Cowboys' weapon explains why he's taken up a new sport as part of his NFL prep
Just like Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks gets ready to hand-fight opposing defensive backs with his new team, he's taken up a new sport that requires him to throw hands: Boxing. Why is it that an established receiver like Cooks, who's set to make $12 million this year, start a journey in the so-called […]
Just like Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks gets ready to hand-fight opposing defensive backs with his new team, he's taken up a new sport that requires him to throw hands: Boxing.
Why is it that an established receiver like Cooks, who's set to make $12 million this year, start a journey in the so-called sweet science?
The answer for the veteran who will turn 30 years old in September is all about staying in shape for the grind of an NFL season.
"I think (it's) the cardio," Cooks told reporters during mandatory minicamp. "And obviously you also talk about hand-eye coordination."
Boxing has always been a sport widely acknowledged as one of the best for cardio. The variety of movements and body muscles involved paired with the intensity of every workout makes it much better than many other cardio practices.
This isn't lost even on an NFL-caliber athlete like Cooks.
"If you can be in boxing shape, I mean, I've got a lot of respect for what those guys do because you're using every muscle in the body at a consistent pace," added the Cowboys wide receiver. "So when you're doing it like that, it's helping your cardio out to be able to repeat and run down after down."
This is Brandin Cooks' first year involving boxing in his preparation. Without it, he's been able to exceed the 1,000-yard mark in six out of his nine years in the NFL. The veteran sees it as a way to get out of his comfort zone as he enters the 2023 season.
He also expects to see the work he's put in with the gloves on pay off at the line of scrimmage on gameday.
"The hand-eye coordination, getting off of press (coverage)," replied Cooks to questions about where else will it help.
As he awaits training camp, Cooks expects Dak Prescott to have some work cooked up before they head to Oxnard, California. So far, he's only shown the team a little taste of his still remarkable speed.
It won't be long until fans are able to enjoy it as well when the regular season kicks off.
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Featured image via Dallas Cowboys YouTube Channel
