Is Cook a difference maker?

I seriously doubt Cook is here to replace Crumpler. We have to have at least one TE that excels in blocking on the line. Fortunately, Stevens was drafted in the third in '08, and should adequately fill that void. Cook is here because Scaife may not be much longer. If the Titans do somehow work out a deal with Scaife, what do you do with Cook? Let him rot as depth, or do you try to get all your best playmakers (assuming Cook becomes a playmaker) on the field at the same time? Furthermore, Cook's been getting a lot of reps at WR. Pretty telling if you ask me. Why else would you have a young player learning two positions on your team?

Honestly, I think Hawkins and Britt can become good WR's, but for right now, I'm more sold on Cook becoming a difference maker than either Hawkins or Britt, and I have felt that way since the draft. Don't be surprised if Cook is playing ahead of Britt in four wide sets this season, and I wouldn't be shocked if he took time away from Hawkins in three WR sets as well.

 

I seriously doubt he's going to take time away from Britt or Hawkins. I just don't see him starting in the formation in a WR spot, as a WR. I think he'll mostly be lined up as a TE and they shift/motion him out.

 

They can use him as a slot receiver quite a bit. And realistically, he started out as a WR and has the speed to play WR and better size than the vast majority.

Imagine Cook lining up wide. How many CBs are big and physical enough to match up with him? Teams certainly couldn't put a LB on him out there. And he'd be a real threat isolated out there on the goal line where he could out-jump most anyone.

If I'm Heimerdinger, I'm making sure he's prepared to play there in goal line packages. And in short yardage they could have him as the 3rd TE and play action to him outside.

 

Yes he could but you could allow other receivers to mature while he creates mismatches over the middle. He will outrun LBs and out jump DBs so why not utilize him at tightend.

 

That's what I'm thinking. But if they do, that'll still take one LB out of the box to free up our running game. Hope this dude pans out.

 

No, if he comes out and lines up wide, the other team would probably run a nickel and put a faster safety on him.
That's why you need to keep him in as a TE, THEN shift him out. When that happens, then a LB will follow him out of the box, or at least the LBs will shift in that direction.

Keep him as a TE just like popeye states.

 

First time I saw him play in college I thought he was a Gates clone. Then I paid more attention to him when SC games would air, and thought we'd never have a chance to have him on our team.
But somehow... he's here. The guy is 1st round talent, for sure. Hopefully it pans out, and he lives up to his potential.

 

Cook has been doing quite a bit of what you are saying in practice. CBs simply aren't physical or tall enough to handle him.

I fully expect him to be used more situationally than as an everydown TE this year until he grasps more of the playbook and improves his blocking. Still, anytime he is on the field he will give the defense something to think about.

 

again i'll say...best pick in the draft..by us definitely and maybe overall by value
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