Stephen Cooper (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


name=Steven Cooper
|currentteam=San Diego Chargers
currentnumber=54
currentpositionplain=Inside Linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|6|19
birthplace=Wareham, Massachusetts
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=235
debutyear=2003
debutteam=San Diego Chargers
highlights=
*Atlantic 10 Defensive POY (2001) (2002)
*George H. “Bulger” Lowe Award (2002)
college=Maine
draftyear=
draftround=
draftpick=
pastteams=
* San Diego Chargers (2003-current)
nfl=COO754127

Steven Cooper (born June 19, 1979 in Wareham, Massachusetts) is an American football player who currently plays Inside Linebacker for the San Diego Chargers.

Early years

Cooper attended Wareham High School in Wareham, Massachusetts where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. While being a standout linebacker, Cooper was more feared as the teams starting quarterback. In one game against Apponequet, coach Dave Morgado said, "It takes two or three of my kids alone to stop Cooper." [ [http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/11-96/11-03-96/b03sp047.htm NewStandard: 11/3/96 ] ] Following the 1997 season, Cooper earned the right to represent Mass at the national High School Quarterback Challenge in Orlando. He largely won the event by throwing a 51 yard pass in snowy conditions. [ [http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/03-97/03-09-97/c03sp156.htm Wareham's Cooper wins state's quarterback challenge: 3/9/97 ] ]

College career

A week after being named the top defensive player in New England, Cooper was caught with possession of about 1,000 steroid pills on November 1, 2002. He was riding in a car that was speeding on I-95 in Hampden, Maine. The driver, Patrick Kenney, allowed Trooper Michael Johnson to search the car in which he found the pills in a duffel bag sitting on the rear seat. [http://www.caroptionsonline.com/2002news/12102002/sports/2377.htm] Cooper was not penalized for participation of any games during his senior year as possession of steroids did not violate N.C.A.A. rules. A New York Times report stated "N.C.A.A. spokeswoman, Laronica L. Conway, said the illegal possession of steroids was an issue for the institution to resolve. There is no violation of N.C.A.A. bylaws unless a player is accused of actually ingesting the pills, not simply possessing them, she said from the association's headquarters in Indianapolis." [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9801E5DE153AF932A25751C1A9649C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fU%2fUniversity%20of%20Maine PLUS: COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Steroid Possession Not Seen as Issue - New York Times ] ] The University of Maine star pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of steroids. Cooper was released following his plea to the misdemeanor offense, and issued a statement saying he had planned to use the drugs after the season to bulk up for a chance to play in the NFL.

NFL career

an Diego Chargers

Because of the steroid possession, Cooper's draft stock plummeted and he went undrafted. San Diego took a chance on him and signed Cooper as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Many expected Cooper to make the team including his former teammate Chad Hayes who told Tom Shanahan, “That didn’t surprise anybody... He’s the most dedicated guy I’ve played with. Everybody in Maine saw Coop’s passion for the game. He always knew what teams were running and what audibles to look out for. He kept the quarterback running for his life." In an interview during the 2004 training camp with Shanahan, former head coach Marty Schottenheimer said, “Stephen Cooper had as good a training camp as anybody we’ve got... He has all of the things you’re looking for in a winning player. He’s going to get plenty of time this season in some fashion or role.” When speaking of his goals, Cooper told Shanahan, "My goals this year are for our team to get to the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl. My individual goal is to make as many plays as I can when I get on the field." [ [http://www.sdhoc.com/main/articles/chargers/CooperStephen San Diego Hall of Champions - No Maine surprise ] ]

In an interview with Jay Posner of the San Diego Union Tribune during the 2004 training camp, Schottenheimer said, "Stephen is arguably having the best camp of any linebacker we've got here. He's very bright, explosive and he can run." Despite not being the biggest linebacker, Cooper finds ways to make plays. In an interview with Posner, Cooper told Posner, "It really isn't about the size. I think it's all about instincts and how explosive you are. I think I'm smart enough and I have good enough explosion and enough punch to get guys off me and make plays." His former teammate, Donnie Edwards told Posner, "He's feisty, has a nose for the football and he's tough. He's a good competitor, plays the game with a lot of passion." [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20040818-9999-1s18chargers.html SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Chargers - Coach likes Chargers' deep linebacker corps ] ]

On August 25, 2006, AJ Smith signed Cooper to a $15mil 5yr extension running through the 2011 season. Cooper told ESPN, "I wanted to be here and the organization wanted me to be here, so I'm just glad that it worked out the way it did... I know the defense, and now that I've been in [coordinator] Wade Phillips' system for three years, I can go out and try to do my job to the best of my ability. I'm 27 years old, and would love to never move again." AJ Smith had this to say about Cooper, "Stephen is one of our young, fast-rising players...He's a hard worker, he's tough and he is physical." [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2561928 ESPN - Chargers sign ILB Cooper to five-year, $15M contract - NFL ] ]

The signing has established Cooper as first in line to replace Randall Godfrey who is expected to retire. The Chargers ended contract negotiations with Godfrey once they drafted Anthony Waters and Brandon Siler in the 2007 NFL Draft. Cooper will start at the Left Inside Linebacker position opposite Matt Wilhelm and is expected to compete with Tim Dobbins, Waters, and Siler to replace Godfrey's solid defense against the run and active role as the Chargers blitzing inside linebacker.

Cooper continued to prove himself in the 2007 season, registering 108 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions during the regular season. He saved his most impressive game to-date as a pro for the 2007 playoffs, registering 15 solo tackles in an upset win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Round.

Cooper has been suspended for the first four games of the 2008 season, and also has reportedly tested positive for ephedra. He tested positive in December. Cooper claims he "did not realize" ephedra was banned by the NFL. It hasn't been allowed in the league since 2001. [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20080416-9999-1s16cooper.html Cooper suspended for stimulant] ]

References