The Daily Philadelphian

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

The infamous botched onside kick recovery that cost his team the Super Bowl. The soon-to-be infamous sex video starring wifey Kendra Wilkinson. Now, a rookie wideout with size turning heads at the Philadelphia Eagles rookie OTAs.

Put the three together and you can see Hank Baskett’s NFL career going up in flames quicker than LenWhale White’s.

Former Gator wideout Riley Cooper could push Hank Baskett back to house-husband status.

Riley Cooper, the fifth round pick out of Florida, could be the big red zone target the Eagles have been searching for since Terrell Owens was jettisoned out of South Philly. Today’s Daily News has a nice write up on Cooper, who measures 6-4 and weighs 200 pounds.

More impressive than his size is his speed, according to John Smallwood. His speed isn’t great, but good for a big guy in the Eagles offense.

If Cooper impresses in camp and the preseason, it’ll be difficult for Baskett to make the team.

The Eagles traditionally keep four or five receivers, depending on special teams contributions. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant are on the team. No shit, Captain Obvious.

That could leave one spot. Baskett was always seen as a nice guy to have for all those fade passes Donovan McNabb was famous for, as well as his ability to help on special teams. The Super Bowl may have wiped that away from the “strengths” column on his resume.

Hank Baskett could become a full-time reality TV star if he fails to make the Eagles roster this year.

Next, the Eagles dislike distractions. (See Welbourn, John; Owens, Terrell.) We’re not sure, but something tells us that Andy Reid isn’t going to be keen on TMZ showing up to ask one of his players about steamy sex tapes.

Enter Cooper. He is what Baskett was five years ago — a young guy with size and good hands and a bunch of upside. Will he ever be a stud? Unlikely. However, tall, serviceable, possession receivers are not growing on trees these days.

Cooper sounds like the type of guy who could seamlessly add that extra something to the Birds young receiving corps. He could also be the man to end the Hank Baskett era in Philly for good.

If Kendra’s really going to have another baby to save her marriage as the tabloids have alluded to, she might want to get crackin’. Hank’s not going to have health benefits much longer.