David Culley, head coach of the Houston Texans of the National Football League, is happy that Brandin Cooks stays for his second year with the team.
The team leader was back at the Houston Methodist Training Center this week for Organized Team Activities (OTAs) after receiving catches (81), targets (119), and yards (1,150) a year ago.
This year will be Cook's eighth year in the NFL and his second with Houston. He has reached the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards six of those seasons and has played in several different offenses across four different franchises.
"He's a pro's pro," said Culley. "He's been in this league for a little while. He's had success in this league. He's a leader. He's exactly what our football team needs moving forward. Looking forward to him not only being the kind of player that he's been before but even being better."
Cooks has learned a new offense during the pandemic and was thrilled about growing in the position, saying: "I love it. Just continue to trust the process with the things that T.K. and the guys are coming up with and execute to the best of our ability."
Cooks continued describing what he learned most from the experience. "You really got to be honed into your schedule, your workout routine and when you're on your own, trying to build up to that football tolerance so when you do get in the building, it's not a shock to your body. I think guys, including myself, kind of did a little wrong last year. So now knowing that hopefully, I skipped that and I am able to do what I do best right off the bat."
With the help of Cooks' guidance, Culley said the younger receivers in the group, including the second-year pro-Isaiah Coulter and rookie Nico Collins, will "learn how to do things quickly".
The Texans, Culley, and Cooks will start Week 2 of OTAs at the Houston Methodist Training Center on Tuesday.