Since being selected with the fourth choice in the 2015 NFL Draft on April 30, Cooper has taken part in rookie minicamp, OTAs and minicamp with the Raiders.
"It's been a smooth transition," Cooper said of shifting from college to the NFL. "The playbook is real similar. The players are really smart. It's been kind of a challenge, but I'm cool with it."
One of the challenges for Cooper and his new teammates will be to reverse Oakland's recent fortunes. A franchise that once lived up to its owner's mantra of "Just win, baby" hasn't had a winning season since it lost in the Super Bowl to cap the 2002 season. Ten times in the 12 seasons since, the Raiders have lost at least 11 games, going 3-13 last year.
In Cooper's three seasons at Alabama, the Crimson Tide lost five games. The wide receiver said that transition comes with the territory.
"It's the same thing every year," Cooper said. "Usually when you're a really good player, you get drafted in the top 10 and you go to team that's not really good. You just have to roll with it."
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In his final season at Alabama, Cooper set school single-season records with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdown catches. He finished with Crimson Tide career marks of 228 receptions for 3,463 yards and 31 TD catches. On the SEC's all-time list, Cooper ranks third in receptions, second in receiving yards and tied for first in touchdown receptions.
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