Panthers rookie S Alex Cook learning from experience

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina Panthers rookie safety Alex Cook, who was signed off the New York Giants' practice squad Oct. 17, is learning valuable lessons with every snap.

Alex Cook noticed Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton running into his sector.

The Panthers rookie safety followed the decoy and stepped inside, instead of reacting to the outside. The mistake opened space for Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans to score on a 75-yard catch and run, handing Tampa Bay the lead for good in a 21-18 win last week.

“My technique was real bad on that play,” Cook said.

So was his timing.

On the Panthers’ previous possession, Chuba Hubbard capped a seven-play, 65-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, a rare offensive score that briefly provided the Panthers with a three-point, third-quarter advantage.

One play later, however, Cook misread the first-down play and failed to provide cornerback Troy Hill with second-level help on Evans, who ended up outrunning C.J. Henderson to the end zone.

The Panthers, who dropped to a league-worst 1-11, led for all of 10 seconds.

‘There were a few Evans plays’

Following an intense Monday game of ping-pong in the locker room, Cook was asked about Evans’ big play.

The first-year defensive back replied with an obvious retort.

“Which one are you referring to?” Cook asked. “There were a few Evans plays.”

True.

The 75-yarder proved to be the longest reception of Evans’ 10-year career.

“I need to stay in the middle of the field and read off the QB’s eyes,” Cook said. “He made a good catch; good throw, but I need to be able to put him down, be in position to make sure that ball doesn’t go beyond 15 yards.     
“I’ll take responsibility. That's on me.”    

Evans also had a 40-yard reception on the Bucs’ second possession in which he simply dashed past cornerback Jaycee Horn down the sideline. Cook executed an open-field tackle, 5 yards short of the goal line. Three plays later, however, the Bucs opened the scoring on Rachaad White’s 1-yard TD run.

In the fourth quarter, Evans beat Henderson near the sideline, deked the cornerback and Cook for an 11-yard reception to become the first player to record 10 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons Sunday. Only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice has compiled more 1,000-yard campaigns with 14.

Walking in the Raymond James Stadium tunnel after the win, Evans was shown a video of the milestone reception. He joked about the outcome.  

“Baker gave me a good ball, a friendly ball so I could run,” he said. “Made a couple guys miss. I just feel like I’m in my prime.”

Adapting to early NFL lessons

An undrafted free agent, Cook was signed off the New York Giants’ practice squad on Oct. 17 to provide depth when starters Vonn Bell and Xavier Woods were sidelined.

A team captain as a senior at Washington, Cook started all 13 games and led the team in tackles.

In five games with the Panthers, Cook has nine tackles (five solo) and 1.5 stuffs.

Cook’s playing time over the final five games will directly be tied to the team’s health.

Bell (shoulder), who did not dress last Sunday was listed as limited on Thursday’s injury report and missed three games earlier this season.  

Following a 10-week layoff with a hamstring injury, Horn returned against the Bucs and played 32 snaps. Interim coach Chris Tabor said Monday he expected Horn’s usage to increase weekly.

“That’ll naturally happen," Tabor said. “That was his first game back. You want to work him right back in there and get him up to speed, and I think that he's recovered nicely. So, I do see that happening. I anticipate him playing quite a bit (this week). I really do.”

Henderson also returned from concussion protocol.

Regardless of Cook’s role, the Sacramento, Calif., native will continue to soak in all he can.

"This whole process is (about) learning,” he said. “That's kinda the deal, coming to a new team (in the) middle of the year. Every day you're getting coached on something new.”

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