Is Cook worth it?

[DrDawkinstein]

 

[Billsfed1]

8 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

It’s a well deserved spot.  If he can replicate those numbers again this year, I’ll be willing to say “he’s worth it” 😂

[Richard Noggin]

2 hours ago, Billsfed1 said:

It’s a well deserved spot.  If he can replicate those numbers again this year, I’ll be willing to say “he’s worth it” 😂

 

See, I'd still (probably) argue against the Bills agreeing to the kind of contract I'm afraid Cook would demand. He's dynamic, no doubt, and a weapon with the ball in his hands. He looks really good in Brady/Kromer's rushing attack. A threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. 

 

My main reluctance is more philosophical with respect to roster construction: only way an RB should make WR money is if he's a 3-down beast who pass blocks and has reliable hands. The holes in Cook's game would need to be plugged to sell me on a top-3ish (for now) RB contract. And by that point he's gonna have other suitors. A team on a rookie QB contract could justify signing a guy like Cook, and it would be smart. Denver, Washington, Minnesota, etc. 

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

See, I'd still (probably) argue against the Bills agreeing to the kind of contract I'm afraid Cook would demand. He's dynamic, no doubt, and a weapon with the ball in his hands. He looks really good in Brady/Kromer's rushing attack. A threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. 

 

My main reluctance is more philosophical with respect to roster construction: only way an RB should make WR money is if he's a 3-down beast who pass blocks and has reliable hands. The holes in Cook's game would need to be plugged to sell me on a top-3ish (for now) RB contract. And by that point he's gonna have other suitors. A team on a rookie QB contract could justify signing a guy like Cook, and it would be smart. Denver, Washington, Minnesota, etc. 

 

The Steelers just let Najee Harris walk after 4 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons but he currently averages a full yard per carry less than Cook. If Cook goes for 1,000 yards again at a healthy ypc and the Bills still let him walk it would be pretty unusual by NFL standards. Although I agree with you philosophically about the positional spend. 

[Richard Noggin]

18 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

The Steelers just let Najee Harris walk after 4 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons but he currently averages a full yard per carry less than Cook. If Cook goes for 1,000 yards again at a healthy ypc and the Bills still let him walk it would be pretty unusual by NFL standards. Although I agree with you philosophically about the positional spend. 

 

And if Cook has another productive, explosive season similar to 2024, I won't be angry or disappointed if the Bills meet his demands. But I DO think at that point it will already be too late, and he'll be priced out of Beane's comfort level. 

 

*I'd take Cook over Harris 8 times out of 10, easily. Harris is just not very dangerous, despite being well-rounded and physical. Just doesn't get up field with much urgency. Kind of Cook's opposite. 

[GunnerBill]

3 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

And if Cook has another productive, explosive season similar to 2024, I won't be angry or disappointed if the Bills meet his demands. But I DO think at that point it will already be too late, and he'll be priced out of Beane's comfort level. 

 

*I'd take Cook over Harris 8 times out of 10, easily. Harris is just not very dangerous, despite being well-rounded and physical. Just doesn't get up field with much urgency. Kind of Cook's opposite. 

 

Yea Cook is better than Harris. Not even close. The reason for the comparison is I was trying to find an example, even in these days of devalued running backs, of a team letting a guy walk after 3 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons - which I imagined to be extremely rare. I think it is but it just happened with Harris. That is the only one I could come up with though. 

[Chandler#81]

Love me some James. Hope we can keep him after the season..

[yall]

I'm seeing lots of posts on social media from multiple sources describing what a miserable guy he's been at his various events, appearances, summer camps for kids, etc. 

 

Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

Here are a few samples that came up in my feed:

 

My son attended his camp in Albany on Monday. He showed up late and appeared completely miserable. My kid come off the field and said cook was acting like he didnt even want to be there. Everyone has bad days and things happen but to act like that at a camp for kids who look up to you

 

A reply to the above said;

 

We attended one the next day in Buffalo same kind of thing. Acting like he just woke up barely any interaction with the kids. My son said he was rude. He told kids to “stop asking questions” and “just look at the camera and take the picture” not impressed what so ever..I’ve heard nothing but awful things by many it’s unfortunate

 

And another:

 

We didn’t sign up this year because last years it was a one and done type thing. He was late and miserable there too… didn’t sign anything else for anyone unless you paid extra for the on field access… 

 

 

[Gregg]

Where are the Bills with Cook and the contract situation? Are they closer to getting a deal done? He is our 2nd best player on offense. Need to get a deal done hopefully.

[Ga boy]

17 minutes ago, Gregg said:

Where are the Bills with Cook and the contract situation? Are they closer to getting a deal done? He is our 2nd best player on offense. Need to get a deal done hopefully.

My guess is that a $12 million deal with $30 million guaranteed will get done by game 1.  He knows that this team is his best chance to get a SB, and the Bills know that he is the perfect RB for this offense.  If they wait a year, his price goes up.

[Gregg]

9 minutes ago, Ga boy said:

My guess is that a $12 million deal with $30 million guaranteed will get done by game 1.  He knows that this team is his best chance to get a SB, and the Bills know that he is the perfect RB for this offense.  If they wait a year, his price goes up.

 

I hope so because if they don't have him their chances for a Super Bowl take a major hit. The Bills WR's/TE's are average, and Allen can't do it by himself. Cook may not be in Barkley and Henry's league, but he is an excellent back who takes a lot of pressure off Allen.

[JohninMinn.]

Cook is ranked 24th in yards after contact. That's a reason to move on along with some key drops.

[Gregg]

4 minutes ago, JohninMinn. said:

Cook is ranked 24th in yards after contact. That's a reason to move on along with some key drops.

 

Last year his stats were as follows

 

Rushing - 207 carries, 1009 yards, 4.9 avg with 16 TD's

Receiving - 32 receptions 258 yards 8.1 avg with 2 TD's

 

18 total TD's is something you can't dismiss. If we had a better receiving group then maybe it would be easier to move on from him, but we don't. He is the 2nd best player on offense. The Bills need him for a Super Bowl run.