Stephen Cooper (American football)

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Steven Cooper

San Diego Chargers — No. 54
Inside Linebacker
Date of birth: June 19, 1979 (1979-06-19) (age 28)
Place of birth: Wareham, Massachusetts
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	Weight: 235 lb (107 kg)
National Football League debut
2003 for the San Diego Chargers
Career history
College: Maine
Teams: San Diego Chargers (2003-current)
Career highlights and awards
Atlantic 10 Defensive POY (2001) (2002) George H. “Bulger” Lowe Award (2002)
Stats at NFL.com

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

Contents 1 Early years 2 College career 3 NFL career 3.1 San Diego Chargers 4 References

[edit] 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."^[1] 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.^[2]

[edit] 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.^[3] 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."^[4] 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.

“

My plan was to use them after the season to try and get faster and stronger and enhance my chances of fulfilling and enhancing my lifelong dream of playing professional football,

”

[edit] NFL career

[edit] San 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."^[5]

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."^[6]

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."^[7]

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 582tackles, 45 sacks, and 25 interceptions during the regular season. He saved his most impressive game to-date as a pro for the 2007 playoffs, registering 54 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.^[8]

[edit] References