Buccaneers rookie mini-camp: Riley Cooper excited for opportunity

Riley Cooper was invited to Buccaneers rookie mini-camp as a tryout player. He’s excited for a new opportunity to rejoin the NFL.

Riley Cooper played six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released prior to the 2016 season and is now being given a second chance by the Buccaneers in their rookie mini-camp. In those six seasons, Cooper had 169 receptions for 2,418 yards and 18 touchdowns, with career highs in yards (838) and touchdowns (eight) coming in the 2013 season. Of course, that was the same season where Cooper was widely criticized for an incident at a country concert where he got into a verbal confrontation with a fellow concert attendee.

Cooper is ready for his new opportunity after sitting out of football in 2016 and was happy to get back to work Friday;

"“Well, I found out about the workout on Sunday, so I only had a few days. But, it’s a great opportunity and I’m sure excited about it and I’m trying to make the best of it. Go out there, try to make some plays, run around and kind of spread my knowledge to maybe some of the younger guys if I can be of any help. I’m a hometown Tampa boy, so it’s cool to be back.More from Bucs NewsDevin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on TwitterUpdated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicampTodd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with BucsThe Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023Todd Bowles admits he only looks at three things on Bucs scheduleI was in Philly for six years and I got cut. I was expecting to get picked up somewhere and I didn’t. It was hard to keep training and trying to stay ready and ready without seeing that light at the end of the tunnel. I just kept grinding and grinding and the opportunity is finally here and you’ve got to make the best of it though. There’s a lot of guys. There’s 90 guys fighting for 53 spots and we will see how it goes. But, I’m really excited and all of the wideouts in the room that I’ve met so far are really good dudes.”"

Cooper has also already sat down with quarterback Jameis Winston to watch film;

"“He’s a Florida State guy and I’m a Gator, but I’ll let it slide. I watched him at Florida State and I watched and played against him in the league when I was in Philly. Just yesterday, we watched a lot of film on some routes and things and I was watching him. He’s a heck of a player. He’s super talented and smart. He makes good reads and it would be fun. It would be an honor to play with Jameis. He’s a heck of a quarterback and I think he’ll be in Tampa a long time.”"

Cooper may have a tough time finding his way on to the roster given the stiff competition at wide receiver. With Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson firmly cemented in place plus the addition of Chris Godwin and the emergence of Adam Humphires last season, there are going to be a lot of players fighting for one roster spot.

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It’ll be fun to watch Cooper compete and whether or not his opportunity with the Buccaneers will pave the way for his return to the NFL, though his chances of a return being with the Bucs appear slim at best at the moment.