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The player that was supposed to define the Arizona Cardinals new regime, Jonathan Cooper, has found another shot in the NFL.
After flopping in Arizona despite getting every opportunity to play, then being traded to the New England Patriots in the Chandler Jones trade, but was cut before the midway point of the season.
The Cleveland Browns, beset by injury, picked up Cooper and he was a starter for them in three games, playing in five total games, and playing not poorly by all accounts. However, when Alvin Bailey was re-instated after his suspension, the Browns cut Cooper loose.
Cooper would then fall into what could be his best chance of success in the NFL, getting picked up on a future’s contract by the Dallas Cowboys.
Now, he is heading into 2017 as a potential starter on one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
It will be a testament to the Cowboys staff and players if Cooper is able to win the left guard job. He’ll be flanked on either side by two All Pro players and likely the best two players at their positions in left tackle Tyron Smith and center Travis Frederick.
If Cooper is unable to make plays and stick, you’d have to guess this would be the end of the line.
If Cooper is able to finally reach that potential Steve Keim saw all those years ago, then maybe he wasn’t that wrong after all.