Connor Cook: Are His Flaws Too Overblown?
By Erik Lambert
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) holds up the Archie Griffin trophy for MVP as FOX emcee Joel Klatt interviews after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Connor Cook is the most successful quarterback in college football, so why is he such a cold topic for scouts and draft experts?
In terms of production, success and physical skill there really aren’t a lot of great arguments. He has lost just four games in his career as a starter, owns victories in the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl and has now gotten his Michigan State Spartans to the College Football Playoffs.
He’s thrown for 8,974 yards and 71 touchdowns with just 20 interceptions. At 6’4″ he has plenty of height for the NFL and the strong arm to go with it. To top it off he’s got three seasons of experience running a pro-style offense. Isn’t he supposed to be everything teams look for in a quarterback prospect?
Apparently not. Many continue to cool on him and it centers around growing concerns about his mental makeup. It’s believed he comes across as arrogant and lacking a sense of true leadership. A prima donna. Bucky Brooks of NFL Network explains.
"“Despite leading the Spartans to the Big Ten title and earning the Most Valuable Player award for his efforts, Cook could slide down the charts due to concerns about his leadership skills and prickly personality. Cook seemingly blew off two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin during the postgame ceremonies, which plays into the questions about his leadership skills based on his inability to earn a captain’s spot despite his impressive resume as a three-year starter. Cook later issued an apology to Griffin after seeing reaction on Twitter and video of the exchange, saying he got “caught up in the moment” while trying to celebrate with his teammates. While some observers won’t take umbrage with Cook’s blatant disrespect of a Big Ten legend, the fact is that it plays into the narrative that he has an arrogant personality and suspect leadership skills.”"
There is no doubt that when a quarterback fits most of the physical profile, teams will start zeroing in on what goes on in his head. Not a surprise given it’s the most important position but is the fact that he might not be the most humble guy really so bad? He’s already proven countless times that he has the poise and mental toughness to win big games.
Joe Namath was criticized early in his career for being self-centered. He eventually learned how to be a team player. Why can’t Cook? The point is that maybe that thing that happens before drafts is beginning. People analyze players to such an extent that they focus on what a player doesn’t do rather than what he does.
So maybe Connor Cook isn’t a leader like Tom Brady or Drew Brees. That doesn’t mean he can’t become one, and there is no doubting he has the ability to win. It is what matters most at the end of the day. Hopefully some teams out there will recognize that.