Charlie Cook - Mohegan Wolves - af2 - MLN Sports Zone

Mohegan Wolves

Cook-in' Up Sacks
Mohegan Wolves standout Charlie Cook is quickly becoming one of the AF2's most feared pass rushers.

If the name Charlie Cook doesn't ring a bell, look out, because he might
come and ring yours.

The intimidating 6-foot, 290-pound lineman for the Mohegan Wolves has done a lot of bell-ringing around af2 during the 2003 season.

Cook, who was born in Harlem, NY, quietly tallied 11.5 sacks (T-2nd in af2) this regular season and added another two last week in the First Round of the playoffs, sending the Atlantic Division Champion Cape Fear Wildcats home for the rest of the postseason.

With 13.5 sacks in 17 games, Cook knows he is no longer a well-kept secret but that doesn't mean he's looking for recognition either.

"I like to quietly go about my work," Cook said. "I just like to play the
game. As long as I can help the team win, that's all the recognition I
need."

The 23-year old Cook was true to his words last week in the game against
Cape Fear. With the Wolves leading by three late, the Wildcats recovered an onside kick and were looking to put together a potential game-winning drive.

On the first play of that drive with 12 seconds left on the clock, quarterback Bryan Snyder stepped back into the pocket looking to pass. Cook used a counter move to send his blocker inside while he sped around the outside and wrapped up Snyder from behind to end the game.

"I was just trying to get a good rush off the edge and get some pressure on the quarterback," Cook said. "I wanted to make it hard on him to make a play."

Cook has been making it hard for opposing quarterbacks all year, as the
second-year lineman didn't miss a game this season.

Prior to joining the Wolves, Cook spent some time in the AFL's New York Dragons' training camp.

His professional past also includes a short stay on the New Jersey
Gladiators' practice squad and a few private NFL workouts.

As a senior with the C.W. Post Pioneers in 2001, Cook broke two NCAA
Division II records for most sacks (20.5) and tackles for loss (37) in one
season.

He earned Northeast-10 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors and team Defensive Most Valuable Player honors in 2001.

Last year he played eight games for the New Haven Ninjas, but only recorded two sacks during his first regular stint in Arena Football where lineman typically play both defense and offense.

"I think my offseason workouts helped me a lot this year," Cook said. "I
don't think I was physically prepared for an Arena Football season last
year. This year, thanks to my personal trainer Hakim Evans, I was more
prepared and that's been the difference."

The difference has been a blessing for the Wolves who went from 18 total
team sacks in 2002 (30th) to 29 total sacks (4th best) this season.

The Wolves defense that allowed 45.5 points per game last season (18th) ranked first this year by allowing only 38.7 points per game.

Most importantly, the Wolves increased their win total from three games in 2002 to 10 this season, resulting in the teams' first-ever playoff run.

Wolves head coach Mark Stoute, who actively recruited Cook this past
offseason, knows Cook is one reason the Wolves have been able to make such a dramatic turnaround this season.

"He's really been a big key to our defensive success," Stoute said. "I think his success this year is a credit to him and how hard he works. He works harder than anyone in practice and it just proves that talent and hard work payoff."

Cook set team records for most sacks in a single game (3.5), most sacks in a season (11.5) and he was the named league Defensive Player of the Week twice during the year, but the personal achievements isn't what motivates the 2001 C.W. Post graduate, who holds degrees in Business Administration and Marketing and Management Information Systems.

Cook wants the ArenaCup.

"It means a lot," Cook said. "I'd take negative sacks if it meant winning a
ring."

The ArenaCup victory will have to wait at least one more year, as the Wolves were eliminated Friday following a 47-30 loss to the Tennessee Valley Vipers.

With the plays Cook has made this year, there's no doubt he'll get a few
more looks from higher leagues this offseason. For Cook, the future beyond this postseason looks even brighter.

"I think he's just scratched the surface of how good he can be," Stoute
said. "I have no doubt he has the ability to move up to the AFL next year."