NFL Notes: Connor Cook, Eagles, Jets, & Vikings

Connor Cook 

• Jason Cole of B/R hears from two NFL general managers that Raiders fourth-round rookie QB Connor Cook‘s draft slide could be attributed to Michigan State HC Mark Dantonio‘s habit of limiting scouts to attend practice.
• According to Cole, Dantonio only allows scouts to view a “few minutes” of practice, without permitting them to watch team drills or team interaction between players.
• Cole says that GMs and scouts had to depend on hearsay from other teammates and coaches about Cook, which led to frustration from Cook’s camp when discussing how he was not the team captain at Michigan State last season.

Eagles

Eagles QB Sam Bradford‘s agent, Tom Condon, believes the odds are stacked against his client starting over first-round rookie QB Carson Wentz.

“There’s not really a competition,” Condon said, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “You’re holding the card until you’re replaced, and as far as the club is concerned, and I would guess the fans, the sooner, the better.”

Condon seems to think the decision to start Wentz has already been made, given the team traded up to the No. 2 pick to draft him.

“I know people say, ‘Well, why doesn’t he just compete and win the job?‘” Condon said. “There is no real competition. If you’ve given up the draft choices [to trade up] and he’s the second pick in the draft, he’s playing. That’s all there is to it.”

Jets

• Jason Cole of B/R talked to three Jets players who indicated that there is “major concern” from the team about the current quarterbacks on their roster.
• According to Cole, players said there is little faith in QB Geno Smith‘s ability to lead the team, or to avoid the mistakes he has made during his NFL career.
• In fact, the players who Cole spoke to believe their offensive and defensive lines are strong enough to contend for the Super Bowl, but they still think they need to bring in a veteran quarterback like Eagles QB Sam Bradford or re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Vikings

• According to Darren Wolfson, the Vikings have not shown interest in veteran P Mike Scifers, who was recently cut loose by the Chargers.