By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
Terrance Copper is trying to make the most of his opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thanks to a solid summer, coupled with a less-than-spectacular one from Dwayne Bowe, Copper is listed as one of the starting wide receivers on the team’s depth chart. The former Washington Pam Pack and East Carolina star has been taking snaps with the first-teamers in practice.
“It’s definitely a blessing to have a chance to showcase your talent,” Copper said to reporters after training camp in River Falls, Wis. “If I’m starting now and don’t take advantage of it, then I won’t be starting.”
Copper, who has 46 receptions for 600 yards and six touchdowns in his career, is with his fourth team in his six-year NFL career. After playing with the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, Copper is hoping the Chiefs will be his final stop.
“I’m with a new team,” Copper said on a recent return to home in Washington. “It’s a fresh start and I’m excited about it.”
Copper, who has 41 special-teams tackles and 26 kickoff returns for 502 yards (19.3 average) in his career, has opened some eyes in practice. He drew praise from head coach Todd Haley following Tuesday’s practice.
"Terrance Copper is a guy that you know you are going to get a good days work from everyday,” Haley told reporters. “Terrance Copper impresses me.”
Copper is listed ahead of Amani Toomer and Bowe at one of the receiver spots. Devard Darling is listed as the starter at the other spot, ahead of Mark Bradley and Bobby Engram.
The affable Copper is hoping to help the Chiefs rebound from a miserable 2-14 season a year ago. He said he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
“I want to go out and work hard every day in practice,” Copper said. “I want to win. That’s the biggest thing.”
The Chiefs play their first preseason game at 8 p.m. Saturday against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Kansas City will break camp and head out of Wisconsin on Aug. 21. The Chiefs play at Minnesota that evening.
The Chiefs open regular season play Sept. 13 at Baltimore.
Copper will also play relatively close to home when Kansas City plays at the Washington Redskins on Oct. 18.