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Thanks for finding this, it was an illuminating and in depth article that should be must reading for Pats fans.Another aspect of Cooks that bodes well, having mentors to teach huim..
The Big Promise of Brandin Cooks
>>>When Cooks was a high school sophomore, he met Phil Ruhl, then a junior on the football team. The two quickly bonded over weightlifting and an appreciation for each other’s dedication. Not long into their friendship, Ruhl invited Cooks to his family’s home. “I was like, ‘Goddamn,’” Cooks says. “I was sitting there, just soaking it all in.” Ruhl’s mother is Alexis Ruhl, formerly Alexis Spanos — that Spanos. Her father, Alex, is the real estate mogul who owns the San Diego Chargers, and her husband, Barry, has had his own professional real estate success.
The Ruhls became a second family for Cooks; even when Mrs. Ruhl opposed other overnight guests, Brandin was always welcome. He spent weekends at the family’s home near Lake Tahoe. On the Ruhls’ kitchen counter, there are six senior photos — of her five children and Brandin.
Emotional support was one thing, but the education Cooks received from his time with the Ruhls was another. There was talk of politics, finance, investments. It was a world he hadn’t been exposed to before. Cooks went with Mr. Ruhl when he leased a car, just so he could learn. He asked about real estate decisions, how to surround yourself with a team whose knowledge could buttress your own.
Cook can recite the signing bonus for DeAndre Hopkins, one of last year’s first-round receivers, and also how much of that check goes to the government, how much he’ll have left over, how much should go this way and that. “It’s one of those things,” Cooks says, “short-term greed, long-term wealth.” He attributes it all to his time around the Ruhls. “They were just teaching me those things I never was exposed to growing up.”<<<<<
As you all know I'm not as big a WR guy as most fans, as I see them either replaceable or developable inside this offense. I was also not a big fan of giving up even the #32nd pick for a WR, let alone Malcolm Butler. BUT after reading this piece, I DO feel a little bit better about the deal. Clearly this is a quality kid who is motivated to be great.
I feel a lot better now that he will be able to play in this offense since his work ethic and intelligence should enable him to thrive in this offense. About the only question that remains is whether that fierce competitive nature will allow him to put winning ahead of his own personal expectations. If he can, then he might just be the WR that BB will be willing to pay a market price for.
At any rate he's going to be here for the next 2 years, . Hopefully, for at least those 2 years, he will be able to meet no only HIS expectations, but ours as well