Oakland Raiders Preseason Week 3: Pregame Notes

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and quarterback Derek Carr (4) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and quarterback Derek Carr (4) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

KNOCKDOWNS

Amari Cooper is a Superstar

A lot of that talk this offseason as well. He will be – and is close. But he’s still showing some of the same issues that plagued him during his rookie season. He’s not there yet, and it’s time to pump the brakes.

Two things that have been concerning this preseason: he’s dropped two passes, and he doesn’t seem in sync with Derek Carr yet despite all their offseason work.

Cooper also quit on his route during Carr’s ill-advised interception against the Packers. Carr has routinely talked about how much he trusts Cooper and can just throw it up and he’ll go get it. Well thus far this preseason he’s either dropped it – or hasn’t made an effort to chase the ball down.

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Again, preseason must be taken as it is but when the same problems continue it’s not a preseason thing – and it’s not an isolated incident. It’s a trend that can become a concern if it continues. Cooper has the tools, drive, size, speed and smarts to be a superstar, but despite all the offseason anointing is not there yet. A couple of big plays and maybe a TD catch tonight would go a long way to pointing him back in the right direction.

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