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Brandin Cooks Press Conference Transcript 5/9

Patriots Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks addresses the media during his press conference at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

Q: What is your reaction to the environment of the Patriots?

BC: Right away, I love it. I love the way they run things here. It's a blessing to be able to be a part of this organization. I'm just happy to be here.

Q: What are your thoughts on joining this wide receiver unit?

BC: I'm excited to join a group like this, to come here and do my job and do what I have to do to help this receiving corps be better and help the offense. That's what it's all about.

Q: Is there any significance to wearing No. 14?

BC: No big significance at all, really. I was [No.] 7 in college, so the way that I like to think about it is double-7. Yeah, no big significance.

Q: Did you try to get No. 10 from Jimmy Garoppolo?

BC: No, I didn't even try. I didn't even think about asking him. [It is] a new journey, new opportunity, so I wanted something different.

Q: How much of what you're doing right now is about getting physically ready for the season and how much is about getting into the playbook?

BC: Well, first off, just being well-conditioned - that's  what this part's about - and then just as much as I can to learn the offense so I can catch up to the guys that have been here so we can keep going and not have to wait on me.

Q: Have there been any specific players you have leaned on and asked questions?

BC: Everyone. Everyone in the offensive room that knows what they're talking about.

Q: How does the Patriots' playbook compare with what you had to do in New Orleans?

BC: To be honest, I haven't even thought about the difference from the offense here and New Orleans. I've kind of just been focused on what this playbook is and keeping my mind set forth on that.

Q: How much time do you spend studying the playbook?

BC: A lot of time. Like I said, I want to make sure I can catch up so I'm not left behind, so every opportunity I get to study the playbook, I do. I'm out here by myself, so I have nothing else to do but think football and study the playbook.

Q: How much work do you get in with the quarterbacks right now?

BC: We get in the time a lot to be out there with the quarterbacks. Every day, it seems like we're out there with them and getting used to the three quarterbacks is what it's been and getting used to their terminology, not just their play, but how they say things. 

Q: What are your first impressions of working with Tom Brady?

BC: It's amazing.

Q: Why?

BC: I think you can answer that. Yeah, I'll let you be the judge of that. He's just an awesome quarterback and I'm glad to have the opportunity to play with him.

Q: What have you observed about Brady that you may not have known before working with him?

BC: His attention to detail and how focused he is. It's something that I look at him and I try to strive for, to be just like that. Obviously, the game on TV, he's amazing, but to see him now in person in his study habits is awesome.

Q: What are your first impressions of the New England area?

BC: It's a new transition. You know, a little cold coming from New Orleans, but I love it. I originally grew up on the West Coast, so I'm obviously halfway across the country now - or across the country - but it's a great atmosphere. Going down to the city is amazing. I live in Oregon now during the offseason, so I'm used to a little bit of cold, rainy days, but it's a little different out here, so we'll see.

Q: When in you were at the Celtics game last week, did you get a taste of what it will be like to play in New England?

BC: It just seems like the sports history here is amazing, from baseball to hockey to football, you name it. So when I was in the Garden, I always dreamed of that. It was a great atmosphere, and not only a great atmosphere, but a dream come true, as well.

Q: What have you learned from Julian Edelman in your first few weeks working with him?

BC: His work ethic is great. I always saw him from a distance [as] a guy that can play. And, once again, I'm excited to be able to play with a guy like that alongside him.

Q: What stood out to you about Edelman from a distance?

BC: His work ethic. Well, his playmaking ability. That's what I have to say. He's a playmaker. 

Q: How do you think you and Edelman will complement each other?

BC: I guess we'll have to find out once the season comes.

Q: How much do you look back at old film when studying the playbook to see where your role fits in with this offense?

BC: I wouldn't necessarily say I'm watching one specific role. I'm just watching a concept and trying to learn the offense as a whole because I have no clue where I'll be put. So the best thing for me is to learn the whole concept so when it comes time, I know everything.

Q: What did you take away from your experiences practicing against the Patriots in previous training camps and how does it compare to your time here thus far?

BC: You know, to be honest, when I was here practicing against those guys, I was focused on myself and my team. I didn't really necessarily look at what the Patriots were doing, so I wouldn't have too much insight on what I was thinking back then compared to now.

Q: Have you gotten a chance to race Matthew Slater or Jonathan Jones?

BC: No, you know, that was probably one of the first things that they talked about doing - guys giving us a hard time. You know, it's all about right now getting better individually and taking care of business, but I'm sure that time will come.

Q: What are some of your first impressions of the coaching staff?

BC: Their focus. Their attention to detail, once again, here is amazing. But, you know what, everything is going so fast right now, so I'm not looking at those type of things. I'm just, once again, looking at what I have to do to be the best I can be here. 

Q: What does Mother's Day mean to you?

BC: It means the world. A lot of what I do, where my work ethic comes from is her, so I owe her the world. For Sunday to be Mother's Day coming up, it's a special day for me. I lost my father when I was young. She gets her joy and happiness from her kids. It's unfortunate that I won't be able to be there this weekend, but she knows that I'll be there and I'll see her down the road once the season comes and I can go home during the offseason.

Q: Are you aware of the Patriots' history with wide receivers and how do you make sure you thrive at the position?

BC: I'm not really aware of that. I know of the ones that thrived here. As far as the ones that did not, I don't pay attention to it. As far as myself, just come in and be who I am, do what I have to do, and I'm pretty sure that will be enough. 

Q: What do you make of the Patriots' offseason moves?

BC: We're on a mission. Whatever mission that may be, I don't know, but we're on a mission. That's what it seems like.

Q: Is it exciting to watch?

BC: Oh, no doubt about it. No doubt. It's great to have guys like that come in that you saw from a distance playing on other teams.

Q: What was your reaction to seeing the schedule and playing at New Orleans Week 2?

BC: Yeah, it's exciting, but it's going to be another game. I'm not going to treat it any differently. It's Week 2, so I'll be focused on Week 1. Once Week 2 comes, that's all I'll be focused on. It's not like I put an "X" on the calendar for that game. I just want to go in, do my job, handle business and let the rest take care of itself.

Q: Do you find yourself looking ahead with excitement about the possibilities for you in this offense?

BC: Nope, focus on the moment. That's what it's all about here.

Q: What are your mother's thoughts on you being in New England?

BC: She's excited. She's excited to come and see another part of the country that she never saw before. That's where she gets her joy from. I mean, she obviously loves that I play the game, but she gets to go places that she always dreamed of and now her son can take her places. That's what she's excited about, to come see the history in Boston.

Q: Does your mother get to come to many games?

BC: Yeah, she makes a lot of games. Yeah, the whole family does. 

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