Cooper Learns As He Plays With Warbirds

May 11, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release


DAYTON, Ohio – There was a certain excitement for Joe Cooper in his first indoor football game.

"It was some good fun," the talented linebacker said. "I had a better comfort level and was more relaxed knowing I was playing with some former Ohio State teammates."

Cooper was referring to quarterback Steve Bellisari, wide receiver Maurice Lee and running back Pepe Pearson. All are former Buckeyes who Joe played with in Columbus.

But this was about getting back to football, and Cooper performed well considering he had never played the 50-yard indoor game. He'll get a second chance Saturday when the Warbirds travel to St. Charles, Missouri, to meet the Atlantic East Division-leading River City Rage (6-1).

"I had to make some little adjustments because of the rules where the linebacker lines up in the box behind the linemen," Cooper said of the Saturday night National Indoor Football League game at the E.J. Nutter Center. "I had a conversation with the officials most of the evening.

"I told the umpire (Bryan Neale) I was new in this game and needed some pointers," the 26-year-old Cooper as the Warbirds were whipping up on the Cincinnati Marshals. "Actually, after speaking to him and the referee (Terry Williams) at halftime, I was much more relaxed about playing the position."

In the process of playing well, Cooper's team-leading seven tackles, two for loss and three quarterback hurries, helped the Warbirds (5-2) to a 63-30 win over the Marshals.

Cooper said he was not flagged one time for being in the wrong place or moving when he shouldn't. "My main focus was not to get penalties," he added. "And I had to key on their good running back (Rayshawn Askew) all night."

Joe's quickness was too much for Cincy blockers and he ‘dogged' the elusive Askew who ended with only 27 net yards after averaging 86 in six previous games.

Holding the Marshals to a total of 115 yards has moved the Warbirds to 5th in the NIFL in total defense. Dayton now is allowing 195.9 yards a game and 46.7 points.

Even on special teams, where the Warbirds rotate the entire squad because of numbers, Cooper is special. "He's such an athlete, he makes my job easier," said special teams and quarterback coach Mike Savino.

Cooper had not played since being released by the St. Louis Rams last year. "I left Montreal (in the Canadian Football League) to sign with the Rams," said Joe. "I wish now I would have stayed in Canada; I think I could have had a career up there."

The 6-foot-1, 222-pound Cooper has played a lot of positions in the outdoor game since high school. He was a tailback, fullback and linebacker at Independence High School in Columbus. At Ohio State, the coaching staff first put him at safety, but when injuries befell the Buckeyes, he was moved to linebacker where he stayed for three seasons (1999-2001).

He made a name for himself on special teams in his first year at Ohio State when he recorded 24 tackles, 15 of them solo. Cooper also was a co-captain along with current teammate Bellisari in 2000 and 2001. He is in pretty good company with some former Buckeyes including Joey Galloway, Kirk Herbstreit, Archie Griffin and many others.

He was named by his teammates as the Most Inspirational Player for two seasons. "Joe is an emotional leader who lays it all on the line every time he takes the field," said Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel at the time.



National Indoor Football League Stories from May 11, 2005


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