Is Cook worth it?

[BigAl2526]

I think the crux of the issue is that Cook thinks he is a three down, work horse back, and wants to be paid like it.  The Bills, on the other hand, don't want to use him that way.  They have Ty Johnson that Josh Allen believes "is the best third down back in the league, and a young, promising back in Ray Davis.  The Bills want to spread the touches around more than what would justify Cook's asking price.  In essence, Cook is saying, "I've had enough of 'everybody eats' and I want to be the man."  Of course, Cook knows the average lifespan of a running back isn't very long in the NFL and he wants to make his money now.  Derrick Henry is an exception to the life span averages, but he is built like a freight train.  The Bills, perhaps, are concerned that Cook's build doesn't lend itself to durability in a three down work horse role, using him like they have actually will lead to prolonging his career and increasing the odds of his availability late in the season and the playoffs.   There is no way to know how far apart the two sides are.  Hopefully they can find some room for compromise. 

 

I do think it is somewhat disingenuous of Cook to say he was in camp to support his teammates, only to stage his "hold-in" work slow down at this point in camp.  Instead, it looks like a strategy to put more pressure on the Bills. 

[balln]

Just now, GoBills808 said:

TD totals dont impress me in this offense. if you are a skill player w Allen you are going to have outsize TD numbers. Call it the Dawson Knox effect...we are still regretting that contract they handed him after his 9TD season

 

doubt theyll make the same mistake

 

It also matters how he scores the TDs. Is he a goaline vulture - like a Shaun Alexander ? 
 

nah. He scores from far out. Takes it to the house. 
 

hes 12500 scrimmage yards with 18 tds in reg season. WITH Josh Allen being the goaline td vulture.

 

Cook is an elite player. He’s not saquan. But he’s just below IMO. Also ask giants fans w saquan production vs now with eagles. I don’t get the- he’s on a good team argument. They’re both explosive players. Yes he’ll have better numbers with better team. No bleep Sherlock. Doesn’t change his value or worth

[DrDawkinstein]

2 minutes ago, balln said:

It also matters how he scores the TDs. Is he a goaline vulture - like a Shaun Alexander ? 
 

nah. He scores from far out. Takes it to the house. 
 

hes 12500 scrimmage yards with 18 tds in reg season. WITH Josh Allen being the goaline td vulture.

 

Cook is an elite player. He’s not saquan. But he’s just below IMO. Also ask giants fans w saquan production vs now with eagles. I don’t get the- he’s on a good team argument. They’re both explosive players. Yes he’ll have better numbers with better team. No bleep Sherlock. Doesn’t change his value or worth

 

He had multiple goal line TDs last year, and some he even ran OVER defenders. That was the big add to his game. He came in a bit heavier and stronger and just as fast, and added the ability to run through tackles.

 

It could be well argued we should have handed him the ball at the end of the Chiefs game instead of letting Josh get stuffed on something the Chiefs knew was coming.

 

Edited August 4 by DrDawkinstein

[VW82]

Hate to say it but this escalation was always a greater risk to the season than people were admitting. Cook is a huge part of this team. Like, we probably need to change some of our offensive philosophy if he’s traded. 
 

I don’t think he’s worth what he wants and that will become apparent to him when he starts negotiating with other teams, but this still sucks. Perhaps it’s still premature to start freaking out but it doesn’t look great. He has so much to potentially lose entering this year without a deal done, hence why a holdout during the season and /or trade could happen.

[Wolfgang]

Is Cook worth it?

 

To the right team, absolutely...

 

To the Bills with Josh Allen and the best o-line they've ever had?

 

Probably not...

 

I'm far more concerned about maintaining the sort of o-line that got Brady to over two decades of great football...

 

 

 

[Tulsabillsfanz]

I understand Beane’s frustration. Cook has said he will be there when it’s time to play. He said he doesn’t want to be a distraction to the team. Now, he’s not practicing when it’s time to practice and be ready for the season. He’s becoming a distraction for the rest of the team. 
 

I wouldn’t trust Cook to be 100% physically and mentally there when we need him.  He’s focused on himself, not the team. I hate depending on guys with that mentality. 

[cd1]

1 minute ago, BigAl2526 said:

I think the crux of the issue is that Cook thinks he is a three down, work horse back, and wants to be paid like it.  The Bills, on the other hand, don't want to use him that way.  They have Ty Johnson that Josh Allen believes "is the best third down back in the league, and a young, promising back in Ray Davis.  The Bills want to spread the touches around more than what would justify Cook's asking price.  In essence, Cook is saying, "I've had enough of 'everybody eats' and I want to be the man."  Of course, Cook knows the average lifespan of a running back isn't very long in the NFL and he wants to make his money now.  Derrick Henry is an exception to the life span averages, but he is built like a freight train.  The Bills, perhaps, are concerned that Cook's build doesn't lend itself to durability in a three down work horse role, using him like they have actually will lead to prolonging his career and increasing the odds of his availability late in the season and the playoffs.   There is no way to know how far apart the two sides are.  Hopefully they can find some room for compromise. 

 

I do think it is somewhat disingenuous of Cook to say he was in camp to support his teammates, only to stage his "hold-in" work slow down at this point in camp.  Instead, it looks like a strategy to put more pressure on the Bills. 

I can't help but bill-eve that if he gets his "payday" it will only be a year or so before he is unhappy again. Very similar to Diggs. 

 

The Bills have had many valuable, hard working, players that have gotten good contracts without this kind of s__t show.   

[ndirish1978]

38 minutes ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

Dan Mitchells voice is SO annoying, and his content reeks of "influencer". Can't stand him. 

And I love Joe. 

Sorry, triggered LOL.

 

Dan Mitchell has zero inside knowledge and not particularly high ball knowledge, he just desperately wants to get famous as a Bills "insider." Unfortunately for him and fortunately for us we have Cover One and Joe Marino, who do have a ton of ball knowledge. I could care less about the insider thing. I watched 2 Dan Mitchell things on youtube and promptly hit "do not recommend this channel." 

[SoonerBillsFan]

8 minutes ago, BigAl2526 said:

I think the crux of the issue is that Cook thinks he is a three down, work horse back, and wants to be paid like it.  The Bills, on the other hand, don't want to use him that way.  They have Ty Johnson that Josh Allen believes "is the best third down back in the league, and a young, promising back in Ray Davis.  The Bills want to spread the touches around more than what would justify Cook's asking price.  In essence, Cook is saying, "I've had enough of 'everybody eats' and I want to be the man."  Of course, Cook knows the average lifespan of a running back isn't very long in the NFL and he wants to make his money now.  Derrick Henry is an exception to the life span averages, but he is built like a freight train.  The Bills, perhaps, are concerned that Cook's build doesn't lend itself to durability in a three down work horse role, using him like they have actually will lead to prolonging his career and increasing the odds of his availability late in the season and the playoffs.   There is no way to know how far apart the two sides are.  Hopefully they can find some room for compromise. 

 

I do think it is somewhat disingenuous of Cook to say he was in camp to support his teammates, only to stage his "hold-in" work slow down at this point in camp.  Instead, it looks like a strategy to put more pressure on the Bills. 

Exactly. This is why I don't think he wants to be here. He wants to go somewhere that he IS a 3 down back, and he knows we dont' do that here and most likely never will.  

 

So trade him to Dallas or to someone that will use him that way.

[sunshynman]

1 hour ago, Big Blitz said:

 

They have Achane.  
 

The low or no tax states have RBs locked up or will need to soon.  Or have a massive QB contract and little cap room.   
 

Vegas

Miami

Jax 

Atlanta 

Dallas has drafted - no way they pay RB

Houston - Mixon

Chargers drafted one 

Seattle - Walker and Charbonet

Cincy - Brown

Jets - Breece and Allen

Washington - Robinson 

Rams - Kyren (also looking for a deal) 

AZ - drafted Benson high 
 

Maybe Tennessee would be interested if he wanted to go there.  
 

Possibilities with no cap issues 

 

Patriots 

Washington

Titans 

 

I mean there isn’t really a better situation for him than here.   

 

 

 

 

 

Yes. That's what I was getting at. And I think Miami is going to struggle and they suck. I was going to say the Browns first. 

[Coach Tuesday]

This is why you don't use a 2nd round pick on a very good RB who lacks elite measurables.  When they perform like a very good RB who lacks elite measurables, you aren't going to want to pay them...

[BarleyNY]

32 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

Would also rub potential teams the wrong way , just a terrible career decision but then again these terribly run franchises are always in play , think leveon bell w the Jests

Some team certainly could make this kind of mistake - especially one where the GM &/or HC are on the hot seat. 

[sunshynman]

2 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

This is why you don't use a 2nd round pick on a very good RB who lacks elite measurables.  When they perform like a very good RB who lacks elite measurables, you aren't going to want to pay them...

Or you let him go and draft his replacement. While having another good back or two already on the team.

[BuffaloBillyG]

13 minutes ago, balln said:

It also matters how he scores the TDs. Is he a goaline vulture - like a Shaun Alexander ? 
 

nah. He scores from far out. Takes it to the house. 
 

hes 12500 scrimmage yards with 18 tds in reg season. WITH Josh Allen being the goaline td vulture.

 

Cook is an elite player. He’s not saquan. But he’s just below IMO. Also ask giants fans w saquan production vs now with eagles. I don’t get the- he’s on a good team argument. They’re both explosive players. Yes he’ll have better numbers with better team. No bleep Sherlock. Doesn’t change his value or worth

Here's where I believe the issue falls. 

 

Is Cook an elite player...or did he just have an elite season? There is a difference.

 

There is no avoiding it. Cook had an elite season last year. But is that who he is or was it the product of the stars lined up just right for him? Remember, this time last year a lot of people were down on him because of the TD drops and fumbles. In a lot of people's eyes he went from "let him walk" to "pay him too dollar" over a 19 game span.

 

I think Cook wants to strike while the iron is hot and I can't blame him for that. I also think the Bills would like to see some consistency and that last year wasn't a one off before they shell out top dollar. And I can't blame them for that, either.

 

The same people screaming to pay him $15M per year will be the same people calling Beane a horrible GM and saying  it was a horrible contract if Cooks numbers regress to the means.

 

[DaVinci]

After Beans interview this morning it doesn't sound good.

[Inigo Montoya]

I'm sure this isn't a new observation, but Cooks is likely to have a longer career playing in Buffalo where he is nota bell cow back.  He was 22nd in RB touches and 19th in rush attempts last year, and still managed to score 16 TDs in the regular season.

 

He runs behind a premier O-Line and has the best QB in the league on the field with him.  They use him in a limited basis reducing the wear and tear on his body and he is put in position to be very successful and score a lot in this elite offense.  I don't think he will find another situation that is as favorable. 

 

There is likely a $2-3m a year difference in what he wants and what the Bills will pay.  Playing one extra season makes up for that.

[SoonerBillsFan]

3 minutes ago, DaVinci said:

After Beans interview this morning it doesn't sound good.

I saw what he said and it sounds to me like both sides are set and there won't be any budging going forward. 

[Gregg]

Here is one writer's opinion if the Bills don't resign Cook.

 

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bills-predicted-to-draft-michigan-running-back-as-james-cook-replacement/ar-AA1JTmBl?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=6890eae1023c4a62a016444741d5d2ab&ei=15

[GoBills808]

6 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Here's where I believe the issue falls. 

 

Is Cook an elite player...or did he just have an elite season? There is a difference.

 

There is no avoiding it. Cook had an elite season last year. But is that who he is or was it the product of the stars lined up just right for him? Remember, this time last year a lot of people were down on him because of the TD drops and fumbles. In a lot of people's eyes he went from "let him walk" to "pay him too dollar" over a 19 game span.

 

I think Cook wants to strike while the iron is hot and I can't blame him for that. I also think the Bills would like to see some consistency and that last year wasn't a one off before they shell out top dollar. And I can't blame them for that, either.

 

The same people screaming to pay him $15M per year will be the same people calling Beane a horrible GM and saying  it was a horrible contract if Cooks numbers regress to the means.

 

again

in what world is 1,009 yards rushing and 258 receiving elite?

[SoonerBillsFan]

11 minutes ago, sunshynman said:

Or you let him go and draft his replacement. While having another good back or two already on the team.

No more letting guys walk. I don't care if its a 7th round pick and a box of athletic tape. Get SOMETHING for him.