Green and Bold: How, Exactly, Jared Cook Changes Packers Offense
By mnbruton
Jared Cook hasn't been able to prove himself yet, but he gives the Packers what they need over the middle.
Jared Cook hasn't had an impact on his new team's offense as quickly as he would have hoped, but that doesn't mean he can't make up for lost time once he starts becoming a featured player.
The veteran tight end, who signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with $825,000 guaranteed, had foot surgery and missed most of OTAs. Spectators who were hoping to get an early glimpse at what the Cook-Aaron Rodgers connection might look like before training camp will have to wait until at least then.
Mike McCarthy said in early June that the team has no long-term concern about Cook's foot, per Packers.com, but there's currently no timetable for his return. The current thought is that he will be ready to go for training camp.
Let's make the assumption that Cook is able to participate in training camp and that he learns the playbook. How can McCarthy use him on the field, and how will he change the look of the offense from 2015?
To start, Cook doesn't necessarily need to win the No. 1 tight end job in training camp in order to make an impact on this offense in 2016.
In fact, the thought of a No. 1 starting tight end for the Packers might be a bit of a misnomer. When the Packers were using both Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers in 2014, the two shared starts. Quarless earned 11 over 715 total snaps, while Rodgers had five in 543 snaps.
In 2015, Rodgers saw a more featured role at tight end, starting 12 games. Of course, Quarless missed 11, so Rodgers' promotion was as much out of necessity as anything.
While Rodgers got into the end zone for the Packers, catching eight touchdown passes, he only had 510 yards on 58 receptions and averaged 8.8 yards per catch. In short, he wasn't helping the team move down the field, which it so desperately needed.
That's where Cook comes in.
Cook's hands (four drops in 2015; five in 2014; six in 2013) will be considered suspect until he proves he can hang on to the ball, but that's less of a problem outside the red zone. The Packers could settle into a very successful rhythm if they look to Cook to work in the seam and march down the field on quick strikes, while Rodgers comes into play inside the 20.
Cook has the kind of athleticism necessary to create mismatches off the line and to give Aaron Rodgers a quick option on screens, an area of the Packers' offense that is not nearly as dynamic as it could be. He's quick enough to get past linebackers at the first level of the defense and large enough to create issues for defensive backs in the next level. That's an especially tantalizing thought now that Jordy Nelson will be back to reinvigorate the explosive downfield game.
All things considered, Cook, thus far in his career, has not been a star tight end. That's clear enough from his tape and his average stat line: 273 passes for 3,503 yards and 16 touchdowns over seven years.
But the Packers offense doesn't need Cook to be the next Rob Gronkowski. It needs to convert third downs and give Rodgers enough open weapons so that he can get the ball out faster and avoid sacks.
What Cook does by virtue of his size and his ability to break tackles is open up the middle of the field for the Packers, which McCarthy confirmed this offseason at the NFL owners meetings he wanted to do and no doubt why Ted Thompson targeted Cook in free agency.
"Big people running down the middle of the field, I'll make no secret about it. I think that's a key to offensive success, whether that's a big receiver or big tight end or a big man running down the middle of the field, making those safeties cover you. It's an important part of playing in today's NFL," McCarthy said, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky.
Cook may or may not have more success in Green Bay than he did in St. Louis; that remains to be seen. But no one can say the Packers aren't at the very least addressing an obvious need on the offense, and this move has the potential to pay off big in 2016.
Comments (49)
Bearmeat
July 06, 2016 at 07:38 am
With the exception of about 12 games interspersed throughout his career, Finley was not more than a HWS distraction. It STILL opened up the outside for the WRs because it forced the safeties to stay in the middle of the field.
Keep in mind, GB didn't have any sort of a running game through the entirety of Finley's career. 2016 will have a good one. The result, even if Cook drops passes, will be a scary HWS guy running down the middle and keeping the safeties in place is going to positively impact the ENTIRE offense.
The 2016 Packer offense is going to be LETHAL, and Cook will be a large part of it, even if his stat line isn't Gronk-lite.
lucky953
July 06, 2016 at 07:20 am
Agree. Good point about Finley. He didn't have to be great to be effective. The problem with Rogers is just about any linebacker can cover him well enough. Not so with Cook and that puts pressure on secondaries. I hope he can stay healthy because it's going to take half a season to get synced with AR.
marpag1
July 06, 2016 at 01:16 pm
I disagree about Finley, Bearmeat. Seems to me that Finley was actually NOT a HWS freak, even though people always think he was. I think Finley knew how to get open and make plays, but he gets a bad rap because he wasn't very likable and couldn't always stay healthy.
Finley definitely WASN'T big, and he never tested well in the speed or strength departments either. I went back and looked at the last four years of combine results (87 players). I also looked at Finley's own draft class in 2008 (16 players). The results were interesting.
Finley was almost perfectly average for height compared to the last four years and his own class: 76-77 inches. He was about 10 pounds BELOW average in weight compared to both (243 compared to 253).
Finley ran a slow forty at the combine - 4.82. (That's almost "Richard Rodgers slow!" RRod ran 4.87). The average 40 time for TEs in the last four years was 4.78, and his own class averaged 4.75. At his campus pro day, Finley ran 4.76.
Bench press was average. Finley put up 20 reps. In the last four years the average was 20.3. His own class did 20.6.
Finley was BELOW average in vertical leap at 27.5 inches. The last four years averaged 32.9 and his own class averaged 30.
He was average in the shuttle at 4.38 (compared to 4.4 and 4.34). He was also average in the 3 cone drill at 7.15 (compared to 7.2 and 7.1).
Finley did a bit better in broad jump than either group, but that was marginal. He recorded 117 inches, compared to 115.8 and 115.7.
He wasn't a HWS freak. He was a good player with average height, weight and speed.
NickPerry
July 06, 2016 at 07:18 am
They recently played the 2009 Playoff Game between the Packers and The Cardinals on NFL Network. In that game Finley was impossible to stop. He had 6 catches for 159 yards, many of the yards came after the catch. Cook brings exactly the same thing to the Packers offense, a big fast (Maybe Faster) athletic TE who can work the middle of the field. Many of Cooks highlights show him doing the same thing, getting a lot of YAC.
The "Experts" are already talking about how teams will defend the Patriots with two TE's like Bennett and Gronk. The Packers just might be much more difficult to defend because they have a much better WR Group and a Running Game. Adding Cook will help this offense and I think he'll have a great season, but his presence is exactly what they needed and have lacked since 2013.
hybridauth_Facebook_1946027
July 06, 2016 at 07:34 am
I have to say, I keep reading these articles about Cook's hands (or his "frequent" drops) and they're, quite frankly, lazy.
He's got a larger catch radius than Rich Rodgers and Finley. He's had more opportunities, riskier opportunities and he's had Shi'ite quarterbacks putting the ball in imprecise spots. I think - as is the case with every pass catcher that plays a down in GB - #12 is going to make Cook look QUITE good. Especially when you factor the trickle down dilution of the defensive backfield that will result from having Jordy running routes again.
I'll add that I'm excited to see the new kid from Cal. I think he's a sleeper with fantastic hands and incredible presence over the middle. He's stealthy and sure handed in congested areas, and MM is looking for weapons to keep defenses honest thru the middle of the field.
hybridauth_Facebook_1946027
July 06, 2016 at 07:36 am
Trevor Davis ... that's his name.
RCPackerFan
July 06, 2016 at 08:25 am
'I have to say, I keep reading these articles about Cook's hands (or his "frequent" drops) and they're, quite frankly, lazy.'
What I would like to see is some more 'in depth' research into his drops. How many of his drops were truly drops? How many were bad throws or ones where the defenders made a great play? Everyone has dropped passes now and then. Jordy Nelson had a game changing drop against Buffalo 2 years ago. It happens. I just would like to see a more in depth look into Cook's dropped passes.
The dropped passes stats for receivers is about the same to me as the targets stats. It doesn't really paint a very big picture. Especially when you go from site to site and they have different numbers.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 06, 2016 at 12:12 pm
Rc, I agree with you about the dropped passes stat. Sporting Charts lists Cobb and Adams with 6 drops each, which works out to 4.7% and 6.4% respectively. IMO opinion, those numbers are absurd: I think both with double digit drops. Jared Cook is listed at 5.3% and 4 drops. Richard Rodgers is listed with 2 drops and 2.4% drop rate.
FWIW, of the top 50 TEs in receptions, 10 had a higher drop rate than Cook, with 39 having a lower drop rate, with one tie. But rankings are always suspect: if Sporting Charts had decided that Cook only dropped 3 instead of 4, Cook would easily be in the top quarter of TEs. As is, 8 of the 39 with better % had 20 or fewer receptions.
Names of Interest:
% and # of Drops
0.8% 1 Gronkowski YAC 7.62 yds/rec
8.8% 7 Julius Thomas, YAC 2.97yds/rec
7.1% 5 Eric Ebron, YAC 6.14 yds/rec
3.9% 4 Trace Kelce
3.6% 4 Zack Ertz, YAC 4.28 yds/rec
3.2% 4 Gary Barnridge, YAC 4.23 yds/rec
10.3% 4 Austin Serferian-Jenkins YAC 4.57 yds/rec
6.5% 5 Owen Daniels, YAC 5.78 yds/rec
2.4% 3 Greg Olsen, YAC 4.55 yds/rec
3.6% 3 Coby Fleener YAC 3.26 yds/rec
6.3% 2 Jermaine Gresham
3.2% 2 Ladarius Green
10.5% 2 Rhett Ellison
2.1% 1 Maxx Williams
2.1% 1 Crockett Gilmore
7.5% 3 Lance Kendricks
6.3% 4 Will Tye YAC 4.86 yds/rec
5.3% 4 Jared Cook YAC 5.51 yds/rec
2.4% 2 Richard Rodgers YAC 3.77 yds/rec
Witten, Miller, Zach Miller, Clive Walford, Celek had no drops.
Edit: I put in some YAC stats. Can't say I see any correlation between drops and YAC.
http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/drops/2015/
DrealynWilliams
July 06, 2016 at 11:31 am
I watched this video breakdown (from a Rams perspective about the potential of the Rams '16 Offense) and he pointed out that their Offense last season was hampered due to Cook's drops. The dominate running game is there (when Gurley is the #1 guy). It wasn't like he had "a lot of drops", but the drops came at the worst time.
((I'm just passing on what I heard and read. I'm actually excited about his arrival. The past is the past.))
dobber
July 06, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Realizing that this has nothing to do with the Packers, but from an FFL perspective, one guy on this list that I expect to explode this year is Eric Ebron (if he can stay on the field). There's a huge void to fill in Detroit, and I think he's going to have a top 5 TE year.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
July 07, 2016 at 12:06 am
Based on his past NFL results? His perceived value? His draft slot? or the void left by Megatron? I'll believe it when I see it. I certainly won't be drafting him this fall. The word bust becomes a big descriptor of his if he doesn't do what you think he will this year, that's for sure. He may not even be the best receiving TE on the Lolions this year, yet again. And his blocking? SHEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIITTT, I'm talking a big 'ol Clay Davis from the Wire style shit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70eU840lc38
holmesmd
July 11, 2016 at 09:09 pm
I've seen nothing to suggest him to be elite. He's a brick as far as the playbook and has iffy hands. Megatron retired so they have Tate & Ebron... Meh. Not concerned at all. Not trying to be a weenie but just haven't seen much from Ebron to get that excited Dobber.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
July 07, 2016 at 12:04 am
Let's all pray that 12 returns to the precision passer he was his whole career before last year's campaign. A lot of terribly off throws, very out of character for the MVP last year. Maybe not all his fault but a large percentage were.
RCPackerFan
July 06, 2016 at 08:06 am
I'm really excited to see how they plan to use Cook in the offense. He brings much needed size/speed to the position.
I'm not expecting him to come in and revolutionize the position or anything. What I think he will do is come in and provide a perfect compliment to the offense. Be that piece that the offense has been lacking.
A couple of things that was really lacking from our offense last year was yards after contact/catch and speed down the middle. Cook provides both of those. With his speed it will put more stress in the middle of the field. That will force more safety's to help cover the TE vs doubling the WR's. Cook may not put up a lot of production, but his presence will create more production for others.
That being said, I do think Cook could put up big time numbers. He for the first time in his career is playing in a very good offense and with an elite QB. Though with all the weapons in the offense, I don't think he will put up big time numbers. Just saying it wouldn't surprise me and that I could see it happening.
dobber
July 06, 2016 at 11:09 am
"I'm not expecting him to come in and revolutionize the position or anything. What I think he will do is come in and provide a perfect compliment to the offense. Be that piece that the offense has been lacking."
I think this is the key statement: I don't think he really "changes" the Packer offense. I think he adds to it, and there's reason to think that they can dust off more principles from the Finley years to take advantage of him...but will they? Certainly the Packers ran a meaningful number of 2 TE sets with Finley (and D. Lee), but they have done that less and less in recent years.
With that in mind, the question is one of how they will plan to line him up: will they give him a significant number of snaps in tight (where I think he'll have a greater impact) or are they going to split him out and run the majority of his snaps where he'll be essentially a big WR? I think we'll get more of the latter.
lucky953
July 06, 2016 at 01:29 pm
It's about AR isn't it? MM does not tell him who to throw to. If the QB believes in you, he looks for you. If he doesn't,..... I'd like to know what it's like to run route after route and not get targeted. Do these WRs ever challenge AR? "Dude, I've been a yard open for two quarters here. What's up?"
DrealynWilliams
July 06, 2016 at 06:16 pm
The only WR that's probably able to say that is Nelson, but he'll never challenge AR because 1. He's already AR's go-to guy and 2. I don't think that's his MO.
I'm sure Adams and Janis felt that way at times last season, but with their inconsistent play Rodgers could've easily replied, "See, I threw you the ball and you dropped it. Now shut the hell up" or something slick about being where you're supposed to be when he wants you there.
Handsback
July 06, 2016 at 08:10 am
MM's offense isn't about speed or size as much as it is on timing and positions. RR wasn't able to get those deeper positions with the timing that Aaron needed, so they went with shorter routes. The speed allows the receivers to go further down the field to be in position to make a play. I can only imagine the nightmare for the DBs when Cook, Nelson, Janis, Monty and Cobb line up. They'll be too quick for the LBs and FS/SS positions to cover short and if they give up the middle and cover for long....could be a long day for them and plenty of open spaces for the Big 5!
sunshinepacker
July 06, 2016 at 09:56 am
Just curious, why are drops not a worry outside the red zone? Seems like you sort of glossed over Cook's biggest problem (and it is a rather large problem) by just excusing drops outside the red zone.
Additionally, no real discussion was given to his prowess as a blocker, which will most likely be his biggest contribution to this team since he's a far better blocker than any other TE on the roster
holmesmd
July 11, 2016 at 09:39 pm
If that were true, it wouldn't be saying a whole lot. Are you suggesting Cook was acquired to block?! Lol. I can assure you he wasn't. He's a vertical speed guy. Does Gronk block for the Patriots??
Thegreatreynoldo
July 12, 2016 at 07:41 am
It is true. Cook is a far better blocker than RR. I don't watch NE enough to know how much Gronk blocked, and don't know how much he will with Martellus Bennett on the other side. But it is nice to have a TE who can block for many reasons.
dobber
July 06, 2016 at 09:59 am
The Packer offense thrives on generating gaps and space for receivers to operate in. Last season, they couldn't effectively drive opposing safeties downfield to generate space...almost like trying to pass in the red zone all game long. It's hard to do.
If they can threaten defenses on the outside with Nelson and down the seam with Cook, there will be plenty of space to operate underneath, and many of those 4-8 yard routes (ahem RRod) now become 10-12 yard gains rather than 5 yard gains. The beauty of this is that if Nelson takes a couple weeks to get back to that stage, the Packers can use Cook to accomplish the same things without taking a proven WR off the field to insert Janis.
I've always said that it doesn't matter what position your pass-catchers play, so long as you have them. Cook is a pretty valuable tool...if he's focused and if he's integrated well. I'm not a big proponent of the "play Janis more" movement, but I will agree that he was underutilized. I don't know that I have a lot of faith in the coaching staff to really take advantage of what Cook brings to the table.
Tundraboy
July 07, 2016 at 06:13 pm
Great analysis and view point. Always look forward your posts.
holmesmd
July 11, 2016 at 09:41 pm
Dobber,
Don't they have a pretty highly regarded new TE position coach? I had heard good things about the guy.
stockholder
July 06, 2016 at 11:45 am
In 2014, TT took Adams instead of a game changing TE. (Or trading up) But it still showed a TE was needed. I'm not questioning TTs judgement in taking a WR over Te. But the packers stayed on top of the division with a good Wr "Tandem" at that position. Adams was never going to be a #1 or #2. Speed and separation is the biggest part of a offense. Nelson, Cobb, and Cook bring that to the packers. Even small guys should considered first. You never know when you might get a john Brown. Stay with the speed.
TKWorldWide
July 06, 2016 at 07:52 pm
What game changing tight end was available?
DrealynWilliams
July 06, 2016 at 10:48 pm
Trade up for Eric Ebron (1st round 10th overall)
Trade up in 2nd round: Troy Niklas (52nd)
Trade up in 2nd round: Jace Amaro (49th)
Trade up in 2nd: Austin Seferian-Jenkins (38th)
-----------
Or maybe @Stockholder meant via FA??
Dennis Pitta
Brandon Pettigrew
Garrett Graham
Owen Daniels
-------------
Uhhhh.....yea
TKWorldWide
July 07, 2016 at 10:45 am
So many game changers, so little time.
stockholder
July 07, 2016 at 02:15 pm
I think I can say Amaro and Jenkins. Jenkins would have cost them a (2 and 3) And yes I would have taken Ha Ha over Ebron! And I just laughed when the lions took ebron over Beckham. But look at the reach of Adams and Thornton. So would it not have been interesting to sign FA Jones. And use the 2nd and 3rd for moving up? Adams was a carbon copy of Jones. Thats the quote by several scouts. We know James Jones was a #3. Why not go for a #1 or #2 WR , if you want one. Speed and separation!!! Cody Latimer and Brown were better choices than Adams. But we know Latimer had a stack of vets in front and Amaro got hurt. I would not sign anyone on your list. Niklas and Fiedorwicz were considered Rd. 3. But what would have happen if TT took Jennigan,or Kony Ealy? Would Perry or Jones been Packers? My bet is TT would have found the replacement for Desmond Bishop! Free Agency can correct any draft mistake. Go CooK!
TarynsEyes
July 06, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Cook, since being a 7 year guy, erases the word ' Potential' with ' Assumption ' though both can be equally absurd in expectations. : )
lucky953
July 06, 2016 at 01:32 pm
After the first 15+ yd completion down the middle, defenses will take him seriously.
SpudRapids
July 08, 2016 at 03:13 pm
Well I'm a firm believer a QB can improve the productivity of receiver/TE... look at all the average receivers Brady has elevated. I believe Rodgers can have the same effect. Apply that logic to Cook and I think he can improve upon his career averages greatly. The guy had some pretty mediocre QB's in St. Louis so let's just wait and see... I think it'll be fun to watch it unfold
Point-Packer
July 06, 2016 at 06:06 pm
I have this gut feeling that Cook will either continue to be injured and/or a bust.
DrealynWilliams
July 06, 2016 at 07:14 pm
Anything positive?
Point-Packer
July 06, 2016 at 11:32 pm
Sure, based on our off season acquisitions, we'll go 11-5 and lose in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Again.
TKWorldWide
July 07, 2016 at 11:30 am
Believeland.
DrealynWilliams
July 07, 2016 at 12:49 pm
That's the spirit!
TKWorldWide
July 08, 2016 at 11:30 am
I am opposed to blind optimism AND blind pessimism.
holmesmd
July 11, 2016 at 09:48 pm
Dude, I agree that you absolutely have a negativity issue. I don't think I've ever read you post anything positive. What's the point of following and cheering for the team if you feel such skepticism? Just sayin.
PETER MAIZ
July 06, 2016 at 08:30 pm
A change can be big for a guy likeCook. He may have a one year Renaissance to impress.
John Galt III
July 06, 2016 at 08:38 pm
Quick Search - Packers have not had a top notch All-Pro TE in a long time and never a HOF TE.
Paul Coffman - 1950's
Ron Kramer - 1960's
Mark Chmura - 1990's
Those are the Packer All-Pro TE's of the last 60 years. If I missed one - sorry.
In that time we have won 7 NFL Titles. During the Starr/Lombardi Years we never had a WR make the HOF either although we have had some since - Lofton and Don Hutson before.
Just interesting stats that say you can win big without a superstar TE and sometimes w/o a star wide receiver.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 07, 2016 at 12:32 am
You've got a typo. Coffman played from 1979 - 1987. 3 pro bowls, and all pro in 1983 and 1984.
54 rec, 814 yds, 15.1 yd ave, 11 TDs, and 43 rec, 562 yds, 13.1 yd average, and 9 TDs were the all pro years. Very good for 1983 and good numbers for 1984: it shows the difference between 1984 and the present. And he could block.
Tundraboy
July 07, 2016 at 06:20 pm
Coffman was the best of all.
dobber
July 08, 2016 at 09:56 am
He missed his time, playing in an era that wasn't geared toward the pass nearly as much as it is now.
Tundraboy
July 08, 2016 at 02:49 pm
That's for sure.
holmesmd
July 11, 2016 at 09:49 pm
Bubba was pretty good?!
stockholder
July 07, 2016 at 05:35 pm
Keith Jackson and Bubba Franks
lucky953
July 08, 2016 at 08:49 am
Yes, Keith Jackson was a shot in the arm for the '96 SB team. He played in GB for the last two seasons of a 9 year career. Key stat was he averaged 12 yds per reception. If Cook can give us that, Whoa Nelly!, we'll be in the money this year.
TKWorldWide
July 08, 2016 at 04:56 pm
@dobber:
15 > 14
;)