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Saints' Cooks on voicing frustrations: 'Closed mouths don't get fed'

Derick E. Hingle / USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks admitted Thursday that he was frustrated by his zero-target day in Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Rams, but insisted it only came from a competitive drive to help his team.

A report after the game stated Cooks was tired of being used as a decoy, and an Instagram post by the receiver appeared to confirm his feelings.

"I feel like the opportunities will come," Cooks said, according to Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune. "But at the same time this is a very emotional game and every once in a while you have to express that and you have to express what you want. Closed mouths don't get fed.

"It's one of those things, the competitor. I was a little frustrated, but at the same time our offense was moving the ball, we won the game, so that was the bright side of it. I was just thinking from a competition standpoint. I always want to help. I feel like I necessarily didn't (against the Rams)."

After a breakout 2015 campaign, defense have zeroed in on Cooks as the Saints' main receiving threat. Consequently, he's on pace for around 30 fewer targets than last season, with Drew Brees spreading the ball around and giving more looks to rookie wideout Michael Thomas.

Cooks said he and Brees spoke about his dwindling opportunities in the offense, and the quarterback assured him his time will come.

"He gets it and you know one thing he told me is your opportunities will come, they always will, so don't let it get to you," Cooks said. "It's just the name of the game and that sometimes that happens. And, so, that's great when you have your quarterback, it's not like he was mad or upset about it. It's just one of those things, get back to work."

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