MINNEAPOLIS – The Patriots and Eagles last March were in different places. The Patriots were champs probing ways for an encore. The Eagles were stinging and assessing a 7-9 season.
Alshon Jeffery and Brandin Cooks put the Eagles and Patriots over the top
Both the Eagles and the Patriots made big moves to each add a No. 1 receiver. It’s no coincidence they’re both playing in the Super Bowl this week.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
In one instance, their blueprints overlapped.
Get a No. 1 wide receiver. Get a guy who can make defenses back up and back off. And make sure he is more of a wide receiver dagger than diva.
On March 9th, the Eagles signed free agent Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery.
On March 10th, the Patriots traded for Saints receiver Brandin Cooks.
Jeffery and Cooks possess elite receiving gifts. Jeffery is bigger (6’3, 218 pounds). Cooks is faster (4.33 40-yard sprint). Jeffery is 27. Cooks is 24.
They draw double coverage. They free teammates to make plays. They help create running room for running backs by loosening defenses. They draw interference penalties. They produce big plays.
They demand respect.
Their additions directly correlate to both teams reaching Super Bowl 52.
They are selfless, humble, hard-working players who don’t bark like other vibrant NFL wide receivers. But they are not wallflowers.
During this Super Bowl media week, neither would allow anyone to back them into a corner. Both gave among the most direct, succinct, piercing answers of any players here. Cooks, for example, when asked if he had “arrived,” snapped: “No, I haven’t arrived. I’m not even sure what that is. I’m still pressing forward.”
Jeffery, when asked about the analysis of him as an “average” Bears receiver compared with this prime Eagles season quipped: “Writers and fans have their opinions, but last time I checked, their opinions don’t pay checks.”
Two no-nonsense receivers who make plenty of sense.
Two receivers who have stepped in line with their teams, done what they were told, given more than that and filled a void. They are reminders that in today’s NFL, an eminent wide receiver is a necessity for any team with Super Bowl ambition.
Jeffery this season caught 52 passes for 732 yards and averaged 14.1 yards per catch. He caught eight touchdown passes. Cooks grabbed 65 for 1,082 for a 16.6 average. He caught seven touchdown passes.
Jeffery, in his sixth NFL season, displays all of the nuances of a dynamic receiver.
”I thought I would be a Chicago Bear for life,” Jeffery said. “But I’ve fallen in love with Philly. I feel my destiny is here and we can build our own dynasty here. I feel like I am one part of this offense and that my job is to help us win championships. That means making adjustments and staying on point.”
The Eagles defensive backs say that he is a “monster” to cover in practice. His opponents say that his mixture of speed, size and desire makes him dangerous on every snap.
Eagles quarterback coach John DeFilippo says:
”Alshon’s contribution, his effect here has been huge. I don’t think Alshon gets enough credit for the effect he has on games. It doesn’t always show up in the stats. It bothers me when I hear people say that a receiver like him only affects or makes eight or so plays a game. I could not disagree more. He affects the game. The whole game.”
Cooks’ Patriots teammates say that his speed at the top end of his routes is mesmerizing. But they also credit him for details in his technique and say that attribute gets lost in his blazing, impressive speed.
You will not often hear Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels give a player assessment like this:
”I love Brandin Cooks. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a better player to coach who makes more of an impact. He’s done a lot, including leadership. He works as hard as any player I’ve ever been around. He doesn’t care about the credit or the attention. We are fortunate he is here. I am super excited he is going to be in a Patriots uniform on Sunday.”
The Eagles originally signed Jeffery to a one-year deal. But two months ago they extended his contract by four years and $52 million. The Patriots also during the season exercised an option to extend Cooks’ contract. Both teams appreciate what they have in Jeffery and Cooks.
Both provide special elements.
Both receivers were asked what it would mean in their first season with their new teams to win it all? Both were asked what will be their roles in Super Bowl 52? Frequent targets? Or more decoy, clearing stuff? Both were asked how they expected this Super Bowl and their personal experiences to unfold?
These different guys with similar impacts at completely different times in completely different settings gave the exact same answer.
”Watch on Sunday.”
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