WASHINGTON – Teammates and fans are reacting to word that Redskins veteran and tight end Chris Cooley was released from the team Tuesday.
“Cooley has meant a lot to my career. He was always in my ear telling me the little things I can do better,” Fred Davis said during a press conference. Davis will start for the team at tight end.
Cooley played eight seasons as a Redskin. The tight end was picked in the third round of the 2004 draft.
In a press conference, Head Coach Mike Shanahan says he told Cooley that Davis was the starter and if he wanted to seek another chance around the league then now is the time.
Shanahan adds the decision to release Cooley was made Tuesday.
“I know he can play, I hope he gets the opportunity,” Shanahan says.
Cooley has 428 career receptions, including three seasons of at least 70. No. 47 got the chance Tuesday to address his release.
“There’s really no hard feelings. I’ve had good talks with Bruce Allen. I talked to all the coaches,” Cooley says.
He adds it would be a tough decision to put on another team’s jersey.
Cooley, who turned 30 on July 11, understood the task ahead of him in making the roster this season.
“I have a big challenge ahead of me in proving that I’m the player I think I can be and I’m still the player that I was,” Cooley said during training camp in July. “I feel even if I’m not the guy, I’ll still be a major factor on this team.”
During his eight years on the team, Washington fans grew to know Cooley off the field as well. He has an interest in pottery and music that he enjoys talking about.
Some of his teammates reacted to Cooley’s release on Twitter.
He helped me get comfortable with this team & this offense. He is a legend in my mind and will be missed. Thank You Chris Cooley
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 28, 2012
Took me in, treated me like his lil brother & was the one who truly helped me believe that I could play TE in this league. Sad day…
#HTTR— Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul84) August 28, 2012
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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP and the Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
