Bengals veteran can tell from the complete other side of the field how much new captain has earned his honor
When Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine is on the field in practice, he’s as far away from safety Bryan Cook as one can be. The distance has not prevented the former from noticing what the latter’s brought to the table over the last six months.
When Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine is on the field in practice, he’s as far away from safety Bryan Cook as one can be. The distance has not prevented the former from noticing what the latter’s brought to the table over the last six months.
Cook has been named one of seven team captains for the upcoming season. It comes as no surprise to Perine, who’s entering his sixth total season in Cincinnati and has earned a voice in his own regard.
“Vocal leadership and his accountability to everyone on defense,” Perine said of Cook to Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “At the end of the day, if D-Line, linebackers mess up, he’ll put it on himself. That’s the type of player he is. If something isn’t right, he puts it on himself first, and that’s what you look for in a leader and captain. They take ownership, and they do whatever it takes to make it better.”
Bryan Cook’s new captaincy has turned heads for the right reasons
Perine’s endorsement of Cook’s impact speaks volumes as a veteran who’s logged 76 career games with the franchise including all seven playoff games of this decade. He’s not alone.
“The way he reaffirms calls and communicates, it allows the guys in front of them to get their cleats in the ground and read their keys and play football,” defensive coordinator Al Golden said. “The other thing that Bryan does really well is he anticipates what the look is going to be. He tells the other side, XYZ. If he goes, we’re going to get to A or B.”
Add in another new captain, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II.
“Bryan is really serious about this football stuff and I appreciate that,” Lawrence said. “They take it seriously.”
Cincinnati will count on Cook’s leadership all season
This is exactly what the Bengals envisioned when signing Cook back in March. The Cincinnati native has taken charge in his first offseason back home, and while the vision is to bring the Bengals their first Super Bowl title, he’s going to be the same player he’s always been.
“It’s not going to change who I am,” Cook said. “I’m going to make it my own.”
Perine and Co. can appreciate that.
