Patriots’ Brandin Cooks on Super Bowl experience: ‘You’ve got to get here and go through it yourself’

Brandin Cooks has any number of number of teammates who can tell him all about the Super Bowl experience.

After all, the wide receiver plays for the New England Patriots, who have made a routine of appearing in the big game. They are, in fact, looking for back-to-back Super Bowl wins Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

‘Really go the first couple of days to really learn the way’

However, Cooks, finishing his first season with the Patriots after spending the previous three years with the New Orleans Saints, realizes there is only so much anecdotal information he can acquire.

“Just following the lead of the guys who have been here before, and Coach (Bill) Belichick does a great job on preparing us and speaking to the new guys and kind of informing us what’s it going to be like,” Cooks told Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan on Movin’ The Chains. “But at the end of the day, you’ve got to get here and go through it yourself — really go the first couple of days to really learn the way and kind of see how everyone else reacts that’s been here before.”

‘You talk about a guy that’s just a great leader and we’re extremely blessed to have as our quarterback’

One thing Cooks has noticed is the change that came over quarterback Tom Brady once the Pats reached the postseason.

“He does kick it up a notch,” Cooks said. “Once the postseason comes around, his focus is just immaculate. For his receivers, he makes sure we have that same focus. With that being said, you talk about a guy that’s just a great leader and we’re extremely blessed to have as our quarterback.”

‘You’re lookin at a defense that’s complete’

He realizes that everyone on New England’s offense has to be at the top of his game against the Eagles’ vaunted defense.

“When you think of that defense, right away, first of all, they’re playing at a high level,” Cooks said. “Top five defense in the league. You look at their front four, they’re playing well. You’re looking at their ‘backers, they’re playing great. You’re looking at their secondary, they’re playing really well with a leader in Malcom Jenkins. So you’re looking at a defense that’s complete, that’s going to present challenges. But I think we’re going to do a good job of focusing on the little details and getting some more practices this week.”