Brandin Cooks
 

We seem to use him less and less each week. Why do we take shots with Meacham when we have a stud speedster with Cooks? Mecham hasn`t caught a single deep ball this year I think and even had some crucial drops.

We only seem to use Cooks for Slants and short outlet passes...

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Arguably the fastest receiver in the league and all we use him for is screens or slants

Throw a couple down field for him! Not many people will run step for step with Cooks.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

I would like to see them just devise a play where they hit Cooks in stride
That alone should spring him

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

The judgement of our coaching staff is nearly treasonous.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

If Brees can't hit Meachem what makes you think he'll hit Cooks?

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

He overthrew meachem vs Detroit, cooks is way faster than meachem
Plus he hit Kenny in stride for the TD aswell.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

If the shoe fits...

http://cdn4.cubiclebot.com/wp-conten...oes.jpg?363b75

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

So it's Meachem's fault Brees overthrew him? Several times this year.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Nope Brees is off his game, but meachem is a waste of money even at league minimum
He doesn't even fight for the ball in the air anymore and he's lost his speed, which means we are paying him to be a skinny Offensive lineman

surely preseason "Hall of Famer" Nick toon can't be worse.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Back on topic to Cooks.

Brandin Cooks Stats - New Orleans Saints - ESPN

5+ catches a game
7+ targets a game

I also wish he were more of the game plan. I thought he was going to be a breakout playmaker as a rookie. One thing seems for sure that you will never be a rookie of the year in a Payton offense.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

What I would like to see is Cooks being used more as a number 1 receiver. I wouldn't say the game plan with him is a waste, but the Saints do have good capable running backs for those short ones. The Saints have needed a true number 1 receiver for a long time, they now have a potential guy for that role, just need to use him now.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

If they're not using him, it's likely because he's not running the right routes or he's not getting the separation he was touted to get coming out of college.

I've noticed that Saints receivers as a whole can't get any separation, that the only reason one might be open is because a defender fell down. This might be either a coaching issue or a play design issue. I can't believe that players slower than Meachem are finding space around the league against the same opponents we face and it's all player "desire" issues.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

they jam Cooks pretty hard at the line and Brees has little time to throw this year

still, quick slants

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Defenses are not concerned with the run. It gives them an advantage and makes it harder for everyone on offense. Brees, O-Line, WR's, and the RB's.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Most of the catches have come on short routs. He really hasn't been the explosive play-maker we all know he should be. I personally think we haven't used him correctly.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

It's all play design issues that call for WRs to find the zone and sit in it. When a WR is looking for a zone to sit down in guess what he isn't doing, running away from people or getting separation.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

We have thrown to Cooks past 5 yards maybe once this year. Everything else is WR bubble screens or quick slants. We aren't really trying to employ him in the passing attack as so much of what we have always done is seams and zone spots to big bodied guys.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

I know people are very impatient but it's only six games. It could be that the coaches are working Cooks in to the NFL speed and level and getting his confidence up before unleashing him, or before they trust HIM enough to unleash him off the chain. They've used him on a couple of longer passes in a couple of situations. The one big one in preseason I remember where the defender missed, etc.

The Saints have a history of being VERY conservative when it comes to working rookies into the lineup. Pierre Thomas didn't even get a single carry until October in his first year. The fans were screaming his name but Junior Galette was kind of a non-factor mystery man in his first rookie year here as well. Go look at the early rookie game logs for guys like Colston or even Jimmy, I bet they're pretty sparse. I'd like to see more of Cooks, but this is a classic Sean Payton thing -- you just have to be patient and wait for it a little bit. He will come alive.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

I know what your getting at but Colston is the exception, he scored 9 TD's and had over 1000 yards in his rookie season
Right from the start he was the go to guy for Drew
I do agree with you about cooks though, maybe he just needs a little more time.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

What does it say about Morgan and Toon that they can't beat Meachem out in practice?

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

just once i want to see a clear out for Cook. him one on one with anyone on a deep corner route across the field? should be a gimme

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Apparently Morgan & Toon just don't have the drive to get in there and play ball.

And Meachem has 4 (FOUR) catches with 16 (SIXTEEN) targets. Sorry, but that is a steamy pile of excrement.

I agree with Cooks taking Meachem's down field targets...RM is rocking 25% receptions per target. I could live with Cooks doing that, getting the experience to help him reach his ceiling. Meachem's ceiling? That happened in 2009.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Here's the problem with Cooks (actually a Payton problem IMO)


Brandin Cooks
Pass Thrown Behind LOS, 15 for 66 yards
Pass Thrown 1-10 yds, 10 for 71 yards
Pass Thrown 11-20 yds, 6 for 86 yards
Pass Thrown 21-30 yds, 1 for 32 yards

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

So even though cooks is making the plays downfield when they are there, Payton is mostly keeping him behind the LOS or at 1-10 yard routes.

Cooks has shown he can run all the routes, we need to send him downfield more often, even if it means his speed drags the safety away and leaves someone uncovered

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

I'm fully aware the coaches know more than every single poster on fan forums, but I can't help but think Cooks and Morgan (Joe Morgan in case you guys forgot who he is) should be getting some more deep targets than they are.

And if you draft a 2 or 3 year project at CB, shouldn't you have addressed the CB spot in free-agency with someone other than a 70 year old HOF bound has been?

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Brees has no time!Most downfield plays have no time to develop.


WHO DAT??!?!??!!

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Ditto. I'm done with Meachem. I believe Cooks, Morgan or Stills could've caught some of the balls Meachem has missed
this year.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Lol..

Thats funny. Odd sarcasm but still funny.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Drews problems would be fixed with a better offensive line. Nuff' said. :smile:

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

I guess Payton and Drew look into this forum and followed my advice. Great job with the deep shots to Cooks.. the first one he should have also had, but the TD was a thing of beauty.

WHO DAT

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

What a game breaker. I'm glad Sean opened up the playbook and took some chances with the deep ball to Cooks.

Brandin is a special player.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Watching him creating separation on that TD. Looked so easy. Wow!

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

I had been begging for more shot plays in other threads. I almost teared up a little bit when I saw them unleash stills and cooks down the field last night. It was a thing of beauty. I also must eat a considerable amount of crow with regards to ingram. When he is given the carries, dude is a load. He's also become better at reading his blocks.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Notice Brees also had room to step up and launch. I'll rewatch but I suspect Lelito had a pretty good game.

My only real complaint, albeit minor, was short yardage. Our O-line got no push at all. Granted they stacked the box but it reminded me way to much of Ingram getting surrounded and pummeled by 4 defenders 3 yards behind the LOS.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

I've been begging to hit Cooks with a ball in stride (not even deep)

Payton needs to stop forcing Brandon to be Sprouls Mk II

he had great separation and other than that one drop he was determined to come down with it

open up that playbook!

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

Man that dude is fast!

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

3 down-the-field bombs to Cooks...

1 Drop (it was in heavy traffic, but you gotta have that ball)
1 31-yard Pass Interference penalty (yes, it was legit)
1 50-yard TD

I will take this in a heartbeat.

Thank you, Sean & Drew, for listening to us here on Black & Gold.com. And you're welcome, Mr. Cooks.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

On that long TD pass he caught Brees could actually have thrown it even longer because Cooks had to slow down it looks like.

Re: Brandin Cooks
 

I didn't get to watch the game, but on a replay of Cooks' 50 yarder I noticed that very thing. Drew was able to climb the pocket and launch it. O-Line boys and girls. That's the ticket.