Saintswrath

Why Cooks is on the list

Last year's offseason sensation has two things in his corner: warp speed and a plum opportunity.

Coach Sean Payton and a "rejuvenated" Drew Brees entered the season with visions of Cooks as an uncoverable chess piece -- a smaller, quicker, less volatile version of Percy Harvin. Cooks raced out to an electric start, stealing the show with 86 yards and a touchdown on an assortment of deep balls, swing passes, slants and end-arounds by halftime of his first NFL game.

After the season opener, the Saints' first-round pick appeared to be well on his way to an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.

Limited to a Harvin-like role featuring jet sweeps, slip screens, and quick slants near the line of scrimmage, though, Cooks would spend the next six weeks averaging less than 9.0 yards per reception. He needed touches manufactured by the play-caller to make an impact.

The light appeared to flip on in Week 8 versus the Packers, as Payton made it a priority to expand Cooks' route tree.

"We just have to get him the ball more often," Payton told NBC's Cris Collinsworth leading up to the game. "I don't know exactly how, but we have to find a way. I feel like I'm slowing him down."

Buoyed by an increase in intermediate and deep routes, Cooks began living up to his immense potential. He burned Green Bay for 98 yards and a touchdown on seven touches and came back two weeks later with 90 yards and another score in a scintillating performance versus San Francisco.

Further Elaboration on the topic and Video highlights can be viewed at the link below.



Making the Leap, No. 11: Saints WR Brandin Cooks - NFL.com

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saintsfan1976

Good article.

Gotta think some of those intermediate plays go to Spiller this year.

I like Brandon doing what he does best - speed over the top.

Rugby Saint II

Let Cooks take the top off then the middle will open up for both Spiller and the tight ends. And that is after we pound them with a strong run game.

foreverfan

I see him as a much better version of Devery Henderson.

saintsfan1976

Circa 2006 with Deuce.

Nati31

IMO cooks will split those intermediate plays with spiller. Payton still wants to get him in space just like spiller. I honestly believe cooks has the most potential of any saints receiver in the Brees-Payton. Also I don't think we've had two electrifying players like cooks and spiller on the field at the same time. If both stay healthy this offense will be very very fun to watch.

hagan714

Spiller will get a bulk of those stupid quick screen and check downs Cook ran last year. Spiller is bigger so he can break a few more tackles and handling the pounding better than Cook.

Cook tormenting LB and safeties in mid and deep routes will get his scores and yardage up. get LB chasing the kid instead of coming up to make the tackle is just what his game needs.

In 2015 Cook should become a utility WR that the second level of ever defense will fear. Think Welker with speed

Spiller and Cook will feed off each other

YPC was 8.4 in 2014? way too low. with better line play, I can see that going up. way up if he is used as WR. If so i can see that number doubling to the 16 YPC range.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

dizzle88

The reason his YPC was that low were because of what you mentioned, those stupid WR quick screens that got a yard at best whenever we ran it.

SP recognised that he was holding him back and started to use him properly then he got injured.

rezburna

SP should look at whatever Welker did, and have Cooks do that.

ChrisXVI

The next Antonio Brown.