The New Orleans Saints didn't have a very busy offseason, but they did make a fairly big acquisition for the passing game, signing tight end Jared Cook to a two-year deal.
Saints head coach Sean Payton is loving what Cook has brought to the table thus far, saying he has actually been somewhat of a surprise.
“Anytime you’re in free agency, you gather as much information as you can,” said Payton, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. “And then when the player arrives, there’s certain things you weren’t aware of that are good and maybe sometimes weren’t so good. In his case, it’s all positive. … He’s a tremendous worker, dedicated, I think someone who’s a true pro in every sense of the word. And I think he’s been a really good addition for us.”
Cook spent the 2018 campaign with the Oakland Raiders, playing in all 16 games and hauling in 68 receptions for 896 yards and six touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
For a New Orleans team that did not get much production out of the tight end position this past season, Cook should be a breath of fresh air and will provide Drew Brees with a big target in the red zone.
Cook, who played his collegiate football at the University of South Carolina, was originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round (89th pick overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Titans, posting varying degrees of success. The Saints mark his fourth NFL club since, as Cook has also played for the St. Louis Rams and Green Bay Packers in addition to the Raiders.
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