Amari Cooper is moving on.
The former Raiders wide receiver was on the practice field for the first time with his new team Wednesday after being traded from Oakland to the Cowboys. After starting off the season 1-5 under head coach Jon Gruden, Cooper is excited for the change of scenery.
"It feels great," Cooper told reporters Wednesday. "It feels like a fresh start, just like a freshman year in college or something like that.
Cooper admitted the former first-round pick didn't see a trade coming, but once rumors started to swirl, he was surprised either. Being traded to Dallas sounds like an ideal situation for the four-year pro.
"I mean the first thing you think about when you hear the Cowboys is that star, 'America's Team,' and all of that. It's a great franchise," Cooper said. "When I found out I was going to be a Dallas Cowboy, I don't know, I just knew I would have to adapt fast.
"I knew everything would happen real fast."
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The 24-year-old was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons. Since then, he hasn't lived up to the billing of a former top pick. Cooper went from back-to-back years over 1,000 yards receiving to only 680 in 14 games last season. Through six games this year, Cooper only has 280 yards on 22 catches and one touchdown.
Right away in his first practice with the Cowboys, Cooper felt comfortable with quarterback Dak Prescott. The two will have more time to work with each other too as the Cowboys are on a bye week.
"I really like the way he throws the ball," Cooper said. "It's a good ball."
The Cowboys are currently 3-4 and in third place of the NFC East.
