Jared Cook: Overhyped Flavor of the Week or the Real Deal? (1 Viewer)

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

You can't read anything on the Rams this offseason without hearing how Jared Cook is lighting it up. Topped off by Peter King's comment yesterday that Cook was the best player he saw this entire preseason during team visits.

In his favor... the Rams paid him like a stud and did so early in free agency. Bradford has openly raved about him. He's reportedly been unstoppable in practice. And pretty much everyone who's been to Rams camp has said the same thing -- Cook looks like he's going to have a huge season.

OTOH, he didn't have a catch in the Rams first preseason game. The Rams offense, while a bit underrated IMO, probably isn't going to be a top-15 unit. And very few of the folks doing league-wide projections have him breaking out. For example, the average of the four FBG projections has him as TE10 on a PPG basis -- right in the middle of the huge pack of TEs bunched from TE7 to TE14.

So I'm curious what people think. Is Cook just the latest in a long line of preseason darlings that don't justify the hype when the season starts? Or is he a guy only a few weeks away from exploding into a top-5 finish for 2013?

 

[ChainsawU]

Sounds legit to me. It doesn't sound like hype and I am all about selling high. I'm content to finally get some ROI in dynasty and am as excited about him as I can allow myself to be about a tight end. Don't make any decisions based on what you see in the preseason.

 

[Man of Zen]

People seem to be remaining cautious enough on him that the upside still more than merits the risk. MFL still has him almost pick 100 in 12 teamers since Aug 1. That's a place I'm content to accept the value as "good enough" if I only get a 600/5 out of him, which I see as a sort of worst case scenario barring injury. Picking him there is all gravy, AFAIC.

 

[Touchdown There]

What if he is TE6?

 

[Kenny Powers]

It remains to be seen whether it ends up being a good or bad decision, but I know you wont find him on any of my rosters.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

What if he is TE6?

If he finishes #6 some jackwad from the Internet who enjoys being a ##### and never has anything useful to say will probably point out that there was no option for #6.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Running about 5:3 in favor of hype. I think I'm closer to 55/45 that it's legit. Would probably take him at TE#7 just for the upside. Agree with the comment above that his floor isn't going to kill you even if he whiffs on a big season.

 

[Kenny Powers]

What if he is TE6?

If he finishes #6 some jackwad from the Internet who enjoys being a ##### and never has anything useful to say will probably point out that there was no option for #6.

 

[Leonidas]

I'm not really following the poll options.

Cook's ADP is something like TE10.

I don't see why he'd have to finish 1-5 to live up to the "hype"

 

[Man of Zen]

Agree with that. The hype is only top five if you happen to draft with Peter King or Rams' Management. To live up to the ADP the current levels of hype are generating, he'd have to have a season competitive with 2012's Jermaine Gresham, and maybe slightly better than Scott Chandler. Cook'll be ok for you where he's being drafted, and is probably worth it even for the naysayers just on the chance that Peter King nails it for a change.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I'm not really following the poll options.

Cook's ADP is something like TE10.

I don't see why he'd have to finish 1-5 to live up to the "hype"

He's projected to be #10 and his ADP is #10, but what's coming out of camp suggests something much better than #10. I think I've read at least a half dozen people (not including his QB) saying that Cook looks: like he'll take Amendola's role, like the best player in any camp, like he's unstoppable, etc....

 

[Touchdown There]

What if he is TE6?

If he finishes #6 some jackwad from the Internet who enjoys being a ##### and never has anything useful to say will probably point out that there was no option for #6.

Typical internet response.

 

[Leonidas]

I'm not really following the poll options.

Cook's ADP is something like TE10.

I don't see why he'd have to finish 1-5 to live up to the "hype"

He's projected to be #10 and his ADP is #10, but what's coming out of camp suggests something much better than #10. I think I've read at least a half dozen people (not including his QB) saying that Cook looks: like he'll take Amendola's role, like the best player in any camp, like he's unstoppable, etc....

Okay...but his ADP is TE10.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Looks like Cook had a nice little game vs the Broncos, in what I am guessing was about a half of play... 4/50/1 (6tgts)

 

[We Tigers]

This remains a weird thread, but I will say that I felt quite pleased taking Cook as TE9 in a draft this weekend after seeing his preseason TD (and not just because that led off a run of four TEs in the next 12 picks). It's a beautiful catch--Bradford put it up way high and he totally sold out to get it. The DB didn't have a chance.

Add a QB willing to toss him big time only-he-can-get-it passes to Cook's already excellent play in the seam, and you've get yourself a guy who looks like he's finally going to break out.

 

[Texasmouth]

Can I vote both?

I think he has a really solid season but I think the overhype has reached its breaking point.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Sorry... should have been clearer. The hype is from real football observers. I've heard more good stuff about Jared Cook than any of the other players I follow closely.

The glowing reviews have consistently outstripped the ADP/projections. So maybe "hype" was a confusing word.

 

[mr roboto]

I'm not really following the poll options.

Cook's ADP is something like TE10.

I don't see why he'd have to finish 1-5 to live up to the "hype"

He's projected to be #10 and his ADP is #10, but what's coming out of camp suggests something much better than #10. I think I've read at least a half dozen people (not including his QB) saying that Cook looks: like he'll take Amendola's role, like the best player in any camp, like he's unstoppable, etc....

Welcome to the modern media hype age. Glad you also are acquainted with something called the internet.

 

[stbugs]

I hope he lives up to the hype. He was actually pretty decent last year before he got hurt even though he was playing less than half the game. I think people are hesitant to believe the hype because he didn't put up the stats last year. I remember hearing Esiason comment on what a match up problem he was after he made two nice catches with huge separation. Later in the game he mentioned how he didn't get why they didn't use him more. According the football outsiders, Cook played 47% of the offensive snaps. He finished #15 in PPG in my league and it looks like only Hernandez had a lower snap count %, but NE passed the ball a wee bit more than Tennessee and used Hernandez. 9 of the 14 in front of him had 80%+ or 90%+ snap counts.

I grabbed Gronk at 4.1 in a 1.5 ppr for TE 12 team league and took Cook at 7.12. Note that this is a 2 keeper league, so based on the later keepers, he would have gone about 8.12 in a non-keeper. He was the 9th TE taken. I loved taking Cook there because he is a perfect fit with Gronk due to Cook's late bye week (11).

 

[TwinTurbo]

Top 10 yes. Top 5, no way, not in that offense.

 

[Bob Magaw]

Top 10 yes. Top 5, no way, not in that offense.

but what offense is that...

what it will look like in 2013, the rams have kept heavily under wraps in preseason...

what it used to look like in 2012 (when they had steven jackson, didn't have cook, tavon austin, jake long, etc.)...

usually one year is like the one before... until it isn't.

 

[Phenix]

Top 10 yes. Top 5, no way, not in that offense.

but what offense is that...

what it will look like in 2013, the rams have kept heavily under wraps in preseason...

what it used to look like in 2012 (when they had steven jackson, didn't have cook, tavon austin, jake long, etc.)...

usually one year is like the one before... until it isn't.

All you need to know is Cook is the #1/2 passing option in this offense that should be trailing for most of the game, and Fisher loves him.

Got him as the 11th TE off the board, feel good about it. Especially in TD heavy leagues as he is the most lethal redzone target on this team in this type of offense that others like to bash.

If he doesn't work out, TEs always emerge from the wire somewhere.

 

[Winning IS Everything]

I'm not really following the poll options.

Cook's ADP is something like TE10.

I don't see why he'd have to finish 1-5 to live up to the "hype"

This is what I was going to post. I would be happy if he ends in the TE 5-10 area.

 

[DoubleG]

Mostly hype. Will Cook possibly outperform previous seasons? Sure. But that's not saying much considering over the plast 3 years he has averaged under 600/3. Also, there are too many other TEs who, based on situations and what we're hearing and have seen in preseason, will also have good years. Some examples:

1) Vernon Davis - with Crabs going down, Kaep has to throw to someone, and Davis has always been a great target even with Crabtree taking a lot of targets. And Kaep>Bradford.

2) Finley is the talk of Packer preseason. And Rodgers>Bradford.

3) Many of the "usual suspects" should have good years again as well (Graham, Gonzo, Witten, even Gronk could be back week 3) And every QB/offense listed is probably better than Bradford and the Rams O.

I think it's possible that Cook will have his best year as a pro, and have a really good year...for him - and still be outside the top 10 TEs.

 

[Leonidas]

Mostly hype. Will Cook possibly outperform previous seasons? Sure. But that's not saying much considering over the plast 3 years he has averaged under 600/3. Also, there are too many other TEs who, based on situations and what we're hearing and have seen in preseason, will also have good years. Some examples:

1) Vernon Davis - with Crabs going down, Kaep has to throw to someone, and Davis has always been a great target even with Crabtree taking a lot of targets. And Kaep>Bradford.

2) Finley is the talk of Packer preseason. And Rodgers>Bradford.

3) Many of the "usual suspects" should have good years again as well (Graham, Gonzo, Witten, even Gronk could be back week 3) And every QB/offense listed is probably better than Bradford and the Rams O.

I think it's possible that Cook will have his best year as a pro, and have a really good year...for him - and still be outside the top 10 TEs.

1) Davis' ADP in standard leagues is in the 5th round. Cook's is the 10th.

2) Finley is still dropping everything, it seems. Also, his ADP is in the 7th round. Cook's is the 10th.

3) Graham's ADP is the second round. Gonzolez's is the 6th. Witten's is the 6th. Gronk is always going well before the 10th round, and may or may not be available for many weeks.

You are basically pointing out that guys drafted multiple rounds earlier may have more potential.

To which I say...duh.

I mean, seriously, you're talking about Graham having a big season in a thread about the guy being taken as TE10 at the very end of the 9th round. lolwhat?

Maybe you should explain why Cook won't jump past a single one of the TE's going ahead of him, and why at least one of the TE's going after him will have a better season? Because the body of your post does nothing whatsoever to support the conclusion that Cook will finish outside of the top 10.

 

[DoubleG]

Mostly hype. Will Cook possibly outperform previous seasons? Sure. But that's not saying much considering over the plast 3 years he has averaged under 600/3. Also, there are too many other TEs who, based on situations and what we're hearing and have seen in preseason, will also have good years. Some examples:

1) Vernon Davis - with Crabs going down, Kaep has to throw to someone, and Davis has always been a great target even with Crabtree taking a lot of targets. And Kaep>Bradford.

2) Finley is the talk of Packer preseason. And Rodgers>Bradford.

3) Many of the "usual suspects" should have good years again as well (Graham, Gonzo, Witten, even Gronk could be back week 3) And every QB/offense listed is probably better than Bradford and the Rams O.

I think it's possible that Cook will have his best year as a pro, and have a really good year...for him - and still be outside the top 10 TEs.

1) Davis' ADP in standard leagues is in the 5th round. Cook's is the 10th.

2) Finley is still dropping everything, it seems. Also, his ADP is in the 7th round. Cook's is the 10th.

3) Graham's ADP is the second round. Gonzolez's is the 6th. Witten's is the 6th. Gronk is always going well before the 10th round, and may or may not be available for many weeks.

You are basically pointing out that guys drafted multiple rounds earlier may have more potential.

To which I say...duh.

I mean, seriously, you're talking about Graham having a big season in a thread about the guy being taken as TE10 at the very end of the 9th round. lolwhat?

Maybe you should explain why Cook won't jump past a single one of the TE's going ahead of him, and why at least one of the TE's going after him will have a better season? Because the body of your post does nothing whatsoever to support the conclusion that Cook will finish outside of the top 10.

The body of my post clearly lists at least 6 guys by name that will finish ahead of Cook, imho - and gives reasons for each. That means Cook finishes outside the top 7 (i.e. the question in the poll of this thread and the OP). You don't have to agree - but reading is a skill.

Reread the premise of the thread. At no point does the OP or me indicate that Cook isn't a "value play" - but he won't live up to the top 5 finish hype he's getting from some of the media. You are of course free to disagree and disagree with the reasons I and others have put forth - but to suggest the reasons I posted don't exist or that I didn't give any is simply not paying attention.

 

[Leonidas]

Mostly hype. Will Cook possibly outperform previous seasons? Sure. But that's not saying much considering over the plast 3 years he has averaged under 600/3. Also, there are too many other TEs who, based on situations and what we're hearing and have seen in preseason, will also have good years. Some examples:

1) Vernon Davis - with Crabs going down, Kaep has to throw to someone, and Davis has always been a great target even with Crabtree taking a lot of targets. And Kaep>Bradford.

2) Finley is the talk of Packer preseason. And Rodgers>Bradford.

3) Many of the "usual suspects" should have good years again as well (Graham, Gonzo, Witten, even Gronk could be back week 3) And every QB/offense listed is probably better than Bradford and the Rams O.

I think it's possible that Cook will have his best year as a pro, and have a really good year...for him - and still be outside the top 10 TEs.

1) Davis' ADP in standard leagues is in the 5th round. Cook's is the 10th.

2) Finley is still dropping everything, it seems. Also, his ADP is in the 7th round. Cook's is the 10th.

3) Graham's ADP is the second round. Gonzolez's is the 6th. Witten's is the 6th. Gronk is always going well before the 10th round, and may or may not be available for many weeks.

You are basically pointing out that guys drafted multiple rounds earlier may have more potential.

To which I say...duh.

I mean, seriously, you're talking about Graham having a big season in a thread about the guy being taken as TE10 at the very end of the 9th round. lolwhat?

Maybe you should explain why Cook won't jump past a single one of the TE's going ahead of him, and why at least one of the TE's going after him will have a better season? Because the body of your post does nothing whatsoever to support the conclusion that Cook will finish outside of the top 10.

The body of my post clearly lists at least 6 guys by name that will finish ahead of Cook, imho - and gives reasons for each. That means Cook finishes outside the top 7 (i.e. the question in the poll of this thread and the OP). You don't have to agree - but reading is a skill.

Reread the premise of the thread. At no point does the OP or me indicate that Cook isn't a "value play" - but he won't live up to the top 5 finish hype he's getting from some of the media. You are of course free to disagree and disagree with the reasons I and others have put forth - but to suggest the reasons I posted don't exist or that I didn't give any is simply not paying attention.

Well...there's this.

I'm not really following the poll options.

Cook's ADP is something like TE10.

I don't see why he'd have to finish 1-5 to live up to the "hype"

There is no top-5 FF hype. I haven't seen him in the top 5 TE's on anybody's board nor is he being drafted anywhere near the top 5 TE's.

 

[massraider]

. he is the most lethal redzone target on this team

 

[DoubleG]

Mostly hype. Will Cook possibly outperform previous seasons? Sure. But that's not saying much considering over the plast 3 years he has averaged under 600/3. Also, there are too many other TEs who, based on situations and what we're hearing and have seen in preseason, will also have good years. Some examples:

1) Vernon Davis - with Crabs going down, Kaep has to throw to someone, and Davis has always been a great target even with Crabtree taking a lot of targets. And Kaep>Bradford.

2) Finley is the talk of Packer preseason. And Rodgers>Bradford.

3) Many of the "usual suspects" should have good years again as well (Graham, Gonzo, Witten, even Gronk could be back week 3) And every QB/offense listed is probably better than Bradford and the Rams O.

I think it's possible that Cook will have his best year as a pro, and have a really good year...for him - and still be outside the top 10 TEs.

1) Davis' ADP in standard leagues is in the 5th round. Cook's is the 10th.

2) Finley is still dropping everything, it seems. Also, his ADP is in the 7th round. Cook's is the 10th.

3) Graham's ADP is the second round. Gonzolez's is the 6th. Witten's is the 6th. Gronk is always going well before the 10th round, and may or may not be available for many weeks.

You are basically pointing out that guys drafted multiple rounds earlier may have more potential.

To which I say...duh.

I mean, seriously, you're talking about Graham having a big season in a thread about the guy being taken as TE10 at the very end of the 9th round. lolwhat?

Maybe you should explain why Cook won't jump past a single one of the TE's going ahead of him, and why at least one of the TE's going after him will have a better season? Because the body of your post does nothing whatsoever to support the conclusion that Cook will finish outside of the top 10.

The body of my post clearly lists at least 6 guys by name that will finish ahead of Cook, imho - and gives reasons for each. That means Cook finishes outside the top 7 (i.e. the question in the poll of this thread and the OP). You don't have to agree - but reading is a skill.

Reread the premise of the thread. At no point does the OP or me indicate that Cook isn't a "value play" - but he won't live up to the top 5 finish hype he's getting from some of the media. You are of course free to disagree and disagree with the reasons I and others have put forth - but to suggest the reasons I posted don't exist or that I didn't give any is simply not paying attention.

Well...there's this.

I'm not really following the poll options.

Cook's ADP is something like TE10.

I don't see why he'd have to finish 1-5 to live up to the "hype"

There is no top-5 FF hype. I haven't seen him in the top 5 TE's on anybody's board nor is he being drafted anywhere near the top 5 TE's.

Then start your own thread. I was responding to the OP and the poll question - not your disagreement with the premise of the OP. If I would have been responding to your side note on not following the poll options or disagreeing with the premise, then I would have quoted you. This aint about you. Move on.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

FWIW, I'd take him ahead of Olsen, Finley, Rudolph, Daniels and Gates -- and all the other guys grouped right around him.

The fact that Cook is in his prime years, Fisher targeted him right away and paid him a fortune and there's no obvious competition for targets (outside Austin -- a gadget guy, and Givens -- a deep threat) suggests they'd really like to use him heavily. I'm willing to consider the steady stream of glowing reviews as confirmation.

I think he has a big season and at TE10 I'm buying all day long.

 

[massraider]

Mostly hype. Will Cook possibly outperform previous seasons? Sure. But that's not saying much considering over the plast 3 years he has averaged under 600/3. Also, there are too many other TEs who, based on situations and what we're hearing and have seen in preseason, will also have good years. Some examples:

1) Vernon Davis - with Crabs going down, Kaep has to throw to someone, and Davis has always been a great target even with Crabtree taking a lot of targets. And Kaep>Bradford.

2) Finley is the talk of Packer preseason. And Rodgers>Bradford.

3) Many of the "usual suspects" should have good years again as well (Graham, Gonzo, Witten, even Gronk could be back week 3) And every QB/offense listed is probably better than Bradford and the Rams O.

I think it's possible that Cook will have his best year as a pro, and have a really good year...for him - and still be outside the top 10 TEs.

1) Davis' ADP in standard leagues is in the 5th round. Cook's is the 10th.

2) Finley is still dropping everything, it seems. Also, his ADP is in the 7th round. Cook's is the 10th.

3) Graham's ADP is the second round. Gonzolez's is the 6th. Witten's is the 6th. Gronk is always going well before the 10th round, and may or may not be available for many weeks.

You are basically pointing out that guys drafted multiple rounds earlier may have more potential.

To which I say...duh.

I mean, seriously, you're talking about Graham having a big season in a thread about the guy being taken as TE10 at the very end of the 9th round. lolwhat?

Maybe you should explain why Cook won't jump past a single one of the TE's going ahead of him, and why at least one of the TE's going after him will have a better season? Because the body of your post does nothing whatsoever to support the conclusion that Cook will finish outside of the top 10.

The body of my post clearly lists at least 6 guys by name that will finish ahead of Cook, imho - and gives reasons for each. That means Cook finishes outside the top 7 (i.e. the question in the poll of this thread and the OP). You don't have to agree - but reading is a skill.

Reread the premise of the thread. At no point does the OP or me indicate that Cook isn't a "value play" - but he won't live up to the top 5 finish hype he's getting from some of the media. You are of course free to disagree and disagree with the reasons I and others have put forth - but to suggest the reasons I posted don't exist or that I didn't give any is simply not paying attention.

Well...there's this.

I'm not really following the poll options.

Cook's ADP is something like TE10.

I don't see why he'd have to finish 1-5 to live up to the "hype"

There is no top-5 FF hype. I haven't seen him in the top 5 TE's on anybody's board nor is he being drafted anywhere near the top 5 TE's.

Then start your own thread. I was responding to the OP and the poll question - not your disagreement with the premise of the OP. If I would have been responding to your side note on not following the poll options or disagreeing with the premise, then I would have quoted you. This aint about you. Move on.

 

[Leonidas]

So what makes people think Cook is being hyped as a Top 5 Fantasy TE?

I must have missed something.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

So what makes people think Cook is being hyped as a Top 5 Fantasy TE?

I must have missed something.

Asked and answered.

 

[Dismattle]

What if he is TE6?

OP may already believe most of us figure K. Rudolph has TE6 (or better) locked up..

On a serious note, the "beat writers' in @ St Louis tend to hype or knock a bit much (imo) I don't believe Cook (fresh from the Titans) will finish top5. Id listen to the Guru's on this one, not hype...

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

What if he is TE6?

OP may already believe most of us figure K. Rudolph has TE6 (or better) locked up..

On a serious note, the "beat writers' in @ St Louis tend to hype or knock a bit much (imo) I don't believe Cook (fresh from the Titans) will finish top5. Id listen to the Guru's on this one, not hype...

I do recall some local hype about Kendricks the year before... now, to paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen, Cook is no Kendricks.... or rather Kendricks is no Cook.

On the one hand I do like what the Rams have done overall, I feel switching out SJax for Rich & the stable was a positive, so was getting Long, and I think the WR situation is looking better. Brian Schottenheimer does not have a lot of success offensively and TE's Keller included have never really stood out (I believe), but on the other hand the Rams doing what they did targeting Cook and the fact that they have to do something with Bradford & Co. to get that going, and given the mass of confusion after Graham/Gronk/Gonz/Witten, considering all that really seems to make taking a risk on Cook to see if the upside delivers in the first few weeks of the season worthwhile, especially if he is still going in the later rounds. I think most people would predict or guess the top 4 finishing top 4, and so saying Cook will be the best after that is a little tough, but the poll question about finishing 7-15 makes sense and if you draft him I'm sure you're expecting most likely for 7-10 range but hoping for more.

 

[We Tigers]

FWIW, I'd take him ahead of Olsen, Finley, Rudolph, Daniels and Gates -- and all the other guys grouped right around him.

The fact that Cook is in his prime years, Fisher targeted him right away and paid him a fortune and there's no obvious competition for targets (outside Austin -- a gadget guy, and Givens -- a deep threat) suggests they'd really like to use him heavily. I'm willing to consider the steady stream of glowing reviews as confirmation.

I think he has a big season and at TE10 I'm buying all day long.

This is how I feel. After Graham, Witten, sort-of-Gronk, and Gonzalez, I put many other TEs together in a big cloud, to steal a term from how Jene Bramel does some of his IDP tiers. I lump VD, Olsen, Finley, Cook, Cameron, Daniels, and maybe Rudolph into that cloud. After that we get into Gates, Fred Davis, maybe 1 or 2 other guys.Out of the cloud, I like Cameron and Cook the most, especially relative to their cost. Good opportunity, lots of snaps coming, low price. The reason this thread is so weird is because it deals with a false "overhyped" premise that has not yet translated to fantasy.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

The reason this thread is so weird is because it deals with a false "overhyped" premise that has not yet translated to fantasy.

True enough. The hype is real-world. Not fantasy. Would word it differently if I were starting over.

ETA: it also wouldn't surprise me if Cook did finish top five -- ahead of either V Davis (who for all his apparent talent has only had two top five finishes, including #15 last year) or Jason Witten (who's 31 and could go the way of Antonio Gates this year -- it's never obvious until after the fact).

 

[stbugs]

The reason this thread is so weird is because it deals with a false "overhyped" premise that has not yet translated to fantasy.

True enough. The hype is real-world. Not fantasy. Would word it differently if I were starting over.

ETA: it also wouldn't surprise me if Cook did finish top five -- ahead of either V Davis (who for all his apparent talent has only had two top five finishes, including #15 last year) or Jason Witten (who's 31 and could go the way of Antonio Gates this year -- it's never obvious until after the fact).

I agree that based on the pre-season, a healthy Cook could finish top 5. I don't think most of the Cook backers think he is going to unseat the top 4 (Graham, Gronk (per game), Witten and Gonzo), but we probably see a good chance he is the best of the rest. In 2012 in my league, there was a clear top 2 (Graham and Gronk (per game), then about 1 ppg less than Graham was Witten and Gonzo and right below that was AH and Miller about 2 ppg less. Those two guys are obviously not going to repeat in 2013 (maybe Miller, but that was his best year). Then there was the rest of the top 12 a good chunk below. Cook was just outside of the top 12 ppg wise. I think he was underutilized last year by Tennessee, so I could easily see him coming out on top of the scrum after the top 4, which is even tighter this year without AH.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Well I traded for Cook, but there just seem like an awful lot of skill players people are betting on: Austin, Givens, Quick, Bradford, Richardson, and yes Cook.

Schottenheimer has been OC for 7 years, in 5 of those years his teams finished 20th or lower on total offense, the other 2 it was 11th and 16th.

Passing offense has finished 21st - 31st four times, 16th-18th the other three times.

Question: why does this change this year? Yes, change of philosophy but what does he know about the new system? When has he done it successfully before?

Fisher has typically been a ball control, defense oriented HC. This is the guy that turned Air McNair into a game manager.

 

[Phenix]

How come when I typed Jared Cook into the search feature, this did not pop up?

I would have not started a Jared Cook thread if this was here.

 

[Man of Zen]

Well I traded for Cook, but there just seem like an awful lot of skill players people are betting on: Austin, Givens, Quick, Bradford, Richardson, and yes Cook.

Schottenheimer has been OC for 7 years, in 5 of those years his teams finished 20th or lower on total offense, the other 2 it was 11th and 16th.

Passing offense has finished 21st - 31st four times, 16th-18th the other three times.

Question: why does this change this year? Yes, change of philosophy but what does he know about the new system? When has he done it successfully before?

Fisher has typically been a ball control, defense oriented HC. This is the guy that turned Air McNair into a game manager.

If his results were mediocre, on average, with the terrible Jets QB's and the super-conservative offenses they ran in hopes the D could win for them, then they should be at least slightly better than that with far better offensive talent in a new, wide-open offensive scheme.

And if they're better than mediocre, there'll be plenty of numbers to go around for all the full-time targets to be viable FF players.

The two things I'd add to that as caveats are only these:

1) If you think Schottenheimer, in his first year coaching this new system, is likely to have road bumps, then downgrade Bradford, primarily. Even if it goes badly, there will still be a high volume of big play attempts, and that never hurts the playmakers. Only the QB, depending on your league's scoring. In fact, such an offense, if forced to play from behind a lot because of frequent mistakes, only becomes better for the receivers.

2) I don't see anybody out there saying "all the Ram receivers are going to be great values." I see a number of people all touting different ones. That's kind of how it goes when you see a potentially high-volume offense with a lot of young targets. Nobody knows how the QB/coach chemistry issues will work out yet. So there are a lot of possible WR's who may present a good value at current ADP. Not all of them will hit, but the ones that do will probably be among the bigger bargains on the draft list. It's the size of that bargain that's driving what seems to be the Ram WR mania...not the consensus on which WR's represent it.

 

[Team ROFLCOPTERS]

Well I traded for Cook, but there just seem like an awful lot of skill players people are betting on: Austin, Givens, Quick, Bradford, Richardson, and yes Cook.

Schottenheimer has been OC for 7 years, in 5 of those years his teams finished 20th or lower on total offense, the other 2 it was 11th and 16th.

Passing offense has finished 21st - 31st four times, 16th-18th the other three times.

Question: why does this change this year? Yes, change of philosophy but what does he know about the new system? When has he done it successfully before?

Fisher has typically been a ball control, defense oriented HC. This is the guy that turned Air McNair into a game manager.

I wouldn't count on Quick killing Cook's targets.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Cook went in the 18th round in my draft last week. Take it FWIW. He was at the top of the overall rankings staring you in the face for what seemed like forever. I already had Gronk and Cameron (10th round) so I never considered him after that point.

I like him to a degree, and he was a steal that late, but as was brought up recently with Givens, Austin (Im way lower on him than his ADP), and DRich expected to put up pretty good numbers, Im not sure how good I feel about Cook. On the other hand, Im higher on Bradford than most this year it seems as I have him at QB17 in my scoring system.

 

[BigTex]

I like Cook, The Titans had no clue of what to do with him and that's sad.........I'm on the Cook train and believe if he stays healthy he'll finish in the top 5 or 6.

 

[msommer]

I like Cook, The Titans had no clue of what to do with him and that's sad.........I'm on the Cook train and believe if he stays healthy he'll finish in the top 5 or 6.

You are aware that Fisher was the first coach that didn't know how to use him, right?

 

[Man of Zen]

I like Cook, The Titans had no clue of what to do with him and that's sad.........I'm on the Cook train and believe if he stays healthy he'll finish in the top 5 or 6.

You are aware that Fisher was the first coach that didn't know how to use him, right?

Was that as a rookie, when he struggled to see the field because his developing blocking wasn't the best match for an offense 100% driven by Chris Johnson's running?

Or more as a second year guy, when at the end of the year he sprinted past Bo Scaife to show that the hype and Fisher's belief in him as a project was justified, leading to the presumption of a big year three by so many experts?

Fisher was the guy who wanted him, out of the gate, as soon as he was ready to play in an NFL offense. I rather imagine he's licking his chops at getting him back now, in his prime.

 

[ItsOnlytheRiver]

What if he is TE6?

OP may already believe most of us figure K. Rudolph has TE6 (or better) locked up..On a serious note, the "beat writers' in @ St Louis tend to hype or knock a bit much (imo) I don't believe Cook (fresh from the Titans) will finish top5. Id listen to the Guru's on this one, not hype...

I don't know what beat writers you're referring to, but you are mostly right. The only one worth paying attention to is Jim Thomas. He is very careful with what he reports and he doesn't get sucked into the hype. That said, he has reported throughout the entire offseason that Cook is very involved with the passing game.

 

[Dismattle]

What if he is TE6?

OP may already believe most of us figure K. Rudolph has TE6 (or better) locked up..

On a serious note, the "beat writers' in @ St Louis tend to hype or knock a bit much (imo) I don't believe Cook (fresh from the Titans) will finish top5. Id listen to the Guru's on this one, not hype...

I do recall some local hype about Kendricks the year before... now, to paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen, Cook is no Kendricks.... or rather Kendricks is no Cook.

On the one hand I do like what the Rams have done overall, I feel switching out SJax for Rich & the stable was a positive, so was getting Long, and I think the WR situation is looking better. Brian Schottenheimer does not have a lot of success offensively and TE's Keller included have never really stood out (I believe), but on the other hand the Rams doing what they did targeting Cook and the fact that they have to do something with Bradford & Co. to get that going, and given the mass of confusion after Graham/Gronk/Gonz/Witten, considering all that really seems to make taking a risk on Cook to see if the upside delivers in the first few weeks of the season worthwhile, especially if he is still going in the later rounds. I think most people would predict or guess the top 4 finishing top 4, and so saying Cook will be the best after that is a little tough, but the poll question about finishing 7-15 makes sense and if you draft him I'm sure you're expecting most likely for 7-10 range but hoping for more.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d80b6c5a4/article/rams-mcmichael-out-for-season-with-broken-tibia-torn-ligament Here's another example, but somewhat interesting. iirc I had read good things in regards to how McMichael looked. I also believe he had a good game or two, but sadly suffered a broken leg. (tbh I was starting to believe what I had heard)

Basically it appears that the Rams have been making a conscientious effort to put a solid TE in the game.

Now if you could grab him late (KP posted 18th rnd) to pair w another TE. (I like the sound of that) But I still wouldn't make plans to be cute, it may be a few games before we start seeing designed plays for Cook.

bear in mind, Im no guru.. It appears that this post has covered most of the important stats to know.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

It just so happens I proposed a trade for Cook to a fellow owner.

It was not long until it developed into him claiming Cook would be a Top 4 TE and demanding x y or z, and I said 'no', doubt he will do that well but he will do very well.

A lot like this poll, I said, mmm, maybe 6-8 finish, so no, not top 5 (which is how I voted here). We have a side bet going on it (ie will Cook be top-4 by week 6, or roughly by halfway in). We shall see what we shall see.

 

[BigTex]

I like Cook, The Titans had no clue of what to do with him and that's sad.........I'm on the Cook train and believe if he stays healthy he'll finish in the top 5 or 6.

You are aware that Fisher was the first coach that didn't know how to use him, right?

Was that as a rookie, when he struggled to see the field because his developing blocking wasn't the best match for an offense 100% driven by Chris Johnson's running?

Or more as a second year guy, when at the end of the year he sprinted past Bo Scaife to show that the hype and Fisher's belief in him as a project was justified, leading to the presumption of a big year three by so many experts?

Fisher was the guy who wanted him, out of the gate, as soon as he was ready to play in an NFL offense. I rather imagine he's licking his chops at getting him back now, in his prime.

Well said, I believe with the cast it's a different situation as well. Bradford is a better QB than any the Titans had while Cooks was there.