James Cook absent from OTA's

[SoonerBillsFan]

Personally I hope we ride him hard,  300+ carries.  Get what we can outta him his last year here.  

 

He has no choice but to show up and ball out or he doesn't get paid next year.  Even he knows it.

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/bills-gm-brandon-beane-on-james-cook-i-have-no-doubt-when-it-s-time-to-play-football-he-ll-be-ready-to-roll

Edited 11 hours ago by SoonerBillsFan

[BigAl2526]

I wish I could say I was surprised at his absence.  It's what disgruntled players do.  I think he and his agent have both overestimated his contractual value to the Bills, so this has the makings of a difficult relationship this year.  Only Cook and his agent have any idea about whether or not he will play this season under the terms of his rookie deal, which is still in effect for the upcoming season.  I think that is what Beane is hoping.  He's pretty sure that if Cook does play, it will be his last season as a Bill.  After the season, Cook will put himself on the market and go to the highest bidder.  The overriding question is, if Cook holds out, what will Beane do?  Play hardball and levy a fine for every day he sits after attendance becomes mandatory?  Attempt to trade him to a team that doesn't think $15 million a year is too much?  Cave, and pay Cook what he wants?  Of course, trading depends on finding a willing trade partner, and Buffalo would be trading from a position of weakness.    

[appoo]

1 hour ago, without a drought said:

No one here knows how much he really wants or what the Bills are willing to pay, but I do know that Ty Johnson is making $1mil more than Cook and Darrynton Evans is only $200,000 behind Cook along with Ray Davis only $300,000 behind.

 

 

Fun fact. Cook and Davis were born less than 2 months apart

[HappyDays]

3 hours ago, Einstein said:

I used to be in the “RB are a dime a dozen” camp … but every time I think bank to last season, I get nervous about the idea of not having Cook.

 

 

 

I've gone back and forth on it but as of now this is where I'm at as well. My original thought was you let Cook walk so you can afford a true top 2 WR. But Beane clearly just isn't going to spend his money there. So Cook for the foreseeable future is easily our most explosive skill player. We aren't going to see deep passing TDs so without Cook our offense would have no easy button TDs on the menu, and it's just hard to run an offense with such a low margin for error. Cook's AAV will probably end up right around the combined cap hits of Ogunjobi and Tre White. No question I'd rather have Cook over those two, it's not even a debate in my mind. So I'm not sure paying him will actually negatively affect our team, it just means Beane will have to spend less money on defensive depth players which is a meaningless consequence to me.

[GunnerBill]

8 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

I've gone back and forth on it but as of now this is where I'm at as well. My original thought was you let Cook walk so you can afford a true top 2 WR. But Beane clearly just isn't going to spend his money there. So Cook for the foreseeable future is easily our most explosive skill player. We aren't going to see deep passing TDs so without Cook our offense would have no easy button TDs on the menu, and it's just hard to run an offense with such a low margin for error. Cook's AAV will probably end up right around the combined cap hits of Ogunjobi and Tre White. No question I'd rather have Cook over those two, it's not even a debate in my mind. So I'm not sure paying him will actually negatively affect our team, it just means Beane will have to spend less money on defensive depth players which is a meaningless consequence to me.

 

Yea it's where I am too. I actually mind less about AAV. It is length of commitment that concerns me. 3 years $45m but I can get put after 2 years with no more than say a $6-7m dead cap? Yea I think I'm in. 

[billsintaiwan]

He is one of the only "bang you miss me and I'm gone" guys we have on offense.

 

As a professional baseball scout, I can say, with clear conviction, I don't know what we should do. 

 

Probably not 15 million.

 

How much of him being able to hit big plays is the result of the fear of Allen running? Linebackers in limbo.

 

I really don't know. But I like him at 10 mil per for three years. Good money for an

a RB if you're not saquon.

 

Or, maybe other guys could take the same advantages of having linebackers in limbo for 3 mil a year.

 

Welcome to running a running an organization. Not easy.

Edited 9 hours ago by billsintaiwan

[Einstein]

37 minutes ago, billsintaiwan said:

 

As a professional baseball scout, I can say, with clear conviction, I don't know what we should do. 

 

Taiwanese baseball or real baseball?

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

 

I've gone back and forth on it but as of now this is where I'm at as well. My original thought was you let Cook walk so you can afford a true top 2 WR. But Beane clearly just isn't going to spend his money there. So Cook for the foreseeable future is easily our most explosive skill player. We aren't going to see deep passing TDs so without Cook our offense would have no easy button TDs on the menu, and it's just hard to run an offense with such a low margin for error. Cook's AAV will probably end up right around the combined cap hits of Ogunjobi and Tre White. No question I'd rather have Cook over those two, it's not even a debate in my mind. So I'm not sure paying him will actually negatively affect our team, it just means Beane will have to spend less money on defensive depth players which is a meaningless consequence to me.

 

That's exactly my take away. I remember listening to him on his infamous WGR rant talk about the strength of their Offensive Line and the Running Game and thinking "hold on - you're not paying your top Running Back either". It's clear in his words and actions that a move like Pittsburgh made for DK Metcalf is something he's simply not going to do now that we've paid Josh what he's being paid (on top of the mountain of guys he chooses to retain every year). 

 

My hope for Cook is that he puts in another very good year and that at the start of the offseason if we haven't gotten a deal done that works for both sides already, we Transition Tag him. So long as there isn't any ridiculous overpay offers, match it.

[SoonerBillsFan]

54 minutes ago, billsintaiwan said:

He is one of the only "bang you miss me and I'm gone" guys we have on offense.

 

As a professional baseball scout, I can say, with clear conviction, I don't know what we should do. 

 

Probably not 15 million.

 

How much of him being able to hit big plays is the result of the fear of Allen running? Linebackers in limbo.

 

I really don't know. But I like him at 10 mil per for three years. Good money for an

a RB if you're not saquon.

 

Or, maybe other guys could take the same advantages of having linebackers in limbo for 3 mil a year.

 

Welcome to running a running an organization. Not easy.

I would go 10 mill per and that makes him well paid. But he,his assclown brother and God knows who else, is in his head saying 15.  Hell  the moron brother posts 20 mill per from time to time.

[BillsFanForever19]

6 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

I would go 10 mill per and that makes him well paid. But he,his assclown brother and God knows who else, is in his head saying 15.  Hell  the moron brother posts 20 mill per from time to time.

 

10m is not well paid for the type of player he is. That's an underpay. That's what 30 year old Aaron Jones is being paid. Josh Jacobs is making 12m. Alvin Kamara at 29, who's a very similar RB is making 12.5. 

 

It's fine to say that you personally wouldn't pay for a RB. But to suggest 10m is "well paid" or a solid offer for who he is isn't accurate.

Edited 7 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[SoonerBillsFan]

12 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

10m is not well paid for the type of player he is. That's an underpay. That's what 30 year old Aaron Jones is being paid. Josh Jacobs is making 12m. Alvin Kamara at 29, who's a very similar RB is making 12.5. 

 

It's fine to say that you personally wouldn't pay for a RB. But to suggest 10m is "well paid" or a solid offer for who he is isn't accurate.

Then screw him.  I'm sick of this clown and talking about a position you just keep putting guys in as they come along. 

 

 

I wish Beane had traded him so we could quit hearing about his ass already.

[VW82]

1 hour ago, billsintaiwan said:

He is one of the only "bang you miss me and I'm gone" guys we have on offense.

 

As a professional baseball scout, I can say, with clear conviction, I don't know what we should do. 

 

Probably not 15 million.

 

How much of him being able to hit big plays is the result of the fear of Allen running? Linebackers in limbo.

 

I really don't know. But I like him at 10 mil per for three years. Good money for an

a RB if you're not saquon.

 

Or, maybe other guys could take the same advantages of having linebackers in limbo for 3 mil a year.

 

Welcome to running a running an organization. Not easy.

10M would be a steal for what he gives us. The only other RBs that would give us James’s ability to get skinny inside and then make second level guys miss on top of that is a first round talent, never mind whatever you might think of his big play ability on the outside or in the passing game. 
 

Personally, I’d rather pay James and continue to use our best draft capital on the lines or to replace valuable starters as need dictates.

Edited 7 hours ago by VW82

[BillsFanForever19]

22 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Then screw him.  I'm sick of this clown and talking about a position you just keep putting guys in as they come along. 

 

 

I wish Beane had traded him so we could quit hearing about his ass already.

 

What are you "hearing about" from him? Him posting a picture of he and Josh celebrating? The guy wants to be paid market fair market value (of which you're lowballing). So what? I'll never understand fans like you that get personally offended and lash out over business. If he was talking crap about Josh or the team like Diggs, i'd get it. But all he's ever talked about is his feeling he should be paid more. He should. And It's not your money. I don't get why you're so angry as to be constantly personally insulting him. Brandon Beane isn't bothered or angry about it. Why are you?

Edited 7 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[DrDawkinstein]

2 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

I would go 10 mill per and that makes him well paid. But he,his assclown brother and God knows who else, is in his head saying 15.  Hell  the moron brother posts 20 mill per from time to time.

 

1 hour ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Then screw him.  I'm sick of this clown and talking about a position you just keep putting guys in as they come along. 

 

 

I wish Beane had traded him so we could quit hearing about his ass already.

 

You ok dude?

[SoonerBillsFan]

3 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

 

You ok dude?

I'm just sick of this already.  But thanks for asking.

[chongli]

On 4/22/2025 at 12:04 PM, boyst said:

I never quit understand the skipping of these workouts but working out on your own. Especially because if hurt in an organized activity he is subject to coverage by the team, but if hurt outside of them he can be cut and forfeit his earnings as well as draw fines. 

 

Exactly! For example, Brock Purdy, also in the final year of his contract, but a team player, showed up and participated in OTA's today.

Edited 5 hours ago by chongli

[Psautcsk]

Was Josh Allen at the latest Voluntary workouts?

[SoonerBillsFan]

9 minutes ago, Psautcsk said:

Was Josh Allen at the latest Voluntary workouts?

Yes

[Psautcsk]

 There are pictures of workouts from this week on the Bills website and Allen is not in any of them.

Edited 4 hours ago by Psautcsk

[White Linen]

11 hours ago, muppy said:

greetings. 

 

This situation with James Cook is all drama Drama DRAMA

 

I don't like it.  The fan base is tired of the games being played here.

 

am I right?

 

freakin make up your mind. Either side. I'm Over it.

 

m

 

I get what you're saying and I don't think any fan enjoys a player they relatively like, posturing against the team they love.  I don't even know if this stuff is proven to work. 

 

However, RB's especially, the way they get used and discarded.  I'm for them doing whatever they have to, in order to earn every last dollar.

 

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by White Linen