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Rams TE Cook says he misspoke
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_499c634f-d00d-50ac-ad37-e176ceb69d8d.html
In the heat of the moment, after last week’s frustrating 12-6 loss to the visiting Arizona Cardinals, Rams tight end Jared Cook says he misspoke.
“We got outplayed, we got outcoached, and we just put a bad display out there,” a dejected Cook said after the Thursday night loss.
On Tuesday, following a walk-through at Rams Park, the six-year NFL veteran explained further.
“That was my fault for slipping up; it shouldn’t have been said,” Cook said. “But I think everybody kind of knew what I was doing. (The Cardinals) were a better team than us that day. That’s all I was trying to say.
“It wasn’t the best choice of words, I must admit. But I’m only human, right?”
Rams coach Jeff Fisher talked to Cook about his comments the following day.
“We discussed it, and we’re fine,” the coach said.
Cook’s post-game comments can be traced to frustration, but he said that’s no excuse.
“There’s a way to do things. That’s why they give us the time after the game to kind of cool off and get your words together,” he said. “Nobody wants to be in the position we’re in. Nobody wants to have the record that we do.”
The loss, which eliminated the Rams from playoff contention, dropped the team to 6-8 with two games to play — 3:05 p.m. Sunday against the visiting New York Giants (5-9) and Dec. 28 in Seattle against the defending champions.
“Like I said after the game, all we can do is keep fighting,” Cook said. “You gotta finish strong. We still have two good teams ahead of us. ... Gotta have your mind right, and it’s on us to make the best of the season as we can.”
NEW GUY IN TOWN
Doug Worthington was back home in Columbus, Ohio, working out six days a week and spending time with his 5-month-old daughter when the Rams called last week about a workout.
“It’s a great early Christmas present,” said Worthington, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound defensive tackle who was signed to the Rams practice squad on Monday. “This league can be pretty unforgiving. Your opportunities in this league are rare, so to get a call and get a chance like this, it truly is a blessing.”
Worthington played at Ohio State and was selected in the seventh round of the 2010 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s also been with Tampa Bay, Washington (six games, three tackles, one pass breakup) and San Diego. The Chargers released him on Aug. 29.
“As each week goes by, it gets a little harder, but you have to stay ready,” he said. “For me, it’s a testament to the hard work paying off. When the Rams called, I figured it might be a futures deal, but the practice squad’s even better.
“It gives me a chance to meet the people here, learn the scheme and be around the guys.”
Worthington said that having fellow Buckeyes James Laurinaitis and Christian Bryant around helps ease the transition and said he feels like he will fit in quickly with the Rams.
“The guys on the defensive line have been great,” he said. “They’ve already been cracking some jokes, trying to make me feel comfortable. As I said, this is a great opportunity and I’m hoping to make the most of it.”
HEKKER NOMINATED
Rams punter Johnny Hekker was announced Tuesday at the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Each team nominates a player who represents the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact.
The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors show on Jan. 31.
“It’s an unbelievable honor just to be nominated,” said Hekker, a third-year pro who earned a trip to the Pro Bowl last year. “I owe lot of thanks to everyone involved in this organization and them making it so easy to be available for community outreach events or whatever we want to do. If we want to put on an event, the people upstairs are more than willing to help us do that.
“I feel like it’s been put in my heart to give back, and I know there are a lot of other guys in this locker room who feel the same way.”
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Hekker has actively supported Special Olympics, Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) and is the Rams’ Fuel Up to PLAY 60 ambassador. This season, he’s teamed with Greg Zuerlein and Jake McQuaide to launch the “Kick Cancer” program to benefit SSM Health Care patients and their families who are battling cancer.
In addition, Hekker is active in the Rams’ other community outreach programs.
Established in 1970, the award was renamed in 1999 for the late Chicago Bears running back who represented the very best of the NFL as an athlete and role model. A panel of judges will include Commissioner Roger Goodell, ex-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, Connie Payton, Frank Gifford, Anthony Munoz and 2013 recipient Charles Tillman of the Bears.
The winner will receive $25,000 donations from the NFL Foundation and from sponsor Nationwide to the charity of their choice. Two additional finalists will receive $5,000 donations, and the other 29 nominees will receive $1,000 donations for their selected charities.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_499c634f-d00d-50ac-ad37-e176ceb69d8d.html
In the heat of the moment, after last week’s frustrating 12-6 loss to the visiting Arizona Cardinals, Rams tight end Jared Cook says he misspoke.
“We got outplayed, we got outcoached, and we just put a bad display out there,” a dejected Cook said after the Thursday night loss.
On Tuesday, following a walk-through at Rams Park, the six-year NFL veteran explained further.
“That was my fault for slipping up; it shouldn’t have been said,” Cook said. “But I think everybody kind of knew what I was doing. (The Cardinals) were a better team than us that day. That’s all I was trying to say.
“It wasn’t the best choice of words, I must admit. But I’m only human, right?”
Rams coach Jeff Fisher talked to Cook about his comments the following day.
“We discussed it, and we’re fine,” the coach said.
Cook’s post-game comments can be traced to frustration, but he said that’s no excuse.
“There’s a way to do things. That’s why they give us the time after the game to kind of cool off and get your words together,” he said. “Nobody wants to be in the position we’re in. Nobody wants to have the record that we do.”
The loss, which eliminated the Rams from playoff contention, dropped the team to 6-8 with two games to play — 3:05 p.m. Sunday against the visiting New York Giants (5-9) and Dec. 28 in Seattle against the defending champions.
“Like I said after the game, all we can do is keep fighting,” Cook said. “You gotta finish strong. We still have two good teams ahead of us. ... Gotta have your mind right, and it’s on us to make the best of the season as we can.”
NEW GUY IN TOWN
Doug Worthington was back home in Columbus, Ohio, working out six days a week and spending time with his 5-month-old daughter when the Rams called last week about a workout.
“It’s a great early Christmas present,” said Worthington, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound defensive tackle who was signed to the Rams practice squad on Monday. “This league can be pretty unforgiving. Your opportunities in this league are rare, so to get a call and get a chance like this, it truly is a blessing.”
Worthington played at Ohio State and was selected in the seventh round of the 2010 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s also been with Tampa Bay, Washington (six games, three tackles, one pass breakup) and San Diego. The Chargers released him on Aug. 29.
“As each week goes by, it gets a little harder, but you have to stay ready,” he said. “For me, it’s a testament to the hard work paying off. When the Rams called, I figured it might be a futures deal, but the practice squad’s even better.
“It gives me a chance to meet the people here, learn the scheme and be around the guys.”
Worthington said that having fellow Buckeyes James Laurinaitis and Christian Bryant around helps ease the transition and said he feels like he will fit in quickly with the Rams.
“The guys on the defensive line have been great,” he said. “They’ve already been cracking some jokes, trying to make me feel comfortable. As I said, this is a great opportunity and I’m hoping to make the most of it.”
HEKKER NOMINATED
Rams punter Johnny Hekker was announced Tuesday at the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Each team nominates a player who represents the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact.
The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors show on Jan. 31.
“It’s an unbelievable honor just to be nominated,” said Hekker, a third-year pro who earned a trip to the Pro Bowl last year. “I owe lot of thanks to everyone involved in this organization and them making it so easy to be available for community outreach events or whatever we want to do. If we want to put on an event, the people upstairs are more than willing to help us do that.
“I feel like it’s been put in my heart to give back, and I know there are a lot of other guys in this locker room who feel the same way.”
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Hekker has actively supported Special Olympics, Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) and is the Rams’ Fuel Up to PLAY 60 ambassador. This season, he’s teamed with Greg Zuerlein and Jake McQuaide to launch the “Kick Cancer” program to benefit SSM Health Care patients and their families who are battling cancer.
In addition, Hekker is active in the Rams’ other community outreach programs.
Established in 1970, the award was renamed in 1999 for the late Chicago Bears running back who represented the very best of the NFL as an athlete and role model. A panel of judges will include Commissioner Roger Goodell, ex-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, Connie Payton, Frank Gifford, Anthony Munoz and 2013 recipient Charles Tillman of the Bears.
The winner will receive $25,000 donations from the NFL Foundation and from sponsor Nationwide to the charity of their choice. Two additional finalists will receive $5,000 donations, and the other 29 nominees will receive $1,000 donations for their selected charities.
