The Green Bay Packers have been waiting on an Edgerrin Cooper breakout, and despite a forgettable Week 1 loss, it sure looks like they've got it. The third-year linebacker made plays all over the field, storming the backfield for a sack and two tackles for loss.
Just like that, he's already exceeded his sophomore sack total and is halfway to his TFL count. As solid as Cooper was a year ago, he looks like the rejuvenated game-wrecker fans have envisioned since he splashed onto the scene as a rookie.
There's still a long way to go, obviously, but having that Cooper lead the linebacking corps will take Green Bay's defense to a whole new level.
Packers are finally letting Edgerrin Cooper off the leash
His coaches see it, too. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon said Cooper "was lights out" against the Vikings, praising his versatility at the position:
"When you look at the skill set for a linebacker, he can tackle, he can cover, he can blitz. He sees things extremely quickly. Just his explosiveness to get off the spot once the ball declares, I always say the job of a linebacker, 'Hit the ball.'"
Cooper showcased all of the above as the Packers used him in a variety of ways. Although he was deployed on a modest five pass rush snaps, a marginal increase on his blitz involvement last season, he got home for an easy sack.
The Vikings offensive line must have forgotten about Cooper up front, leaving him unblocked up the middle. They won't make that mistake again.
Cooper was his typical productive self in open space, recording seven tackles and bottling up receivers in coverage. On three targets, he allowed two completions for 10 yards.
Cooper's combination of athleticism and length, which Gannon commented on, makes him a menace on all levels of the field. He's quick enough to play pseudo-defensive back in nickel and dime sets; he has the power to come off the edge. Like his DC says, Cooper has a nose for the ball and the speed to get there.
Under former coordinator Jeff Hafley, his impact faded somewhat last season as the Packers shelved his pass-rushing skills and used him mainly in the middle of the field.
Cooper played his role well, but the element of havoc he flashed as a rookie went dormant. His splash-play production - half a sack and four TFLs, with two forced fumbles - failed to scratch the surface of his abilities.
Gannon evidently has other plans; Cooper is his ideal agent of chaos. It's only one game, sure, but he was more disruptive than the Packers let him be nearly all last season.
Disruptive. Leaning into that descriptor will be key to unlocking Cooper's All-Pro ceiling, and he's already kicked down the door.
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