Are we going to have a new nickname for New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick? Often referred to as “The Hoodie” due to his particular choice of sideline apparel, the winner of five Super Bowls as the Pats’ sideline leader may have to get used to “Trader Bill.” First, the team pried tight end, Dwayne Allen, away from the Indianapolis Colts. Then the Pats dealt for Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy. Later on Friday, Belichick may have outdone himself by trading for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
So much for the defending Super Bowl champions standing “pat.”
Cooks has the perfect recipe
In 2014, the Saints used the 20th overall pick in the draft to secure the services of the versatile wide receiver from Oregon State University. In three seasons in the Crescent City and with quarterback Drew Brees pulling the trigger, the 23-year-old performer put up impressive numbers the last two years after a somewhat-respectable rookie campaign. Cooks played in 10 contests in ’14, totaling 53 catches for 550 yards and three touchdowns. He also scored once via the run. But he’s played every game the past two seasons, racking up a combined 162 receptions for 2,311 yards and 17 scores. He now joins a New England Patriots team that featured one of the most balanced offenses in the game in ’16.
Instant impact
Cooks’ home-run ability will do a number of things for quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots attack. This past season, only three teams in the NFL gained the total yards than Belichick’s squad. The Patriots were seventh in the NFL in rushing and fourth in passing. With tight end Rob Gronkowski coming off an injury-shortened 2016 and questions about his ability to stay on the field, Cooks will now be the main weapon when it comes to stretching the field.
He will make fellow wideouts Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan even more effective. And if Gronk comes back at 100 percent, this will be a passing attack to marvel at even more than usual. And that’s a scary thought if you’re an opponent of Brady and his club.