Cochrane and Chris Olave, wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, are having hell seasons. He’s not just facing his own personal demons, but the entire team’s collective adversity. Despite facing criticism for performance issues, Olave is determined to improve and solidify his role as the team’s primary receiving target. The 23-year-old has developed into a prime athlete this season, a testament to his perseverance and determination to succeed on the pitch.
For instance, during a recent game against the New England Patriots, Olave was rightly called out for dropping two key passes. Those three missed opportunities could have made all the difference in the game’s final outcome. Regrettably, this performance cranked the heat up immensely on the young receiver. He is already working hard to establish himself as a go-to weapon for new quarterback Derek Carr. These struggles for Olave came just as he was starting to hit his stride on the year.
On November 3, Olave suffered a concussion during a game against the Carolina Panthers while attempting to catch a pass from Carr. It was his fourth documented concussion from his four-year NFL career. The injury was complete initially, so the medical team wasted no time in getting him stabilized on a backboard. This was a powerful action as it really underscored how bad the situation has gotten. Last season, he was limited to only eight games after a season-ending injury derailed his year. This latest setback comes as an especially bitter blow for him.
Even with these obstacles in his way, Olave’s put up some major fireworks this year. In those seven games, he caught 44 passes for 440 yards and three touchdowns. This stunning efficiency exceeded his entire season averages coming into last night, 32 receptions, 400 yards and one touchdown. He flexed his amazing versatility recently by posting at least 98 receiving yards in back-to-back games. This remarkable accomplishment emphasizes his resiliency to recover from misfortune.
Against the Chicago Bears, Olave showed fans what he could do. He counted 10 targets and siphoned the team’s only touchdowns. Rather, it would end up being one of his best performances of the entire season. It further cemented his importance as one of the Saints’ offense’s biggest playmakers. Olave feels like he has finally found his stride, one-third of the way through the season. This demonstrates his increasing assurance and willingness to embrace greater accountability.
He’s obviously aware of the things he needs to work on, even as an elite level of prospect, including contested catches and blocking ability. He’s a guy that puts the time in developing his craft to improve his game. This commitment will be a huge factor in determining the long-term success of the team. The Saints have recognized his potential and have been in discussions about a potential contract extension for several months, which speaks to their confidence in his abilities moving forward.
The Saints’ coaching staff remains all-in on Olave despite the trade rumors that have followed him. Open communication between him and the organization has helped take some of that pressure off. It has quieted the fears about roster upheaval. This kind of transparency is critical for Olave. From perfecting his craft to staying in peak health in the NFL’s physically grueling climate, he’s committed.
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