Wide receiver Cooks has a fan in Phillips
As the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips watched receiver Brandin Cooks every day in practice during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The first-year Texans receiver had been acquired by the Rams in a trade with New England. In his first season in Los Angeles, Cooks played a major role in helping the Rams reach Super Bowl LIII in New Orleans, where they lost 13-3 to the Patriots.
Cooks caught 80 passes for 1,204 yards, a 15.1-yard average, and five touchdowns in his first season with the Rams. Phillips marveled at his talent, including his blinding speed, but what impressed him even more was Cooks the man.
“Brandin’s just a fabulous person and one of the smartest — if not the smartest — receivers I’ve ever been around,” Phillips said Thursday. “I think he’s going to help the Texans a whole lot.”
Phillips has been around a whole lot of receivers since he got his first NFL job with the Oilers in 1976 when he was hired by his father, the late Bum Phillips, to coach the defensive line.
Phillips is one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history, including three seasons with the Texans (2011-2013). He’s back at his home in Houston because the Rams didn’t renew his contract after three years.
After recording a segment Thursday for the Chronicle’s new television show, “Texas Sports Nation In-Depth,” Phillips was happy to talk about Cooks and what he likes and respects about the receiver Bill O’Brien got from the Rams for a second-round draft choice.
Cooks is expected to be one of quarterback Deshaun Watson’s primary weapons.
Cooks lines up opposite Will Fuller, and both were officially clocked in the 4.3s at their combines — Fuller 4.32 and Cooks 4.33.
“Besides his talent — and he’s got great speed — Brandin can catch the ball,” Phillips said. “And he’s a guy you can count on, too.”
O’Brien and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly are counting on Cooks to compile at least 1,000 yards this season playing with quarterback Deshaun Watson.
After catching at least 65 passes and surpassing 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons with New Orleans, New England and Los Angeles, Cooks slipped to a career-low 42 receptions last season. He missed two games because of a concussion.
“He was hurt some last year,” Phillips said, “but let me tell you, he can take the top off a defense with that speed. And Brandin can run routes really well, too.”
Phillips worked for head coach Sean McVay, who utilized Cooks all over the field.
“Our offense was complicated,” Phillips said. “Brandin knew the offense in and out. He’ll know the Texans’ offense, too, because he’s just so smart. He’s spectacular in that way.”
The Saints traded Cooks to New England for a first-round pick they wanted to use on offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk. The Patriots traded him to the Rams because they didn’t want to sign him to a new contract. The Rams did, and Cooks was outstanding in 2018 before having concussion issues last season.
“Because Brandin’s so smart and understands the game so well, that’s why he’s been able to be so successful no matter where he’s been,” Phillips said. “He’s been with three different teams, and he’s still had 1,000-yard seasons.”
The Texans are Cooks’ fourth team. He’s played for Sean Payton at New Orleans, Bill Belichick at New England and McVay at Los Angeles. That’s four different systems.
“It’s not easy going to another team and changing coaches and learning new terminology and so forth,” Phillips said. “A lot of guys get lost doing that, but not Brandin. He’s a guy who can come in and do it right now because he’s so intelligent.”
Over the last six years, Phillips has coached with and against Cooks. When developing his game plan, he had to beware of Cooks’ speed and the damage he could do to a defense.
“Man, he was great,” Phillips said. “I’ve seen him just run right through zone coverage with that speed.”
If the Texans can keep Cooks and Fuller healthy, there won’t be many starting receivers who can match their dazzling speed.