Jared Cook: “The Titans say they love me”

Tight end Jared Cook wants more opportunities, and he wants to do everything he can to help the Titans win games.

Now that the NFL’s trading deadline has passed – and he remains on the team’s roster – Cook hopes he’ll be allowed to do more. On Thursday, he sounded more like a player hungry for chances than a disgruntled employee.

“You want to be able to play your best football while you have an opportunity to do so. And these are my years to be able to play my best football and be able to contribute as much as I can,’’ Cook said on Thursday. “Why wouldn’t I want to be more involved now? If I feel that I can be more involved, and I feel that I am limited, why wouldn’t I want more? That’s all I want – and I want to win games and go to the playoffs. … It is what it is.”

The Titans on Monday received a trade request on behalf of the fourth-year pro, but the team never seriously considered training him. The trade deadline was at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

After a round of internal discussions during the course of the week, the Titans ultimately told Cook they want to keep him happy. Cook, in his first public comments since The Tennessean reported news of his trade request earlier in the week, said he hopes to do his part in coming weeks.

Cook has 28 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns this season after posting a career-high 49 catches for 759 yards and three touchdowns in 2011.

“The Titans said they love me here, they wouldn’t dream of trading me at all. From what they say I’ll be here, so we’ll see,’’ Cook said. “I am cool with all my teammates. I have no problem with any guys in this locker room.

“I just want to win games. That is what this game is all about. Let’s try and win eight straight.”

Cook, who’s in the last year of his contract, has been frustrated with his opportunities in recent weeks. He played in only 25 of the team’s 59 offensive snaps (42 percent) during the 19-13 overtime loss to the Colts on Sunday. He was targeted only four times and finished with three catches for 45 yards.

Cook has played less than 50 percent of the snaps in six of the eight games so far, although his play was limited against the Lions and Texans because of a shoulder injury. Cook played in just 31 of the team’s 64 offensive snaps (48 %) in Week 7 against Buffalo.

Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said he’s always been a big Cook fan.

“I hope he’s here as long as I am,” Palmer said. “I’ve liked him from Day One. I think he contributes to our team. I think he’s a valuable member of our team. Some games we’re going to feature different guys because of a certain matchup.”

Palmer made it clear, however, Cook’s role will largely depend on situations moving forward.

He’ll be on the field more when the team is passing, and less on running plays. Whether Cook hasn’t been on the field enough, Palmer said he can’t control that side of it. It’s clearly a matter that’s been up for debate, however.

“They are going to look at it from their side of the street. And no matter what you say, and what you do, they are going to see it the way they want to see it,’’ Palmer said. “And that is the way it is. I understand that. Players play, coaches coach, agents are agents, and management is management. There’s a game within a game.”

Posted In: League News, Team News

Source: Titans Insider