Don't forget about running back Graig Cooper, who was with the team in training camp last year. He hasn't dropped anything and has made a number of acrobatic catches of poorly thrown passes.



(mcall.com)

The Green Bay Packers auditioned four running backs, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

They worked out former Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins running back Jalen Parmele, former Carolina Panthers running back Tyrell Sutton, former Philadelphia Eagles and University of Miami running back Graig Cooper and former Ravens running back Walter Sanders.

They also tried out a pair of defensive backs: former Eagles cornerback Jorrick Calvin, who's also a return specialist, and Josh Gatlin.



(jsonline.com)

Every Thursday Night proCanes.com joins All Canes Radio to bring the latest news on not only current Hurricane football but also proCane news and exclusive interviews with current and former proCanes live from the Titanic Brewery in Coral Ga Gables. Click here to listen to this week’s show and hear our exclusive interview with former Hurricane great RB Graig Cooper. Cooper talks about being in Philadelphia Eagles training camp this past year, going through terrible injury he suffered, Lamar Miller and whether he should turn pro and much more!

The Philadelphia Eagles cut rookie running back Graig Cooper. The Eagles are deep at the running back position, so look for Cooper to sign as a free agent with another team, he looked quite good this pre-season. The Eagles also cut WR Sinorice Moss. Moss had another great training camp, but was a victim of a deep crop of WRs. Moss has the talent and has shown it when given the opportunity and when healthy. WRs go down due to injury quite often, look for a team to pick him up.

The Miami Dolphins cut TE Dedrick Epps. Epps was cut last year as well but eventually made the Dolphins practice squad. Look for him to latch onto the practice squad again considering how thin the Dolphins are at the TE position.

WR Darnell Jenkins was cut by the New England Patriots. Most scouts seem to think he will find a spot on someone’s roster.

S Jared Campbell, brother of Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell was cut by the Cardinals. Campbell played well in limited action in the preseason. He may be able to make a practice squad.

The New England Patriots, in a surprise move, cut safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather who has been to two consecutive Pro Bowls reportedly freelanced too much in the Patriot backfield and was underperforming. It’s not clear as to whether it was also money issue, but Meriweather is definitely still an elite talent at safety in the NFL. Look for teams thin at that position like the Dolphins and Chiefs to go after Meriweather.

Baraka Atkins LB/DE who had been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason was cut as well. Atkins was one of the final cuts of the Denver Broncos last year after spending the beginning of his career with the Seahawks.

10-year veteran DL Damione Lewis was cut by the Houston Texans. Lewis was a late addition to the Texans squad last year and played very well both last year and this preseason. What didn’t help Lewis this year was the fact that the Texans changed to a 3-4 defense and Lewis is much better suite as a DL in the 4-3.

Brett Romberg who was a surprise signing by the Atlanta Falcons only a couple of days ago, after not playing at all during the 2010 season, was cut by the Falcons as concerns over their starting center’s health subsided. Don’t be surprised to see Romberg get signed if the Falcons sustain an injury there.

Running back Damien Berry was cut by the Ravens. Berry was slowed by an ankle injury that he suffered in the first game of the pre season, and as a result didn’t play until the fourth game. Berry has NFL skills. BERRY WAS SIGNED TO THE RAVENS PRACTICE SQUAD.

LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden was drafted by the Ravens to eventually replace Ray Lewis at the MLB position, but injuries have really slowed his career. Gooden, if healthy, can start for most NFL teams, but this pre season was no different as he continued to deal with injuries. THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SIGNED GOODEN TO A 1-YEAR DEAL.

Rookie defensive back Ryan Hill was waived by the Minnessota Vikings. Hill didn’t play a lot this pre season but when he did, like in the final pre season game for the Vikings, he performed well leading the team in tackles. The Vikings had Hill listed as a safety. He has the size and speed to play both corner and safety which gives him the type of versatility a lot of teams look for.

Javarris James, RB who led the Indianapolis Colts last year in rushing touchdowns after playing only about half the season was cut by the Colts.

Second-year defensive lineman Dwayne Hendricks who was on the NY Giants practice squad last year and was called up and played in a regular season game last year for the Giants was cut. Giants did have a very good pre-season. THE GIANTS SIGNED HENDRICKS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie DB Corey Nelms was cut by the 49ers. Nelms was a surprise free agent signing and did get playing time in the preseason. THE 49ERS SIGNED NELMS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie Fullback Patrick Hill was cut by the Tennessee Titans. Hill didn’t get any carries in the preseason for the Titans.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Eagles Running back LeSean McCoy is being held out of practice Monday morning, although it doesn’t appear as if anything serious is bothering him.

With McCoy not participating, former Dolphins Pro Bowler Ronnie Brown has taken the tailback reps with the first offense. Dion Lewis and Graig Cooper are getting most of the reps with the second- and third-team units.



(csnphilly.com)

Sinorice Moss is listed as the third string WR Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper.

Antonio Dixon is listed as the starting right defensive tackle.

Graig Cooper has made his way up the depth chart and is currently listed as the 3rd string running back. He is behind LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown and sharing the third spot with Dion Lewis. Many are surprised to see Cooper in front of Eldra Buckley.

Rookie running back Graig Cooper, an undrafted rookie from "The U," made some nifty runs and caught some screens. With no true No. 2 right now in camp behind LeSean McCoy, Cooper is making good impressions.

Cooper looks like an early threat to Eldra Buckley.  Cooper will have to show he can play special teams in the preseason games, but the ability as a runner/receiver is there.


(sbnation.com)

Teams are starting to reach out and make contact with unrestricted free agents that were not drafted. The Eagles according to Bleeding Green Nation and other sources have inked Hurricanes RB Graig Cooper.

The Eagles first signing according to several reports is Miami Hurricanes RB Graig Cooper (yes that’s spelled right). Cooper was a very highly touted prospect, but… can you guess what I’m about to say next? Tore up his knee late in 2009 which cost him part of last year and really seemed limit his effectiveness last year.

He was really looking to be on his way to stardom after a big freshman year where he racked up the 3rd most rushing yards by a true freshman in Miami history (behind Clinton Portis). He does fit the mold of what the Eagles look for, as he’s a very good pass catcher as well as runner.

So like they have several times in the past the Eagles are rolling the dice on a guy being undervalued coming off an injury. And really, with 90 roster spots this year, why not?


(eaglesgab.com)

Graig Cooper, RB, Miami: Playing through his recovery for a torn ACL, Cooper was a shadow of his former self last season. Cooper, who had led Miami in rushing the three previous seasons, dropped to only 165 yards and one touchdown in 2010. The elusiveness and burst that he had demonstrated previously was coming back, however, as evidenced by Cooper's strong performance at the East-West Shrine Game and the fact that he ran the fastest 3-cone time of all running backs tested at the Combine (6.66 seconds). Poor medical grades pushed Cooper out of the draft, but don't be surprised if a team willing to take a gamble is paid back handsomely for their investment.



(cbssports.com)

Miami had the second highest total of draftees nationally with eight, second in the ACC only to North Carolina (9).

• While eight was among the best totals in the 2011 NFL draft, UM has had eight or more players drafted on five occasions since 2000 and 14 times in the program’s history. The eight draftees ranks ninth in UM history.

• Cornerback Brandon Harris will have a bevy of familiar faces in Houston where former Canes Andre Johnson, Eric Winston, Chris Myers, Rashad Butler, Damione Lewis and Darryl Sharpton are on the current roster.

• UM has had 26 first-round picks since 2000. The next highest total is 17 by Ohio State. UM has 75 total draft picks since 2000, which is third during that time span and barely trails Ohio State (78).

• Former Canes CB Ryan Hill, RB Graig Cooper and RB Damien Berry all appeared on mock drafts and seem likely to be signed if/when free agency is lifted from the NFL lockout.



(espn.com)

On Saturday proCanes.com had the opportunity to atttend the Annual Hurricane Football Reunion Party at Miami Prime Grill in North Miami. The event was attended by over 100 former Hurricane greats including the likes of Ed Reed, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Michael Irvin and many more.

Gerard Daphnis of Canes4Life organized the event which also honored the 2001 National Championship team. Over 300 former players were in attendance at the 2011 Spring Game where the University of Miami which was held at Lockhart Stadium before the party. Click here to view our full photo gallery of over 500 pictures from the Hurricane Reunion Party and Spring Game. Enjoy!









Click here to view our full photo gallery of over 500 pictures from the Hurricane Reunion Party and Spring Game. Enjoy!

University of Miami running back Graig Cooper had an eye-opening Pro Day workout for NFL scouts, displaying he has made a sound recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

NFL teams have given Cooper a clean bill of health medically.

Per a source, Cooper had a great workout with crisp change of direction and ran the 40-yard dash between the high 4.4 range and 4.58 seconds. Cooper ran a disappointing 4.62 at the NFL scouting combine where he struggled with his form and didn't run in a straight line.

Cooper conducted running back drills for Arizona Cardinals running backs coach Tommie Robinson, who spent the past three years working at Miami.

Cooper has a couple of upcoming visits and private workouts.

Showing lateral movement at the NFL scouting combine, Cooper led all running backs with a three-cone drill clocking of 6.66 seconds and a short shuttle of 4.03 seconds.

Cooper had a second-round grade prior to his knee injury suffered in December of 2009.

Cooper had a solid week at the East-West Shrine game.

Cooper finished third in Miami history in career all-purpose yards with 3,864 yards, ranking behind Santana Moss (4,394 yards) and Ottis Anderson (4,265 yards).

He ranks fifth in Hurricanes history with 2,387 yards.

Cooper led Miami in rushing three times with 682 in 2007, 841 in 2008 and 695 in 2009, scoring 17 career touchdowns.

He had 1,079 return yards overall, setting the school record for kickoff return yards with 582 in 2009 to break Tremain Mack's single-season record.

Last season, he was limited to 165 yards and a touchdown as he only started one game while coming back from the knee injury.

At Milford Prep for a postgraduate year before enrolling at Miami, Cooper rushed for 1,327 yards and 15 touchdowns as he played ahead of future Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy.



(nationalfootballpost.com)

Twan Ruseell, Gaby Sanchez and future proCanes Colin McCarthy, Damien Berry, Demarcus Van Dyke and Graig Cooper were guests on WQAM this past week. Click here to listen to the interviews.




(wqam.com)

INDIANAPOLIS — Allen Bailey was the perfect size to play defensive end the past four years at the University of Miami. But after being measured at 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds - up seven pounds from his weight at the Senior Bowl - some wonder if he's big enough to play the same position in the NFL.

"I'll play wherever they put me," Bailey said.

One thing about which there is no question is Bailey's strength and physical ability.

Honored as the Hurricanes' strongest player each of the last two years, he said he expected to do "at least 30" reps of the 225-pound bench press when he went through the NFL Scouting Combine tests.

He came up a little short of that goal with 27 repetitions.

"His strength is exceptional," said senior editor Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly, which has Bailey ranked seventh in an extremely deep class of defensive linemen in this year's draft.

A likely second-round pick, Bailey probably fits best as an end in a 4-3 scheme.

Another Hurricane at the Combine, running back Graig Cooper, has more to prove. He rushed for only 165 yards last season after tearing his right ACL in his final game of the 2009 season, when he was a junior.

There was talk that Cooper planned to leave school after his junior year, but he said he was still undecided going into the December 2009 Champs Sports Bowl against Wisconsin in Orlando.

"During that game I asked God to show me a sign of what he wanted me to do, if he wanted me to leave or stay," he said. "I wound up getting hurt so I guess that was a sign for me to stay."

Cooper got his degree in December 2010 but also got lost in a crowded UM backfield last season, carrying more than six times in a game only once and in four games not getting a single carry.

Expected to be a mid- to late-round pick, Cooper said he's already proven his determination by coming back from his ACL tear.
"They told me I couldn't possibly come back this year, but I made sure I was going to do it, and I did it."



(palmbeachpost.com)

INDIANAPOLIS -- University of Miami running back Graig Cooper is on the comeback trail as he has made a strong recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Displaying the return of his lateral movement, Cooper led all running backs with a three-cone drill clocking of 6.66 seconds and a short shuttle of 4.03 seconds.

According to league sources, teams are encouraged by his progress as he works his way back from a serious knee injury.

The 205-pounder wasn't thrilled with his 40-yard dash, running a 4.62. However, it looked like his form was off.

Cooper had a second-round grade prior to his knee injury suffered in December of 2009.

Cooper had a solid week at the East-West Shrine game.

Cooper finished third in Miami history in career all-purpose yards with 3,864 yards, ranking behind Santana Moss (4,394 yards) and Ottis Anderson (4,265 yards).

He ranks fifth in Hurricanes history with 2,387 yards.

Cooper led Miami in rushing three times with 682 in 2007, 841 in 2008 and 695 in 2009, scoring 17 career touchdowns.

He had 1,079 return yards overall, setting the school record for kickoff return yards with 582 in 2009 to break Tremain Mack's single-season record.

Last season, he was limited to 165 yards and a touchdown as he only started one game while coming back from the knee injury.

At Milford Prep for a postgraduate year before enrolling at Miami, Cooper rushed for 1,327 yards and 15 touchdowns as he played ahead of future Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy.



(nationalfootballpost.com)

Riser:
Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami Hurricanes: Demonstrating good speed was something he had to do on Sunday. He did just that, running a 4.43 40, which turned out to tie for the 10th best time in Indy and the fourth best among receivers. He shows good hands on the field after questions arose earlier in his career, but some weren't sure of his speed because he wasn't that deep burner at Miami. Questions, answered.

Matt Bosher, P, Miami (Fla.): Bosher showed a strong leg and the ability to turn the ball over and drive it with no trouble. One issue was that he showed only adequate quickness catching the ball and getting off the punt.

Miami guard Orlando Franklin quietly had a solid day, turning in an adequate 5.20 (official) in the 40 and showing good short-area quickness with a 1.72 (official) 10-yard split. At 6-5 and 316 pounds, he showed just average quickness during drills but did display good short-area lateral agility. He also looked balanced throughout and did a nice job staying low out of his stance during pulling drills. Franklin was clearly playing out of position at left tackle during the college season, but he has the strength and short-area capabilities to be a reliable starter on the inside at the next level.

Damien Berry posted top marks in the broad jump - 10”0’ - and the bench press,  where he repped 225 pounds 23 times.  

Faller:
Graig Cooper, RB, Miami Hurricanes: Cooper's career took a serious turn when he tore an ACL on an awful, muddy field at the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando. He never really got all the way back since the injury and shared time in a busy backfield rotation, but a nice showing at the Combine could have helped his stock. He ran a 4.63 40 on Sunday, which could hurt his stock as a change of pace back who can contribute as a homerun threat or a returner.

Cooper though did lead all running backs at the NFL Combine with a time of 6.66 seconds in the 3-cone drill. Cooper also ranked second among all running backs in the 20-yard shuttle with a time of 4.03.



(xtrapointfootball.com)