Chris Cooley for a 1st and a 3rd -- would you do it?

As to Cooley being a "team leader," I think you overvalue him a bit there. We, as fans, like Cooley because he makes plays and he's funny. We're amused by the short shorts, crazy hair, his blog entries, and general antics... much the same way we were amused by Portis' alter-egos a couple of years ago. He's a "fan favorite." He's popular in the lockerroom. But don't confuse "popular" and "well-liked" with "Leader." If Cooley were really a "leader," he probably would have been voted a team captain for the offense at the beginning of the season. Instead, Campbell and Samuels were the captains for the offense. If the offense has a leader now, its Jason Campbell. As fans, we don't "identify" with him as much, because he seems to be a fairly private person. but if you pay attention when other players talk, Campbell's THE leader. Sellers is a leader. Fletcher is a leader. Cartwright is a leader... but not Cooley. Sorry.

You're right. Well said.

Shockey was not getting along in NY, and wanted out. Gonzalez is good, but also OLD. Again, if Cooley wanted out, or was causing problems, then yes a 2nd is fair, but he is young, an established probowler who has significant ties to the community and team, brings in a ton of merchandising revenue(yes that should affect the value we get for him, because he will bring that to the new team as well) and is a very good locker room presence. Shockey and Gonzalez didn't meet that criteria, and Gonzalez was franchised last year I believe - I could be wrong, but not this year. It is crazy to think a stand alone 2nd round pick is a fair market value for Cooley.

It all depends on what team we trade him to. 1st and a 3rd or 2nd and a whatever are really too vague of terms. For example, I think Cooley is easily worth a the 31st overall pick and the 31st pick in the 3rd round. But the 5th pick in the first round and 5th in the 3rd? Hardly.

But to keep things relatively simple, lets split it up into 3 categories:

1. Receiving Team has a top 10 Pick: We get a 2, a 4 and a 6.
2. Receiving Team has a Round 1 Pick from 11 to 25: We get a 2 and a 3.
3. Receiving Team has a Round 1 Pick from 26-32: We get a 1 and a 3.

Shockey was not getting along in NY, and wanted out. Gonzalez is good, but also OLD. Again, if Cooley wanted out, or was causing problems, then yes a 2nd is fair, but he is young, an established probowler who has significant ties to the community and team, brings in a ton of merchandising revenue(yes that should affect the value we get for him, because he will bring that to the new team as well) and is a very good locker room presence. Shockey and Gonzalez didn't meet that criteria, and Gonzalez was franchised last year I believe - I could be wrong, but not this year. It is crazy to think a stand alone 2nd round pick is a fair market value for Cooley.

Well said. I think every player in his prime that got traded, did not want to be with their current team (i.e. Shockey, Winslow Jr., Braylon Edwards, Gonzalez...well he wasn't in his prime but still a damn good TE). Hell, even trading Richard Seymour backfired on Darth Hoody, because his defense sucks now.

You don't build a good franchise by JUST acquiring a ton of draft picks. You have to be smart about using your picks and the players that you have. Right now the Redskins could be in a good positions for two/three years down the road to trade Cooley if he wants out or if his production is not equal the $$ they are paying him. Right now the Redskins need to figure out a good way to use their two talented tight ends.

Unless Davis can truly show he is our tight end of the future and can be reliable we need to keep Cooley.

Unless Davis can truly show he is our tight end of the future and can be reliable we need to keep Cooley.

i think he is... and so is cooley he is only 27!!

Shockey and Gonzalez went for a second round picks and both are great TEs. Why wouldn't we trade Cooley for a second round pick? I highly doubt anyone would give up a first rounder for a TE. I think a second round pick would be fair.

This is a good question, and would have led to a not-ridiculous discussion. Arguments could be made both for and against trading him for a second, and it's likely we could fetch that price. Reading this thread it's clear that Skins fans have a delusional view of Cooley's value. Gates, Daniels, and Whitten wouldn't fetch nearly this price, and Cooley is probably not as good as any of those players.

To put some perspective on it, the Bills didn't even get a first and third for Jason Peters, a stud LT in his prime. As good as Cooley is, he's just a probowl TE. He's not the greatest TE of all time and he's not a stud LT. The only possible thing dumber than someone offering us this deal would be us not taking it.

Unless Davis can truly show he is our tight end of the future and can be reliable we need to keep Cooley.

What does he need to do exactly? He is physically more talented. It seems pretty safe to say that he is more effective in the Red Zone too.

This is going to be a heated position argument but knowing the Redskins,contract size trumps all when it comes to playing time.

The good thing in this case is that it doesn't hurt the team to start Cooley over Davis.

This is a good question, and would have led to a not-ridiculous discussion. Arguments could be made both for and against trading him for a second, and it's likely we could fetch that price. Reading this thread it's clear that Skins fans have a delusional view of Cooley's value. Gates, Daniels, and Whitten wouldn't fetch nearly this price, and Cooley is probably not as good as any of those players.

To put some perspective on it, the Bills didn't even get a first and third for Jason Peters, a stud LT in his prime. As good as Cooley is, he's just a probowl TE. He's not the greatest TE of all time and he's not a stud LT. The only possible thing dumber than someone offering us this deal would be us not taking it.

cooley's value goes beyond the feild he is right now the heart and sould of this organization, he is a fan favorite no doubt, but he is our main offensive weapon, he just isn't playing right now.

and you do realize only two guys make it to the pro bowl for te so to say he is "just a pro bowler" is kind of ridiculious

cooley's value goes beyond the feild he is right now the heart and sould of this organization, he is a fan favorite no doubt, but he is our main offensive weapon, he just isn't playing right now.

and you do realize only two guys make it to the pro bowl for te so to say he is "just a pro bowler" is kind of ridiculious


Portis says Rock is the heart and soul and the offense has gotten better since Cooley got injured.

I definitely agree that a lot of people are significantly overvaluing him. He is a great player but may not even be the best tight end on the team.

no, we should definitely think about splitting davis out like IND does dallas clark and still keep cooley at TE and as well run twin tights. davis is a playmaker and we need playmakers and coooooooley is just as good. we need to start keeping the playmakers on the field like moss thomas coooooley (when healthy) and davis at all times