Mister Defense

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.

I agree with the Allen comparison, at least to some degree. I was thinking the same as you during the last two years when he was criticized for those things. But disagree that Levis hit his ceiling. Don't you think that because his issues are mistakes he is making, such as untimely turnovers and such, that those things will diminish as he gains experience? Of course he would need to be on the right team, with the right coaching staff, but I think his weaknesses are ones that usually fade away, while his strengths--very good arm, athletic, can run--are things that are often a foundation of good NFL QB.

Wow, poor guy. Sitting there waiting to to hear his name called on draft day, with some calling him a top ten pick, and never getting the call. Then., looked like he was going to be the franchise QB of an NFL team a few years ago. And he lost his starting job, it seemed, last year. Then, the Titans draft their new franchise QB, Cam Ward. (For now.) And finally a lost year ahead. I think Levis looked pretty good overall the last two years on a very poor offense and with a new coaching staff last season. He turned the ball over too much, took too many unnecessary risks (or maybe needed ones, on that poor offense) but clearly had a very good arm, ran and moved well, and seemed to have pretty good leadership traits. I was looking forward to him surprising people and battling Ward, in what almost everyone had considered a foregone conclusion. I could see Trubinsky or White as the Titans' backup this season. And maybe a team like the dolphins grabbing Levis next year, an insurance policy.

i do, hope it embarrasses Beane, an excellent GM for the Bills, one day will likely be considered THE best, when people keep wondering why the best skill player on the best offense in the league, a superstar in the making, is expected to play out his contract, and risk a career ending injury in the process, when what he is asking for is likely very close what the Bills will end up paying him--and much less than what Cook will get in free agency next year after a monster 2025 season. I think there are indications the logic of it all has been getting to Beane. And shoot, even Steve Tasker has almost completely reversed course!, now understanding, after re-watching games from last year, that plugging in a good running back will not replace this star. I think it gets done before camp, but if not, before game 1. 3-4 years, with lots of upfront money and guarantees.

Your boy, Doc! Mr. Cook, the extension he deserves and will likely get before game 1 IMO. Hard to imagine Beane or McDermott want that hanging over their heads during camp and into the season. Especially with even more attention on the Bills because of Hard Knocks. We will see soon..

Wow, that is a lot of greater than signs!.. ..when contrasting Watt, one of the best defensive ends in the NFL, to James Cook, one of the best running backs in the league, and a guy just getting started. 17 times greater than Cook! Shoot, we should just 'let Cook walk'. I cannot wait until Beane gets this done.

Great news! In my view, he may be the star of this draft for the Bills, with Hairston. Now just one more contract to get done before training camp... and coming soon.

This would be hilarious. And demonstrate just how dysfunctional the Bungles are. Love how they undermine the only quarterback in the league who, when I watch play, sometimes looks better than ours. And they trade their best defensive player soon too?