“We found a partner, and we made the deal”.
Advertisement
The Raiders, under general manager Reggie McKenzie’s personnel control, are following a tried-and-true strategy employed by Hall of Fame general manager Ron Wolf, who said winning teams should draft a quarterback “about every other year”.
“It’s always important to have depth”, McKenzie said. Can he add to the depth? Being a part of the team’s plan and working hard in the quarterback room to help the team win will go a long way towards quieting his critics. “Go in there and learn from him, try and compete, obviously”. “There was no concern”.
Cook – a first-round talent who ended up being the seventh quarterback taken – said it “hurt” to endure a plummet, which many scouts and executives chalked up to his cocky, unlikeable demeanor in pre-draft interviews and workouts.
A three-year starter at Michigan State, Cook drew praise for an accomplished career in which he threw 70 touchdown passes and just 21 interceptions while compiling a 34-5 record as a starter. I was disappointed. I think that Connor is an excellent football player. Everything will work itself out. We were successful for a reason. Last year, his second season in the National Football League, he started the Bengals’ final five games, including one in the playoffs, after starter Andy Dalton’s season-ending injury in mid-December.
If Connor Cook wants to answer questions about his leadership and character, he needs to do that by showing he can be a helpful backup quarterback.
“It was really laid back”, Cook said of that conversation.
The impressive draft showing for Ohio State continued when San Diego grabbed linebacker Joshua Perry with the 102nd pick, and Jacksonville continued its defensive focus when it selected Notre Dame tackle Sheldon Day at No. 103.
James, 6-foot, 245 pounds, has experience as a down lineman and at outside and inside linebacker, but any impact he’ll make in 2016 will likely come on special teams.
Advertisement
They probably didn’t expect him to be available in the fourth round. McGloin, signed as an undrafted free agent, is scheduled to once again become a free agent after this season.
