What am I missing about Jared Cook?

[Kelly the Dog]

Just now, Rob's House said:

There's a reason he's set to be on his 4th team in 5 years.

Everyone wants him?

[Logic]

Methinks the lack of interest begins and ends with the fact that they plan to draft a tight end (or two) fairly high. Draftee/Kroft/Croom/Draftee (or UDFA)

[billspro]

55 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

Are Gronk and Kelce great blocking TE's?  Ertz?  Olsen?

 

They are pretty solid blockers

[CommonCents]

Didn’t read every reply but with his age and skill set he may be looking for an established team for a chance at SB. Mix that with a decent price tag and there is your wait time.

[Kelly the Dog]

2 minutes ago, Logic said:

Methinks the lack of interest begins and ends with the fact that they plan to draft a tight end (or two) fairly high. Draftee/Kroft/Croom/Draftee (or UDFA)

That's precisely my reasoning though:

 

Hock or Fant, etc. - Cook - Kroft = Wow

Hock of Fant, etc - Kroft - Croom = Pretty damn good

#2-3 pick - Cook - Kroft = Pretty damn good and maybe wow.

#2-3 pick - Kroft - Croom = Pretty damn iffy and maybe good

#4-5 pick - Cook - Kroft = Still pretty decent

#4-5 pick - Kroft - Croom = Ugh

[billspro]

We are drafting a TE early so I would not expect the Bills to be interested in Cook.

[Mr. WEO]

5 minutes ago, billspro said:

 

They are pretty solid blockers

 

 

Their value isn't in their blocking...

[Beast]

1 hour ago, Kelly the Dog said:

That may be why no one has given him a big contract, and neither would I, but I believe we are past that point now. So he can be had for a reasonable deal, and we have Kroft as the willing blocker and dual threat.

Cook, Kroft and Hock would be fantastic. And there would be room for them.

 

Say Cook, Kroft, Hock five times fast.

[SouthNYfan]

57 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

Exactly. 

 

Top TE's are guys who are receiving matchup nightmares.  Teams aren't using them for their great blocking skills or "dual threats".

 

I would say you have to be one or the other.

Some schemes value the versatility of a great blocking dual threat te, while that is clearly overlooked if the te is a matchup nightmare in the receiving game.

 

-dual threat

Or 

-matchup nightmare

 

Cook is neither.

He's a below average blocker and an above average receiver.

 

[Mr. WEO]

Just now, SouthNYfan said:

 

I would say you have to be one or the other.

Some schemes value the versatility of a great blocking dual threat te, while that is clearly overlooked if the te is a matchup nightmare in the receiving game.

 

-dual threat

Or 

-matchup nightmare

 

Cook is neither.

He's a below average blocker and an above average receiver.

 

 

I agree.

 

The reason he's not attractive isn't because he's not a dual threat---it's because he's not a threat as a receiver.  

 

 

Any team is going to take a great receiver/mediocre blocker over the inverse.

[Chandler#81]

Idk, I think Croom is still a work in progress and may just explode soon. He has soft hands and runs good patterns. His dropsies seem to be a thing of the past as his experience and confidence really grew last season. 

Hes a ‘process guy’ McDermott has tossed flowers at on occasion. He may be better suited to being off the edge and in a 2pt stance, but he’s getting valuable reps in tight, which should translate to more effective inside blocking. I expect him to make it difficult to part ways with him, if they do.

[Augie]

15 minutes ago, Logic said:

Methinks the lack of interest begins and ends with the fact that they plan to draft a tight end (or two) fairly high. Draftee/Kroft/Croom/Draftee (or UDFA)

 I only know the top names, but I keep hearing it’s supposed to be a deep class. I agree, it appears they plan to add to the position through the draft. Maybe one fairly early then one in the later rounds where we have a couple picks. 

[SouthNYfan]

2 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

I agree.

 

The reason he's not attractive isn't because he's not a dual threat---it's because he's not a threat as a receiver.  

 

 

Any team is going to take a great receiver/mediocre blocker over the inverse.

 

Exactly.

 

1 minute ago, Chandler#81 said:

Idk, I think Croom is still a work in progress and may just explode soon. He has soft hands and runs good patterns. His dropsies seem to be a thing of the past as his experience and confidence really grew last season. 

Hes a ‘process guy’ McDermott has tossed flowers at on occasion. He may be better suited to being off the edge and in a 2pt stance, but he’s getting valuable reps in tight, which should translate to more effective inside blocking. I expect him to make it difficult to part ways with him, if the do.

 

I agree.

He just turned 25 and has some really good receiving upside.

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

Idk, I think Croom is still a work in progress and may just explode soon. He has soft hands and runs good patterns. His dropsies seem to be a thing of the past as his experience and confidence really grew last season. 

Hes a ‘process guy’ McDermott has tossed flowers at on occasion. He may be better suited to being off the edge and in a 2pt stance, but he’s getting valuable reps in tight, which should translate to more effective inside blocking. I expect him to make it difficult to part ways with him, if they do.

 

I agree, I think he has potential. He’s needs to learn not to get the ball stripped fighting for an extra 6 inches, but there’s something about the guy I like. He’s athletic and for some reason I seem to like him more than the average fan does. 

[Da webster guy]

1 hour ago, BobChalmers said:

They're going to draft Hock.

 

Not at 9 they won't.   I just can't imaging the Bills big board has him ahead of Ferrell, Oliver, etc.   

 

But in a trade back (or a trade up late in the first) I could see them grabbing him.   I think Daboll's opinion of Irv at TE is a huge factor here.  He knows him extremely well from his time at Bama and we may have him ahead of where other teams do (or behind).

[K-9]

58 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Believe it or not, teams watch film! All joking aside, this play from late this past season is already infamous: 

 

Carr was already “WTFing” just after the INT. Throwing your hands up in exasperation with your receiver during the play is not a good look for a QB. 

[Kelly the Dog]

1 minute ago, K-9 said:

Carr was already “WTFing” just after the INT. Throwing your hands up in exasperation with your receiver during the play is not a good look for a QB. 

Not to mention that Carr was looking right at Cook, who had already loafed and stopped, with his back to the ball, before Carr threw it. Granted, sometimes it's impossible to tell from replays on things like that, but Carr just threw it without seeing Cook, and could very well have blown up because he knew he blew it, too.

[Augie]

8 minutes ago, K-9 said:

Carr was already “WTFing” just after the INT. Throwing your hands up in exasperation with your receiver during the play is not a good look for a QB. 

 

I think Allen showed remarkable restraint with KB last year. Really. 

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

Are Gronk and Kelce great blocking TE's?  Ertz?  Olsen?

 

Gronk has been a brilliant blocking tight end, though has been used less to do that as the injuries totted up. Olsen in his prime was a pretty good blocker too. 

 

Kelce at best you might say is passable. 

 

Ertz couldn't block a baby. 

 

I think you either have to be a tight end that can be used almost as a receiver (like those 4 and early career Jimmy Graham) or you have to be a dual guy. Someone like Cook who is a decent receiver but not a game changer and a below average blocker has a smaller market. 

 

 

[Mr. WEO]

17 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

Not to mention that Carr was looking right at Cook, who had already loafed and stopped, with his back to the ball, before Carr threw it. Granted, sometimes it's impossible to tell from replays on things like that, but Carr just threw it without seeing Cook, and could very well have blown up because he knew he blew it, too.

 

 

Carr sucks.

[RyanC883]

1 hour ago, Chandler#81 said:

Jmo, but I don’t think the dual capabilities are what drives the TE market today. Yes, of course teams are ever searching for it, but today, the majority of TEs are either/or. That’s what has brought a rise in H-Backs and resurgent FBs. Every team has their short yardage O which may include O or D linemen. Basically, if Gronkowski isn’t available, pick your poison -a huge target for your QB, a solid blocker who won’t pose a real threat downfield or Dawkins/Kyle slipping out into the flat. 

 

or Hock, from Iowa    But your point is spot on!!   I can't think of a true dual-threat who is a TE who can score 10+ TD's and block.  The best "dual-threat" of the last decade or so may have been Heath Miller. 

Edited March 18, 2019 by RyanC883

[Kelly the Dog]

1 minute ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

Carr sucks.

He really does. Will be fun to see what Antonio acts like when they lose and he is getting crappy balls thrown to him. He doesn't know how good he had it at Pitts.

[Mr. WEO]

30 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

Idk, I think Croom is still a work in progress and may just explode soon. He has soft hands and runs good patterns. His dropsies seem to be a thing of the past as his experience and confidence really grew last season. 

Hes a ‘process guy’ McDermott has tossed flowers at on occasion. He may be better suited to being off the edge and in a 2pt stance, but he’s getting valuable reps in tight, which should translate to more effective inside blocking. I expect him to make it difficult to part ways with him, if they do.

 

25 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I agree, I think he has potential. He’s needs to learn not to get the ball stripped fighting for an extra 6 inches, but there’s something about the guy I like. He’s athletic and for some reason I seem to like him more than the average fan does. 

 

Soft hands

 

Confidence really grew last season

 

Needs to learn not to get the ball stripped

 

Fighting for an extra 6 inches

 

May explode soon

 

Is this the owner's daughter's scouting report on the kid?

[vincec]

1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

Are Gronk and Kelce great blocking TE's?  Ertz?  Olsen?

Gronk definitely is. I don't know about the others.

[Mr. WEO]

Just now, Kelly the Dog said:

He really does. Will be fun to see what Antonio acts like when they lose and he is getting crappy balls thrown to him. He doesn't know how good he had it at Pitts.

 

 

Gruden will keep whispering "hang in there AB, count that money....and wait for Trevor..sshhhhh"

[RyanC883]

1 minute ago, Kelly the Dog said:

He really does. Will be fun to see what Antonio acts like when they lose and he is getting crappy balls thrown to him. He doesn't know how good he had it at Pitts. 

 

yeah, Ben throwing you the ball, with a great OL, run game, and other WR's.  Now AB has??   an average QB.  and zero run game to take pressure off him. 

[hjnick]

Howdy! Been lurking for a while and finally decided to chime in.

 

Like many others on here, at 9, that feels too much for Hock. I’d like to trade back to around 14 and get him there. Then in the 2nd you can get a OT and WR.

 

Of course, if you get a TE at 9 or 14, you have to consider him at close to a gronk level of TE.

 

Then we could run a 2 TE offense with basically 7 blockers on running downs for shady to run... Then on passing downs you have TE/LB mismatches to take advantage of. 

[Matt_In_NH]

1.  I would not assume a guy who has not signed will not get good money.  

2.  Remember Gary Barnidge?  

[Coach Tuesday]

He’s got a rep as being a bit of a dog.  Odd player, he’ll make clutch catches and then boneheaded plays in the same game.  Sometimes the same series.  He’s talented but not reliable on the field or in the locker room IIRC.

[Chandler#81]

16 minutes ago, hjnick said:

Howdy! Been lurking for a while and finally decided to chime in.

 

Like many others on here, at 9, that feels too much for Hock. I’d like to trade back to around 14 and get him there. Then in the 2nd you can get a OT and WR.

 

Of course, if you get a TE at 9 or 14, you have to consider him at close to a gronk level of TE.

 

Then we could run a 2 TE offense with basically 7 blockers on running downs for shady to run... Then on passing downs you have TE/LB mismatches to take advantage of. 

Welcome aboard!

[Kelly the Dog]

5 minutes ago, mattynh said:

1.  I would not assume a guy who has not signed will not get good money.  

2.  Remember Gary Barnidge?  

He didn't get very good money. More than he was worth, and way more than he was worth in retrospect, but he didn't get a ridiculous contract at all. In fact, it was an extension for 4m a year, not a FA contract. He took less than he likely would have made on open market. Maybe you are thinking of Cameron, who signed with the Dolphins after Clay signed with the Bills but it wasn't a huge deal either.

[LABILLBACKER]

Regardless of his age, Cook is a better TE than Kroft, Eifert or Jessie James. If you could sign him to a reasonable 2 year deal, I'd be down with that. Or McB is waiting to see if they want to target Hockenson or Fant early on?

[frostbitmic]

At one point in time Cook had Aaron Rodgers as his QB ....  If Aaron Rodgers can't do anything with you, can any QB ?

[BringBackOrton]

2 hours ago, Kelly the Dog said:

1. He hasn't signed yet so I doubt he is going to get serious money.
2. I know he is older but I am thinking just a 2-3 year deal.
3. He is a solid player who can open up the field for the WR and RBs.
4. Kroft is a solid #2 and weak #1.
5. Croom is average at best.
6. A trio of Cook, Kroft and a 3-4 round draft pick with a lot of potential seems very good to me, and if they don't get a TE in the first four rounds we still have Croom as the #3.
7. We have a lot of money left and not a lot of guys to spend it on barring a big trade.
8. Cook and Kroft together, along with our two speed guys, Brown and Foster, on the outside, plus Beasley, makes for a lot of possibilities and interchangeable parts in what Daboll likes to do.

I found what you're missing.

[MrEpsYtown]

I'm guessing Cook wants a lot of money coming off his career year. But he's older and he can't block. It appears that guys like Kroft, James are the ones getting paid in free agency because they can do both and are still young. I don't like Croom, but he is essentially a younger, MUCH cheaper version of Cook. His career has been up and down and he racked up some stats on a terrible team and he made that one huge catch for the Packers that time. I've always been very eh on Cook and I'm guessing teams have as well becuase no one has committed to him.  

[LABILLBACKER]

7 minutes ago, frostbitmic said:

At one point in time Cook had Aaron Rodgers as his QB ....  If Aaron Rodgers can't do anything with you, can any QB ?

That really doesn't mean anything.  Last year at 31 he had his best season with 6 tds and nearly 900 yards. Carr who is clearly inferior to Aaron was throwing to him.

[ProcessTruster]

2 hours ago, BobChalmers said:

They're going to draft Hock.

yeeee ep

thats my bounce

[GunnerBill]

39 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

I'm guessing Cook wants a lot of money coming off his career year. But he's older and he can't block. It appears that guys like Kroft, James are the ones getting paid in free agency because they can do both and are still young. I don't like Croom, but he is essentially a younger, MUCH cheaper version of Cook. His career has been up and down and he racked up some stats on a terrible team and he made that one huge catch for the Packers that time. I've always been very eh on Cook and I'm guessing teams have as well becuase no one has committed to him.  

 

Same MrEps. I have never been a Cook guy and he seems to be a FA every year. 

[iinii]

He’s not that good. He flashes but his overall game is weak and has had injury issues. I think he is a gym guy and not a football player.

[without a drought]

3 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Jack Doyle is considered the best blocking TE in the NFL by some.  Who wants him over Kelce or Graham or Ertz or Olsen?

Is this a trick question because I think the answer is the Bills.