Cooper’s 2nd Raiders season has everyone intrigued
Everyone is excited about Amari Cooper’s sophomore campaign.
Even the greatest receiver in NFL history.
The Raiders’ Cooper made the Pro Bowl as a rookie last season, and one of his fans pulled him aside for a talk in Hawaii in January.
“I told him at the Pro Bowl that he was taller than I thought he was and that he is going to do some incredible things,” said former 49er and Raider Jerry Rice, a Hall of Famer.
Cooper’s 1,070 yards were the most by a Raiders receiver since Rice in 2002, and even Cooper is fired up about how much more he can do.
Oakland veterans hit training camp in Napa on Wednesday, and observers may not recognize Cooper.
A precise route runner from childhood, Cooper also had the speed and hops to make tough catches.
In his first 11 games, he caught 58 passes for 851 yards and four touchdowns.
Cooper had only 14 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns in the last five games.
Sometimes Cooper tried to do too much, and he had 10 dropped passes, second most in the NFL.
Rice also had an issue with dropping passes his rookie year.
[...] he turned out OK.
Part of the relaxation process is Cooper’s growing chemistry with Carr; the two were by far the youngest quarterback-receiver duo at the Pro Bowl.
New Raiders cornerback Sean Smith, at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, looks like a linebacker, and he has made sure Cooper is working hard — on keeping his balance from getting knocked over as well — at practice.
The Raiders, 7-9 a year ago, are national media darlings heading into training camp, and Cooper will need to do more than help a playoff push.
Along with Carr and defensive end Khalil Mack, he will have to lead the way.
Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.