The New Orleans Saints kick off the Kellen Moore era against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept 7 in the Caesars Superdome in 98 days. We celebrate the countdown with a "Play of the Day." The play features a returning, former star, Brandin Cooks.
Cooks spent the first three years of his career in New Orleans. In 2017, the Saints traded Cooks away to the New England Patriots. That began an eight-year run that featured two Super Bowl appearances with the Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.
After nearly a decade away from the team that drafted him, the wide receiver has returned home. In Cooks' last season opener caught the longest pass of his career and Saints history against the Oakland Raiders.
Drew Brees connects with Brandin Cooks to make Saints history
The fact Drew Brees threw the pass and the play happened against the Oakland Raiders tells you how long ago this play happened. The Saints were backed up in the own end zone. There was no fear in the heart of the Saints, however. Sean Payton dialed up a shot play that resulted in a 98-yard touchdown from Brees to Cooks.
Many teams would call something safe to create more room to work with. The fear of dropping back and getting a safety would be a risk many teams are unwilling to take. With a veteran like Brees under center and the always-aggressive Payton calling plays, there was probably no hesitation to call that play.
Cooks' speed was in full display from the moment the ball snapped. The wide receiver beat his defender off the line to create immediate separation. After running by the Raiders cornerback, Cook continued to push vertically, and Brees quickly put the ball on him right in stride.
The last hope the Raiders had was a safety trying to come over the top to make the tackle. Just like the cornerback, that safety quickly found himself looking at the name on the back of Cooks' jersey. That is still the longest play from scrimmage in Saints history.
Cooks will play in his first season opener with the Saints since that game. It will be tough to beat a 98-yard touchdown, but he'll be looking to make an immediate impact in his second stint with the team.
