New Orleans Saints score best free agent of in the NFC South
By Erik Lambert
The New Orleans Saints ruled the NFC South division once again in 2018, coming a horrific penalty non-call away from reaching the Super Bowl.
It would be on the other teams in the division to take significant steps towards unseating them from that spot going into 2019. Thus far the national media doesn’t appear overly impressed with what they’ve done. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed their entire coaching staff and lost a number of key veteran players already. Atlanta switched offensive coordinators again and haven’t brought in much help for their porous defense. Carolina too has been mostly quiet.
Meanwhile, it seems the Saints have been credited with making the best free agent signing of the offseason in that division. Herbie Teope of NFL.com called their move to get tight end Jared Cook a major steal that can be a huge addition in that offense under Sean Payton. One that has showcased tight ends many times in the past.
"“Head coach Sean Payton mentioned at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Saints would look at tight ends before the 2019 NFL Draft, and Payton found what he was looking for. One of the league’s top passing offenses received a major boost with the arrival of Cook, who signed a two-year deal with the team last month and projects to provide the Saints their best receiving tight end since Jimmy Graham left via trade in 2015.”"
Jared Cook does one thing well and that’s all the Saints need
Don’t get things twisted. Cook isn’t any sort of Rob Gronkowski type. He’s anything but a complete tight end. No, his game has always been one thing and one thing only. He catches the football. Cook can run and he has a good pair of hands. This is what continues to sustain him despite playing for so many teams in his career. Finally though it appears he’s landed with a team that will understand that and use him accordingly just like they did with Jimmy Graham.
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Besides, it’s not like this offense needs another weapon. They already have plenty with Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara leading the way. Putting a tight end in the mix with Cook’s size and speed who can threaten down the seam is borderline unfair. Maybe another team will surprise this season in the NFC South, but it’s looking more and more like New Orleans will maintain control of that particular iron throne.