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From everything we have heard, Cooks is a deeply interested student of the game who spends a lot of time on film and working hard - he was described as a very high football IQ. At least that was the story on him coming into the team and I haven't heard anything different since then. You seem to be contrasting Cooks with Thomas on the precision, the football smarts, etc. - but I didn't think Cooks was deficient in any of those areas and never thought his game was simply based on speed.
Obviously Thomas has "it" and has been tremendously impressive with his routes, his hands, his game - everything. But I'm wondering if part of the contrast is about size and utilization in our system. Thomas has the perfect size, hands, and inside toughness to play that Colston role that can be so productive when Brees and Sean are working mismatches, which I think the is bread and butter of our system (forcing defenders into mismatches and exploiting them). Apart from a few designed plays, Cooks is typically on the edge as an X or Z in our system - and that spot just seems to get slightly less action for us.
But it isn't like he's having a bad season - he's 21st in the league on yards and tied for 8th in TDs. I'm glad he's looking to fine tune his game, but I don't think there's anything that he has been failing to do.
No he isn't having a bad season, and he is a good player. But, his routes are not as crisp and cut off as they could be. He can be taken out of the game by a good CB. I didn't take it from him that it was a disrespect tot he organization, more about how if he wants to go from the 21st best WR that can be shut down, he needs take his game to the next level. He was unhappy at his usage yes, but I think he realized also that he wasn't getting open either.
I may have come across too harshly as I do like Cooks and think he is a special young player. But, I think he is finally realizing that if he wants to be one of the few upper tier players, he has to push himself tot he next level. I have no doubts he will.
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