Aaron Rodgers didn’t have a very good season in 2015. That subpar season (by his own standards), however, is still probably better than any season Nick Foles or Case Keenum could ever dream of having. That was not lost on the newest member of the Green Bay Packers, tight end Jared Cook.
Cook said one of his priorities in finding a new team after being released by the Los Angeles Rams was playing with a top-tier quarterback.
Jared Cook on joining @packers & Aaron Rodgers: "It's imperative to join [a QB] that could get the job done." pic.twitter.com/zzv8x6dq0P
— Andy Mac (@AndyMacSports) March 29, 2016
You’re welcome to take that as a slap in the face to Foles and Keenum, the primary signal callers for the Rams last season, but let’s be honest.
Neither of those guys are very good.
After starting the season with Foles, who threw just seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions, the Rams turned to Keenum as their starter with five games left. He tossed a whopping four touchdowns in the six total games he played in, while averaging 138 yards per game.
Rodgers could average 138 yards per game after having his throwing arm amputated.
With that type of quarterback play in St. Louis, Cook caught just 39 passes for 481 yards and no touchdowns.
A lot of people like to point out that last statistic.
Zero touchdowns.
It does hang out there like a matzo ball.
But consider this. The Rams quarterbacks combined for only 11 touchdown passes all season.
That’s not a typo.
Eleven!
All season!
Perhaps the Rams didn’t get the memo that this is a passing league. Or perhaps they weren’t aware that you actually need a quarterback to throw the football.
Rodgers had 11 touchdown passes after four weeks in 2015.
And now he has a tight end that can get down the field. Despite his subpar numbers in other categories, Cook did average 12.3 yards per reception in 2015. That’s a big improvement over incumbent Richard Rodgers’ 8.8 per reception.
So, now Cook has a quarterback and Rodgers has a tight end.
And soon we’ll really see what’s up.
-Real TE
-Healthy line
-Healthy Jordy
-Motivated Eddie Lacy
-Hopefully Adams given some competition for the #3 position on the depth chart
…I like it.
Excited about this. The offense is going to be DIRTY next season. Just very skeptical about the defense.
great picture for this article. Jared Cook torching AJ hawk.
We don’t need this guy for touchdowns in the redzone. That’s the one great think dick Rodgers is good for. Hell be a huge weapon there but his damage will be in the open field after the catch. This will be a fun offense to watch.
Jeff fisher plays old school football and they hand it to the running back. They were in all there games because of defense. I think its a win win. He had two monster games when they won. He is fast for a tight end as well. There will be seperation at the tight end level this year. I hope he has a year where we franchise him. We haven’t seen his potential in the NFL yet. This year is big for him.
You hope we franchise him? Interesting perspective.
I hope McCarthy drops the hurry up stuff a bit this year. I thought the packers offense was a harder offense to defend when they utilized multiple formations and personnel. It would benefit Janis to get on the field in that respect. Plus this is the first time in a long time they actually could utilize a two tight set and defenses would have to consider covering both guys, especially in the red zone. I just hope Cook doesn’t become a locker room cancer.
For once Kato… I agree with you. The hurry up offense did not work too well last season. Also it wears down our o-line. There is a reason NFL teams don’t run it. I don’t know Cook personally (obviously) but his interviews that I’ve seen makes him seem like a pretty humble guy. I guess we’ll find out this season.
Just pick and choose when you run the no huddle, i like catching the defense off guard, and with a full compliment of weapons this season. The 2016 offense might have the ingredients to be lethal, somewhat like 2011.
Big gay clay- why? They (the defense) have an overall positive body of work over the past two seasons. You could argue that cook may help on third downs and extending drives and helping keep the defense off the field. They were on the field ALOT last year and they held up pretty decently.
Don’t get me wrong I do think we have a decent defense but still not elite by any means. Maybe pushing Clay back outside and having competent MLB play we could go all the way this year. Not sold on the CB’s though, Randal and Rollins showed flashes of potential last season but I still say we need a “shut down” corner (even though they are hard to come by). We just have no size outside of Gunter and he is still a question mark. I’m excited for this season though.
Isn’t it funny what kind of enthusiasm develops when a GM signs a 6′ 5″ free agent tight end with speed?
Who’da thunk it.
This is great, but they should have signed hill an over starks
Cook isn’t just fast, he’s probably one of the fastest tight ends in the NFL. Faster than Gronkowski, Kelce, etc. Maybe not as fast as Vernon Davis. Unlike Janis, he is capable of catching balls over his shoulder and back shoulder throws. That is, if he catches it.
According to Rams fans, the Rams used Cook all wrong.
Gronk and Kelce aren’t fast TEs….
So if he wanted to play with a real QB.. why did he sign for just one year when he could have had two?
QB or hopeful Payday.
Looks like the hopeful Payday came first….
Now if our QB can relearn to throw accurately like he has shown he can (before the shit storm of 2015), we may be a pretty good offense this year! It all comes down to AR’s play. If he lays 2 duds in a row, Hundley starts looking real good in 2017…
Go back to your village, Newman.