I like the move for the Patriots, but I think the Saints are the winners of this deal. Cooks made it known that he didn't want to be on the roster anymore, and the Saints have two strong receivers without him in Michael Thomas and Willie Snead. New Orleans now has two first-round selections in a very deep draft, so they can use those picks to improve their woeful defense.

No, that isn't the point. The impact that Cooks has as compared to a replacement does not come close to what it would cost to retain him as compared to a replacement. He also had value to get something in return. Will he get paid? Maybe. But we won't have to take the hit.

And whines about every pass thrown to anyone else. Too many good hands on this team to have to throw to a big ego. We can't say this about many positions, but in the case of our WRs it's not man up, it's next man up!

show me more than one comment at one game where Cooks "whined"

this isn't Terrell Owens.

this is strictly money
glad we didn't let Colston go with his first pay day over $.

I certainly hope Sneed and Thomas can still get open as often without Cooks drawing key focus in opponents secondarys.

You're right, I was exaggerating a bit there. However I do feel I'm spot on about next man up with our receivers. We win a lot when we have seven or eight different players catching the ball throughout the game. Loosing Cooks is not going to have much of an impact on our offense, if any.

we have shown a next man up winning mentality

and many ex Saint players do take a step down leaving Brees' offense.

I think we didn't get enough
roughly an early second round pick
maybe Butler is thrown in, who knows

if we can actually find a defensive stalwart with our 2 #1 picks or trade up for the difference maker (or maybe not)
then this won't taste so bitter

I would rather pay a great player who has performed for you the $$

then have a fifth year unproven entity on the cheap

don't we have an easy salary cap this year

I am really glad Marcus Colston ended up in Cleveland