Jared Cook

[mraynrand]

Richard Rodgers is clearly one of the top TE's in the NFL based on numbers.............shhhhh.......doesn't matter who the QB is

Rob Gronkowski is clearly one of the top TE's in the NFL based on numbers.............shhhhh.......doesn't matter who the QB is

[Bretsky]

Rob Gronkowski is clearly one of the top TE's in the NFL based on numbers.............shhhhh.......doesn't matter who the QB is

And Richard Rodgers has elite talent and will be expected to do this year after year regardless of the QB so we don't need any help there because Rodgers is better on paper than nearly everybody else

[mraynrand]

And Richard Rodgers has elite talent and will be expected to do this year after year regardless of the QB so we don't need any help there because Rodgers is better on paper than nearly everybody else

I don't think Rodgers has elite talent, but his numbers might stay high, because of A. Rodgers, the offense, and he is serviceable. Also could dip this year with more weapons back from IR.

[Patler]

And Richard Rodgers has elite talent and will be expected to do this year after year regardless of the QB so we don't need any help there because Rodgers is better on paper than nearly everybody else

The first question is whether Cook, who has played in a number of situations and has not established himself as a go-to guy in seven seasons in any of those situations, will suddenly blossom in his eighth season in yet another situation.

The second question is whether Richard Rodgers, who has shown improvement in his two seasons, can show still further improvement in his third and subsequent seasons in view of his rather limited athleticism.

Rodgers will never achieve a level of performance that a player with Cook's abilities could achieve, but I'm not sure Cook will ever approach that level of performance either. Athletic ability as tested at the Combine is just potential, and many players never approach the performance level that seems possible from their potential. Others achieve more.

I don't pretend to know anything at all about Cook. After all, how many times have most of us actually seen him play? But, I wonder why a guy of his athletic abilities has started only 42 games in seven seasons? Why hasn't he established himself as a player of more significance among the TEs/WRs of the rosters he has been on? The QB is irrelevant to that. Certainly the QB can influence his stats; however, a talented TE is often the limited QB's best friend and go to guy, and Cook hasn't seemed to ever fill that role.

Would I ever consider signing Cook? Sure, but not for a significant contract. Just too much risk, as there have been many players of immense athletic talent (potential) who have accomplished very little in their careers. It has nothing to do with thinking Richard Rodgers is elite or ever can be. For Rodgers, its a question of simply being productive, adequate.

[woodbuck27]

Bretsky, I'd be willing to entertain the idea if you hadn't written "serious" upgrade. How is a guy with Cook's numbers or Bennett's numbers/age a "serious" upgrade? Maybe a minor upgrade. Maybe the potential is higher than Rodgers's. But not a serious upgrade.

Laurenitis seems like AJ Hawk Junior to me, complete with OSU pedigree. How is that an upgrade??

Rams released MLB James Laurinaitis.

"It's a sad but necessary end to Laurinaitis' seven-year tenure with the Rams.

The 29-year-old watched his play fall off a cliff in 2015, earning PFF's second-worst inside linebacker grade out of 60 qualifiers. Cutting Laurinaitis saves the Rams almost $6 million in cap space." Feb 19 - 3:25 PM

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5220/james-laurinaitis

[3irty1]

I expect DickRod to be serviceable but TE is definitely a position of need. That said its just a TE. If TT were to open his wallet I'd rather get a WR or even another quality RB to bulletproof those units for what a starting TE would cost.

[Bretsky]

I don't think Rodgers has elite talent, but his numbers might stay high, because of A. Rodgers, the offense, and he is serviceable. .

You have made my point; perhaps getting a guy with a much higher level of talent.........partly because of AROD........would really excel and improve this offense

[woodbuck27]

I expect DickRod to be serviceable but TE is definitely a position of need. That said its just a TE. If TT were to open his wallet I'd rather get a WR or even another quality RB to bulletproof those units for what a starting TE would cost.

I agree.

I want TT to go after a quality RB that can scoot. I also want a WR that can go deep to compliment Jordy Nelson.

TT will be 'in LOVE' with his pick of Richard Rodgers and milk the aftermath of his Hail Mary Catch for at least another season.If you mentioned an upgrade at TE to him he's look at you as if you had two heads.

[Bretsky]

Fleener or Green could be helpful FA pickups, as could the TE stud of the draft

[HarveyWallbangers]

People see Cook's athleticism and expect more from him, but he's usually good for 45-50 catches and he's averaged almost 13 yards/catch in his career. He is a field stretcher and somebody that other teams have to account. (I don't think other teams worry about Rodgers one bit.) You also have to remember who has been throwing to him. I don't think he's had even a decent QB in any year he's been in the league. Seven years and not one decent QB. He's had the likes of Locker and Foles throwing to him (or worse, their backups) in run-oriented schemes.

[Patler]

People see Cook's athleticism and expect more from him, but he's usually good for 45-50 catches and he's averaged almost 13 yards/catch in his career. He is a field stretcher and somebody that other teams have to account. (I don't think other teams worry about Rodgers one bit.) You also have to remember who has been throwing to him. I don't think he's had even a decent QB in any year he's been in the league. Seven years and not one decent QB. He's had the likes of Locker and Foles throwing to him (or worse, their backups) in run-oriented schemes.

Yet the Rams released him (along with the others), and now reportedly have $60+ M in cap space for 2016. Even if he isn't worth the $7M he was scheduled to make ($8.3 cap hit), they get nothing for the $2.6M he will count in dead money. If he really influences defenses, it would seem to have been worth it to keep him another year and get along with $55M in cap space. Now days, $7M in new money isn't a lot for a player who makes a difference.

[KYPack]

One of my big weakness as an observer of NFL football is my tendency to favor players that are real studs or have big games when I actually see the game. I had that experience last fall. The Bengals played the Rams in Cincy. My seats are behind the visiting teams bench. The Rams have quite a few stud players on their roster. None more impressive than Jared Cook. When the Rams came to the sideline, everyone commented "Looka that sumbitch".

He's 6'5" 255 and yoked. One of the more physically imposing TE's in the league, like seeing megatron for the first time. The game was a dud, the Bengals receivers ate up the St LOO defense, Cincy 31 Rams 7. But Cook was very impressive. The Bengals backline couldn't handle Cook. He took a little seam route about 25 yards, running Bengal safeties the f over, man. Very impressive, but 4 grabs for no TD's was his bottom line. I definitely blame QB Nick Foles for Cook's lack of production. Several times, Cook was wide open on seam or deep dig routes and Foles would throw a duck to a different (usually covered) WR. Cook can be a devastating blocker. On a couple very effective angle blocks by Cook, the rookie RB Gurley made too wide a cut off the block and gained minimum yardage.

Several of us fans were amazed that Cook was used so poorly.

There is another aspect to Cook that is troubling. When he was ignored on an early 3rd down situation, he merely trotted to the sideline, like he had no cares in the world. Many TE's would be in the young QB's face, telling him to get him the ball. Is Cook a vet that doesn't disrupt the team for personal production? Or is he just a guy drawing his paycheck?

I know he is a hoss and would fit well in say Q's spot. But he would be worth the gamble? That I don't know. He's no kid, he's 28. He's not a" looks like Tarzan plays like Jane" guy. But he is a player that doesn't hit his athletic potential, for whatever reason. In the right spot on a team that uses the TE, I really feel he would yield a huge jump in production. I think the GBP would be that kind of football team. I just couldn't guarantee Cook would deliver.

I felt that Cooks play in that game would have been doubled with a Rodgers, Brees, Brady- type QB tossing him the ball.

I wouldn't be disappointed with a new TE, an ILB, & a punter were added to this next season's roster.

Would Cook be a positive addition to the club? I think so, but can't say for sure.

[wist43]

As I said, I think a lot of Cook's problems have been his association with Jeff Fisher.

Fisher has been a HC in the league 100 years... be interesting to see how TE's have done historically under him.

[wist43]

I looked up Jeff Fisher's history with respect to TE production... pretty slim pickins.

His early years he had Frank Wycheck, who was a servicable journeyman. He led the Titans in receiving some years, with between 60-70 catches. Very anemic offenses under Fisher... far too conservative.

Cook's numbers look the best of all the TE's that have played under Fisher... I don't know if Cook could be a beast in another offense, but I definitely think he's better than what we've got. Definitely think offensive philosophy and coaching have held Cook back.

[pbmax]

As I said, I think a lot of Cook's problems have been his association with Jeff Fisher.

Fisher has been a HC in the league 100 years... be interesting to see how TE's have done historically under him.

See Frank Wycheck. http://www.pro-football-reference.co...W/WychFr00.htm

3 Pro Bowls.