Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks is on the fourth team of his career since starting out with the New Orleans Saints as a first-round pick in 2014.
The 26-year-old has a good grasp of what he needs to accomplish in order to get on the same page with two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson. Cooks boiled down how to build that chemistry for the Houston media on April 30 in three steps.
1. Learn the playbook
“I think the biggest thing is, first and foremost, learning what I need to do in the offense and learning the playbook, where to line up and the process of how they go about things,” Cooks said.
In knowing the playbook, Cooks can master his responsibility of where to lineup in the offense and what routes to run. Taking care of what he can control will give Watson the confidence that Cooks is where offensive coordinator Tim Kelly wants him to be.
2. Pitching and catching
A goodly portion of the chemistry comes from just throwing the football around.
“As far as gaining that chemistry with a new quarterback, I think that’s coming with throwing, whenever that may be, whenever we can get together and throw,” Cooks said.
With the limitations from the COVID-19 pandemic, that aspect is not entirely feasible. However, Cooks is confident the opportunity to pitch and catch will come.
“From the physical aspect there’s going to come a time and place, and I’m sure we’ll pick it up pretty fast,” said Cooks.
3. Connecting off the field
It doesn’t mean going out and having a few drinks; but, rather, getting input from Watson on what he looks for in a receiver. This aspect of chemistry building can still be realized, especially with the help of video conferencing.
“From this time when we’re doing Zoom meetings, asking Deshaun what he’s looking for, what does he like to see from his receivers, what is he seeing in this defense and the way that he likes to throw things,” said Cooks. “We’ll still be able to do that from that aspect.”
Cooks has played with Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Jared Goff, all of whom have at least reached the Super Bowl. The 5-10, 183-pound wideout knows what it takes to build chemistry from working with some of the best of the past 20 years.
