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Defensive coordinator Joe Woods knew that questions about Jared Cook's defense came even before he reached the podium to speak to the media on Thursday after the trials.
This is usually what happens when the opposing team has played a huge game, as Cook did when he recorded nine catches for 180 yards against the Rams, tied for the highest number of yards in the game. the league the week before.
"It's definitely a problem," Woods said, adding that Cook is one of the many skilled players the Denver defense will face. "We are going to have our hands full for sure."
In Oakland's 33-13 loss to the Rams, the Raiders often managed to isolate Cook, who is 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 254 pounds, under the protection of John Johnson III, at just 6 feet and 209 pounds. Although Cook has won this game several times, Johnson III has also managed a crucial interception in the end zone.
Given Johnson's mixed results against Cook, Woods plans to use a variety of strategies to limit Oakland's best positions.
"He has the size, he can run and he has good hands," said Woods. "He's basically like a catcher playing tight end. It's hard to tell the difference, no matter what player you're wearing – a linebacker, a safety, a turn – because of all these attributes. We will do everything against him, so I hope it is successful.
It will be especially important for the Broncos to show that they have advanced struggles last week against tight goals. In the first week, Seahawks tight winger Will Dissly recorded 105 yards and one touchdown on just three catches. Dissly opened the scoring with a wide reception of 15 yards offside in the first quarter. Two Seattle possessions later, Dissly broke several tackles on a 66-yard catcher who set up a field goal.
"[Dissly]He's a good player, but we can not do it, "said head coach Vance Joseph on Monday. "We missed four tackles. The cover was not excellent, but we missed four tackles. the [next] To play it sewed, again, our eyes are bad and we are out of position. It is a problem for us and we have to solve it. We have to coach better, and we have to play better, and that's the case. "
If these problems are not solved, said Joseph, it will make the defense of Oakland very difficult.
"It's going to be a real challenge," Joseph said Wednesday. "He has great ball skills. He runs a 4.5 [40-yard dash]. We must have a great plan to contain it. We can not walk here on Monday and say we have not contained it. If we do not master it, the day will be long for us. "
The Broncos have historically done a solid job against Cook. In five previous games, Cook has only 10 passes for 96 yards and no touchdown against Denver. However, because of his size and well-rounded skills, Cook is a threat to any passing game. Given Jon Gruden's affinity for tight multi-purpose goals, Cook ranks as an important part of Sunday's game plan.
"It's a mismatch and a good reception end," Gruden said Wednesday. "I'm watching the movie and he should have more yards. If you give certain guarantees, some games like this can sometimes happen – if you're lucky enough to have the joker that can win – you can play all kinds of games to help him become a dominant player. That's what we try to do with Jared every week. I am really impressed by his football skills, competitiveness and versatility. He can do many different things.
Second rookie linebacker Bradley Chubb, who covered Dissly on the 66-yard gain, knows the importance of limiting Cook's production on Sunday. He starts by building a solid game plan throughout the week and then runs it on the field.
"[We need to] know what he can do and try not to let them do it, "Chubb said Wednesday. Whether it's me who keeps or a [defensive back] keeping it, dropping the blanket and stuff like that, we just have to make sure it's contained and not let it get too big on us. "
Chubb is perhaps one of the many Broncos to defend Cook on Sunday. Dealing with the 31-year-old will not be an individual task.
"Our job is to go out there and shut up," Will Parks said Wednesday. "[We’ll] try to see where are his trends. … Our job is to go out there and tie up, so that's what we have to do.
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