Teammates dismiss criticism of Cook
Michigan State players view much-maligned quarterback as leader
No one’s exactly sure the origin of the narrative that follows Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook.
Maybe it started when he wasn’t named a team captain this season.
Perhaps it grew exponentially after video of his post-Big Ten championship game accidental blow-by of Archie Griffin went viral.
Certainly, the flames have been fanned in recent weeks by critical NFL scouts who were granted anonymity by various outlets to suggest Cook enjoys being a celebrity and doesn’t work hard enough at actual football or carries himself in an off-putting way.
Taken together, a narrative emerges. An outside perception is formed and reinforced. But to those on the inside, none of that matters.
“He’s the quarterback,” Spartans offensive lineman Jack Conklin said. “People are going to praise him. People are going to try to tear him down. It’s just the nature of the position. He’s the leader of our team.
“You can’t say the right things
all the time. ... But Connor’s a great leader and a good guy.”
And, yes, Cook is extremely confident. He’s self-assured. His personality is a departure from those of Kirk Cousins and other former Michigan State quarterbacks.
But you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who would argue that any of that has affected Cook or his team in a negative way.
Despite not being named a captain — which, again, his teammates say hasn’t mattered — Cook has thrown for 2,921 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. He is 34-4 as a starter, the winningest quarterback in Michigan State history. The Spartans, Cotton Bowl-bound as the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff, are two wins away from a national championship with Cook under center. And he’s healthy.
“This team is built on all sorts of leaders,” Conklin said. “It’s hard and makes Connor maybe not look the best when he’s not voted captain, but that’s not the case. We have so many leaders on this team, and that’s why we’re in this position right now.”
Conklin shared a story he said showed the real Connor Cook. After Cook was named MVP of the Big Ten championship game, he gave his trophy to the offensive line, telling the group that Michigan State would not have won the game without it. The trophy sits in the offensive line meeting room.
“That goes to show his character right there,” Conklin said. “He’s not a selfish guy just trying to get trophies to put up at his house. He’s about the team and about winning a national championship for Michigan State.”
Cook didn’t want to address any of these topics when he met with the news media last week. But he did want to again apologize for how the incident with Griffin appeared.
“People are going to say what they’re going to say on Twitter, and it’s nothing I can control,” Cook said. “I’m not going to let it get to me.
“I’ve talked to Archie Griffin, and he was cool with it. He knew I didn’t mean anything by it. That’s all that matters. If anyone else really says anything, I don’t really care as long as Archie’s cool with it. I apologized to him and talked to him. That’s all that matters.”
Said Spartans center Jack Allen: “He’s a mentally tough guy, and he knows what to shrug off. He knows what’s important and what’s not important.”
What is important at this juncture is actual football — and preparing for a daunting test in No. 2 Alabama’s vaunted front seven. Cook is healthier than he’s been since injuring his shoulder a little over a month ago. He has time to rest, time to get treatment and time to prepare.
“What separates him in the pocket, he’s got a great release. He’s big. He’s tall. He’s a very confident player,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “He throws to guys who are open, and he can fit the ball in very, very tight windows, as we’ve seen throughout the year.
“I think he’s having his best year as a senior. He’s played on a big stage in big games, and he’s been extremely successful.”
The biggest stage is yet to come. And Cook knows his performance likely will be the determining factor in the Cotton Bowl.
“I’m comfortable with it,” Cook said. “It’s no different than any other game. You go out there and got to execute the pass game, you’ve got to execute the run game. There’s pressure in every single game. I’m not looking at this game differently than any other game.
“Every game’s important. Every game is going to come down to the quarterback.”
Might as well give his critics something to talk about.
“You can’t say the right things all the time. ... But Connor’s a great leader and a good guy.” Michigan State offensive lineman Jack Conklin on quarterback Connor Cook