Chris Cooley

I think this sums it up. Maybe because I am a Cooley fan, I try to watch Paulsen as much as I can to see what he is doing that CC can't do. Frankly Paulsen is a lousy blocker; his technique is bad and he holds frequently. Cooley is better as a blocker, by far. At least I remember him that way, hard to tell this season, since he has not played much.

I think Cooley is also the better receiver but we don't target the TE position that much, so again it is somewhat hard to judge. Paulsen also looks awkward trying to catch the ball. Paulsen is bigger and perhaps he can do a better job with high throws.

Bottom line, Paulsen is Mike's guy and so he plays. Coach's prerogative. I would love to see Cooley more, but darn, things have gone so well the last four games, it is hard to get overly excited about the situation. I think Cooley would improve the offense, if he were used more often and effectively, but winning cures most problems so I'm not too worried about the situation!

It is because you are a Cooley fan....Paulsen is by far the best blocking TE on the team. Yes, he makes mistakes now and then but when he is on he eats up DEs and LBs like no other. Get NFL Rewind and watch the tapes.

If Cooley isn't fit to play football anymore, which is what this sounds like, then I'll agree with what you said. But if he still has something then he should be used and not sparingly like he is. Tony Gonzales is still a starter and Cooley is younger be is unable to do what he did four or five seasons ago? I highly doubt that. Kyle and Mike want Logan Paulsen in there because of his work ethic and because he's a young, big tight end.

Yes, CC is evidently unable to do what he did 4 or 5 years ago. Otherwise he would play more. Simple as that. Don't doubt it, trust the evidence, if he gives the Skins a better chance of winning the Shannys would play him more. Why in the world would they not play guys that give them the best chance to win?

I guess that's what we do here, substitute our fan judgment for legitimate coaching decisions. May be fun, but some of us look really foolish in the process...

It is because you are a Cooley fan....Paulsen is by far the best blocking TE on the team. Yes, he makes mistakes now and then but when he is on he eats up DEs and LBs like no other. Get NFL Rewind and watch the tapes.

I have the last four on DVD, so I'll try to look more objectively. Even if you are correct, I think Cooley is deserving of the Niles Paul snaps. His prominent role on the field (as receiver & return man) convinces me that Mike is not infallible in his judgments.

You are absolutely right about looking stupid. I freely admit that part of the fun of being a fan is projecting yourself into the coach's role, especially for those of us who are too old to even dream about playing.

Bottom line, I'm not concerned about it. Nevertheless, Paulsen did look as if he held a lot against the Ravens, but he was only called once or twice. If he can hold and get away with it, then I suppose it qualifies as skillful blockling.

So if Cooley gets targeted 4 times in the remaining games, will people get over this whole "Paul is taking time away from Cooley" argument?

[quote=Mattyk;974539]

I don't want to come across as overtly insulting so I won't explain what conspiracy means, or post a definition.

There's two different issues, which are intertwined. One is why Paul sees the field on offense? The other is why Cooley hasn't gotten more looks?

I tend to think Cooley should get more looks, like split targets with Lunch Pail. More strongly though, I don't see any evidence that Paul deserves to play on offense...anywhere.

To the last thing, yeah I still seriously doubt Shanahan will take us anywhere. Still happy to be wrong about it if things really come together, and I love wearing my Skins apparral right now btw. But no, I don't think Mike's going anywhere. My intuition is he's done just enough to keep his job into next year, and maybe even turn the team over to his kiddo afterward. I don't think we'll ever be a real contender with a Shanahan as HC, OC etc for myriad reasons that have been long debated here. I think better coaching prospects will be available next year, and the year after.

I don't mind being the minority in this regard, in part because I find the pro-Shanny posts/posters pretty amusing :)

What is it, exactly, that you don't see with Paul? You're just saying you see stuff without substantiating it.

What about the countless articles during the summer that said Cooley had just lost a step? Those guys actually watched more plays than any of us. No one thinks Paul is a barnburner but he's probably faster than Cooley. Why do you think the coaches would purposely put the worst player higher up in the lineup? Its not in their own interest, it makes zero sense. They see these guys practice everyday and they pick the best to help them win. If folks like you were actually right you'd be sitting drawing up gameplans for an NFL team at this hour instead of on a football forum.

Cooley has a place on this team as a blocking TE. He's still pretty good at that and showed that vs. the giants. But it starts and ends there.

[QUOTE=The Goat;974562]

What is it, exactly, that you don't see with Paul? You're just saying you see stuff without substantiating it.

Earlier in the thread we talked about blocking, pass-catching, and YAC. Specifically, Paul has missed a lot of blocks. Some stand out because he missed a backfield assignment and RG got trucked. This happened in several games earlier in the season, but if you notice we're not putting Paul in the backfield as much now.

He also drops way too many passes. And finally, aside from the blown coverage TD he's shown nothing in the YAC dept.

I think, in plain words, Paul has shown nothing on gamedays that he deserves to play on gamedays. It sounds like a silly complaint when we're winning, but then again we're only winning by a play or two each game, right? Paul vs Logan/Chris could be the difference.

[quote=hooskins;974659]

Earlier in the thread we talked about blocking, pass-catching, and YAC. Specifically, Paul has missed a lot of blocks. Some stand out because he missed a backfield assignment and RG got trucked. This happened in several games earlier in the season, but if you notice we're not putting Paul in the backfield as much now.

He also drops way too many passes. And finally, aside from the blown coverage TD he's shown nothing in the YAC dept.

I think, in plain words, Paul has shown nothing on gamedays that he deserves to play on gamedays. It sounds like a silly complaint when we're winning, but then again we're only winning by a play or two each game, right? Paul vs Logan/Chris could be the difference.

Cooley isn't getting more YAC than Paul. Much slower, as you previously admitted. Regarding missed blocks you gave me one example. Not sure how that translates to "many", but sure lets go with that: Cooley is a better blocker. I would argue Cooley isn't in on as many passing plays because he's lost a step and would be an even worst pass blocker. Cooley is a better run blocker and you see him used as that. Finally the drops. I think that's an issue that is being improved on.

Overall, based on the above, its really a toss. I'd say go with the younger more athletic player.

I think what you are "seeing" is just wrong. Paul isn't as bad as you make him out to be and Cooley definitely isn't as great as you think he is. The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill.

also I am waiting for the answer to the rest of my previous post.

The only reason why Paul gets snaps is because of his speed and long term prospect as a backup TE. He cant catch a cold but he is a decent blocker. Cooley cant run fast anymore hence his snaps on short yardage dive/belly plays. He is simply not quick enough on stretch plays nor is he able to get separation from LBs/DBs.

[QUOTE=The Goat;974661]

Cooley isn't getting more YAC than Paul. Much slower, as you previously admitted. Regarding missed blocks you gave me one example. Not sure how that translates to "many", but sure lets go with that: Cooley is a better blocker. I would argue Cooley isn't in on as many passing plays because he's lost a step and would be an even worst pass blocker. Cooley is a better run blocker and you see him used as that. Finally the drops. I think that's an issue that is being improved on.

Overall, based on the above, its really a toss. I'd say go with the younger more athletic player.

I think what you are "seeing" is just wrong. Paul isn't as bad as you make him out to be and Cooley definitely isn't as great as you think he is. The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill.

also I am waiting for the answer to the rest of my previous post.

The rest of your post was too dumb for comment, but I just remembered also talking about Cooley's quickness on field. If you go back and watch him line up along LOS and head down field he's covering ground as quickly as Garcon and the rest. I think Cooley looks quicker than he ever house, which is plausible since he's lighter and evidently in better condition.

And Paul has missed a few backfield blocks that led to a sack or knockdown, but again earlier in the season. They're not relying on him now.

Goat, you've said on more than one occasion that another poster's comments are dumb. Yet in the past you've gotten all twisted when someone else ("especially a mod!!!") has done so. So don't be hypocritical