HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) - Texans receiver Brandin Cooks is coming off a career-high 90 catches last season, but besting that as he enters his ninth season in the league and third with the organization, is not at the forefront of his mind.
When Cooks signed a two-year contract extension back in May, he told reporters that he was glad to put contract talks behind him and just focus on what the team is building.
“It was huge, not just for my family and I, but believing in what this organization is trying to get done and what Nick (Caserio) and Coach Lovie (Smith) are building,” Cooks said. “It’s definitely a blessing.”
Cooks, who was named one of the team captains for this season, hasn’t played for an organization longer than three years at any one of his stops, including New Orleans, New England or Los Angeles, after being traded three times.
One thing you can always count on with Cooks is that he'll give the team everything he has, and he’s looking forward to doing that on Sunday against the Colts, especially with it being the season opener.
“No question. It’s a blessing to still be playing this game. You don’t take that for granted because someday you won’t be out there for the first game. I love it as much as I did when I was a rookie,” said Cooks.
He’s been used in several different roles during his career. It remains to be seen how Pep Hamilton will use him this season, given that he was a healthy scratch from all three Texans preseason games.
The Texans used Cooks in the slot 34% of the time last season, moving him around quite a bit.
Cooks, of course, won’t get into the X’s and O’s with the mics and cameras on, but he did say he’s excited to debut Hamilton’s offense on Sunday.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Pep, and everything he’s been bringing to this offense over the summer and in training camp,” Cooks said. “You know, preseason is one thing, but you look forward to actually getting out there, where it truly matters, and putting this thing together. That’s for sure.”
The Texans and Cooks did catch a break this offseason when Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus departed the organization to take the Chicago Bears head coaching job.
Eberflus led an opportunistic defense last season that finished inside the top 10 in interceptions with 19. The Colts were also the fourth-best team in the NFL at forcing the ball out with 18 fumbles created, resulting in 14 recoveries.
The Texans, of course, know all too well just how good that Indianapolis defense was last season, and for that matter, how bad the Texans offense was.
The Colts swept both games against the Texans, outscoring them a combined 62-3.
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“You don’t forget. You don’t forget those types of games. At the end of the day, it’s a divisional game. Your opener is against a team that really embarrassed you last year,” Cooks said. “You don’t forget, but you don’t let that cloud and gray affect what you have to get done. You still have to focus on the details and don’t get too carried away on necessarily revenge.”
This season, with Gus Bradley taking over the defense, there’s even more talent in place to go alongside their new top corner Stephon Gilmore.
The Colts expect to be much improved in the pass rush with the addition of Yannick Ngakoue, who followed Bradley to Indianapolis from Las Vegas after being dealt this offseason. Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner and Dayo Odeyingbo round out a defensive line that should improve their sack total of 33 last season, which was tied for sixth-lowest in the league.
The Texans' top target, Cooks, respects Bradley’s defense and acknowledged the challenge they pose to the Texans this weekend.
“When you look at Gus Bradley’s defense, the Colts in general, is their takeaways. Last year, they were so huge on takeaways. Every guy is really punching at the ball or trying to make an attempt at the ball,” Cooks said. “I think Gus Bradley being able to be in that zone allows guys to do that, be able to have all eyes on the ball. They fly around and they’re a well-coached defense.”
The Texans will have a tall task Sunday, but Cooks says he and the team are ready to see what they’re made of.
“I look forward to it. Obviously, there’s been a lot of work that’s been put in and continuing to be put in. At the end of the day, just got to go out there and play. All the things that we’ve learned over the summer and this training camp, you get to put it to life.”
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