Saints “Winners and Losers” From the Loss to Tampa Bay
By Bob Rose
Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LOSER: Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver
Cooks was once again one of the team leaders in targets among Saints receivers; finishing with 5 catches for 61 yards.
But Cooks also (and once again) seemed to disappear in the biggest moments when his team needed him the most.
He had a number of critical drops, including a sure touchdown in the end zone, but that wasn’t even the worst of things.
On two separate occasions when Brees threw a deep pass to his speedy wideout, Cooks —who upon seeing an approaching defensive back — simply GAVE UP on the play.
That ladies and gentlemen, is INEXCUSABLE.
Watching Cooks’ body language on the field may remind some of a recent former Saints player (Junior Galette, cough cough) who was also full of potential but instead became a disturbance.
Some, myself included, indicated at the beginning of the season that Cooks had the potential to be the ‘next Antonio Brown’ (the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro WR)
Instead, Cooks’ recent demeanor and inconsistent production is more reminiscent of former Saints WR Kenny Stills (who was traded to Miami).
Brandin Cooks oozes playmaking potential, and happens to be one of my very own personal favorite Saints players; but he clearly needs a veteran player to sit down with him, help him reset his priorities, and eventually become the player that he has the potential to be.