JACKSONVILLE – Logan Cooke sees punting as a "we" thing more than a "me" thing.
Which is why when Cooke discusses his ascension into being one of the NFL's better punters, he talks in terms of the Jaguars' punt team. And that's why he's particularly proud that he and the Jaguars punt team leads the NFL in net punting through two weeks of the 2021 season.
Because that's very much a "we" statistic.
"We've started in a groove this year, so hopefully we can keep riding that," Cooke said.
Cooke, a fourth-year veteran, joined senior writer John Oehser for this week's O-Zone Podcast. He discussed multiple topics – including his improvement throughout his NFL career, that he never really expected to be punting in the NFL and what it meant when the Jaguars signed him to a contract extension this offseason.
"It's definitely a blessing," Cooke said. "One, I didn't think I would be in the NFL in general. Even after my last college game, I was ready to go to work and do that kind of thing. That was a blessing to be in the league.
“Now, to be able to keep playing and do that for my family – and to be able to live the life I want to live – it’s incredible. It’s something I never thought I would be doing, but I’m here and I’m enjoying the heck out of it.” Punter Logan Cooke
Cooke early in the conversation focused on the Jaguars' overall approach to punting – and how that approach has contributed to his success. Cooke, after ranking sixth in the NFL in punting average at 47.7 yards per game and sixth with a 43.2-yard net last season, leads the NFL in both categories through two games.
He has a 52.4-yard average on 10 punts, which leads the NFL by itself. His 47.8 net is tied for the league with Jack Fox of Detroit.
"I really use the net at the category you want to look at, because that's the whole entire punt team as a unit," Cooke said. "There are plenty of times where I don't hit a great ball, but they bailed me out. We're keeping our head down and grinding."
To hear the entire O-Zone Podcast with Cooke, click HERE.
