Mister Defense

We don't know, but his his 63 receptions in 2023 for 1140 yards, and over 18 yards a reception, and his 59 for 900 yards and over 15 ypc last year indicate he could be the kind of down field threat who can take this offense to an even higher level. As he did those things with less than average quarterback play each year. So he seems almost like a sure fire high level starter for the Bills. Unlikely though, as the Bills are almost assuredly looking for an inexpensive down field threat in the draft, if at all. I think most talented wide receivers would be unhappy in the kind of dysfunctional, antiquated offense that Tomlin runs. It is a dead end street, but does not seem to matter to him. But things are really looking up for the Steelers next year, with Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson on board, ready to take that offense to new heights. I cannot imagine Pickens not wanting to stick around to be part of that offensive makeover..

Ken Grant going that early: thought the Bills had a shot at him by moving up to 20 or so. And to the Dolphins!! And Sanders not getting picket at all, though that scathing report of his interview just before the draft had me wondering if he would fall out the first round. It likely meant other teams had similar experience. Deon pumped his son up with so much hot air, and all of his life, it is almost unavoidable now, is part of his DNA. This may humble both of the them a bit, but may not.

Phew.. No viable 2nd outside corner to start before the draft, so I assume the Bills see him as a day 1 starter, almost guaranteed, or they would not have picked him. If not, it was likely going to be Tre White or Dane Jackson! Yikes, as maybe the season ends before it begins. (Words that would have stoked terror in most Bills' fans: "Today Tre White will be covering Jamar Chase", or Tyreek Hill, or Nico Collins or, well fill in the blank.) Now let's hope the Bills can get Mad Max ready to go. Young, fastest man at the 2025 combine, aggressive, skilled, high energy, and, most importantly, ready to learn and take his game to the next level. But the Bills now need to get another corner with starting potential, as corner is a position that is prone to injuries--and the Bills do not have a viable backup to play outside corner when a starter goes down. I think maybe they parlay a slew of late picks for one in round 3, and go and get him. If not, round 4 at the latest.

Duh. Hairston, of course, you silly goose.

Well, I too use PFF, and often, but only because It seems to be the only rate every NFL player site there is, though that may be because I am being lazy. But James Cook sure seems to be one of the best backs in the NFL, has elite speed, vision, ability to use his blocks, made a surprising turn to successful power running each of the last two years, as he transformed himself physically to become that, and is one of the best pass catching backs in the league (though not used nearly enough in that respect). I think one of the missing elements in all of these Cook debates is the stance of the posters on the importance of the running game. On a scale of 1-10, for example, how important do we believe it to be in the Bills' success, in them taking the next, championship step? I believe that may be a tell tale sign of why there is such dichotomy in the views on Cook. For example, I believe the importance of a high quality running game is close to a 10 for the Bills right now. Over the last four years each time they have started to commit to the run they have become almost unbeatable on offense. This has been true, such as last year, from beginning to end (and it may not have ended if they remembered this...) and mid season, such as post Dorsey and under Daboll, when McD seemed to force Daboll's hand, and they did not lose again. On the other hand, some think the running game is not very important at all with a guy like Josh, and others are somewhere in the middle. I think people's views on this are likely playing a very important role in their views on Cook, as it greatly influences my own. For me, the Bills' elite running game, added to a team led by one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, seem to make the Bills almost unstoppable. The combo of those two elements, this aspect of complimentary football, is the thing, if fostered, developed, that will give the Bills its first NFL championship. And with James Cook we finally have the kind of elite--and very rare, despite the nonsense from so many that he is not--running back capable of taking the Bills to that next level. And, if the Bills know what they are doing, keeping us there for years. The Bills do not use the franchise tag, have not since 2006 with Nate Clements. I think the current leadership also finds it distasteful, almost a violation of the culture and trust they have established. They almost always treat their players like men, who have free will, and have never used that tag. I cannot imagine them using it on Cook if he does not want them to next year. When you say that you would welcome a 3rd or 4th round comp pick next year for Cook, you completely lose me. It is the same type of compensation the Bills got for their last great running back, Marshawn Lynch, the best player on the Bills at the time and one of the best running backs in the game, a true beast. Teams that give up their best players for peanuts are bad teams, ones not likely to contend for championships. You cannot give up elite players, they are so rare, and somehow hope to replace them with mid round draft picks. The Bills would just be spinning their wheels, year after year if they engage in such nonsense.

A perfect example of what so many of the Cook bashers are doing, and why those supporting a good extension, and soon, for Cook are so much more solid in their arguments. Almost across the board too, literally. They ignore the objective data, and as in this case, could care less about it, as they don't seem to want to let facts get in the way of the over the top bashing. Hence, the facts are almost always missing or irrelevant ones are given. Here. you speak of the family history as a a reason for the Bills to "beware" of signing Cook to an extension. Maybe you should have found something to support that, to help prove what I consider baseless, almost comically so, points? When one actually knows the facts. Why are they irrelevant to you? What about the details, facts of both men's careers, these two brothers? Do they actually provide a clear "cautionary tale" that should make the Bills 'beware of extending Cook as you say? Or, do they show something extremely different, the opposite? 1. Rushing attempts in college and in the NFL: Dalvin Cook rushed 687 times during his college career. In the NFL? 1282 rushes in Minnesota. That is a total of 1969 rush attempts. Yup, then Dalvin started to slow down, break down, was no longer an elite back. The vast majority of backs do so after that many rushing attempts. James Cook rushed 230 times in college. So far in the NFL? He has 533 rush attempts. That is 763 rushing attempts. So, if your maybe he's just like his brother logic is correct, that would mean James Cook has a good 1200 rush attempts left in him at en elite level. 2. How did the cautionary tale of 'beware he can be just like his brother' manifest itself in Dalvin Cook's 4th, 5th, and 6th years in the NFL? The cautuionary tale should really show itself here, right? As that is what this is all about, is this guy worth it. (As Cook is about to enter his 4th year.) 4th year: 1557 yards rushing, 5 yards per attempt, and 44 receptions for 361 yards. And 17 total touchdowns. 1918 total yards from scrimmage. 5th year: 1159 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per attempt, and 34 receptions for 244 yards. 6 total touchdowns. 1403 total yards from scrimmage. 6th year: 1173 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per attempt, and 39 receptions for 295 yards. 10 total touchdowns. 1458 yards from scrimmage. I know I am being a homer, and ignoring all of the superb arguments about moving on from Cook, such as your thoughtful points and facts above, the cautionary tale of of his brother Dalvin's career, but t I would take that kind of production from James the next three years. And I, being a homer again, think James Cook is better than his brother. And with dramatically fewer carries in college and so far in the NFL it makes sense, based on those pesky facts you and so many others simply ignore completely, it likely means James will be good for at least several more years after his three year extension that I am hoping for. All Bills' fans should be hoping for that. if you are right, and James Cook is like his brother, Dalvin, the Bills will be immensely pleased with his next three years, his 3889 rushing yards, his 900 receiving yards, his 33 touchdowns, and his 4,789 yards from scrimmage. If the defense is improved, that is the kind of running back production that will take the Bills to the next level. I would sign up for that. I hope the Bills do a better job in their research than you and so many Cook bashers are doing..

I don't mean to be rude, but you need to cut this crap out, and now. You need to stop hitting on one fact after another, one specific detail, stat, number...all of that concrete objective nonsense. Just go with the flow more, that running backs like Cook are easily replaceable, and that those facts you point to are a mirage only, irrelevant. They cannot compete with the unsupported clches that many of the anti Cook posters are using. And one poster is now even capable of reading Cook's mind, from afar. Hard to top that, to get closer to the situation than to actually read Cook's mind. So stop, as you cannot possibly compete with their iron clad arguments by using your facts, details, and the conclusions you draw from those.

You seem to be able to easily just look into Cook's mind and read it like a book. A great skill to have. Very rare. I wish I could do that, and then I too would not need to support any of my ideas about him either..

Come now, with those super weak comparisons to Cook. And tell us who the comparable running backs out there are right now, 'lookin for work'? He is not a diva at all, does not seek attention, the limelight, is a quiet, reserved guy. He just wants to get payed what he should be payed, probably knows, like most of us, that he is the most skilled, talented man on the roster after Josh Allen. One of the only elite players on the team, the best running back in the conference, and one of the best in the league. You don't have to be a diva to see your abilities for what they are. Dalvin is not one either, but a running back who ran a gazillion times in college and then ditto in the NFL and broke down way too young. And Ezekeiel was washed up several years ago and was cut by the girls at the right time. He did nothing after that, is clearly done, should not have embarrassed himself and played last year. What is the comparison to James Cook?? I see no similarities except that they're both NFL running backs. And Leveon, well okay, he foolishly held out, and that was the end of him. Cook will not hold out, but if he does, he will not lose almost all of his skills as a result.

It is James Lofton, have thought that for a long time, that he is the type of player who would move this offense today to an historically elite level. He changed the team, the offense, as he could still blow the top off the defense, opening up things underneath and in the running game. Even at 33 he looked like a gazelle running down the field. Extremely consistent and reliable. As a broadcaster I heard him say that when he looks down at the field of The Ralph, he sometimes thinks of what the Bills' had going on during those years and it sends shivers down his spine. Me too.

Thanks--duh, Lamar Jackson, not Thomas! Fixed. I should have included that excellent, telling stat on their awful 3rd down defense in my original post in this thread. It is so unlike the defenses they have had under McDermott, so it sharply highlights the lack of talent. And yup, both on the defensive line and secondary. I was hoping for more of Philly or KC type defensive overhaul this off season, which then led each to Super Bowl victories. But the Bills seem to be blowing it to some degree so far. And yes, defensive players almost exclusively in the draft, and parlay the 10 picks into much fewer better ones to get the kind of players who could make a bigger impact--soon. And very good point that the high quality safety play made the cornerbacks better (and visa versa?) when they had that with Poyer and Hyde. Another example of how all the parts work together to create the whole. Bishop's play, rise, will be very important this year for that reason. Was reminded this week he had an almost perfect score, 9.8?, in his athleticism before the draft, and that really encouraged me. Time to give the defense what it needs on the line and in the backfield. Or the 'complimentary football' concept falls flat for the Bills now.

Hmm... I do agree with the first bold above, that Benford and Johnson are better, more proven, than the combo of Rapp and Bishop. Hard for anyone to argue the other side of that, I think. (It will likely be a very good year for the defense if that debate is more relevant in mid season or at the end of it.) The problem with that equation is that there are 3 starting cornerbacks on every NFL team, so you are leaving out part of the equation. But there is no one to really place in there, no starting caliber 2nd outside corner on the team now. If you put that in the equation, White or Jackson or Ingram, or a '?', you would need to reverse the 'greater than' sign. The reality is that on a team only two safeties usually play, just like two outside corners are almost always on the field. And, like I said, believe, the Bills probably have two viable starting NFL safeties. And decent depth as well. But the Bills, to me, may simply not even have a 2nd starting caliber outside corner on the team right now, which is a player who will almost always need to be on the field. With only 11 players per team, not having a viable starting CB would likely be very difficult to overcome, a huge risk as the Bills play Burrows, L Jackson, Mahomes, Tua, May, Hurtz, Mayfield, Stroud, Young... That is one player, one quality starter, the Bills cannot afford to neglect--doing so could be enough to really undermine the team next year. And nope, not sure why you think I would be opposed to Benford's contract. I I was very pleased the night I found out he was signed and thought the Bills got a good deal, was expecting maybe a 20 million+ per year deal. The waste I am concerned about at the position has to do with the signing of the warm bodies only, someone like White, who likely could have been had for the vet minimum, or not at all. I would much rather have one better player than what we now have in White and Jackson, two players I greatly admired and appreciated in their previous stints with the Bills. In any case, we both agree that the Bills need secondary help. You or I may be irritated if the position we want more is not addressed early in the draft, but it seems both of us will be really concerned if that position is is not addressed at all. And if we are both upset, as neither position was addressed early, then I think the Bills' likely will not improve much in their pass defense. A few days until we get some answers!

Interesting how we could see the status of the two current cornerback and safety positions so differently... though I am not overly confident in the safeties. I am happy that Bishop will likely replace Hamlin as a starting safety this year, as he has much more upside (we hope) and athleticism to take him to a higher level. I think that improves safety play, maybe substantially, in itself. (Of course, we don't know how Bishop will play as a full time starter, but should have a good feel for that by mid-season.) And the signing of Darrick Forrest, a recent starter at safety, offers some reputable back up juice if Bishop does not do well or in case of injury. While the re-signing of Hamlin, as a backup, hopefully, also gives them more more depth at safety too. On the other hand, right now I see no viable 2nd starter at the 2nd outside CB position, with the draft coming in three days. And no backup I am confident can come in for a game or two or more, and do the job. I think that sums up why I think the CB position is a much bigger need, a vital need, while safety is not. During the first two days of the draft we may find out which position the Bills think is more of a need right now. I am guessing a corner early and maybe a safety late, but I read they had not brought in any safeties for the 30 player visits. I think an excellent one would have to be available, a player surprisingly available in the first or second rounds, for them to grab one then.

yes, almost bare. They were not good last year, had a poor pass defense, and now are missing their other starter, Douglas. They had Taron Johnson and Benford last year, but that clearly was not enough, as we all saw. The great offense saved the day, the year, though the defense had its moments. Shoot, with Dane Jackon and Tre White, the Bills may not even have viable back ups if a starter goes down, let alone a quality starter on the outside next to Benford. Adding two lukewarm bodies, backups at best, to me means the cupboard at cornerback is almost empty still. You'll see Beford and Johnson when you open it, but then have to look way in the back for Jackson or White, the dust covered options, with expiration dates about to expire. Or expired already.

I think what you say in your first line is what most concerns those with the Jackson and White signings--that it may indicate the Bills may actually think one of those two players may be the starting cornerback for the Bills next season! That would be very risky, a huge roll of the dice, a crapshoot, that either is an NFL starting caliber player. No evidence that either can be anything more than a backup now. And ditto for them doing what they did with Benford, and somehow find a starting caliber corner in the later rounds, and developing him, relying on that. The concern is that those scenarios likely mean the Bills do not improve much in the secondary next year--and may actually regress. That would mean the high level offense would need to have an even better year than last year to make the Bills a contender. Want to see Josh Allen regress next year, for the first time? Give him a defense that is even less dependable than last year's, so he needs to carry more of the weight on his shoulders. I don't believe almost any defensive coordinator would consider Jackson or White as starters in this league, and am hoping that the Bills do not either. A move like that could undermine the entire team next season. Tua looked better this year, and Drake May looks like the real deal. And that is just within the AFC East. The Bills need to do much better at corner than two also ran backups and a mid round pick to improve their pass defense, to take the next step as a team. Hoping more for what you say in your last sentence, and also that the Bills may move up in the 2nd round to get a starting caliber CB. Then one more soon..

If someone had told me, or most Bills' fans, I think, that less than a week before the draft, the only additions to the cornerback room, on a team that had its worst performance in pass defense in recent memory, allowing opposing QBs to to complete 69% of their passes, 5th worst in the league, would be two castoffs, Dane Jackson and Tre White, I would have laughed and wondered what that person was "smoking in their pipe". No way would Beane go back to players like that to improve a pass defense in desperate need of speed, youth, and athleticism. This is not part of any good 'process'. I am not a Beane basher at all, but very discouraging. The draft will need to yield the Bills two high quality cornerbacks now, as the cupboard is almost bare--still. With this, I am waiting to hear the next big news that Jordan Philips has been resigned, and Austin Johnson, and ol' Von too. They can turn Miller's home into a has been halfway house, where they can all live together.

I agree, it is a possibility, but those three teams did not see enough in White to keep him around, after he was signed and played. That, to me, is more telling than them willing to give him a shot. It seems a crap shoot at best, a shot in the dark, and likely a big waste on a team that cannot afford to waste money on defense if they want to win a Super Bowl this year.

So, the Bills and Cook are likely a few million dollars a year apart in their annual salary expectations. All of the other young up and coming talented Bills have been extended, except for Cook. And Beane does what he does much too often, overpay dramatically for a player who will make almost no, or even zero, difference for the Bills next year. It makes much more sense to use this likely wasted money, and that on others who will provide almost no benefit to the Bills next year, to improve the deal offered to the 2nd best player on offense and likely the 2nd best players on the team, who scored 20--twenty--touchdowns for the Bills last year and was clearly one of the best running backs in the league. I am a Beane supporter overall, but am losing faith with too many moves like this, throwing good money after bad to players who do not deserve it, who could be had for much less, and who will not make the Bills better. And now, making these moves at the expense of a player who has greatness written all over him, a vital component of the team, and entering the prime of his career. I get it, White's not going to likely make that much etcetera, but White seems done as a quality cornerback in this league. Maybe White will buy Von Miller's house-- and then just sell it to the next wasted expense next off season. The Bills can buy it and call it the Money Pit.

See above.. From a poster who never--ever--lets facts or reasoning get in the way of his shoot from the hip, argue and twist the words of all who disagree with him, hater who hates virtually every move the Bills make. King of the Haters, I crown the! Just in this thread, yesterday, one of the best lines ever: "But the thing about “I don’t like paying running backs” is as a rule, it only works if it is a rule." So, 'My rule, and no exceptions no matter what.'

I apologize!; I need to remind myself you are like a vampire who is exposed to garlic, mirrors, and sunlight when it comes to those two dastardly things. Facts and logic go away--or FC cannot exist. They seem to have been forbidden to you, forever and always. I hope you did not blow up into a cloud of dust.

So HB, if you are still trying to figure out why some are so adamant about not paying Cook and are wholly unconcerned about losing the only elite player outside of Allen on the team, the best running back in the AFC, and top five in the league, a vital cog for this team the last few years, and likely even more dynamic and productive in the next few years, look no further than the comment above, now in bold.. It should answer your question, at least in part. In other words, 'My whim, 'philosophy', is so iron clad, though there is no actual support for my statement, that it is dogma to me, the way it is for every running back. It is the case in every single running back situation across the board, no matter how good or vital the player it. No exceptions. That is my belief and no facts or reasoning can ever change it.' Though I usually disagree, I think some do have good takes and reasoning as to why the Bills should not sign Cook for anything close to what he is asking for, but some seem to have a similar take as the one above. Just as some did with the Lynch trade--same illogical, unsupported argument. "It only works a rule." Yikes. Can you imagine anyone running a business or organization of any kind with the mindset--'I do not care about the specifics, any of the details, anything other than my 'rule'. And that is the way it is.' Your problem is you are trying to use facts and logic and reason to figure out these posters' reactions, as that is what you do in your takes in this thread. But there is none to be found for some, just see above, so you are just spinning your wheels.

I was thinking the same exact thing about Josh. He finally has the elite running back the Bills needed, someone who was extremely important in his first MVP year. He should be more aggressive, either behind the scenes or out front, to get Cook taken care of for the next 3 or so years. Josh says he loves Cook--time to show it rather than just say it. I think he will step up, if he has not yet done so, and be more aggressive. That is what leaders who win Super Bowls often do. I think the reason for the foolish knee jerk disparaging claims are just people repeating what others say, so for them it has become a reality. (It is very common in sports, but more frightening, just as common in society, for the important things...) This despite the fact that I have never seen any solid or clear evidence of it. Very telling. But so easy to do the opposite and show how important high level running games and backs are to high caliber NFL teams.

Cook is an excellent pass catcher, in fact his receiving ability was one of the main reasons the Bills wanted him so badly. Last season he caught 32 of his 38 passes and this year, as the Bills wake up and use him more as a receiver, he will catch many more. It is a silly worn out illogical cliche that running backs are "an extremely replaceable position". Insert wide receiver, guard, tight end, cornerback..... into that sentence and it would be just as nonsensical and just as impossible to support with actual evidence. Just because some uninformed 'analysts' started saying that a few years ago does not mean it is true. Jame Cook has elite speed, elusiveness, vision, and in the last two years has transformed himself physically into someone who can really run with power and break tackles. Hence his 18 touchdowns last year. And many of them were after first contact. He is an elite back in many ways, one of the top backs in the league and will just get better in the next few years.

A great post on Cook and his value now and going forward. It is so different than the vast majority of the 'let him walk' posts by those not dealing with facts, but only in the mindless cliches that running backs like Cook are a dime a dozen, very easy to replace, you should never pay a running back, how great of running back group there is in this draft, and that Cook is just good, not special etcetera. James Cook was extremely under utilized last year, should have been targeted much more as a receiver and given more carries in many of the games. This year the Bills should not make that same mistake. Beane should do the right thing for the Bills, and for Josh Allen, and get him signed. He throws way too much money at some players who don't deserve it--see Knox, see the two d ends who are already suspended for the first 6 games of this year, and many other players who've added almost nothing to the Bills. If he signs him now he will get a tremendous bargain, as players like James Cook will likely be in the $20+ million range next off season. If the Bills get rid of Cook it will be almost as bad as getting rid of Marshawn Lynch, the worst move by the Bills this century and maybe ever. But go back and read the posts on that trade--some of the same reasons were used for supporting that as there are now for getting rid of Cook. And the same 'logic and some of the same posters, who definitely do not learn from their mistakes.

I cannot imagine any Bills' fans, let alone a big group of them, booing one of the best players on the team, the only elite football player on the team after Allen. And booing after he makes a big play!? He will make lots of them, does so in almost every game. If we boo him after big plays, we are going to need to boo him a lot it seems. He is extremely fast, an excellent route runner and receiver, and runs very smart and very well. He purposely transformed himself physically the last few years to become a better power runner. It worked extremely well, as we saw. The better the Bills run the ball, proven year after year since Allen arrived, the better the Bills become. The Bills are much more likely to have an elite running game, the next step in their evolution, with Cook than without him. You don't get rid of one of the few elite players on the team over the amount of money that is in question.