ALAMEDA — Call it part rookie hazing, part game preparation.

All season long, Raiders rookie third-string quarterback Connor Cook says he’s been dressing up at practice to look as similar as possible to that week’s opponent who he’ll simulate as the scout team quarterback. It didn’t draw any attention until this week though.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the reigning league MVP, has as recognizable a look as there is, so it became impossible to not notice Cook’s appearance this week.

Cook nailed it pretty well. His shorts were pulled up high to reveal his compression shorts. There was the undershirt right to the elbow, the wrist bands and the shin guards. He was even wearing a No. 1 jersey — something teams tend to do with scout team players they want to simulate a specific opponent.

Tough to see from far away but Connor Cook rocking the Cam Newton look again. pic.twitter.com/QDGkagwm7m — Jimmy Durkin (@Jimmy_Durkin) November 24, 2016

“It’s kind of been like a running theme throughout the whole season,” Cook said, admitting Derek Carr has played a large role in the gag.

“When we played San Diego, I did the eye black, I changed helmets, I had the same face mask as Philip Rivers, I had the glove, the sweat bands,” Cook said. “So whatever team that we play, I just try and dress up like their quarterback. Derek’s been on me about that the whole year.”

As for his Newton impression, Cook said he’s “just trying to be swagged out.” On the field though, it is his job to try to simulate Newton’s play as best he can.

“He’s a great player, obviously the reigning MVP,” Cook said. “Just trying to go out there and make as many plays as I can, trying to be as dual-threat as possible and trying to drop some dimes as well.”

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave offered his review.

“Not nearly as big as Cam,” Musgrave said of the 6-foot-4, 217-pound Cook as he relates to the 6-5, 245-pound Newton. “Doesn’t throw nearly as hard yet. He’s getting in the weight room and working on that. But, our guys are always trying to give the defense a real accurate portrayal and an accurate look. That’s Connor’s role this year, is to prepare the defense to the best of his ability.”

Cook has yet to be active for a game during his rookie season, which is exactly what the Raiders intended. They selected him in the fourth round with the idea he could be a future backup to Carr. Current second-stringer Matt McGloin will be a free agent this offseason.

So for Cook, this season has all be about improving at practice and in the meeting rooms.

“He’s doing better each and every week,” Musgrave said of Cook. “I thought he really grew during the preseason. He got some adequate turns and each week he’s doing a nice job in the meetings and also being supportive of Derek and Matt McGloin during the game and being that extra set of eyes and having his perspective added to the equation, which we value a bunch.”