papz

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Five days into Saints training camp, first-round draft pick Brandin Cooks is starting to earn NFL respect.

It’s what occurs after making receptions like Cooks did Tuesday morning at The Greenbrier Resort, where he used speed, quickness and the ability to transition from one to the other to catch a Drew Brees pass near the sideline.

Cornerback Champ Bailey was in bump-and-run coverage, the future Hall of Famer doing all there was to be done to defend Cooks, a rookie receiver from Oregon State.

Still, it wasn’t enough.

“Man, watching his explosive ability, kind of navigating those blocks then hit a seam — if he hits a seem, he’s gone,” Brees said later.

“I think that just gives you a taste of what we have in him.”

Later, Cooks caught a bubble screen pass on the left side of the field. He then made a narrow opening in the defense look huge, the way he burst through it faster than you can say NFL Rookie of the Year candidate en route to a clear path to the end zone.

Read more: CAMP REPORT: Brandin Cooks




I'm getting real real real giddy about Cooks. I'm starting to have some homeristic, over optimistic expectations about him this year.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.