Rd 2, Pick 63 (31): RB James Cook, Georgia

[Norcalbillsfan]

On 5/2/2022 at 12:26 PM, DapperCam said:

A little bit of a reach in my opinion, and we probably could have gotten a little bit more positional value out of this pick.

 

I think he'll be our 3rd down back if he shows that he can be a good pass blocker. I expect 5 or so runs per game and 3-5 targets (that's about 15% of the offensive plays). I'm thinking screen passes, slants, wheel routes, etc. Singletary will still be the every down back IMO. If he shows he's really dangerous, I could see carries and targets increasing as the year goes on.

 

Singletary is in the last year of his contract, and Cook will be given the chance to take over the #1 role next year.

I wouldnt say it was a reach when I was petrified we were going RB in the 1st, even if it's breece Hall. I think if cook plays to his potential his impact could be more than we think. 

What leads me to believe that is we have a new coordinator, and we went after mckissic hard. What that tells me is beane asked dorsey what he wants for his offense, and it seems like a pass catching specialist was high priority considering we signed Duke and drafted a pass catching RB with speed. Dorsey must have a plan to get RBs involved in the pass game. And as much as we like Singletary pass catching isnt his game, cook is a better pass catcher and route runner day 1 of practice. If cook studies the play book and knows his role (see Matt brieda) I think he has more of an impact than just a simple spell back to Singletary and we see a return on investment for a 2nd rounder.

[Shaw66]

4 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

This thing of Cook being just a 3rd down RB is not really that real in the mid term like after a few games. The dude can go slot... go wide.. runs great wheel and in/out routs and a any RB that can do that with this good of a base can learn even more from a guy like Diggs. Not saying Cook will be thrown out at WR often but the point is running or receiving the ball.. Cook will be a threat to take it every down. 

 

We run a ton of first down quick outs to WR's and TE's. I mean hell you can run a 11 personal package with McKenzie and cook out there and either someone is going to get burned deep or someone is going to get burned off the screen. Options... Endless

 

Just a 3rd down back? sorry I don't see it.  

Now, of course, we're just talking about what he COULD be.  I find my judgment about which college runners have skills that will translate to the pros isn't very good.   But what we're saying is that if he succeeds, it won't as just another running back.  He will add a different dimension to the offense, something that very few teams have.  

 

A guy like that generally only works on a team with a really good offense.  On a weaker offense, you're forced to give the guy the ball too much.   On a good team, a like that has limited touches, but each touch is a big opportunity.  The Bills have a good offense.  If Cook makes it, he'll take the offense to another level. 

 

What am I talking about?  If you want to see the difference an extra dimension can make, imagine the Bills with Drew Brees at QB.   Good offense, right?  I mean, Brees is going to complete just about all the passes the Bills complete already.   But the Bills have Allen, and Allen adds an extra dimension.  He gives his team all the good quarterbacking, plus something most other teams don't have.   Cook could energize the offense another notch in the same way Allen does.  

[Alphadawg7]

I find it puzzling seeing so many people already trying to limit the ceiling of Cook.  This kid in our offense has a lot of upside and potential.

 

Labeling him just a 3rd down back is so short changing this kids potential.  He has a lot more potential than just that, and I think he will be used along side Devin a lot like how Kamara is used for the Saints when he was running with Ingram.  

Edited May 3, 2022 by Alphadawg7

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, Cash said:

 

Bills were 8th highest in % of man coverage last year.

 

Thanks.  Do you know where I can find that data?

 

I'm going to guess, if data on % of man game by game were available, we might find it was even higher prior to White's injury and fell off afterwards.

 

10 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

I find it puzzling seeing so many people already trying to limit the ceiling of Cook.  This kid in our offense has a lot of upside and potential.

 

Labeling him just a 3rd down back is so short changing this kids potential.  He has a lot more potential than just that, and I think he will be used along side Devin a lot like how Kamara is used for the Saints when he was running with Ingram.  

 

I'll put it out there, none of us yet know what his ceiling on the field will be, but I don't think the Bills would have taken him at the bottom of the 2nd if they felt he was a '3rd down back'

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

5 or 6 games into the season, Cook will take over as the starter.

 

He's so much better than Motor "Hands of Stone" Singletary 

[Cash]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Thanks.  Do you know where I can find that data?

 

I'm going to guess, if data on % of man game by game were available, we might find it was even higher prior to White's injury and fell off afterwards.

 

 

I don't, sorry.  Just know it offhand because Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic mentioned it a bunch of times in his draft coverage.  I think he said the Dolphins were first at something like 43-46% and the Bills were 8th at around 34%.

 

I agree with your guess - it's hard to imagine they started playing man-to-man more frequently without Tre.

[Mat68]

With Allen every play can be a pass and probably is.  This isnt 95 and Buffalo is going to line up in pro set on first and second down.  Buffalo will still run heavy 3 wide sets.  Cooks allows Buffalo to move to more spread looks because Cook can run actual routes very well.  Go even further.  Go 2 te with Diggs, Davis, Knox and Howard.  You can run traditional outside or inside zone.  Defense plays 3 linebakers now you can line Cooks outside or in the slot.  The ability to go to so many formations without tipping your hand will create big plays on offense.

[LEBills]

1 hour ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

5 or 6 games into the season, Cook will take over as the starter.

 

He's so much better than Motor "Hands of Stone" Singletary 

Chris McCaffrey had just shy of 200 touches (117 rushes, 80 catches) his rookie year. I’d say that is probably what we could expect for Cook

Edited May 3, 2022 by LEBills

[mikemac2001]

19 minutes ago, LEBills said:

Chris McCaffrey had just shy of 200 touches (117 rushes, 80 catches) his rookie year. I’d say that is probably what we could expect for Cook

about 7 Carrie’s and 5 Recs I could see that.

 

id rather keep him fresh he is a weapon that will make this offense extremely difficult to cover - don’t cover the flats he will chew up 7 a pop 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 hours ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

5 or 6 games into the season, Cook will take over as the starter.

 

He's so much better than Motor "Hands of Stone" Singletary 

 

 

1) Motor has become an excellent pass protector.  Maybe Cook will get there, but for now he's gonna have a big adjustment there.

2) Motor was 15th in the league for YPC this season, with 4.6 - behind a poor run blocking OL that saw him tackled in the backfield a fair amount.

Cook says he can do it all, but he'll have to prove he can be productive running between the tackles.

[Shaw66]

26 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

 

1) Motor has become an excellent pass protector.  Maybe Cook will get there, but for now he's gonna have a big adjustment there.

2) Motor was 15th in the league for YPC this season, with 4.6 - behind a poor run blocking OL that saw him tackled in the backfield a fair amount.

Cook says he can do it all, but he'll have to prove he can be productive running between the tackles.

I think you're correct.  I mean, it's always possible, but I think Cook's going to be worked in more gradually.  His role ultimately will be complex, so they'll give him spot assignments first and work him in.   I think your assessment of Motor is right.  He's very good at every aspect of his job, and McDermott values that kind of positional competence.  Cook is going to have to be very good to take the starting job this year.  2023 could be a different story.  

[Richard Noggin]

1 hour ago, mikemac2001 said:

about 7 Carrie’s and 5 Recs I could see that.

 

id rather keep him fresh he is a weapon that will make this offense extremely difficult to cover - don’t cover the flats he will chew up 7 a pop 

 

I dated a tall, blonde Carrie back when I lived in Dallas for a spell and let me tell you...7 of them is a LOT

[newcam2012]

3 hours ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

5 or 6 games into the season, Cook will take over as the starter.

 

He's so much better than Motor "Hands of Stone" Singletary 

Not so sure about that. Motor was pretty damn good the latter part of last season. 

[newcam2012]

1 hour ago, LEBills said:

Chris McCaffrey had just shy of 200 touches (117 rushes, 80 catches) his rookie year. I’d say that is probably what we could expect for Cook

I'd be shocked if he gets close to those stats. McCaffrey was the undisputed number 1 RB, high 1st round draft choice, and the focal point of their offense. No way Cook is any of these. 

[LEBills]

11 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

I'd be shocked if he gets close to those stats. McCaffrey was the undisputed number 1 RB, high 1st round draft choice, and the focal point of their offense. No way Cook is any of these. 

I mean John Stewart had 198 carries that year and Cam Newton had 139. Maybe it will be less but I think less than 12 touches a game is possible for Cook but we won’t know until the season

[mikemac2001]

1 hour ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

I dated a tall, blonde Carrie back when I lived in Dallas for a spell and let me tell you...7 of them is a LOT

Cool I was using my phone and not really paying attention - I’m happy for you 

[Richard Noggin]

18 minutes ago, mikemac2001 said:

Cool I was using my phone and not really paying attention - I’m happy for you 

 

Always appreciate a sense of humor online.

[mikemac2001]

19 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

Always appreciate a sense of humor online.

Me to - thanks for appreciating it friend

[DapperCam]

I don’t really understand seeing him as a third down back this year with an increased role as the season goes on “limiting his ceiling”. 
 

He’ll get his chance to prove it, and the Bills probably hope he’ll show he’s the guy for the following season when Singletary’s contract is up. Motor has already shown he’s a good every down back though. He will be tough to unseat by a rookie.

[LABILLBACKER]

9 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

I find it puzzling seeing so many people already trying to limit the ceiling of Cook.  This kid in our offense has a lot of upside and potential.

 

Labeling him just a 3rd down back is so short changing this kids potential.  He has a lot more potential than just that, and I think he will be used along side Devin a lot like how Kamara is used for the Saints when he was running with Ingram.  

Trust me, when all the dust settles James Cook will be alot more than a 3rd down back.