I know 43, I remember. We had a few rounds on this subject. Lol.
Cook was inconsistent and had no TDs but he wasn’t as bad as Rams fans asserted. In 12 starts last year with historically bad QB play, he had nearly 500 receiving yards. You don’t just snap your fingers and replace that. He was one of the Rams most productive TE’s of all time even with his limitations.
I still have high expectations for Higbee and believe we’ll see that talent in time. Maybe he does have 2nd round talent but even MOST 2nd rounders do not immediately come in and produce at a high level. There is a difference between starting and being highly productive.
To be honest, I’m expecting to be pleasantly surprised with good production from Higbee, Cooper, and Spruce next year.
All I’m saying to you and the OP is patience. The talent will emerge… Two to three years from now, Higbee may yet be rightly labeled a steal.
