Smoke Signals for Dec 4: 'Whatever happened to Chris Cooley?' edition

Whatever happened to Chris Cooley?
The Skins are about to face the best football player in the world. Who is he?
Who is missing practice on Wednesday, but playing on Sunday?
Who will Laron Landry be missing on Sunday night?

The answers to those questions and more in today's edition of Smoke Signals. Read it now! (http://dcprosportsreport.com/?p=2053)

What happened to Chris Cooley? He is on pace to have to his best season ever (besides TDs). He already has as many catches this year as he did in 07.

Spence I think you are taking the Cooley comments by Zorn too far. It's not that he didn't know Cooley was a beast in this offense, he clearly did he isn't stupid. he just found it hard to get him going right away because he wasn't use to a great TE, he probably knew it would be growing pains. You can plan all you want, but you don't know how things run until gametime.

That answer was also kind of suggested by the reporter, and it wasn't straight outta Zorn's mouth, so I don't take it too seriously. Cooley has a ton of yards, but really isn't a threat because we don't get in the RZ enough. And remember the play where he almost got in during the Seattle game? Bad throw by Campbell in that one.

I think this is a non-issue, I doubt Cooley wouldn't trade all his receptions for a win this week.

I dunno, guys. Seems to me using Chris Cooley in the red zone instead of 3 wide receivers is a no-brainer. Especially when you consider the quality of our wide receivers.

What happened to Chris Cooley? He is on pace to have to his best season ever (besides TDs). He already has as many catches this year as he did in 07.If you take away touchdowns, I don't see how it can be his best season ever. Touchdowns are pretty important, they're the reason you put your offense on the field. Cooley has never caught fewer than 6 TDs in a season. Now he has one. His yards per catch have also declined this year to the lowest level since his rookie season. I don't think anything is wrong with Chris Cooley, but there is something wrong with this offense.

Cooley is also required to do more blocking, considering our 32 sacks. That being said, Cooley should be a prime target in the red zone. Cooley has been a go to guy for first downs. But, he clearly could be utilized more and better than he currently is, but, I don't take that as a slap at Zorn. I think more so, it is the reality of poor pass protection and the need to have TEs helping pick up blitzes.

If you take away touchdowns, I don't see how it can be his best season ever. Touchdowns are pretty important, they're the reason you put your offense on the field. Cooley has never caught fewer than 6 TDs in a season. Now he has one. His yards per catch have also declined this year to the lowest level since his rookie season. I don't think anything is wrong with Chris Cooley, but there is something wrong with this offense.

He is on pace for 88 receptions.... 20+ more than he has ever had in a season.

Lack of TDs is a product of the offense.... 10 total TDs thru the air. The Redskins BARELY even get inside the redzone!!!

I don't think Cooley's success this season should be discounted simply because he's not catching TDs. He's on pace for a career high in catches and he's been our most reliable receiver. It's not like he's missing in action this season and has 20 catches, I'm kind of confused about the question as to what happened to him.

If you take away touchdowns, I don't see how it can be his best season ever. Touchdowns are pretty important, they're the reason you put your offense on the field. Cooley has never caught fewer than 6 TDs in a season. Now he has one. His yards per catch have also declined this year to the lowest level since his rookie season. I don't think anything is wrong with Chris Cooley, but there is something wrong with this offense.Let's give opposing defenses some credit - they are giving Cooley more attention in the red zone than in years past. Taking away Campbell's security blanket has definitely impacted our red zone performance, and until someone else steps up (perhaps M. Kelly), Cooley will continue to be on opponents' radars when we get into the red zone.

As for Portis not practicing, I can't see how anyone should be making a big deal about this. Dude has taken a serious beating this year but keeps coming back for more on Sundays. I have zero problems with him taking Monday through Saturday off. He needs the rest.