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Time To Take Connor Cook Seriously As Threat To Jared Goff

By Erik Lambert

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Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) attempts to throw the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

For months scouts and draft experts have gone out of their way to find what is wrong with Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook.  Most of it centers around his streaky accuracy and the somewhat concerning fact that he wasn’t voted a team captain for the 2015 season.

While valid, it’s making it too easy to overlook what is right with Cook, and it’s proving to be a lot.  Every time his team needs him to step up beyond their desires to play defense and run the football, he answers.  As of now he’s the winningest quarterback in college football (31-3) with huge performances in both Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl victories.

At 6’4″ he has good size, decent mobility, underrated arm strength and a knack for upping his game when the spotlight is brightest.  Part of his accuracy problems have to do with undisciplined mechanics, something that is very coachable.  Also one must not discount the fact he’s played mostly with second-rate receivers who’ve been dropping a lot of his throws.

He’s experienced and knows how to run a true pro-style offense, something most other quarterbacks in the 2016 draft class can’t say.  That includes Jared Goff who doesn’t have near the success against proven competition that Cook does.  Such things must be taken into account when considering a franchise quarterback.

There is something to be said of a player who may not have all the physical tools and perfect accuracy but does impact whether or not his team wins games.  Tom Brady wasn’t the most popular quarterback among scouts but all he did at Michigan was win.  The same was said of Joe Montana.  That’s not to say Cook will turn out like them, but it’s proof that these lingering doubts about his validity as a top 10 pick might be nitpicking.

Goff may have the natural accuracy teams adore so much, but when it comes to the serious business of winning and doing it against the best, Cook cannot be ignored any longer.

Next: College Football Playoffs: The Contenders and Pretenders

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