Jared Cook had a 42-yard catch and run that was called back Sunday against the Carolina Panthers after he was flagged for a questionable offensive pass interference.
That play was the topic of much discussion after the game, but lost in the conversation about officiating was the fact that Cook had his most productive game of the year.
He caught six passes for 99 yards both season highs to go along with a touchdown in the Saints 34-31 win against Carolina.
One of those grabs even impressed his quarterback Drew Brees. In the third quarter Cook made a leaping grab in the middle of the field for a 20-yard that helped set up a touchdown pass to receiver Michael Thomas.
“I think everybody in the stadium was pretty impressed with that,” Brees said. “The defenders didn’t even jump. That’s in the stratosphere and he jumped up and got it. You see plays like that and just overall I think his confidence level and again that rhythm that we are finding is a good thing.”
Plays like that are why Brees says he has a ton of confidence throwing to the the tight end.
That confidence has shown as Cook has put together an impressive string of games recently. He’s had 14 catches through the past three games compared to 15 through the Saints’ first eight contests.
Cook said there could be several factors that have contributed to his uptick in production.
“Just kind of coming off an injury, opportunities, being able to work with Drew a little more and him finding me a little bit further downfield or finding me in open pockets that will give me the ball in my hands early so I can be able to run,” he said. “Getting into the heart of the defense and attacking them in the middle of the field and being that big target in the field where he needs me.
“It could be a lot of things that's attributed to that. We are clicking now and we're moving and we're getting things done out there on Sundays.”
Saints coach Sean Payton said Cook’s play is what New Orleans was looking for when the franchise signed him this offseason.
“I think he has versatility, but you saw the receiving skills,” Payton said. “I thought Jon (Gruden) did a very good job with him at Oakland. The ability to run after the catch, which we saw yesterday (is an important element). We felt that element was important for us opposite of Mike (Thomas).”