Player Spotlight: Jared Cook, TE, St. Louis Rams (1 Viewer)

[BigTex]

cook 7-141-2

as noted, great defensive play away from TD hat trick...

looking more like top three TE with upside...

Is it me or is he extremely fast?

 

[We Tigers]

He's always been extremely fast--4.5 40 at the combine and supposedly a 4.37 at his pro day--but now he's in an offense that basically just wants to treat him as a big WR. Big opportunity.

 

[Bob Magaw]

cook 7-141-2

as noted, great defensive play away from TD hat trick...

looking more like top three TE with upside...

Is it me or is he extremely fast?

legit 4.4 guy, one of fastest TEs in league with vernon davis... also 40" VJ...

 

[Sabertooth]

Glad I traded Keenan Allen away to get him last week.

 

[need2know]

got Julius thomas and Cook. Dont know who to start from here forward. both seem great. Really like cook's role in the STL offense though. he seems to be the focal point

 

[BigTex]

cook 7-141-2

as noted, great defensive play away from TD hat trick...

looking more like top three TE with upside...

Is it me or is he extremely fast?

legit 4.4 guy, one of fastest TEs in league with vernon davis... also 40" VJ...

Wow, that's sick numbers for a TE.

I don't want to jump the gun after one game but it will be interesting to see what he's numbers will be like at the end of the year.

 

[Bob Magaw]

1000 yards 10 TDs roughly 70 catches Bradford threw oh so nicely to Gresham in college, threw well to the TE in all those pre-draft games and then he hit the Rams. The Rams have failed to draft a top TE and everyone plugged in there has been meh. Vince Young, Locker, new offenses....Cook had a lot of excuses in Tennessee. Bradford will flat out put the ball there so those excuses are over with. I think the "millions" of passes Bradford threw to the slot, since he first came into the league, head Cook's way. Fisher loved Cook as a prospect but (like many veteran coaches) wanted him to learn to block well first. Fisher thought Cook's speed in the open field would set CJ and WRs free and be an extra blocker team's simply don't normally have downfield. Cook was either faster or bigger than everyone in college and wound up being a more raw prospect than the Titans expected. He never seemed to "get it" til midway through a season, then suddenly he was a gem or reminding us of his wealth of talent. The next year...same thing with early struggles and...it was frustrating. I believe he is quite literally Fisher's unfinished project and the project is near completion. I don't see him going from being the guy whining a ball was overthrown to the guy whining the ball hit his hands. I foresee him maturing and the confidence in Bradford will change him. TEs catch a lot of balls in traffic-this is considerable. I don't know that he'll be consistent yet. We may see 150 yards then 20 yards the next week. Few TEs have his big play ability. I think CJ and Britt's big plays overshadowed this some from the fans, Cook can flat out fly when he wants to. If I was to give him 6 or 700 and add some big plays...I think 1000 is doable, it's the consistency that is a concern. He can't get you 2.0 points while your opponent gets 16 from his TE. I'm not confident in him for FF, but if he's there and I'm secure on draft day, I am keeping him away from my opponents. Cook is the Rams problem now. The sky is the limit with this guy as a receiver or he completely whiffs on a block and Bradford gets thrown to the ground. He absolutely can be that downfield blocker and has done it a handful of times. It's such an underrated value we never discuss. Basically he has the ability to be "that guy" on the ESPN highlight reels that comes from out of the picture to lay an awesome block. Munchak (one of the best teachers the NFL has ever had teach blocking) taught Cook oh so well about downfield blocking. I'm pointing it out here. People are likely to be like huh? and then during the season their jaw will drop....such an underrated quality. Also though, you are likely to watch a replay where you can see Cook put a devastating block on a Safety 10-15 yards downfield, while the DE he was supposed to block first is sitting on top of the RB like a big brother in a playground. He is as frustrating as he is talented. Good luck to you Rams fans

excellent call.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

After yesterday I'm thining that he's more likely to catch 80 balls than he is 70.

Looking at historical TE target #s the top tier guys who are primary targets typically see between 7.5 and 8.5 per game, and it seems obvious that's how the Rams would like things to go.

He's got a career catch % of 62%, but Bradford is a better QB than he's had before -- so I think that's his floor.

After yesterday his career Y/R is 13.5.

Over the last three years he's had a TD every 11 catches.

5/65/.4 per game isn't crazy at all IMO (top 5 #s) -- with upside if yesterday is more relevant to things going forward.

 

[bulger2holt]

Yesterday, Bradford had plenty of time to throw and now has a few weapons. Cook has a chance to break every 'single' season TE record this year. Receptions, yards and TD's. You just can't cover this guy. If you decide him, Givens, Tavon and Quick will light you up. The Rams also have very underrated TE Kendricks too. They will run many 2 TE sets this year, with Tavon and Cook in the slot. Imagine if Martz had this offense?

 

[matttyl]

1000 yards 10 TDs roughly 70 catches Bradford threw oh so nicely to Gresham in college, threw well to the TE in all those pre-draft games and then he hit the Rams. The Rams have failed to draft a top TE and everyone plugged in there has been meh. Vince Young, Locker, new offenses....Cook had a lot of excuses in Tennessee. Bradford will flat out put the ball there so those excuses are over with. I think the "millions" of passes Bradford threw to the slot, since he first came into the league, head Cook's way. Fisher loved Cook as a prospect but (like many veteran coaches) wanted him to learn to block well first. Fisher thought Cook's speed in the open field would set CJ and WRs free and be an extra blocker team's simply don't normally have downfield. Cook was either faster or bigger than everyone in college and wound up being a more raw prospect than the Titans expected. He never seemed to "get it" til midway through a season, then suddenly he was a gem or reminding us of his wealth of talent. The next year...same thing with early struggles and...it was frustrating. I believe he is quite literally Fisher's unfinished project and the project is near completion. I don't see him going from being the guy whining a ball was overthrown to the guy whining the ball hit his hands. I foresee him maturing and the confidence in Bradford will change him. TEs catch a lot of balls in traffic-this is considerable. I don't know that he'll be consistent yet. We may see 150 yards then 20 yards the next week. Few TEs have his big play ability. I think CJ and Britt's big plays overshadowed this some from the fans, Cook can flat out fly when he wants to. If I was to give him 6 or 700 and add some big plays...I think 1000 is doable, it's the consistency that is a concern. He can't get you 2.0 points while your opponent gets 16 from his TE. I'm not confident in him for FF, but if he's there and I'm secure on draft day, I am keeping him away from my opponents. Cook is the Rams problem now. The sky is the limit with this guy as a receiver or he completely whiffs on a block and Bradford gets thrown to the ground. He absolutely can be that downfield blocker and has done it a handful of times. It's such an underrated value we never discuss. Basically he has the ability to be "that guy" on the ESPN highlight reels that comes from out of the picture to lay an awesome block. Munchak (one of the best teachers the NFL has ever had teach blocking) taught Cook oh so well about downfield blocking. I'm pointing it out here. People are likely to be like huh? and then during the season their jaw will drop....such an underrated quality. Also though, you are likely to watch a replay where you can see Cook put a devastating block on a Safety 10-15 yards downfield, while the DE he was supposed to block first is sitting on top of the RB like a big brother in a playground. He is as frustrating as he is talented. Good luck to you Rams fans

excellent call.

After his 7-141-2 start yesterday, he only needs 63/859/8 from here on out to hit this. That's only 4.2/57.3/.53 per game.

I'll take the over.

 

[Bri]

Yesterday, Bradford had plenty of time to throw and now has a few weapons. Cook has a chance to break every 'single' season TE record this year. Receptions, yards and TD's. You just can't cover this guy. If you decide him, Givens, Tavon and Quick will light you up. The Rams also have very underrated TE Kendricks too. They will run many 2 TE sets this year, with Tavon and Cook in the slot. Imagine if Martz had this offense?

Yesterday was an especially good day and in fact an odd amount of TEs did oh so well in week one. I'm tempering my enthusiasm some.

He would lack confidence at times and top DBs could shut him down. During one of his late season runs, he did seem like no one could cover him. I assume his confidence is sky high right now.

He's going to get more attention until the Rams wideouts prove they can destroy a D. Austin and Givens need to show defenses more.

Still warning ya, he's frustrating. I can't believe he's mister perfect now and all is fixed but it's sure nice to see.

I want to see him have 20 yards receiving in the first half and come out ready to roll. I want to not be reminded how awesome Polamalu and Reed are.

This guy has been one of the biggest teases I can recall for FF. I hope for Rams fans he continues to do real well. I still think Bradford's touch is about a zillion times better than any QB the Titans had. I'm not sure how long, maybe week four; it's going to take me some time before I can relax and be confident in Cook.

 

[need2know]

so apparently hes not a big part of the offense? what happened today?

 

[We Tigers]

so apparently hes not a big part of the offense? what happened today?

He got 6 less-than-great targets, and Givens got some of the downfield work against a much weaker secondary (no Patrick Peterson all over him). Also, Bradford fed Pettis and Austin 11 targets each in the short passing game.

 

[RBM]

Very disappointing.

 

[Bri]

Fireworks.... and there's the dud.

So far still the same Cook. He's gotta figure out how to be consistent. I think it's gotta be mental errors. There isn't really any physical concern with him nor any play a TE should make that he can't.

 

[msudaisy26]

1000 yards 10 TDs roughly 70 catches Bradford threw oh so nicely to Gresham in college, threw well to the TE in all those pre-draft games and then he hit the Rams. The Rams have failed to draft a top TE and everyone plugged in there has been meh. Vince Young, Locker, new offenses....Cook had a lot of excuses in Tennessee. Bradford will flat out put the ball there so those excuses are over with. I think the "millions" of passes Bradford threw to the slot, since he first came into the league, head Cook's way. Fisher loved Cook as a prospect but (like many veteran coaches) wanted him to learn to block well first. Fisher thought Cook's speed in the open field would set CJ and WRs free and be an extra blocker team's simply don't normally have downfield. Cook was either faster or bigger than everyone in college and wound up being a more raw prospect than the Titans expected. He never seemed to "get it" til midway through a season, then suddenly he was a gem or reminding us of his wealth of talent. The next year...same thing with early struggles and...it was frustrating. I believe he is quite literally Fisher's unfinished project and the project is near completion. I don't see him going from being the guy whining a ball was overthrown to the guy whining the ball hit his hands. I foresee him maturing and the confidence in Bradford will change him. TEs catch a lot of balls in traffic-this is considerable. I don't know that he'll be consistent yet. We may see 150 yards then 20 yards the next week. Few TEs have his big play ability. I think CJ and Britt's big plays overshadowed this some from the fans, Cook can flat out fly when he wants to. If I was to give him 6 or 700 and add some big plays...I think 1000 is doable, it's the consistency that is a concern. He can't get you 2.0 points while your opponent gets 16 from his TE. I'm not confident in him for FF, but if he's there and I'm secure on draft day, I am keeping him away from my opponents. Cook is the Rams problem now. The sky is the limit with this guy as a receiver or he completely whiffs on a block and Bradford gets thrown to the ground. He absolutely can be that downfield blocker and has done it a handful of times. It's such an underrated value we never discuss. Basically he has the ability to be "that guy" on the ESPN highlight reels that comes from out of the picture to lay an awesome block. Munchak (one of the best teachers the NFL has ever had teach blocking) taught Cook oh so well about downfield blocking. I'm pointing it out here. People are likely to be like huh? and then during the season their jaw will drop....such an underrated quality. Also though, you are likely to watch a replay where you can see Cook put a devastating block on a Safety 10-15 yards downfield, while the DE he was supposed to block first is sitting on top of the RB like a big brother in a playground. He is as frustrating as he is talented. Good luck to you Rams fans

excellent call.

After his 7-141-2 start yesterday, he only needs 63/859/8 from here on out to hit this. That's only 4.2/57.3/.53 per game. I'll take the over.

Well add a catch and 10 yards to that so 8-151-2. He needs 62/859/8 to make that prediction. This is Cook's MO, I will take the under

 

[shader]

Great call Bri. Are you a Titans fan by chance? Only a Titans fan or close observer of the Titans would have predicted this from Cook after his breakout game last week.

He has a tendency to follow spectacular games with spectacular duds. Just not surprising at all.

 

[Junior McSpiffy]

Great call Bri. Are you a Titans fan by chance? Only a Titans fan or close observer of the Titans would have predicted this from Cook after his breakout game last week.

He has a tendency to follow spectacular games with spectacular duds. Just not surprising at all.

I think that's more the nature of this Rams' offense. Cook went off last week, but Givens and Pettis were kept under wraps. They were given the middle but the outside was taken away. This week, Atlanta went the other way, took away the middle even though it gave more room on the outside to the WRs.

Cook will still be productive over the course of the season, but I doubt you could predict from one week to the next when it will be. Same with Givens, Pettis, Austin..... the only known commodity right now is Bradford, with a small side order of Richardson once he comes back.

 

[Phenix]

Yesterday, Bradford had plenty of time to throw and now has a few weapons. Cook has a chance to break every 'single' season TE record this year. Receptions, yards and TD's. You just can't cover this guy. If you decide him, Givens, Tavon and Quick will light you up. The Rams also have very underrated TE Kendricks too. They will run many 2 TE sets this year, with Tavon and Cook in the slot. Imagine if Martz had this offense?

Yeah maybe he would've made more than one pathetic catch for 10 yards.

He is next to be cut on my team, I do not play stinkers. I'll cut him and let someone else have his one blow up game out of evert 6.

These types of performances make his last weeks game look useless and these will probably be the norm for him.

 

[Junior McSpiffy]

Yesterday, Bradford had plenty of time to throw and now has a few weapons. Cook has a chance to break every 'single' season TE record this year. Receptions, yards and TD's. You just can't cover this guy. If you decide him, Givens, Tavon and Quick will light you up. The Rams also have very underrated TE Kendricks too. They will run many 2 TE sets this year, with Tavon and Cook in the slot. Imagine if Martz had this offense?

Yeah maybe he would've made more than one pathetic catch for 10 yards.

He is next to be cut on my team, I do not play stinkers. I'll cut him and let someone else have his one blow up game out of evert 6.

These types of performances make his last weeks game look useless and these will probably be the norm for him.

Do you have any openings in your league next year? Please?

 

[Slapdash]

Saffold is out this weekend. Wonder if that limits Cook's involvement down the field.

 

[JustinHawkins]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

 

[Junior McSpiffy]

Saffold is out this weekend. Wonder if that limits Cook's involvement down the field.

My guess is "no." The Rams seem to have confidence in Barksdale.

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

I don't think the Rams will force it too much. They have enough weapons to where they can take what the defense gives them. Week 1 was Cook, week 2 was Tavon, I am thinking Givens will be the best play this week for St Louis.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

He had six targets, but only one catch last week. Not sure if that was due to the defense, or just an off day -- but Bradford started looking other places. No targets for Cook in the last ~18 minutes of the game.

 

[bulger2holt]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

He had six targets, but only one catch last week. Not sure if that was due to the defense, or just an off day -- but Bradford started looking other places. No targets for Cook in the last ~18 minutes of the game.

The Falcons were doubling him on every play. The safety shadowed him. That's going to happen occasionally. Sam won't force ball to him when he has Givens, Tavon, Quick, Kendricks and Pettis.

 

[moondog]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

He had six targets, but only one catch last week. Not sure if that was due to the defense, or just an off day -- but Bradford started looking other places. No targets for Cook in the last ~18 minutes of the game.

He was covered by a LB underneath with a safety over the top.

 

[bulger2holt]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

He had six targets, but only one catch last week. Not sure if that was due to the defense, or just an off day -- but Bradford started looking other places. No targets for Cook in the last ~18 minutes of the game.

He was covered by a LB underneath with a safety over the top.

True dat

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

He had six targets, but only one catch last week. Not sure if that was due to the defense, or just an off day -- but Bradford started looking other places. No targets for Cook in the last ~18 minutes of the game.

He was covered by a LB underneath with a safety over the top.

The really need a legit #1 WR. Givens is a nice deep threat, Austin is a nice underneath player, but throw an honest WR1 into the mix and that offense is unstoppable. Quick and Pettis aren't it IMO.

 

[Coach3K]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

He had six targets, but only one catch last week. Not sure if that was due to the defense, or just an off day -- but Bradford started looking other places. No targets for Cook in the last ~18 minutes of the game.

He was covered by a LB underneath with a safety over the top.

The really need a legit #1 WR. Givens is a nice deep threat, Austin is a nice underneath player, but throw an honest WR1 into the mix and that offense is unstoppable. Quick and Pettis aren't it IMO.

Josh Gordon couldn't possibly find a way to get in trouble in St. Louis, could he...?

 

[SameSongNDance]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

He had six targets, but only one catch last week. Not sure if that was due to the defense, or just an off day -- but Bradford started looking other places. No targets for Cook in the last ~18 minutes of the game.

He was covered by a LB underneath with a safety over the top.

The really need a legit #1 WR. Givens is a nice deep threat, Austin is a nice underneath player, but throw an honest WR1 into the mix and that offense is unstoppable. Quick and Pettis aren't it IMO.

Josh Gordon couldn't possibly find a way to get in trouble in St. Louis, could he...?

Gordon and Givens fit the same mold IMO. Gordon may be a bit more versatile but ultimately they both excel vertically.

 

[Bri]

FWIW if you're a Cook owner, you're supposed to grit your teeth and start him this week. Pray for consistency or something to make him not the biggest headache in ff.

 

[Bri]

Just a hunch Rams make it a point to get him involved. They made several public comments about how criminally under utilized he was in Tennessee. Another dud week and I'd think they would expect some criticism too.

He had six targets, but only one catch last week. Not sure if that was due to the defense, or just an off day -- but Bradford started looking other places. No targets for Cook in the last ~18 minutes of the game.

He was covered by a LB underneath with a safety over the top.

so what? He used to play Ed Reed and Polamalu twice a year. Tough noogies, get it done anyway