Rookie RT Armand Membou has largely let his play do the talking as one of the young anchors of the Jets’ offensive line. But the guy he protected so ably in college at Missouri, QB Brady Cook, tasted life on an NFL field for the first time last week, and now it’s possible Cook could get his first start as a professional in Sunday’s Week 15 game at Jacksonville.
“I just think he’s going to be Brady Cook, he’s going to do his thing,” Membou said about the prospect of the undrafted free agent playing against the Jaguars (9-4), who are in first place in the AFC South.
Membou has made a large statement of his own on the field — starting and playing 100% of the snaps (803) on offense in all 13 Jets games to this point. The Jets’ other rookie from Missouri and the team’s first-round pick (No. 7 overall) has been a quiet but efficient member of the only NFL O-line that has trotted out the same five guys the entire season.
“It’s been such a blessing that we’ve all been able to stay healthy and play these past 13, 14 games together,” Membou said of his linemates — Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Josh Myers and Joe Tippmann. “I feel we’ve definitely grown a lot with our chemistry with each other.”
Cook, 24, was thrust into the spotlight during last week’s game against Miami when veteran Tyrod Taylor left with a groin injury after two three-play series. Cook, who had been elevated from the practice squad to QB2 because Justin Fields was dealing with a knee injury, took over.
“I think he did a really good job in a tough situation,” Membou, 21, said. “We had a lot of adversity that hit us during the game, but I think he just stayed really levelheaded and poised and he did well. I just dapped him up before he went in, but I had full confidence in him though. I didn’t say much.”
He added: “I just think he did a really good job taking command of the huddle.”
