Worried about Cook……is it too early?

[Aurelius]

He legit has only like 12 or 13 carries on the season and has some nice receptions for yards when he’s been in.  He’s clearly to me in the doghouse because of his turnovers and not valuing the ball and any coach would bench a rookie for that right away.   
 

A couple things in his favor though are his speed and ability to catch.  He’s got tools and you can see that.  He’s also Dalvin Cook’s brother and has a pedigree and was able to show out in college to prove his own worth.  
 

Bottom line is that he needs time and more carries, but coming into more than one game in the first four games as a rookie and either fumbling or dropping passes immediately isn’t going to ingratiate a rookie to the head coach etc., especially in a potential Super Bowl season with close games.

[SCBills]

Not worried, but I would like to see an actual plan for him. 
 

Seems we just throw him out there when the other two RB’s are being useless, and then he comes in cold and keeps messing up as well. 
 

That’s on him for not being ready, but everything about our running game/running backs feels disjointed right now. 
 

On the bright side, Shakir looked really good out there.  We needed the rookie to step up with no Kumerow or Crowder, along with a still hobbled Davis, and he did. 

[Freddie's Dead]

To use a hockey metaphor, Cook is gripping the stick too tight.  You can see the wheels turning, he's thinking way too much instead of just playing.  Let's hope he gets over this *****, because watching him drop another screen pass will drive me ***** nuts.

[EasternOHBillsFan]

You know, those of you who said he hasn't got enough opportunities or there isn't enough of a sample size, did you ever consider that maybe he's not getting that because of his effort and attitude? We don't see what is going on behind closed doors and player interactions between themselves and coaches. There has to be a reason why Moss is getting a bulk of the other carries and Cook hardly sniffs the ball.

 

I just cannot process how the scouts and McBeane got him this wrong... not in their nature to get a guy who lacks effort and passion. We shall see...

[L Ron Burgundy]

Everyone just about dropped one today. 

 

Our rbs have been dookie.   I say we try actually giving him some decent playing time and see how he does.  

[BADOLBILZ]

55 minutes ago, TailgateChef said:

??

Travis Henry, DeShaun Foster, Clinton Portis, MJD, Chris Henry, Ray Rice, Matt Forte, LeSean McCoy, Leveon Bell, Gio Bernard, Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb, Jonathan Taylor....

 

 

Not a lot of SB winners in that pile, are there?

 

Having a highly-invested-in RB has become a pretty accurate predictor that you will not win a SB with said player.

 

Reasons aren't that complicated..........the passing game drives the teams that score the most...........even the best receiving RB's are no substitute for a decent slot receiver in the passing game..........and in the playoffs the level of run defense wratchets up immensely so if you are compelled to give a "valuable" RB touches you are putting yourself at a disadvantage.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 3, 2022 by BADOLBILZ

[L Ron Burgundy]

2 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

You know, those of you who said he hasn't got enough opportunities or there isn't enough of a sample size, did you ever consider that maybe he's not getting that because of his effort and attitude? We don't see what is going on behind closed doors and player interactions between themselves and coaches. There has to be a reason why Moss is getting a bulk of the other carries and Cook hardly sniffs the ball.

 

I just cannot process how the scouts and McBeane got him this wrong... not in their nature to get a guy who lacks effort and passion. We shall see...

That's all conjecture.   You have no clue if he doesn't have passion.   He looked extremely bummed after his drop and previous fumble.   You could be right but that's 100% your opinion right now.

[gjv]

From afar it seems Cook is having a problem with his ability to concentrate on the task at hand.

[BFLO]

I think it’s safe to say McBeane are terrible at evaluating RB talent. (And run blocking o-line) 

[BADOLBILZ]

11 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Not worried, but I would like to see an actual plan for him. 

 

 

If you gotta' make a special plan for a RB..........you haven't made a good personnel decision at RB. 

 

He just needs to not put the ball on the carpet and then start making plays when they give him the ball.

 

RB is far from a big concern with this team...........the lack of explosiveness at receiver has been the problem the past two weeks.    

 

Too many small plays.   Too many 3rd downs.  

 

Producing MORE small plays by giving the ball to RB's isn't a solution to scoring just 20 offensive points per game the past 2 weeks.

[Niagara Dude]

2 hours ago, streetkings01 said:

I know he’s a rookie……I get it, but RB is usually the one position where a rookie can make an impact from day #1 which Cook hasn’t. Add in the fact Beane/McDermott haven’t been great at evaluating RB’s either in the draft or free agency. He really needs to start showing he belongs in the NFL over the next couple weeks or we’ll start to see him inactive on game days.

He looks slow,  it looks like Isiah Pacheco picked in 7th round by Chiefs is the better player. He ran a 4.3 forty and making plays on both special teams and regular offence.  Its still early but I just don't see it with Cook 

[VW82]

He's in a weird spot. We aren't a running team and he's third string pretty much out of the gate despite being a relatively high pick from a good program. 

 

That said, something is obviously up. We can speculate all we want but we have no real idea. Eventually, the truth will come out. 

 

To answer the question, I'll be worried if he's still useless at the start of next year. Not everyone comes out of the gate as a rookie ready to go. 

Edited October 3, 2022 by VW82

[SCBills]

4 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

If you gotta' make a special plan for a RB..........you haven't made a good personnel decision at RB. 

 

He just needs to not put the ball on the carpet and then start making plays when they give him the ball.

 

RB is far from a big concern with this team...........the lack of explosiveness at receiver has been the problem the past two weeks.    

 

Too many small plays.   Too many 3rd downs.  

 

Producing MORE small plays by giving the ball to RB's isn't a solution to scoring just 20 offensive points per game the past 2 weeks.

Dont disagree .. but Cook plays random downs once in a blue moon. 
 

Definitely agree on the lack of big play ability.  Clearly coinciding with Gabe Davis and his lingering ankle injury.  
 

Still hoping for Odell later in the season and then a high pick at WR in the draft.  Davis had a chance to squash all this talk but, so far, can’t stay healthy. 

[Niagara Dude]

33 minutes ago, redtail hawk said:

interesting observation. what i've seen of him gives me the impression he's not very motivated.  his affect is strange. we know he's not very smart based on his abysmal wonderlic score.  now you're giving some evidence of poor work ethic.  not a good combination.  many here are saying he's not getting enough touches. I expect that if the coaches were impressed with what he's shown in practices, preseason and limited regular season action, he'd be out there much more.  It's not like we have a stable of awesome backs for him to compete for playing time with.  It's early but so far, I've got to believe the coaching staff is disappointed.

Someone (scout) dropped the ball,  this guy seems like a slacker.  

 

37 minutes ago, redtail hawk said:

interesting observation. what i've seen of him gives me the impression he's not very motivated.  his affect is strange. we know he's not very smart based on his abysmal wonderlic score.  now you're giving some evidence of poor work ethic.  not a good combination.  many here are saying he's not getting enough touches. I expect that if the coaches were impressed with what he's shown in practices, preseason and limited regular season action, he'd be out there much more.  It's not like we have a stable of awesome backs for him to compete for playing time with.  It's early but so far, I've got to believe the coaching staff is disappointed.

Who ever scouted this guy should be fired,  I am tired of wasting high picks on unproductive RB'S

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

I suspect that with the rainy conditions today, they weren’t risking it out there putting the ball in the rookie’s hands. 

[kjack151]

If I’m right, Singletary will be a free-agent?  If so, I don’t think he’ll be resigned.  Then, enter Cook.  So maybe they’re thinking ahead.  I’d like to hear your thoughts

[Norcalbillsfan]

3 hours ago, DuckyBoys said:

rbs need touches  He gets in for a play and immediately back to the bench  Maybe give him a full series and see how he does

Fully agree, really hard to tell a rookie back "hey go make the most of 2 touches today" he goes out getting in his own head trying to do too much, let the guy get some momentum 

[EasternOHBillsFan]

58 minutes ago, L Ron Burgundy said:

That's all conjecture.   You have no clue if he doesn't have passion.   He looked extremely bummed after his drop and previous fumble.   You could be right but that's 100% your opinion right now.

 

You need to read what I said again before saying that... I NEVER SAID I knew one way or the other... I said that I CANNOT PROCESS HOW they could draft a guy like that, so ease up there, buddy.

[Billz4ever]

2 hours ago, TheCockSportif said:

If Sing fumbles, I think that he will regroup.  If Cook fumbles then it's a crapshoot.  I know that I'm not giving the rook a chance, and I own that.  Still, if you get a chance to do the little things in a game, I don't know, like catching a single pass, then do that.  If you get a chance to have a carry, don't fumble.  If you do those things then, as a rookie, on a comparably stacked team, you will get more chances.

With all the drops today and another RB who coughed up the ball, it's hard to believe your focus is on the 1 drop Cook had in his one target.

2 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Cook needs to make the most of his opportunities!! He's not in Georgia anymore

His opportunities? You mean opportunity considering he got 1 target today.  A RB did turn the ball over today and it wasn't Cook.

[Victory Formation]

8 minutes ago, Norcalbillsfan said:

Fully agree, really hard to tell a rookie back "hey go make the most of 2 touches today" he goes out getting in his own head trying to do too much, let the guy get some momentum 

You have to think, they see him in practice though.

[Billz4ever]

1 hour ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

How do you know if McDermott and company are giving Cook "a fair shake"..........are you at practice and seeing if he is doing his job?

 

The mother hen fans are ridiculous..........it's OK that he needs to earn playing time in small sample sizes.

 

 

 

And occasionally some players don't have the cognitive function to ever learn..........see CJ Spiller.

All I know is the RB that turned the ball over today isn't named Cook, yet Cook who had one target today and dropped the ball, is somehow the problem here and according to many clowns in this thread are calling him a bust 4 games into the season.

 

 

[ArtVandalay]

We spent 2 3rds and a 2nd on RBs the last 4 years...  at least Cook is an explosive athlete but another mental error again today. Not good. 

 

He's had limited opportunities but he routinely has a brain fart in those.  We desperately need his athleticism in this backfield. 

 

What kills me is watching Dameon Pierce look incredible since this offseason. 

 

Hoping he comes around soon ee need his dynamic ability. 

[Norcalbillsfan]

Just now, Victory Formation said:

You have to think, they see him in practice though.

Same people that watch Zach moss in practice, then watch him cut away from the hole right into the backs of 2 blockers on a big 3rd down lol. But in all seriousness your right they do see him in practice so we don't know what the case is on cook behind the scenes.

[Billz4ever]

1 hour ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

You know, those of you who said he hasn't got enough opportunities or there isn't enough of a sample size, did you ever consider that maybe he's not getting that because of his effort and attitude? We don't see what is going on behind closed doors and player interactions between themselves and coaches. There has to be a reason why Moss is getting a bulk of the other carries and Cook hardly sniffs the ball.

 

I just cannot process how the scouts and McBeane got him this wrong... not in their nature to get a guy who lacks effort and passion. We shall see...

And what you just said is just as much speculation as anything anyone else has said, but the fact remains, he hasn't been given many opportunities.

 

[Brand J]

58 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

If you gotta' make a special plan for a RB..........you haven't made a good personnel decision at RB. 

 

He just needs to not put the ball on the carpet and then start making plays when they give him the ball.

 

RB is far from a big concern with this team...........the lack of explosiveness at receiver has been the problem the past two weeks.    

 

Too many small plays.   Too many 3rd downs.  

 

Producing MORE small plays by giving the ball to RB's isn't a solution to scoring just 20 offensive points per game the past 2 weeks.

I commented in the game thread that it was odd Allen’s vision was 10 yards and in on almost every play in the first half. He had WRs running open deep and intermediate, had time in the pocket, but didn’t take advantage. If one pass in particular was thrown to McKenzie who was wide open in the middle, he could’ve outraced the DBs to the endzone. Another had Diggs frustrated because he was open about 15 yards down the field but the ball was again thrown short of the sticks. Receivers are open for explosive plays, Allen just needed to get that aggression back he seemingly misplaced in Miami. We saw more of that in the 2nd half. 

[Billz4ever]

6 minutes ago, Victory Formation said:

You have to think, they see him in practice though.

So if he's bad in practice, why would they put him in the game at all then? 

 

Let's at least try to use some logic here.

[Bimmer323i]

Like some of the other posters said pick one guy and run with it… This monkey business of switching backs every other play or series didn’t work last year and it isn’t working this year….I believe Josh was our leading rusher again today

[Brand J]

1 minute ago, Billz4ever said:

So if he's bad in practice, why would they put him in the game at all then? 

 

Let's at least try to use some logic here.

I heard the opposite, that Cook was all world in practice. Von even said something similar after his fumble against the Rams, that he consistently made plays and he told the rook “take the next one for 80.” Many beat reporters who showed up at camp said “Cook just looks different. He’s the most explosive back the Bills have.” We’ve seen none of this in games though, his opportunities have been limited, which doesn’t help his confidence.

[Billz4ever]

3 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

I only remember Shakir missing a block. Never dropping passes. I'm not putting my eggs in Cook's basket!! 

And I'm not writing him off and calling him a bust because of a fumble and a dropped pass.

8 minutes ago, ArtVandalay said:

We spent 2 3rds and a 2nd on RBs the last 4 years...  at least Cook is an explosive athlete but another mental error again today. Not good. 

 

He's had limited opportunities but he routinely has a brain fart in those.  We desperately need his athleticism in this backfield. 

 

What kills me is watching Dameon Pierce look incredible since this offseason. 

 

Hoping he comes around soon ee need his dynamic ability. 

Cook's drop pass was one of many today.  Some had more than one and still got other opportunities to make up for it.  Cook had 1 target and somehow people are actually claiming he's a bust because of a fumble in game 1 and a dropped ball in game 4.

 

Unbelievable 

[Billz4ever]

8 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

I heard the opposite, that Cook was all world in practice. Von even said something similar after his fumble against the Rams, that he consistently made plays and he told the rook “take the next one for 80.” Many beat reporters who showed up at camp said “Cook just looks different. He’s the most explosive back the Bills have.” We’ve seen none of this in games though, his opportunities have been limited, which doesn’t help his confidence.

Agreed.  These claims his performance must be lacking in practice too contradicts literally everything we've heard about him from other players and coaches.  It's people making crap up is all it is.

Edited October 3, 2022 by Billz4ever

[L Ron Burgundy]

20 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

 

You need to read what I said again before saying that... I NEVER SAID I knew one way or the other... I said that I CANNOT PROCESS HOW they could draft a guy like that, so ease up there, buddy.

That doesn't make sense exactly but fair enough.   I mean , one normally wouldn't be thinking about how they could draft a guy like that unless you thought of him in that way.  To me he seems like a quiet dude but I'm guessing based on little I've seen on TV and interviews. 

 

I want him to succeed so I'm definitely biased.  Our run game (and blocking) has been horrible.   If we can get him going it would help a ton.

[LABILLBACKER]

The Bills are about as good at picking RB's as NE is picking WR's.  

[Joe Ferguson forever]

in the last 5 years, there have been 34 rookie rb's with over 500 yards rushing (including Singletary-moss had high 400's)- almost 7 a year. the idea that it takes time for a high pick rb to produce isn't supported by  this.

Edited October 3, 2022 by redtail hawk

[BADOLBILZ]

27 minutes ago, Billz4ever said:

All I know is the RB that turned the ball over today isn't named Cook, yet Cook who had one target today and dropped the ball, is somehow the problem here and according to many clowns in this thread are calling him a bust 4 games into the season.

 

 

 

 

To quote @GunnerBill from earlier today...........RB's are the least important player on the field.    In non-special teams situations......truth.   It's the only position teams might draft early with no intent on giving them a second contract if they pan out.   And that being said.........when they are drafted early they have very little runway to get off the ground before they are seen as disappointing.   Getting exercised about that is futile.  

[Billz4ever]

6 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

To quote @GunnerBill from earlier today...........RB's are the least important player on the field.    In non-special teams situations......truth.   It's the only position teams might draft early with no intent on giving them a second contract if they pan out.   And that being said.........when they are drafted early they have very little runway to get off the ground before they are seen as disappointing.   Getting exercised about that is futile.  

Yep, and Cook ain't the RB that fumbled the ball today that lead to 7 pts for the other team.

 

So if you want to make the focus about the guy who dropped the ball on his one and only target, that's on you, but it doesn't make much sense.

[BADOLBILZ]

30 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

I commented in the game thread that it was odd Allen’s vision was 10 yards and in on almost every play in the first half. He had WRs running open deep and intermediate, had time in the pocket, but didn’t take advantage. If one pass in particular was thrown to McKenzie who was wide open in the middle, he could’ve outraced the DBs to the endzone. Another had Diggs frustrated because he was open about 15 yards down the field but the ball was again thrown short of the sticks. Receivers are open for explosive plays, Allen just needed to get that aggression back he seemingly misplaced in Miami. We saw more of that in the 2nd half. 

 

 

Maybe.   Or maybe he's trying to keep the chains moving because his "playmakers" are making too many mistakes.   Just because Diggs and Davis were open today doesn't mean they were going to catch it.    They put footballs on the turf they should have caught.    And McKenzie?   Nothing he has done as a pro leads me to believe that he's a deep threat.   Tracking the ball deep down field and catching it are not something he has proven he can do.   You don't hear about it in practice either.   You can't cover everyone on defense so they will look for things they don't have to cover.    Remember the ham-handed former Bills TE Robert Royal?   When teams realized he couldn't catch a pass to save his life they literally stopped covering him.   That's McKenzie 25-30 yards upfield........a non-threat.

[Victory Formation]

40 minutes ago, Billz4ever said:

So if he's bad in practice, why would they put him in the game at all then? 

 

Let's at least try to use some logic here.

If he is playing great in practice, why isn’t he playing in games? What’s your logic for that?

 

?

[Billz4ever]

4 minutes ago, Victory Formation said:

If he is playing great in practice, why isn’t he playing in games? What’s your logic for that?

 

?

You tell me considering other players and the coaching staff have been singing his praises since training camp.

 

Now you provide any evidence at all that shows he's been underperforming in practice.  That's nothing but pure speculation.

Edited October 3, 2022 by Billz4ever

[HappyDays]

4 hours ago, DuckyBoys said:

rbs need touches  He gets in for a play and immediately back to the bench  Maybe give him a full series and see how he does

 

The coaches dole out snaps based on how the player looks in practice. Cook isn't getting snaps presumably because he isn't proving himself worthy of them. If he produced in his limited snaps maybe they give him a bigger role. But you can't drop the one opportunity you have in a big moment. I was excited about the pick because I thought he would be the pass catching back we have so desperately needed. Problem is he is having trouble catching passes... It's weird because that's all he did at Georgia, I'm not sure why it isn't translating to the NFL.

[Aurelius]

6 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

The coaches dole out snaps based on how the player looks in practice. Cook isn't getting snaps presumably because he isn't proving himself worthy of them. If he produced in his limited snaps maybe they give him a bigger role. But you can't drop the one opportunity you have in a big moment. I was excited about the pick because I thought he would be the pass catching back we have so desperately needed. Problem is he is having trouble catching passes... It's weird because that's all he did at Georgia, I'm not sure why it isn't translating to the NFL.

Or he isn’t getting snaps because the Bills played the Superbow champ Rams, the tied for #1 dolphins and a surging Baltimore team in a tough early schedule.  He played in our blowout and played well.  I think he will get more consistent opportunities moving forward. Maybe even Pittsburgh this week if we come out stronger than we have last 2 games.