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Entering his 14th season at Oregon State, Mike Riley is the dean of coaches in the Pacific-12 Conference. He coached the San Diego Chargers from 1999 to 2001 and served one season on Jim Haslett's staff with the New Orleans Saints in 2002. Riley's program has produced several NFL standouts in recent years, including Falcons running back Steven Jackson and Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner. New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis and linebacker Victor Butler also played for Riley at Oregon State. The man knows NFL talent, and he thinks the Saints landed a future star in former Beavers wide receiver Brandin Cooks. I caught up with Riley on Friday morning and asked him for a scouting report on the newest New Orleans Saint. Here's our conversation:

Q: What can you tell Saints fans about Brandin Cooks?

Riley: "He's a really, really good player, and if you can believe it, an even better person. His work ethic is at the highest level. His character is at the highest level. And of course, his talent speaks for itself. He is big-time."

Q: What did you think about him going to the Saints?

Riley: "I'm really excited for him to go to New Orleans. I know Drew Brees is a worker and likes to surround himself with workers. And that's what he's got in Brandin Cooks. I think Sean (Payton) has a vision for him as a player and how he's going to use him. That's the key to good coaching. I think it's a great fit."

Q: Sean Payton said he was as impressed with Cooks' intangible assets as he was his tangible ones. I assume that's something you saw in him at Oregon State?

Riley: "He is really competitive. I mean, really competitive. Now, he's a great person and he's going to be a great spokesperson for the organization, but deep down he is a competitor. It shows through in the work he does. He's always going the extra mile in everything he does. He'll be an immediate pro. He'll always be on time, and they'll never have any trouble with him. They'll love him down there."

Q: He's compared often to (former Carolina Panthers receiver) Steve Smith. Do you see that as a valid comparison?

Riley: I haven't seen much of Steve Smith, to be honest. But from the reputation he has, the competitiveness, the playmaking ability, I'd say it's a good comparison.

Read more: Oregon State coach Mike Riley on New Orleans Saints' Brandin Cooks: 'He is big-time' | NOLA.com

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