National Football League

TE Cook delivering big plays as Titans expected

Published Dec. 30, 2011 8:42 p.m. ET

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For nearly three seasons, the Tennessee Titans have waited for Jared Cook to consistently perform up to his potential.

Now Cook has put together the best two games of his career, with 169 yards receiving in the last game to set a new team record for most yards receiving by a tight end.

He's' also just 73 yards shy of Frank Wycheck's franchise record of 769 yards receiving by a tight end going into Sunday's game at Houston (10-5).

''We know what a good player he is. I think since the first day (offensive coordinator) Chris Palmer came in here and in the first press conference, I think he is the first guy he talked about,'' Titans coach Mike Munchak said of Cook. ''I think there has been an emphasis to try to get him the ball.''

In last week's 23-17 win over Jacksonville, Cook had eight catches for 169 yards including a 55-yard touchdown. That bumped aside Casper who had 150 yards receiving Nov. 30, 1980, against Cleveland for the then-Houston Oilers. That also marked Cook's second straight 100-yard receiving game and put him over 1,000 yards receiving fo rhis career.

Cook has 45 receptions for the season. His biggest challenge since being drafted out of South Carolina is being an up-and-down player. He has 17 catches the past two weeks, but none in either of the two previous games.

''There are going to be roller coasters in seasons, you just got to roll with it,'' Cook said. ''Sometimes the offense expects to do great things, but sometimes we don't. You've just got to keep riding the roller coaster.''

The tight end is just happy that things are finally going well for him.

''It feels good,'' he said. ''Hopefully, this is kind of a preview of what's to come for the offense. It feels good to be out there and offense is clicking and everybody is catching balls.''

As for why Cook has been so inconsistent, that appears to remain a bit of a mystery.

''Things are trending the way where it's either feast of famine with him more so than anything,'' Munchak said. ''It just a multiple of factors ... and it doesn't mean that we are not trying to get him the ball. There could be things about what Cookie is doing and what he is not doing, the quarterback getting a read wrong, how they are covering, it's all of those things going into the equation.''

Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck agreed, saying it was good to see Cook involved in the game from start to finish against the Jaguars.

''It was nice to see Jared Cook come out and play so well,'' Hasselbeck said. ''He's always been kind of a big-play threat for us in a way, but he consistently played well for us in that game, catching the ball, pass blocking, all of it. That was great to see. He's a matchup problem for a lot of people.''

The Titans (8-7) hope to keep up that trend Sunday at Houston. They must win to maintain their playoff hopes and need help from later games to earn a playoff berth.

They head into the game relatively healthy.

Defensive end Jason Jones remains in a walking boot with a high ankle sprain and is doubtful. But running back Chris Johnson (right ankle), receiver Lavelle Hawkins (ankle), tight end Daniel Graham (illness), defensive tackle Shaun Smith (knee) and linebacker Gerald McRath (knee/ankle) all practiced fully Friday and are questionable.