Amari Cooper sets goals ahead of training camp debut

Jun 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper (89) at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders fourth overall pick Amari Cooper has already arrived at the team’s 2015 Training Camp with rookies already reported for the preparations for the upcoming season with the first full team session set for July 31 in Napa. However before he left to California to get ready for the season, Cooper took time to speak to the Alabama media before he takes the next step in moving from the Crimson Tide to the Silver and Black as an official NFL wide receiver.

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Talking to Mark Inabinett of AL.com, Cooper mentioned his goals for the 2015 season and the transition so far in going from a star player at Alabama to now trying to match that stardom at the next level for the Raiders. While a goal such as the Raiders first 1,000 yard receiving season is being thrown out there by the media, Cooper was more well spoken with his goals for 2015. Employing the typical player-speak of trying to “be the best he can be” and being a good teammate as a rookie in Oakland.

“To have a great rookie season, be a great teammate and try to help my teammates be the best that they can be,” Cooper told Inabinett when asked about his goals for 2015 in Oakland.

Asked about the transition from prepping for a NFL training camp compared to being a college player, Cooper said it has been a smooth switch so far. Noting that the Alabama pro-style playbook has helped things in terms of similarity between the Raiders and the Crimson Tide’s playbooks.

“It’s been a smooth transition,” Cooper mentioned in his interview with Inabinett. “The playbook is real similar. The players are really smart. It’s been kind of a challenge, but I’m cool with it.”

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One interesting other note from Cooper’s interview was making the move from the dominant Alabama program to a Raiders franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs or posted a winning season in over a decade. Cooper being in elementary school the last time Oakland made the playoffs during their AFC Championship run with Jerry Rice and Tim Brown starring at wide receiver. The rookie sees the change in directions from college to the pros when it comes to his new team as a reality when you are one of the top picks in a draft class.

“It’s the same thing every year,” Cooper said of going to a team that had a 3-13 season in 2014. “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.”

Expect there to be plenty of media attention and quotes from Cooper starting with this weekend in Napa as the rookie wideout will instantly be one of the focuses of attention from the beat reporters who will be covering camp. Prepared for everything, the former Alabama wideout is set to become a star in the league if all goes well as part of an exciting franchise rebuild for the Raiders. That bright future begins with training camp as Cooper is set to showcase his world class talent on the practice field for all to see. With just days until things get underway, the Raider Nation should be excited to see the first real glimpses of their wideout in full contact practices over the coming weeks.

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