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The Associated Press
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The Associated PressWHO: San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots
WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
Cooper, the former University of Maine All-American from Wareham, Mass., is now a starting linebacker for the San Diego Chargers. As the team's leading tackler, Cooper's responsibilities in the AFC championship game Sunday are varied, from blitzing to covering backs on pass plays.
"Cooper's been very productive for them. He's all over the field," Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said.
And he was all over the roster when he came to Maine in 1998. As a quarterback and free safety for tiny Wareham High, Cooper came to Orono as an unknown.
"We didn't know about him because of the competition he played against," Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove said. "Then we got to meet him and we were impressed.
"He redshirted the first year and was the scout team quarterback and the scout team free safety. There was actually a time when I thought he may be our next quarterback. But we had Jake."
The touted Jake Eaton would be enrolling at Maine in 1999. He and Cooper would eventually become co-captains, leading their respective sides of the ball, and helping Maine to back-to-back NCAA playoff berths in 2001 and 2002.
When Cooper showed up at the Chargers' rookie camp in 2003, it was like 1998 all over again. Who was this kid and can he play at this level?
Cooper wasn't drafted in 2003 but became one of General Manager A.J. Smith's finds that year. Cooper is one of the five undrafted free agents from 2003 - dubbed the Fab Five - who are still on the Chargers. The group includes tight end Antonio Gates.
In fact, Cooper got a bigger signing bonus than Gates (a whopping $8,000 to Gates' $7,000). Cooper and Gates eventually became roommates in camp because their initial roommates were cut.
Cooper and Gates made it.
After three seasons, Cooper still had not won a starting job, but the Chargers liked what they had and signed Cooper last year to a five-year contract worth $14.75 million.
He played more last year and then took over as a starter this season. The one-time quarterback prospect led San Diego with 89 solo tackles and 179 overall tackles.
"He could have easily been a Pro Bowl player," San Diego linebacker coach Ron Rivera told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Rivera had coached such standouts as Jeremiah Trotter in Philadelphia and Brian Urlacher in Chicago, and "what I've seen out of Coop is nothing short of their abilities. ... He's taken his game to that level."
The Patriots have noticed.
"Cooper is a great inside linebacker," New England center Dan Koppen said. "He's physical. He can run. He's not afraid to stick his hat in there and make plays."
Koppen said Cooper and fellow inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm make for a solid combination. Patriots running back Kevin Faulk said both "are able to cover backs and get through the line of scrimmage on blitzes."
Of course, the Patriots are in praise mode when it comes to the Chargers. Faulk knows all about Cooper's blitzes. When the Patriots and Chargers met in September, Cooper broke through on New England's opening drive. Faulk flattened him and Tom Brady completed a 34-yard pass to Wes Welker.
"It's something we knew they did," Faulk said at the time. "And it was up to me to make the play."
Faulk and Cooper should have a few more encounters this weekend, and not only when Cooper blitzes. Cooper, at 6- foot-1, 235 pounds, is quick and can cover backs well. Faulk is a primary target out of the backfield, especially on key downs.
Cooper showed his ability late in the Colts' playoff game last Sunday, reaching over Joseph Addai and breaking up a pass on the goal line.
Cosgrove watched the play develop.
"Addai went in motion and Coop went with him," Cosgrove said. "Then (Peyton) Manning rolls out that way. I was wondering...
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