Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks
Conference Call With New Orleans Media
Thursday, May 8, 2014

What thoughts were going through your mind when the Saints moved up to pick you?

“To be honest, the thoughts going through my mind were that I had a great feeling when I saw that trade I knew something special was coming. I am very excited.”

Why did you feel that way? They didn’t bring you in for a visit. What made you feel that the Saints might be the team?

“At the combine when I had a formal interview with them I thought it was special in the case when I walked out the door and I had that vibe. I definitely felt that since the Combine and hey, it happened so I guess that I went with my gut feeling and that was the right thing to do.”

Did you take any other visits?

“I only took one visit and that was to the New York Jets.”

Were you getting a little worried when the numbers started falling and you were still available?

“Not really, I wasn’t worried. I knew I was going to be called sooner or later. I was just being patient whether it was the first pick or the last. To just have this opportunity to play in the National Football League is unbelievable.”

What is it like to come to a team with a quarterback like Drew Brees?

“To be honest, to be able to have a quarterback like him, I would say a potential future Hall of Famer, but the beauty about him, (is) he gets the ball to all of his players, all of his receivers, his tight ends, his backs, so going into an offense like that as a rookie you have to be excited.”

What kind of role did the Saints discuss for you and was the possibility of returning kicks brought up as something you might do?

“I am excited about that. Like I heard, I guess Coach Payton said they were going to use me in the slot and outside and possibly returning kicks, that’s my game so I can’t complain about that.”

A lot of people think that you are the successor to Darren Sproles, do you know much about him and do you think you have the same skillset?

“You know I definitely know a lot about Darren Sproles, but at the same time I feel like we do have the same skillset but I am a receiver and he was more in the backfield catching screens. Now I am going to be lined up out there on the halfs so that is the beauty of it.”

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Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

Great article. I don't see how people can compare him to Sproles at all. Yeah they are both fast guys but that is where it ends. Unless he wears #43 which I doubt. ;)

Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

The comparison is that he creates mismatches all over the field. They're two different players at two different positions but that's where they are similar. He's not something I was all that excited for when we picked, but he's the type of player that you will grow to love... and fast. I'm starting to get excited thinking about the possibilities and at the end of the day... the pick makes a lot of sense. I've always been a proponent of adding weapons and not becoming stagnant so the league can catch up with you. You have to stay ahead of the curve and Cooks certainly fits the bill.

Quite of a few of us wanted an Archer or Thomas... well, we have Cooks. He's the better player, has the better ceiling, has a true position, is more polished, and fills a need. Mission accomplished regarding that aspect of getting a playmaker in the draft. Just a little sooner than I expected... that's all.

Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

Much like Reggie he'll be put in motion frequently, demanding attention opening it up for Graham/Colston/RB's/ etc.

I fully expect him to have a bigger impact than Darren Sproles did.

Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

Me too.

I think st. thomas made a comment yesterday night about Cooks extending Colston's career, I see it. The extra safety attention he's going to command in the slot because he can just make one cut and burn you bad vertically, the amount of hits Colston and Graham are typically prone to will be lessened. His ability to pick up YAC on screens and short yardage passes will give our offensive line and running game a boost as well. If he shows to be effective, it can help neutralize a teams pass rush and while holding their ends trying to stop a bubble screen or quick slant.

It's only been one night and he's growing so fast on me.

Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

I'm already developing a substantial man-crush on him.

:praise:

Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

Great point. He still reminds me of a nice Steve Smith. Not the butthead Steve Smith. But a nice guy that has similar talents to Steve Smith. And that's a good thing.

New Orleans Saints draft Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks in 1st round

Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

Agreed...Sproles is shorter...

Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

His story kind of reminds me of JG.

Re: Brandin Cooks talks about joining the New Orleans Saints
 

Cool Beckham tweet.