News: Cooper in the slot?

beware_d-ware · May 30, 2020

Read an article about Ceedee Lamb today that had an interesting take.

But the added benefit of a talent like Lamb is that his versatility allows the offense to be more flexible. Cooper ran just 74 routes from the slot last season, one of the lowest totals in the league among starting receivers. But when given the chance to play inside, Cooper was dominant. Only Michael Thomas (3.36) averaged more yards per route run from the slot than Cooper (2.72) in 2019. It’s a small sample size, but Cooper’s history tells us that wasn’t a fluke: He led the league in that metric with the Raiders in 2016 (3.29) and posted top-eight finishes in both 2015 and 2017. Cooper’s short-area quickness lends itself to playing inside, and with Lamb stepping in for Cobb, the Cowboys no. 1 target—fresh off a five-year, $100 million extension—should get more chances to utilize his skill set. That would also allow Lamb to see more action on the outside, where he could show off his lauded ball skills and impressive contested-catch ability. When a player routinely gets compared to a young DeAndre Hopkins, relegating him to the slot would seem like a waste.

Basically, Cooper absolutely murders in the slot. While he's functioned almost entirely as a boundary receiver in a year and a half with Dallas, that's because we've had no one else who could credibly take snaps out the outside while Cooper exploits mismatches inside. Lamb's that dude.

This isn't to say that Coop's not going to start at X and still play a ton of snaps there, but it could open up a very dangerous wrinkle and put our $100 million man in more positions to succeed.

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2020/...lamb-dallas-cowboys-team-building-jerry-jones

DanA · May 30, 2020

He's a high end no.1 WR so he's going to play more than slot but I wouldn't have any issue with him playing 40% of his time there.

Flamma · May 30, 2020

Anyone that has played WR or that knows the game well knows that a WR has a lot more opportunities from the slot. You're usually in the slot because you're not much of a threat as a wide out. You want threats at wide out to spread the defense out. I'm pretty sure Lamb has already said he'd rather play in the slot. Gallup and Cooper are good threats outside. But yeah, it doesn't surprise me at all that Cooper did well from the slot. He should.

America's Cowboy · May 30, 2020

Mix both Cooper and Lamb...in and out. Keep opposing defenses guessing.

Tangle_Foot · May 30, 2020

I think this talented trio could line up anywhere, always chase the mismatch. I'm also looking forward to seeing the bunch formation, that should be quite a handful for any defensive secondary.

TheMarathonContinues · May 30, 2020

Cooper is much more than a slot receiver. But I think he can play any position at receiver. Hopefully he’s all over the field.

JoeKing · May 30, 2020

I believe the plan is to play Lamb in the slot but I've heard MM note how "position flex" at WR position can cause confusion to defenses. I would not be surprised if they employ a rotation in the slot so that Coop and Lamb both get a chance to show what they can do at that slot. It's good to have versatile WRs that are capable of playing any of the WR positions. The Cowboys offense never had that option with Dez around because he was so limited at what routes he could adequately run.

ghst187 · May 30, 2020

JoeKing said:
I believe the plan is to play Lamb in the slot but I've heard MM note how "position flex" at WR position can cause confusion to defenses. I would not be surprised if they employ a rotation in the slot so that Coop and Lamb both get a chance to show what they can do at that slot. It's good to have versatile WRs that are capable of playing any of the WR positions. The Cowboys offense never had that option with Dez around because he was so limited at what routes he could adequately run.

I’m all for causing defenses confusion.....we haven’t done that in years...

Cowboyny · May 30, 2020

beware_d-ware said:
Read an article about Ceedee Lamb today that had an interesting take.

Basically, Cooper absolutely murders in the slot. While he's functioned almost entirely as a boundary receiver in a year and a half with Dallas, that's because we've had no one else who could credibly take snaps out the outside while Cooper exploits mismatches inside. Lamb's that dude.

This isn't to say that Coop's not going to start at X and still play a ton of snaps there, but it could open up a very dangerous wrinkle and put our $100 million man in more positions to succeed.

The beauty of the selection of Lamb is that they have 3 interchangable receivers who can play all the receiving spots. It makes it far more difficult to defend.

charron · May 30, 2020

I'd like to soo them rotate lamb and Cooper in the slot. Every receiver should be able to line up at every spot and know what to do even if they aren't the best at it they still need to understand what to do and practice it.

jaythecowboy · May 30, 2020

JoeKing said:
I believe the plan is to play Lamb in the slot but I've heard MM note how "position flex" at WR position can cause confusion to defenses. I would not be surprised if they employ a rotation in the slot so that Coop and Lamb both get a chance to show what they can do at that slot. It's good to have versatile WRs that are capable of playing any of the WR positions. The Cowboys offense never had that option with Dez around because he was so limited at what routes he could adequately run.

Cowboyny said:
The beauty of the selection of Lamb is that they have 3 interchangable receivers who can play all the receiving spots. It makes it far more difficult to defend.

I thought that was what they were gonna do last year with Cooper, Gallup, and Cobb but I don't think they did it much.

Bowdown27 · May 30, 2020

DanA said:
He's a high end no.1 WR so he's going to play more than slot but I wouldn't have any issue with him playing 40% of his time there.

Agreed. I think I’m McCarthy offense you’re going to see all 3 be in the slot. It’s going to give defenses nightmares seeing who lines up on the outside or in the slot. Going to cause mismatches. Now let’s see if Dak can play up to mvp caliber with this stacked offense.

jazzcat22 · May 30, 2020

We won't see the real things they do until the real games start. This will be very interesting to see all the different plays from who lines up where. Can you imagine the bunch WR formation also with these 3.
TC and PS games we may get a glimpse or 2, but not the real stuff.

MojaveJT · May 30, 2020

He’s shown he can do well at any position. I do like his YAC ability and that will shine in the slot position.

Having Lamb and Gallup on the outsides will open things even more.

conner01 · May 30, 2020

America's Cowboy said:
Mix both Cooper and Lamb...in and out. Keep opposing defenses guessing.

That’s what I expect
Lamb is a bit like Cooper in that he’s a great route runner
And I suspect he learns a few new tricks from cooper
Also Gallup while not the quick feet guy like they are is very good at running double moves so lamb may learn something there too
I expect both coop and lamb to play slot and I expect a bit more 4 wide this year

JoeKing · May 30, 2020

jaythecowboy said:
I thought that was what they were gonna do last year with Cooper, Gallup, and Cobb but I don't think they did it much.

I remember it discussed here at CZ but I don't recall that being anything coming from the Cowboys.

doomsday9084 · May 30, 2020

America's Cowboy said:
Mix both Cooper and Lamb...in and out. Keep opposing defenses guessing.

+1. Using motion, opposing teams shouldn't know until the last second who is going to end up being the slot receiver. You could really screw with coverage by putting one of the receivers in motion across the line and snapping when the coverage favors you.

The difference between this year's receiver group (if Lamb lives up to billing) and others is significant. When you have a designated slot guy like Beasley, it pigeon holes the other receivers too. When the snap breaks this year, opposing teams should have no clue if CeeDee or Coop is going to end up on the outside or inside.

The pattern combinations available become significantly greater when you can break anyone you want long or short. Beasley was always going to be 7 yards and break, forcing the other receivers to go deeper most of the time. I would also add Jarwin running the deep center as a new wrinkle. Witten was also like Beasley in that he was a few yards out and sit.

JW82 · May 30, 2020

America's Cowboy said:
Mix both Cooper and Lamb...in and out. Keep opposing defenses guessing.

Exactly, motion them all over. The offense was humming when they were using a lot of motion last year. Then Garret "Fixed" the offense.....

CowboyRoy · May 30, 2020

beware_d-ware said:
Read an article about Ceedee Lamb today that had an interesting take.

Basically, Cooper absolutely murders in the slot. While he's functioned almost entirely as a boundary receiver in a year and a half with Dallas, that's because we've had no one else who could credibly take snaps out the outside while Cooper exploits mismatches inside. Lamb's that dude.

This isn't to say that Coop's not going to start at X and still play a ton of snaps there, but it could open up a very dangerous wrinkle and put our $100 million man in more positions to succeed.

Personally, I would put Cooper inside just to mix it up...……….but that is it. Cooper is a little older and speed and route running are his two main strengths.

Lamb is the PERFECT guy to be handling the physical nature and alertness you need to play the slot. He can make big plays in there and make the first guy miss.

CowboyRoy · May 30, 2020

Bowdown27 said:
Agreed. I think I’m McCarthy offense you’re going to see all 3 be in the slot. It’s going to give defenses nightmares seeing who lines up on the outside or in the slot. Going to cause mismatches. Now let’s see if Dak can play up to mvp caliber with this stacked offense.

You don't get consideration for MVP unless your team is winning 12 games or more. Wasn't going to happen last year. I expect he will be in the mix this year if he plays like he did last year or better.

News: Cooper in the slot?

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