Mister Defense

Wait, are you implying that Cook is not really a super dumb Georgia guy, taking scattershots in the dark, like one recent post seemed to say? That this, not wanting to risk maybe his one chance at a life changing, lucrative contract, is actually a reasonable, intelligent thing to do?

Sound like you really dislike the 'dumb' guy.. A solid running back! Your post is a great example of an early post of mine in this thread, speaking of complimentary football. No one who watched football, and who has watched Cook the last few years,would just throw him in that basic category, solid, serviceable--can you say 'dime a dozen'? Same thing. It is why so many of the 'Let Cook walk' posters make no sense--they just say these kinds of things without much thought, without facts, thinking repeating the same nonsense over and over makes it legitimate somehow. It does not. And it doesn't work the way you say it could--or very rarely in the NFL- Josh throwing the heck out of the ball and running too? A one man show? Hate this cliche, but Superman returns? What you are saying works for you is exactly what the Bills worked so hard to move away from, knowing that a dynamic, physical and game changing running game was the missing element on this team. They have it now, with James Cook leading the way. The Bills have been focused like a laser on giving Josh the line, the skill players, the scheme, and game plan to make RUNNING a huge part of the Bills, post dorsey. Each time the Bills started running the ball more, with Daboll, at 7-6 after the Bucs game, and then after Brady took over for dorsey mid season, and then last year, in his first full year as the OC, they became a much better team--and Josh was at his best. In each of these examples the fundamental change was much more reliance on the running game. The Bills became one of the most run heavy teams in the league--each time. And the Bills, with that balance, became almost unbeatable each time. Not a coincidence, a plan, with an obvious commitment to the run. To bring out the best in Josh Allen, making him almost unstoppable with a high level running game at his disposal. So hopefully Beane and the Bills also don't see Georgia guys as simply stupid Georgia 'dumb asses' and do the right thing, the intelligent thing, and pay Cook what he is worth.

Darn, thought I had it!! Oh well, I will do try harder on the next pop quiz. But there you go again with that obviously humorous idea--'running backs don't move the needle on offense', simply ignoring the fact, which can be very pesky things, that almost all the top teams last year had dynamic running games--and star running backs. Like I said originally, just repeating that silly thing over and over, as you are now doing, ignoring the facts, does not make it any more legitimate.

Whops, sorry, you got me, dead to right. Of course that makes sense, what you say, that if running backs get payed less they are less important. In fact, I am sure if you email almost all of the NFL playoff teams from last year, and tell them your theory, they will simply disregard what their own eyes and the cold hard statistics tell them about how vital their star running backs were to their success last year. Somehow get them to throw out all of their objective information and they will listen to you. I would do it now, and CC that email to all the other NFL teams, so they too don't fall into the trap of paying their featured backs more money going forward, less they have the same kind of success those playoff teams, championship contenders had. The top running backs, leading the best running attacks, making championship runs, one after another. Just a coincidence. Instead, they should heed to your wise words. Umm, high level running backs do better with high level offensive lines-? Is that the correct answer??

Huh!?? One of the silliest comments I have ever read in this forum. Wow, so super illogical Now, go and look at the playoff teams from last year, and then come back and say if you still believe that nonsense--"a running back will never move the needle"!! Except for almost every contending team last year, you mean? Henry on the Ravens, Cook on the Bills, Gibbs and Montgomery on the Lions, Jacobs on the Packers, Barkley on the Eagles... And it is likely the same this year, I predict. Running backs will never move the needle!

Sorry, that is just nonsense, a cliche that cannot be supported in any way. Just because a bunch of people say crap like that, and repeat it over and over, in no way does that make it accurate, true. Do you think the Eagles think that? The Ravens? The Lions? The Packers? The Falcons? The Bills? If what you say in bold is correct, then it is just a coincidence, incidental, that almost all the true NFL contenders last year had excellent running games and running backs. I think each of those teams would likely disagree with your assessment, laugh at the thought of it even. In fact, most of the playoff teams from last year would do the same. Instead most would say their running backs were a seminal reason for their success, vital to it. I can say tight end is less important, or left guard, left tackle, outside linebacker, free safety, the #1 wideout or....................................................................... But it doesn't make it right, accurate, just because I say it, and even if a slew of others parrot my silly comment. But then again, the 2nd point in your sentence is just as nonsensical, Just saying something, as emphatically as you like, does not mean it is true. Who says the drop off from Cook is not 'that large'? Not me, and not most.

I don't know if this is accurate, but I would assume it is, at least in general: those who think that are likely those who do not think the running game is all that important. And so not a big concern who the Bills plug in there. Recall the uproar on here a few years ago related to the concept of 'complimentary football' related to the running game complimenting and improving the passing game and visa versa. We have a generational talent at QB, they reasoned, the running game is not that big of a deal... A generalization, but maybe it is the same mindset, and the same folks overall. They ignore the fact the Allen led Bills do much better, consistently, when they change and commit more to the run. Dorsey had that same mindset, de valued the running game. The Bills were one dimensional, striking no fear with their after thought of a running game. This was an important reason he was fired. Brady's Bills featured the run and became a scary offense again, shortly, and got better and better and better, with the running game leading the way. Run, run, and run this year, become the best in the league, and throw to the backs too. That is how the Bills win it all.

We drafted James Cook in the 2nd round, just three years ago... And he has surpassed expectations, becoming one of the best running backs in the league, with two excellent years. And underutilized last year, needed more touches. And it's very clear he is an ascending player, seemed to get better with every game last year. So the best is yet to come. He should have a monster year this year in Buffalo. And the Bills spent three years helping him develop into a top of the line NFL starting running back. I wonder how many man hours that adds up to. So, you think we can maybe get a 3rd round pick for James Cook? Do you think that is a good trade for the Bills? I do not.

I think most of the arguments against Cook, the 'let him walk' group, misses this fundamental point. This is a much different offense last year without Cook, and to me much less likely Josh wins the MVP. They had a undermanned defense, in transition, and without the dynamic offense, the superb balance--first time ever a team scores 30 rushing and passing TDS in a season--hard to imagine the Bills being a legitimate contender, making the championship game. (And a little more Cook that day, despite the significant defensive injuries, and these are likely moot questions..) This year it will take the defense some time to improve, jell, so that dynamic run/pass offense will be vital again. And the same can be said for games in January and February, against the best teams in the league. That balance was why 3/4 of the championship teams were playing that day, what separated them from the other teams. And without that, the Chiefs were exposed two weeks later. That balance makes Josh Allen and this offense great. And it will help to make the young defense great too. Complimentary football, all the way around. And Cook is a vital part of that.

Well, I think they both have said what a great teammate Cook is, and how hard working, and beloved by the team. And by them, I believe. To me, in addition to his skill set, what he shows his teammates in practice and in games, those things indicate he is an important locker room guy and leader.

I really hope you are wrong and that Beane is better than that. If I were Cook I would do what he is doing--one slip up on the field, one foot planted in the turf, can mean he is a much lesser player--or the end of his career. And the money he is destined to make in the future, deserves, all up in smoke. Gone forever. If you are right, and Beane is taking this personally, thinking in terms of himself vs. Cook, then the deal may not got done. If Beane is a bigger man than that, he gets this done and now, and stops making one of his best players, maybe the 2nd best player on the team, having to worry about his every move. And if the coaching staff thinks they may lose Cook this summer, they should be losing sleep. He is the Bills' best weapon, a player who can break off a long, game changing run or pass or touchdown every time he touches the ball. The Bills have been looking for a game changing weapon like Cook at the running back position since McBeane arrived. He is here.

I am counting on Beane not being dumb enough to jettison his most dynamic offensive weapon, the Bills only elite offensive weapon, and the fastest, most elusive player on the roster--and right before a season with such high expectations. I am betting on the first option, to end this nonsense now. Something like: 13, 14, 15 with most of it guaranteed, locking up the biggest offensive threat for 3 years for under 45 million. Should be a tremendous bargain by the end of this season. Soon!

When we think of the great games in NFL history, the weather is often part of the story, creating some of the seminal images. Especially true for cold weather teams like Buffalo. This is also the case for many of the Bills' games I attended. And the climate plays an important role in so many aspects of the game for the players. It toughens them up, gets them ready for winter games. If you play almost all of your games in domes you don't get that. The next few generations of Bill's fans are lucky, getting NFL football as it was made to be played. Outside-- and on grass!

So happy right now. Best news of training camp so far.

Thanks Yikes What a shame. Makes me even more grateful we will not have one in Buffalo for now and into the future. Attended football games in the Carrier Dome and it was the worst experience ever attending college or pro games. To me, not really football anymore.

No way do the fans in Philadelphia go for an indoor stadium, trashing their entire football culture to sit in a giant comfy living room. The team is known for its toughness, its resilience. That does not go well with life in a warm or air conditioned dome. I am betting: overwhelming rejection by the season ticket holders for this nonsense. Football is to be played outside, in the elements. And on grass whenever possible--can't wait for the new Ralph!

Why are you so certain that Kincaid is not a reliable receiver when he is targeted, saying, "I just know that he's not someone when the ball is in the vicinity, he has hands to catch it (like Diggs)"--? Yet as you summarize Kincaid's previous few years, in college and in the NFL, he had an outstanding catch rate, clearly showing that when the ball is in the vicinity he was extremely likely to catch it. I am confused why the catch rate from last year completely erases, for you, that excellent ability to catch the ball, something Bills' fans are counting on this year? The other years he did so well at catching the ball are seemingly erased for you because of last year, one year, despite an injury that clearly had a negative impact. Unless I am misreading it, this seems very off, like the glass is not just half empty, but almost empty when ti comes to Kincaid's potential. Extremely unrealistic based on the facts that you yourself cite.

Yes, I do. Looks great. A nice little summer and vacation getaway cottage to spend a few days relaxing.

Great to read this short story about one of the players who has many Bills' fans thinking, hoping, he may be an important weapon for the Bills this year, a receiver who can do many things well. I had not heard anything about Moore's close relationship with A.J. Brown, the player I lamented the Bills did not go after when he was dangled by the Titans, an almost unstoppable force and someone with high level character. This connection, friendship, makes me even more hopeful and excited to see Moore on the field this summer and fall. Seems like a great fit in so many ways.

If that happens, and he is a much closer to the great corner he was before the injuries, I will be very pleasantly surprised. It would mean the Bills' secondary could take even more steps forward this year than expected, with a veteran leader of the very young group, and someone getting meaningful snaps. And it would be another factor uniting this team, making them even more cohesive. Not betting on it, but I would love to see this happening in the next few months.

Hmmm... So basically you are saying the entire premise for the OP, this superb thread, full of insight and high level humor, astute analysis, is a non starter, makes zero sense? Wow, way to shatter a bunch of Maddie Glab bashing. How dare you use one fact to squash such a high level thread. Facts suck.

Yup. I honestly believe most of those hating so much on Maddy Glab likely hate almost any woman talking football. They almost never say the actual specifics of why they dislike her so much. She seems very well prepared for each show, someone who does her research and has the details and analysis to make for a good show. Loved Tasker as a player, but he doesn't seem nearly as prepared for his show as Maddy does, and definitely not as into it as she is. I also like that she clearly has gotten better and better each year she has been part of the Bills. Much more knowledgeable and better on air. A nonsensical thread, to me, strange twisting of the example and bashing just to bash.

Another UFB?? Where was it flying? I have not seen one since my last Grateful Dead concert. Thank you!

This made me think of one of my first concerts, Metallica, when they were just getting started, opening up for Ozzy at the War Memorial in Syracuse. Metallica just waved their looong hair around in circles--I hardly saw their faces. Then, a great show by Ozzy. I bought my first Ozzy CD a few days later.

Very sad. Was thinking just a few weeks ago how good he still sounded in the last Black Sabbath show in June. Just today, and this week, trying to sing Mamma I'm Coming Home, trying to remember the lyrics. And Blizzard of Oz, one of the first CDs I bought, a great album. A true game changing legend, making great music until the very end.