Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

Connor Cook

Bulls on Parade said:
Am I the only one thrilled that Connor Cook's draft stock has fallen so much? There's now a legitimate chance the Houston Texans will be able to draft him. He's the guy I wanted all along. When we were 1-4 I thought we'd draft him in the top 10. As we got hot as a team I gave up hope that we'd be in position to draft him. Now he could fall into our laps.
Click to expand...

I'm not thrilled with the idea of drafting a guy who's stock is falling for good reason.
 
Bulls on Parade said:
Am I the only one thrilled that Connor Cook's draft stock has fallen so much? There's now a legitimate chance the Houston Texans will be able to draft him. He's the guy I wanted all along. When we were 1-4 I thought we'd draft him in the top 10. As we got hot as a team I gave up hope that we'd be in position to draft him. Now he could fall into our laps.
Click to expand...

I've liked him since last year. I had him neck & neck with Mariota. Mariota mainly for his excellent athleticism. Cook as a more "complete" prospect. I haven't looked at how Cook fits in with this year's class, but he's got a first round grade in my book.
 
Last edited:
thunderkyss said:
I've liked him since last year. I had him neck in neck with Mariota. Mariota mainly for his excellent athleticism. Cook as a more "complete" prospect. I haven't looked at how Cook fits in with this year's class, but he's got a first round grade in my book.
Click to expand...

I'm curious how you see Cook as more complete. Because he plays in a pro style offense? Mariota is more athletic, more poised under pressure, and more accurate.
 
Texian said:
Rule of thumb and conventional wisdom says college completion % drops a min 10% in the NFL.
Click to expand...

That is so ridiculously absurd to say seeing as most good collegend qbs complete around 65% of their passes.

Goff 64.5%
Lynch is around 65%
Wentz is at 64%

So you are saying all these guys will have sub 60% completion percentages in the nfl? Meaning non of them will be viable starters
 
Shishkabob said:
That is so ridiculously absurd to say seeing as most good collegend qbs complete around 65% of their passes.

Goff 64.5%
Lynch is around 65%
Wentz is at 64%

So you are saying all these guys will have sub 60% completion percentages in the nfl? Meaning non of them will be viable starters
Click to expand...
I am saying that when they first get to the NFL YES there is a high probability that their completion % will be somewhere in 50% area. I didn't say this was an absolute, remember I said rule of thumb. BIG difference. I really applies more to college QBs who can only complete less than 60% of their passes in college, it's kind of buyer beware. ie; Jake Locker This doesn't mean this apply to their entir career, to many intangibles to know this.
 
Last edited:
Texian said:
I am saying that when they first get to the NFL YES there is a high probability that their completion % will be somewhere in 50% area. I didn't say this was an absolute, remember I said rule of thumb. BIG difference. I really applies more to college QBs who can only complete less than 60% of their passes in college, it's kind of buyer beware. ie; Jake Locker This doesn't mean this apply to their entir career, to many intangibles to know this.
Click to expand...

Thats a little high, its closer to 7% less. Either way, rookies have a learning curve and their accuracy will be challenged. Connor Cook doesn't do it for me at all. I pray we don't draft him
 
Blake said:
I am still higher on Mariota than Cook. I just havent seen anything from Cook that makes me say wow. His games again Jacksonville State, Eastern Michigan, or Wyoming dont impress me much. I did watch the game against Oregon, and Cook looked mediocre at best. Oregon figured MSU out and shut them down in the 2nd half.

Mariota should win the Heisman and be a top 5 pick. To this point he is playing pretty close to mistake free football.
Click to expand...

Saying this over a year ago, not much changed. I could still see taking Cook in the first and letting him sit for a year. I guess I feel that even with how I feel about him, and this past down season, I still think he has potential and skills that could make him a very good NFL QB.

You may not get that insta-starter at QB via the draft, but the Texans would be wise to take any of the big 5 in the first round if they are available when the Texans are on the clock.
 
Blake said:
Saying this over a year ago, not much changed. I could still see taking Cook in the first and letting him sit for a year. I guess I feel that even with how I feel about him, and this past down season, I still think he has potential and skills that could make him a very good NFL QB.

You may not get that insta-starter at QB via the draft, but the Texans would be wise to take any of the big 5 in the first round if they are available when the Texans are on the clock.
Click to expand...
Whose the 5th in your mind assuming the first 4 are, Goff, Lynch, Wentz, and Cook
 
BOB also made a point of liking Michigan State players since they are well coached. Doesn't hurt that they run a "pro style" offense.
 
I'm in the Connor Cook bandwagon...9-2 in games decided by 7 pts or less...
what I see when I scout him is Burbridge, a 4th rd wr, as his best weapon. I also see him beating Ohio St 34-24 in the Big 10 championship and following it up beating Stanford 24-20 in the Rose Bowl..threw 304 332 yards in those 2 games

anyone think what his stats would be if he had Josh Doctson as a wr or played at Baylor? How about Alabama and OJ Howard or had Amari Cooper? What I see is him trying to get the ball to mediocre receivers in tight windows and winning close games

Mayock said 4 qb's will go in the 1st rd....the Rams might draft Cook and if he get to the Texans you guys should(I'm from St Louis)

my top 4 qb's are Goff, Lynch wentz and Cook...
 
Hopefully he won't be seeing all the hype that Wentz is getting now (I'm not saying it isn't well deserved) & Cook will continue under the radar. Whether we get him in the first or the 5th, it's the same guy & imo, he can play the game at a high level. Possibly even be a franchise QB.
 
If Cook were playing for Penn St. would he have done any better than Hackenberg did, if Hack were playing for Mich St. would he have done any worse than Cook?

I find myself leaning towards Hack in this hypothetical.
 
Mollywhopper said:
If Cook were playing for Penn St. would he have done any better than Hackenberg did, if Hack were playing for Mich St. would he have done any worse than Cook?

I find myself leaning towards Hack in this hypothetical.
Click to expand...
good question as Mayock said Hackenberg and Cardale Jones are the two wildcards in the draft...wouldn't be shocked if Jones goes in the 1st and Hackenberg early 2nd...(could explain why I'm not a huge Hackenberg fan but I'll leave that for another discussion)

thought Bryce Petty was overrated last year because of that Baylor offense....I had Carr as my top ranked qb 2 years ago, 15th overall, and Manziel a 2nd rd pick.

we have to separate the player from the team...just what makes the draft fun
 
poplarbluffman said:
good question as Mayock said Hackenberg and Cardale Jones are the two wildcards in the draft...wouldn't be shocked if Jones goes in the 1st and Hackenberg early 2nd...(could explain why I'm not a huge Hackenberg fan but I'll leave that for another discussion)

thought Bryce Petty was overrated last year because of that Baylor offense....I had Carr as my top ranked qb 2 years ago, 15th overall, and Manziel a 2nd rd pick.

we have to separate the player from the team...just what makes the draft fun
Click to expand...

I wouldnt be shocked if we by pass on Hack for Bruce Arians to take him with the cardinals first round pick.

Jones will go in the 4th round, has all the size and talent, but has major character concerns, proved this year he couldnt read defenses are adjust to them when they were playing to his strengths. Put up poor numbers this year with one of the most talented teams. He is a major project that to me unfortunately has Jamarcus Russel written all over him
 
poplarbluffman said:
good question as Mayock said Hackenberg and Cardale Jones are the two wildcards in the draft...wouldn't be shocked if Jones goes in the 1st and Hackenberg early 2nd...(could explain why I'm not a huge Hackenberg fan but I'll leave that for another discussion)

thought Bryce Petty was overrated last year because of that Baylor offense....I had Carr as my top ranked qb 2 years ago, 15th overall, and Manziel a 2nd rd pick.

we have to separate the player from the team...just what makes the draft fun
Click to expand...

I wouldn't touch Cardale Jones.

But the hypothetical was more about the fact that I think you downplayed the help Cook had at Mich St. significantly. Between his oline and Dantonio he was as well armored a QB (aside maybe Coker) as there was in the country. He's also had a solid run game the majority of his time there to keep things honest. Yet still we saw deficiencies in his game often in terms of inaccuracy, decision making, and how he handles the pocket breaking down that would be exponentially exposed had he been playing in a situation like Hack was dealing with the last two seasons.

I don't feel comfortable at all taking Cook in the first.
 
Mollywhopper said:
If Cook were playing for Penn St. would he have done any better than Hackenberg did, if Hack were playing for Mich St. would he have done any worse than Cook?

I find myself leaning towards Hack in this hypothetical.
Click to expand...

Why?

I've got nothing against Hackenberg. I wouldn't mind bringing him to Houston, but I'd definitely want him running the scout team for a while until I'm sure his bad habits won't compromise his game on Sunday.

While Cook may not blow you away in any particular way, I've got no qualms about starting him day 1.
 
thunderkyss said:
Why?
Click to expand...

When Hack had better protection and a better overall offensive scheme he was a much better player at Penn St. And that still wasn't with the kind of oline and running game Cook had at Mich St. No reason to think behind that talented line and with Dantonio coaching him up that Hack wouldn't have ever taken the downturn he did after OB left and Franklin took over. And like I said, Cook's inaccuracy and poor decision making would have been highlighted a ton playing in Hack's situation. That shouldn't be terribly debatable. So all in all I'd consider a role reversal to favor Hack in totality.
 
Connor Cook has had a lot of freakin' weapons at Michigan St. Not sure where that idea came from at all.

In parentheses is how many years he had with each guy on his team:

RB Le'Veon Bell (1)
RB Jeremy Langford (3)
WR Tony Lippett (3)
WR Keith Mumphery (3)
TE Dion Sims (1)

WR Aaron Burbridge (4)
OT Jack Conklin (3)
C Jack Allen (4)
 
Not sure Hackenberg would have done any better at Michigan St, but I'm very confident that he wouldn't have done worse.

Not sure Cook would have done any worse at Penn St, but I'm very confident that he wouldn't have done better.

So I'm leaning towards siding with Mollywhopper in this hypothetical.
 
bah007 said:
Connor Cook has had a lot of freakin' weapons at Michigan St. Not sure where that idea came from at all.

In parentheses is how many years he had with each guy on his team:

RB Le'Veon Bell (1)
RB Jeremy Langford (3)
WR Tony Lippett (3)
WR Keith Mumphery (3)
TE Dion Sims (1)

WR Aaron Burbridge (4)
OT Jack Conklin (3)
C Jack Allen (4)
Click to expand...

You left out Bennie Fowler who will be playing slot WR for the Broncos Sunday. Norwood plays Slot also.

I want to know more about Hack's weapons,

Allen Robinson
Jordan Norwood
Jesse James

Who else?
 
steelbtexan said:
You left out Bennie Fowler who will be playing slot WR for the Broncos Sunday. Norwood plays Slot also.

I want to know more about Hack's weapons,

Allen Robinson
Jordan Norwood
Jesse James

Who else?
Click to expand...

i cant remember the name of their true freshman RB this year, but if he stays healthy he will be a high round pick. That kid looked good at PSU, his Oline was missing blocking assignments and he would make guys miss and see holes that werent there, reminded me a little of Arian the few games i watched him
 
Shishkabob said:
i cant remember the name of their true freshman RB this year, but if he stays healthy he will be a high round pick. That kid looked good at PSU, his Oline was missing blocking assignments and he would make guys miss and see holes that werent there, reminded me a little of Arian the few games i watched him
Click to expand...

Saquon Barkley. And he sure did look good.
 
Hack also briefly had Donovan Smith and John Urschel blocking for him. But the rest of the OL has been a mess.
 
bah007 said:
Connor Cook has had a lot of freakin' weapons at Michigan St. Not sure where that idea came from at all.

In parentheses is how many years he had with each guy on his team:

RB Le'Veon Bell (1)
RB Jeremy Langford (3)
WR Tony Lippett (3)
WR Keith Mumphery (3)
TE Dion Sims (1)

WR Aaron Burbridge (4)
OT Jack Conklin (3)
C Jack Allen (4)
Click to expand...

I'm not professing to know how all this works, but I don't understand how this can be held against him. It's not like I'm comparing him to Coker, Mayfield, or Watson, where they're roughly in the same competetive group.

Did you think Cook should have done better? With what he had I can understand being disappointed if Michigan State was not a top 4 school, or if they weren't in Championship discussions every year. Do we think less of Jim Kelly because he brought extremely talented teams to the Super Bowl? 4 times?

Should Penn State have been in those conversations?

I don't think so, & it doesn't matter who the QB was, right? Would Cook have performed better in Franklin's offense? I don't know. However, I've read at least one analysis that blamed Hackenberg's lazy feet from the shotgun... does Connor Cook have lazy feet from the shotgun?

So, when I look at Hackenberg, my question is how will he perform on my extremely talented NFL team? He did well on a fairly talented team. I'll give him a 6 or a 7.

I look at Cook, how will he perform on my extremely talented team? Well, I don't think he's going to hold them back. Because I've seen him with an extremely talented team, I give him a 7 or 8. But that's a real grade. I don't have to guess, or what if.

To me, playing well on a talented team does not make a prospect worthless. Like I said in another thread, it doesn't make Brady a scrub, just because he's throwing to Gronk.
 
thunderkyss said:
I'm not professing to know how all this works, but I don't understand how this can be held against him. It's not like I'm comparing him to Coker, Mayfield, or Watson, where they're roughly in the same competetive group.

Did you think Cook should have done better? With what he had I can understand being disappointed if Michigan State was not a top 4 school, or if they weren't in Championship discussions every year. Do we think less of Jim Kelly because he brought extremely talented teams to the Super Bowl? 4 times?

Should Penn State have been in those conversations?

I don't think so, & it doesn't matter who the QB was, right? Would Cook have performed better in Franklin's offense? I don't know. However, I've read at least one analysis that blamed Hackenberg's lazy feet from the shotgun... does Connor Cook have lazy feet from the shotgun?

So, when I look at Hackenberg, my question is how will he perform on my extremely talented NFL team? He did well on a fairly talented team. I'll give him a 6 or a 7.

I look at Cook, how will he perform on my extremely talented team? Well, I don't think he's going to hold them back. Because I've seen him with an extremely talented team, I give him a 7 or 8. But that's a real grade. I don't have to guess, or what if.

To me, playing well on a talented team does not make a prospect worthless. Like I said in another thread, it doesn't make Brady a scrub, just because he's throwing to Gronk.
Click to expand...

The thing thats getting to me about Cook is this. Hack and Cook both have accuracy issues. Hacks are mainly because his footwork gets sloppy at times, that can be coached out and cleaned up. not a guarantee but its possible.

I havent seen the sloppy footwork or mechanics from Cook though so where are his inaccuracy problems stemming from and can they be fixed?
 
thunderkyss said:
I'm not professing to know how all this works, but I don't understand how this can be held against him. It's not like I'm comparing him to Coker, Mayfield, or Watson, where they're roughly in the same competetive group.

Did you think Cook should have done better? With what he had I can understand being disappointed if Michigan State was not a top 4 school, or if they weren't in Championship discussions every year. Do we think less of Jim Kelly because he brought extremely talented teams to the Super Bowl? 4 times?

Should Penn State have been in those conversations?

I don't think so, & it doesn't matter who the QB was, right? Would Cook have performed better in Franklin's offense? I don't know. However, I've read at least one analysis that blamed Hackenberg's lazy feet from the shotgun... does Connor Cook have lazy feet from the shotgun?

So, when I look at Hackenberg, my question is how will he perform on my extremely talented NFL team? He did well on a fairly talented team. I'll give him a 6 or a 7.

I look at Cook, how will he perform on my extremely talented team? Well, I don't think he's going to hold them back. Because I've seen him with an extremely talented team, I give him a 7 or 8. But that's a real grade. I don't have to guess, or what if.

To me, playing well on a talented team does not make a prospect worthless. Like I said in another thread, it doesn't make Brady a scrub, just because he's throwing to Gronk.
Click to expand...

While I like this post, I like Hack more than Cook.

Cook's upside = Dalton
Hack's upside = Big Ben

Provided Hack can get over being beaten to a pulp. And this is the big question, the talent is there for Hack to be 1-1. Without this question Hack wouldn't be available at 22. (Still might not be)

I will admit I'm biased a bit because I think James Franklin is one of the worst coaches in college football.
 
thunderkyss said:
I'm not professing to know how all this works, but I don't understand how this can be held against him. It's not like I'm comparing him to Coker, Mayfield, or Watson, where they're roughly in the same competetive group.

Did you think Cook should have done better? With what he had I can understand being disappointed if Michigan State was not a top 4 school, or if they weren't in Championship discussions every year. Do we think less of Jim Kelly because he brought extremely talented teams to the Super Bowl? 4 times?

Should Penn State have been in those conversations?

I don't think so, & it doesn't matter who the QB was, right? Would Cook have performed better in Franklin's offense? I don't know. However, I've read at least one analysis that blamed Hackenberg's lazy feet from the shotgun... does Connor Cook have lazy feet from the shotgun?

So, when I look at Hackenberg, my question is how will he perform on my extremely talented NFL team? He did well on a fairly talented team. I'll give him a 6 or a 7.

I look at Cook, how will he perform on my extremely talented team? Well, I don't think he's going to hold them back. Because I've seen him with an extremely talented team, I give him a 7 or 8. But that's a real grade. I don't have to guess, or what if.

To me, playing well on a talented team does not make a prospect worthless. Like I said in another thread, it doesn't make Brady a scrub, just because he's throwing to Gronk.
Click to expand...

The talent around Cook issue was only brought up when someone tried to say that he didn't have much. It was a counter, not an argument against him in and of itself. People aren't penalizing Cook on the basis of his teammates, they (and I as well) are doing so on the basis of his own flaws.

I honestly don't even know where you got that anyone was holding his teammates against him.
 
thunderkyss said:
I'm not professing to know how all this works, but I don't understand how this can be held against him. It's not like I'm comparing him to Coker, Mayfield, or Watson, where they're roughly in the same competetive group.

Did you think Cook should have done better? With what he had I can understand being disappointed if Michigan State was not a top 4 school, or if they weren't in Championship discussions every year. Do we think less of Jim Kelly because he brought extremely talented teams to the Super Bowl? 4 times?

Should Penn State have been in those conversations?

I don't think so, & it doesn't matter who the QB was, right? Would Cook have performed better in Franklin's offense? I don't know. However, I've read at least one analysis that blamed Hackenberg's lazy feet from the shotgun... does Connor Cook have lazy feet from the shotgun?

So, when I look at Hackenberg, my question is how will he perform on my extremely talented NFL team? He did well on a fairly talented team. I'll give him a 6 or a 7.

I look at Cook, how will he perform on my extremely talented team? Well, I don't think he's going to hold them back. Because I've seen him with an extremely talented team, I give him a 7 or 8. But that's a real grade. I don't have to guess, or what if.

To me, playing well on a talented team does not make a prospect worthless. Like I said in another thread, it doesn't make Brady a scrub, just because he's throwing to Gronk.
Click to expand...

Mollywhopper answered this for me.

The post was a response to an earlier comment in the thread that Cook had no talent surrounding him, a patently false idea.
 
Lucky said:
Cook's arrow was pointing up after last season. In retrospect, he should have entered the draft then. Was looking like a mid to late 1st rounder. 2nd day at best, now.
Click to expand...

never lower a players grade based on senior season unless for a very compelling reason..don't have one for Cook

what I see in Cook is a top player surrounded by mediocre 3rd-5th rd talent....if he plaayd in a spread offense with all those 0-9 yards throws would likely have close to a 65% career comp % Anyone thinking Aaron Burgess is an elite weapon is kidding themselves

Hackenberg is another story...IMO kid lacks the personality/ego to play on the big stage. Great kid who I'd love to date my daughter BUT not lead my favorite NFL team
 
poplarbluffman said:
never lower a players grade based on senior season unless for a very compelling reason..don't have one for Cook

what I see in Cook is a top player surrounded by mediocre 3rd-5th rd talent....if he plaayd in a spread offense with all those 0-9 yards throws would likely have close to a 65% career comp % Anyone thinking Aaron Burgess is an elite weapon is kidding themselves

Hackenberg is another story...IMO kid lacks the personality/ego to play on the big stage. Great kid who I'd love to date my daughter BUT not lead my favorite NFL team
Click to expand...

To me you have the personality thing a little mixed up, the couple of interviews ive heard from Hack came across very well IMO, and considering he isnt even 21 yet I dont blame him for not having some huge personality or ego. Fact is he was voted a team captain when he was 19 and 20 years old. 2 years a leader of the team as a kid something Cook's teammates never thought he was worthy of. I want my QB to be a leader on the field and in the locker room something this team has never had at the position. I feel you can get that with Hack, but i fear you might not with Cook.

You can say Cook only got to play surrounded by 3rd-5th round talent, but if you are playing surrounded by draftable talent thats still better then most QBs ever get. Plus you factor in that they always had 1 of the nations top defenses to keep them in games he had all sorts of tools around him.
 
Personally, I'm not putting anything into the personality thing. I don't care if the team likes my QB or not. As long as they respect him.

I want our next QB to be a bit of a A-hole. I'm tired of quiet leaders. I want someone who isn't afraid to look stupid on the sideline yelling at someone he has no business yelling at.

I mean someone other than O'b
 
thunderkyss said:
Personally, I'm not putting anything into the personality thing. I don't care if the team likes my QB or not. As long as they respect him.

I want our next QB to be a bit of a A-hole. I'm tired of quiet leaders. I want someone who isn't afraid to look stupid on the sideline yelling at someone he has no business yelling at.

I mean someone other than O'b
Click to expand...

Ive seen Hack go and chew his teammates out on the sideline before i wouldnt call him a quiet leader
 
Shishkabob said:
To me you have the personality thing a little mixed up, the couple of interviews ive heard from Hack came across very well IMO, and considering he isnt even 21 yet I dont blame him for not having some huge personality or ego. Fact is he was voted a team captain when he was 19 and 20 years old. 2 years a leader of the team as a kid something Cook's teammates never thought he was worthy of. I want my QB to be a leader on the field and in the locker room something this team has never had at the position. I feel you can get that with Hack, but i fear you might not with Cook.

You can say Cook only got to play surrounded by 3rd-5th round talent, but if you are playing surrounded by draftable talent thats still better then most QBs ever get. Plus you factor in that they always had 1 of the nations top defenses to keep them in games he had all sorts of tools around him.
Click to expand...

think Cook might be the single hardest evaluation in this draft class...I'm all in..sort of comes across as aloof..same as Eli Manning. Question is will he be the next Eli Manning or the next Cutler?
 
poplarbluffman said:
think Cook might be the single hardest evaluation in this draft class...I'm all in..sort of comes across as aloof..same as Eli Manning. Question is will he be the next Eli Manning or the next Cutler?
Click to expand...

Or the next Ryan Leaf?
 
poplarbluffman said:
never lower a players grade based on senior season unless for a very compelling reason..don't have one for Cook

what I see in Cook is a top player surrounded by mediocre 3rd-5th rd talent....if he plaayd in a spread offense with all those 0-9 yards throws would likely have close to a 65% career comp % Anyone thinking Aaron Burgess is an elite weapon is kidding themselves

Hackenberg is another story...IMO kid lacks the personality/ego to play on the big stage. Great kid who I'd love to date my daughter BUT not lead my favorite NFL team
Click to expand...
What is it with silly girls and "some" guys that like the Bad Boys?
 
I was doing some research on Cook and came across this and thought it was funny.
Ask 5: What's best player comp for MSU QB Connor Cook?
LINK

Executive 3: Blake Bortles
"Based on what I've seen so far, I'll go with Bortles. Talented guy with inconsistent arm strength and inconsistent decision making. They each have great size and sneaky athleticism."
Click to expand...
 
PapaL said:
I was doing some research on Cook and came across this and thought it was funny.
Ask 5: What's best player comp for MSU QB Connor Cook?
LINK
Click to expand...

5 execs, 5 different answers. That was asked back in early sept. I wonder if the same 5 would answer the same today
 
JB said:
5 execs, 5 different answers. That was asked back in early sept. I wonder if the same 5 would answer the same today
Click to expand...

Or 5 years from now we could all be laughing and saying "Remember Bortles and Cook?".
Just thought it was funny. Saw someone compared Cook to at best Eli and at worst Blaine Gabbert. Thought to myself, I'd take Gabbert over Hoyer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top