NFL Combine Interview Transcription: Amari Cooper, WR Alabama

* (your routes all look the same)

You don’t want to give the defensive back any signals about what route you’re going to run. Every time I run a route, I try to make it seem like I’m running a different route than I’m actually running so I can get open.

* (best receiver in this class?)

I certainly want to be the best receiver, not just in this class, but overall, wherever I go, and I’m going to work hard to try to be that.

* (pull-ups)

That’s just a part of my workout, my trainer, he came up with that slogan, and he wanted to get me on a video doing those pull-ups. But the pull-ups are just a part of my workout.

* (do you think receivers are better trained now than they were years ago)

I wouldn’t say that we’re better trained, because I don’t know how the past receivers were trained.

* (pro style offense?) I don’t know if that really has an effect on how a receiver is trained. I think the coaches coach the same way in my opinion. I think I can come in and have similar production to what those guys have.

* (what separates you from the other wide receivers in this class?)

I don’t really watch much of those other guys, but from what I’ve heard, they’re really great receivers. I just go out there and try to work as hard as I can to be the best that I can.

* (but what sets you apart)

I take good pride in the way I release off the line and coming out of my breaks. That’s really the only two ways you can get open. I think that’s probably what would separate me from someone else.

* (what can do better)

I think I can be more consistent in everything that I do. There were definitely times when I didn’t look the ball all the way through when I should’ve, which could’ve propelled me from maybe 200 yards to probably whatever that catch may have been. There were definitely times when I could’ve high-pointed the ball, and again could’ve made my numbers look better. Just consistency in everything that I do.

* (importance of speed)

A lot of DBs are really quick. The faster you get out of your break, the more separation you’ll have from them.

* (good DBs in college)

I would say Vernon Hargreaves (Florida) was really quick, really instinctive, really fast, a real ballhawk, so he’s probably the best that I’ve gone against.

* (impact former WR coach Mike Groh now with Bears had on you?)

Coach Groh is a great coach. He’s really specific, he’s really diligent in the way he approaches, the way he wants to teach us. He’ll go out and watch a lot of film on other guys, NFL receivers, and come back and try to teach it to us so we can be the best that we can be.

* (have you spoken to any receivers that have come out in the last few years)

No I haven’t actually.

* (Julio Jones? relationship?)

I’ve definitely met with him and talked to him a few times. He’s definitely given me advice on what it takes to be a great player, but we don’t have that constant connection.

* (Lane Kiffin)

Having coach Kiffin there, he’s moved me around so much that I had no other choice but to have a better understanding of an offensive system.

* (more you can do? word is you’re polished)

Yes, definitely. I’m only 20 years old. I think I’m one of the youngest players here. So most of those guys are older than me, so I definitely feel like I have a high ceiling and a lot to improve on.