Cardinals first-round draft pick Cooper motivated to live up to expectations

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The highest draft picks in the NFL aren't usually guards.

Jonathan Cooper is an exception, and he expects to be exceptional.

Cooper, chosen seventh overall by the Arizona Cardinals, went through his first training camp workout on Monday after signing a four-year contract worth about $14.5 million.

Now, he says his motivation is to live up to expectations, to prove to everyone that he's worth the money.

The 6-foot-2, 311-pound lineman is the first guard selected in the top eight since Mike Munchak went No. 8 to the Houston Oilers 31 years ago.

Cooper, penciled in as Arizona's starting left guard, missed the first three days of training camp while his agent and the Cardinals wrangled over contract details.