Some things I'd like to see

[DCH]

Bring Justice Cunningham and Zach Laskey off the PS onto the main roster (not sure for whom, I'd like to say goodbye to Cook but that's unlikely to happen)

More sets of Quick/Austin on the outside, Harkey + Cunningham on either end (or overloaded on one side), Laskey and Gurley/Mason inline

Passing sets of Quick + Austin + Bailey with Cunningham tight to one side and Benny in the single back, or two WR sets with Bailey off the field for Harkey

Let Reynolds start at RG until Saffold is 100%, however long that may be - years, even... I thought Reynolds played pretty well in relief yesterday

 

[CGI_Ram]

The group-think mentality on this board with Cook is an interesting dynamic we have here.

I see a lot of room for improvement in his game, but if the guy leaves his shirt untucked he's criticized.

 

[DCH]

The group-think mentality on this board with Cook is an interesting dynamic we have here.

I see a lot of room for improvement in his game, but if the guy leaves his shirt untucked he's criticized.

Not sure it's group-think when a lot of people are individually seeing similar things. He's inconsistent and drops a lot of catchable balls. I think he could be a valuable weapon in certain offenses, but I don't think that's ours - we are a run-first team that needs sure hands and dominant blocking more than explosiveness and big-play potential out of our primary TE.

 

[gabriel18]

I'd like to see the O line block and someone catch the ball . And maybe a few less interceptions and quit missing field goals . That's a recipe for success.

 

[Psycho_X]

I'm done with Cook, I gave the guy benefit of the doubt but how many games can we watch balls bounce off his hands. Not to mention him quitting on the route and leaving Foles out to dry for the pick six early in the game. The dude just doesn't compete.

 

[blue4]

The group-think mentality on this board with Cook is an interesting dynamic we have here.

I see a lot of room for improvement in his game, but if the guy leaves his shirt untucked he's criticized.

There's some group think mentality on here sometimes but I disagree that it's in play with Cook. The man is criticized because it's his job to catch passes and block people and he rarely does either. And it's noticeable by everyone. A man who quits on a crossing route that results in a pick 6 isn't really a victim of group think mentality IMO.

 

[CGI_Ram]

we are a run-first team that needs sure hands and dominant blocking more than explosiveness and big-play potential out of our primary TE.

I don't have a problem with your suggestion, going heavier in the protections. After yesterday, it seems like a valid strategy.

But, Fisher and Cigs keep putting Cook out there. They see things differently relative to his performance and role. Apparently.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Not to mention him quitting on the route and leaving Foles out to dry for the pick six early in the game.

I'm not convinced he would have been where that ball was thrown, if he didn't stop his route.

Besides; in that situation, perhaps his role was to stop in that zone?

That's my point; we just don't know and IMO that pick 6 is 100% on Foles outside the lack of protection.

 

[DCH]

I don't have a problem with your suggestion, going heavier in the protections. After yesterday, it seems like a valid strategy.

But, Fisher and Cigs keep putting Cook out there. They see things differently relative to his performance and role. Apparently.

Well, my issue, primarily, is that our go-to outlet guy is Benny. He's great at that, but it means that unless we take our best weapon - Gurley - off the field, we have a quandary about who is that hot-read reliable outlet when Clay Matthews is crawling up Foles's nose and poking him in the brain. That could potentially be a guy like Bailey, playing the Proehl role. Or it could be Gurley, if they start getting him more involved in catching the ball - that would make him even scarier. IMO though, the easiest solution would be to have a guy like Justice Cunningham who has reliable hands, can pass- and run-block effectively, but who isn't going to eat up big chunks of ground out there as your primary TE.

 

[Ballhawk]

The problem that many of us have with Cook is that it is apparent that he is just not a football player! He makes no effort to do the tough jobs that help your team win, not to mention that he is unreliable at the one thing that he actually wants to do, catching the ball!
The result is, he is nearly useless to the team and is borderline destructive to the team as well.

 

[manmaderam]

In my opinion, Cook reminds me of Fred Davis (On field, not off field). Lots of talent, just lazy mistakes.

 

[Fatbot]

During the past couple offseasons I've lobbied for dominating TE blocking to set the edge and a true thumping FB to match Fisher's alleged goal of a power running identity, so back then I'd agree with you 100%. But at this point the Rams simply don't have the personnel to do it. What we have are hybrid TEs that are very good blocking out of the backfield but terrible blocking inline. As a result the Rams are most effective running with misdirection, not power -- line up spread out, no TE look, fake the end around with Tavon and have Harkey or Kendricks either leading or wham blocking.

Normally I'd love the concept of bringing up Laskey, but as of now there's no real point since Harkey/Kendricks do the FB role well. Laskey wouldn't improve the inline TE problem. As for J.Cunningham being the blocking specialist, I've watched him closely for two preseasons and have seen zero blocking ability from him -- he's just as bad as Cook trying to block inline from what I've seen (yes, I know that's a huge insult!). He hasn't shown anything special as a receiver either. But I'm frequently wrong so what the hell, he probably couldn't be worse than Cook at this point.

If Cook's problem is his attitude and lack of heart, maybe it would be a way to shake things up. But if there's still a sliver of care in him, I'd rather see the Rams put one last-ditch effort over the bye to turn him around somehow, get a plan to get Cook some early balls and into the flow of the game. Hard to see it magically happening after so many years of hearing that same refrain though, but the rare times he's been involved he can be such a great weapon especially when it seems those quick hitter seams are exactly what the Rams should be doing to get some pressure off Foles.

 

[bskrilla]

in that situation, perhaps his role was to stop in that zone?

I'm surprised more people aren't saying this. Sometimes the receiver is supposed to sit down in the zone. Not sure if that was the case here, but I don't think it's fair to say he "quit" on the route. He stopped running right as the ball came out and it looked to me like a miscommunication on the route. Not Cook just saying "meh I'm not gonna try to catch that ball".

 

[MTRamsFan]

Me, I honesty would like to see Saffold, once he's healthy back, at left tackle and move G-Rob inside. I know it's only his second year and he's still learning how to pass block, but it seems he's has more failures than success. I really don't think he plays well in space and needs to be playing at a guard position. There were a couple times in yesterday's game where he locked onto his guy, rather than pass him down to Brown leaving the edge unprotected with Matthews looping around and coming in clean. He looks like his feet are in cement when it comes to pass pro. I love the guy and I think he could be a great mauling guard, but not a left tackle.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I'm surprised more people aren't saying this. Sometimes the receiver is supposed to sit down in the zone. Not sure if that was the case here, but I don't think it's fair to say he "quit" on the route. He stopped running right as the ball came out and it looked to me like a miscommunication on the route. Not Cook just saying "meh I'm not gonna try to catch that ball".

That's the way I see it.

 

[DenverRam]

the way our offense runs every play, i am not sure i want a tight end. I would throw a backup tackle in the TE spot and go Jumbo set.

 

[Psycho_X]

I'm not convinced he would have been where that ball was thrown, if he didn't stop his route.

Besides; in that situation, perhaps his role was to stop in that zone?

That's my point; we just don't know and IMO that pick 6 is 100% on Foles outside the lack of protection.

Maybe, I don't know. But it sure seemed like Cook just stopped running while slowing down into a leisurely walk as the ball started to be thrown instead of stopping fast and squaring up like someone who was meant to post up in a spot. But maybe I'm not remembering it right.

Either way, having balls bounce off his hands is inexcusable with his salary. He's paid as a playmaker and difference maker and he's done neither in his time here with the exception of a couple games.

 

[CGI_Ram]

He's paid as a playmaker and difference maker and he's done neither in his time here with the exception of a couple games.

Yet he's the all time Rams leading receiver (yds) as a TE in a single season, back to back seasons.

Look, I see what you guys see. He's got lots to work on. Just don't hand me a torch and pitchfork.

 

[DenverRam]

Yet he's the all time Rams leading receiver (yds) as a TE in a single season, back to back seasons.

Look, I see what you guys see. He's got lots to work on. Just don't hand me a torch and pitchfork.

he quits all the time. I question his heart more then his ability.

 

[RamDino]

I think it's fair to say that Cook has let us down repeatedly over the past few seasons. He has tremendous potential, but we have rarely seen that except in practice. I cannot help but be reminded about he time he dissed Austin Davis on the sideline, or the time the honey badger caught him at the goal line and swatted the ball away. Add those to all the times the ball has bounced off his hands, the times he has failed to block, and the times he has quit on routes, and it is time to sit him down and let someone else have a shot. Next man up, remember

 

[hotanez]

Bring Justice Cunningham and Zach Laskey off the PS onto the main roster (not sure for whom, I'd like to say goodbye to Cook but that's unlikely to happen)

More sets of Quick/Austin on the outside, Harkey + Cunningham on either end (or overloaded on one side), Laskey and Gurley/Mason inline

Passing sets of Quick + Austin + Bailey with Cunningham tight to one side and Benny in the single back, or two WR sets with Bailey off the field for Harkey

Let Reynolds start at RG until Saffold is 100%, however long that may be - years, even... I thought Reynolds played pretty well in relief yesterday

I would like to see changes to the offense but promoting these two guys you mentioned would only make the team worse I'm afraid.

 

[Athos]

Yet he's the all time Rams leading receiver (yds) as a TE in a single season, back to back seasons.

Look, I see what you guys see. He's got lots to work on. Just don't hand me a torch and pitchfork.

What great TRs have the Rams had in their history tho? Not being a smartass, just curious. There's only so much meaning with that designation and the reason he is, is a result of how pedestrian our WR production has been for years.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Simply put, Jared Cook is a WR playing TE. And they need to use him more as the former, IMO.

Given the time the defense stays on the field due to the bend but don't break nature of the defense, I'd like to see the Rams get Louis Trinca-Pasat on the active roster and use him as a FB/DT role like that kid I saw playing on the Giants team last night. He'd probably be just as good lead blocker as they have, but would also help keep the DLine fresher.

I'd also like to see the RBs get more involved in the passing game. Why do they want to keep trying to force the ball to these unreliable TEs when the backs may have better hands and are better after the catch?