This is starting to become something of a trend for the Philadelphia Eagles. Whenever Nick Foles starts at quarterback, Riley Cooper puts up a big game. The quarterback, wide receiver duo seems to have the best on-field chemistry in the league as the two help each other's climb to the top. Meanwhile, the Eagles are reaping the benefits in the win column.
Cooper is making the most of his second chance with the Philadelphia Eagles. After a controversial start to the season, the wide receiver has become on the city's favorite names and Foles is helping in that effort. In the past five games, Cooper has caught 20 passes for 462 yards and six touchdowns. He had three touchdowns during Foles' record-tying performance against the Oakland Raiders. He then followed that up with touchdowns off of 102 receiving yards against the Green Bay Packers.
"He's showing you what he's always been," Foles said, via ESPN.com. "I believe in Riley and it just so happens that when I'm reading out plays, he's getting open and making plays. He's a big, physical receiver, and I love the fact he does a great job blocking and he's a team player."
Cooper is not about to take all of the credit for his big games the past few weeks. He is giving the credit to his quarterback for stepping up to the challenge as a starter. To compare numbers, with Foles throwing the ball, Cooper has 393 yards off 15 passes and six touchdowns. When Michael Vick is the starter, Cooper has just eight catches for 93 yards and one touchdown.
"He trusts in his wide receivers," Cooper said. "If it's man-to-man, if that's his read, if that's where he's supposed to go, he throws it up. We told him as a group: 'If you trust in us, we're going to go get it or we're going to bat it down.' Having that confidence, he's going to let the ball fly a little bit."
Cooper is playing a big role in why Foles suddenly looks like the quarterback of the future for the Philadelphia Eagles. The health of Michael Vick is unknown as the quarterback continues to suffer a hamstring injury. He is currently playing out a one-year contract making his future in Philadelphia very muddy at best. Chip Kelly certainly will not come out and say it, but the team wants a franchise player and so far Foles has all of the characteristics.