Now comes the hard part with Amari Cooper

Now comes the hard part with Amari CooperLANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 12: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a seven-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott #4 against the Washington Football Team during the first quarter at FedExField on December 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Posted By: County Sports Network March 13, 2022

Now comes the hard part with Amari Cooper

Getting Amari Cooper in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys was a great move by the Browns.

He is a big-time, run-downfield-and-make-plays wide receiver, and the Browns sorely, desperately needed one. And that they gave up only late-round picks in the NFL Draft serves only to make the acquisition just that much better.

But as hard as the deal might have been to put together and consummate — and I’m sure it was — that is, in relative terms, the easiest part — by far — of this whole situation.

Huh?

Yes, it’s the easiest part, no doubt about it. That’s not even up for debate.

Indeed, the hardest part is yet to come, and it is two-fold. It is first being able to resign Cooper to a long-term deal so that his stay in Cleveland will be much more than that of a shooting star, and so that he could make a huge impact for the passing game, the offense and, to be sure, the team overall for years to come. But that will only, and can only, be done if head coach Kevin Stefanski can convince the wideout and his representatives that his passing scheme is dynamic enough and proficient enough and exciting enough and good enough for him to want to stay here.

Yes, Stefanski has to discard the training wheels and get this offense jump-started, hopping and moving and shaking, like a Chuck Berry song. He has to bring it into the 2022 era.

The Browns already have the best, deepest and most complete running offense in the NFL. That’s obvious.

Now they need an equally outstanding passing offense. Together, they would complement each other and put the Browns into serious consideration for a Super Bowl berth out of the AFC.

Will Stefanski do that? Can he do that? Is it within him?

But if he’s serious about keeping Amari Cooper, and also solidifying his job status in the long run along with it, then he has to do it, whether he wants to or not.

By Steve King

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