Stretching back to the Mike Singletary era, the 49ers have specialized in reclamation projects. Ahmad Brooks, Perrish Cox, and Vernon Davis are just some of the players that needed attitude adjustment to continue their careers. Now, Chris Cook is hoping to revive a sputtered career after four mostly forgettable years in Minnesota.

In front of the first 49ers’ crowd at Levi’s Stadium, Cook starred, stealing two interceptions. The big cornerback, who has played in 34 NFL games, including 29 starts, has yet to intercept his first regular-season pass.

I recently asked a veteran Vikings’ observer why Cook has struggled and he said the 6-2, 212-pound former University of Virginia player has no concept where the ball is. That wasn’t the case Monday, particularly on a deep pass to receiver Chuck Jacobs. The ball was under thrown by quarterback Blaine Gabbert and it was Cook, not Jacobs, who made the better adjustment on the pass.

Should Cook realize his potential as a former second-round pick in 2010, he could challenge another big corner, Chris Culliver, for playing time. Culliver is now a starter, however, he missed the team portion of practice with an undisclosed injury.

The Cook pick was his second of the day, and he has drawn praise for his play so far in training camp and during the off-season program. During an interview last week, Cook said before he signed with the 49ers, he felt at home just walking through the doors of the team facility.

“I felt this is the place I would like to call home. I felt at home when I walked into the building,” Cook said. “I could tell with all the interactions with the coaches that this is like one big family and all they care about is winning. There are a lot of positive things going on here and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Cook knows about negative things. He was arrested but not convicted of domestic abuse while in Minnesota, and the Vikings responded by sitting him for eight games.

During his initial meeting with the media after he signed a one-year, $730,000 deal, Cook said he was grasping his 49ers opportunity as a second, and maybe a last, chance.

“I’m not a rookie; I spent four years in Minnesota and it didn’t go the way I necessarily wanted it to go,” Cook said. “I feel like this is an opportunity to turn my career around and have it go the way I wanted it to go when I was drafted in 2010. This is all refreshing for me.”

Communication is one of the refreshing aspects. As a fifth-year player, Cook is the most experienced cornerback in the team’s revamped secondary. However, younger corners like Tramaine Brock and Culliver know more about the peculiarities of the 49ers defense.

“We get in our little huddles and we talk about things that we see, and talk about things we see each other do,” Cook said.

He is also a firm believer that time spent off the field is essential to cohesion on it. Last year, the secondary stayed close with frequent card games and off-site film sessions.

“We spend so much time together, I don’t know how we are not sick of each other,” Cook noted. “In Minnesota when I was there, it was not like a brotherhood.”

Cook took most of his advice from Pro Bowl cornerback and former Viking Antoine Winfield. However, at 5-8, 176 pounds, Winfield played a completely different game from the lanky Cook.

“I’m a bigger guy, I can’t really make the plays that he does,” Cook said.

The 49ers corners come in all sizes from the 5-foot, 9-inch, 197-pound Brock to the 6-2, 200-pound Dontae Johnson. In order for Cook to find his spot, he admits he needs to take care of himself, which includes finished his degree in anthropology.

“I have got three four-unit classes left to be a graduate,” Cook said proudly. He plans on finishing through the NFL’s college completion program. Hopefully for Cook this season will serve as his first finishing school.