Amari Cooper has been with the Cowboys for 25 games and the team decided to lock him up long-term this offseason, giving him a five-year deal worth $100 million and $40 million guaranteed in the first two seasons. For the most part, he has been what the Cowboys wanted after giving up a first-round pick to the Raiders in order to acquire him.
For the most part.
Amari Cooper does tend to disappear in road games. His first four road games for the Cowboys, Cooper only had 18 catches for 174 yards and 0 touchdowns. In five home games, he amassed 35 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns, including a three touchdown performance in an overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
In his first full season in Dallas, the splits continued. At home, he had 52 catches for 869 yards and five touchdowns compared to 27 catches for 320 yards and only three touchdowns on the road. He was rumored to be benched during the final possession of a must-win game against the Eagles on the road and held without a catch on the road against the Patriots.
Rex Ryan was on ESPN's Get Up Friday morning and did not hold back when sharing his thoughts on the Cowboys signing Amari Cooper long-term.
"I wouldn't have paid this turd. No way in hell."
Not sure why so much hostility on Ryan's part. Yes, the home and road splits are not in the favor of Cooper but he has helped the Cowboys during his time in Dallas and will continue to do so moving forward. Dak Prescott has not had any receiver break 900 yards until last season with Cooper and second year receiver Michael Gallup. Even his first nine games with the team, Cooper led the Cowboys in receiving.
There is at least one person coming to the defense of Amari Cooper and that's Ian Rapoport.
I understand why the Cowboys signed Cooper long-term. It would not have made sense for the team to trade away a first-round pick for just 25 games and the contract is a win for both sides. The Cowboys give Cooper $40 million guaranteed over the first two years and can then cut ties without much penalty after that.
Rex Ryan needs to take a chill pill.
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