Brandin Cooks (1 Viewer)

[Optimistic Ozzy]

I compare him to John Brown of the Cardinals, who I believe is in his third year. The biggest difference is they have a stronger Oline, taller Qb and two WRs who are equally as good of route runners. Then throw in a TE and a pretty good running back.

If Cooks had all these things like we did a couple of years ago he would be a completely different player. I do agree that he goes down way to easy, on Sunday he had a pass thrown to the flats I believe and someone chased him down from behind. This isn't suppose to be happening to a burner like Cooks. Maybe his ankle injury still ails him ?

John Brown is a really good receiver that has that it factor, Cooks hasn't found "IT" yet.

 

[KCWhoDat]

So what receivers are draftable next year that would help out ? Any guys you see in rounds say 1-3 ? I would prefer a bigger receiver, at least over 6'1.

 

[porculator]

I compare him to John Brown of the Cardinals, who I believe is in his third year. The biggest difference is they have a stronger Oline, taller Qb and two WRs who are equally as good of route runners. Then throw in a TE and a pretty good running back.

If Cooks had all these things like we did a couple of years ago he would be a completely different player. I do agree that he goes down way to easy, on Sunday he had a pass thrown to the flats I believe and someone chased him down from behind. This isn't suppose to be happening to a burner like Cooks. Maybe his ankle injury still ails him ?

John Brown is also a 2nd year player. In fact, we traded the Cardinals our first and third to move up for Cooks. Guess who they got with the third rounder??

 

[syracuse saint]

What's his excuse for not making the easiest block in the world for Ingram on that run? It cost us 7 points.

 

[natedog]

John Brown is also a 2nd year player. In fact, we traded the Cardinals our first and third to move up for Cooks. Guess who they got with the third rounder??

I would have to go more with the scheme we run then. If I recall correctly on the opening drive last night, Brown set the tone with a short pass to the sidelines, the a longer 15 yard come back route. Now they did mention that the CB he was facing was a little banged up, but still, it seems like we should be running more routes like this to Cooks.

Again, I am not worried about Cooks going forward, this year I am since he seems to have a hard time catching balls thrown over his head dropping into his hands. Like others have mentioned, it's more about bringing in other pieces to help him get open.

 

[Hoodoo]

Brees is used to having long recievers like Devery, Colston & Graham where he has to put it over their head and out in front of them to drop it in their hands on those go & seam routes. Cooks being shorter, with shorter arms, it's a tighter window to drop it into when Cooks' back is to the LOS. I think with some time Brees will start getting a better feel for ball placement, but Cooks will always have that limited strike zone.

 

[BoNcHiE]

He's on pace for 1000+ yards. I'm not sure what else we should expect from a 2nd year WR.

And it's likely he'll end up much higher then that, as he's just now starting to really produce consistently this year. He had some very quiet games in the first few weeks.

 

[Dr. Mudlobster]

I don't post much on here anymore but I do read from time to time. As it relates to Cooks, just something to consider - After this week, he literally just finished his first NFL regular season (9 weeks last year pre-injury and 7 weeks this year) after a pretty significant injury. To BoNcHie's point, I think he is doing pretty well. Take him out of this offense and I would hate to think just how bad it might be.

 

[Guitarzan]

The thing is, the last 2 games Cooks has had plenty 1v1 match ups. He's just not getting free. He's barely getting separation so when he catches it he gets tacked instantly.

When he's breaking free, Brees is struggling to hit him in stride. Hopefully it gets corrected. We still have half a season to go.

On that deep route right down the middle of the field, Drew did what I wanted to see: everything was quicker in his execution-- which I feel it needs when dealing with Cooks-- and he didn't underthrow it. I know Brandon had to stretch for the ball, but it hit him in both hands and he couldn't hold on.

I liked it though. If we keep executing that play as well as we did, the catches will outnumber the drops by a wide margin.

 

[UFCSaint]

Yeah I finally realized that same thing yesterday regarding after the catch. I thought he would have the speed to beat people but that has not been the case so then you go to his ability to break tackles. Unfortunately he is really not good after the catch. Usually goes down the first time a defender breathes on him.

 

[Pyroth]

He's only 22 years old. His best years are in front of him (barring injury of course). His straight line speed is great, he runs good routes but I don't think the game has slowed down for him enough yet to become a big playmaker. He's kind of deer in a headlights once he catches the ball and looks slow to react. He just doesn't look that quick either though. Fast yes, Quick/agile no.

 

[Guitarzan]

What's his excuse for not making the easiest block in the world for Ingram on that run? It cost us 6 points.

fify

 

[Guitarzan]

He's only 22 years old. His best years are in front of him (barring injury of course). His straight line speed is great, he runs good routes but I don't think the game has slowed down for him enough yet to become a big playmaker. He's kind of deer in a headlights once he catches the ball and looks slow to react. He just doesn't look that quick either though. Fast yes, Quick/agile no.

Agreed.

Quick stops are just as important as quick starts.

I'd like to see more YAC, but I like him fine already.

 

[GumboYaYa]

Cooks plays scared.

 

[GumboYaYa]

What's his excuse for not making the easiest block in the world for Ingram on that run? It cost us 7 points.

I've been a huge Cooks supporter, but that play with the failed block (and the two high balls that he didn't even make an attempt for) made me lose a lot of hope for this player's high ceiling. Forget good or great, until proven otherwise, Cooks is maybe an average NFL receiver right now. This makes me sad because we NEED him right now just about more than we have ever needed a receiver.