Mini-Camp: A James Cook Barometer

[NewEra]

9 hours ago, eee1776 said:

How about someone being honorable enough to play out the contract he signed.

Teams are rarely 

[DrDawkinstein]

4 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Obviously the Bills aren't giving that to him now.  If he repeats his 2024 season take the comp pick and let someone else gamble on trying to turn a soon to be 27 year old RB into an every down back.

 

Like we've said previously, no rush to pay him, and we can always tag him. But I disagree on letting him walk, especially if he repeats.

[Doc Brown]

Just now, NewEra said:

Teams are rarely 

Yeah.  I never hear about a GM being criticized by fans for cutting someone with a year left on his contract that's under performed.  Cook is up for an extension and should do everything in his power to get one.  Just because I don't think he's worth $15m doesn't mean I'm against him trying to get one.

[BillsFanForever19]

5 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

If he wants to play then. And who says he will be that effective.  Johnson is our best all arpund back, and I think Davis can be damn good.

 

 

Look this team doesn't need another malcontent in the locker room for any amount of time.  

 

You're flat out drinking Haterade if you think Ty Johnson is "our best all around back". That's like saying Cam Lewis is our best all around DB bc you can put him all over the field.

 

James Cook is Josh's best Offensive Playmaker period. Ty Johnson is a 2.5m a year RB. A good blocker with some Receiving skills - but not NEARLY the weapon that Cook is.

Edited yesterday at 09:00 AM by BillsFanForever19

[Senth]

7 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

15 is out of the question... with who? You? The Bills? Because if he repeats his 2024 season, then when he hits the open market he will absolutely get $15M/yr. Maybe more.

Absolutely no chance at 15 ..... not a "bell cow" back period.

[Scott7975]

I don't care what Cook does to try and get his best deal. Thats his business.

I don't care what the Bills do to try and sign him to the deal that feels right to them. Thats their business.

Like most everyone, I do have opinions on his worth but really that's not my place. 

 

All I care about is Cook is ready to play come gametime.

Edited yesterday at 06:19 AM by Scott7975

[longtimebillsfan]

Cook is getting really bad advice from his brother or someone.

 

He should attend minicamp, attend all preseason training, and be a team player throughout the season.

 

That will get him a much better contract than acting like a pouty little kid that is mad because he didn't get his way.

 

Grow up Cook.

[Doc Brown]

7 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

I don't care what Cook does to try and get his best deal. Thats his business.

I don't care what the Bills do to try and sign him to the deal that feels right to them. Thats their business.

Like most everyone, I do have opinions on his worth but really that's not my place. 

 

All I care about is Cook is ready to play come gametime.

It's a message board.  Why not share your opinions on what you think his worth is?  

3 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Like we've said previously, no rush to pay him, and we can always tag him. But I disagree on letting him walk, especially if he repeats.

No rush at all.  I'd have to see what the franchise tag number is but I'm guessing it's around $15m so that would be a no for me.  The landscape can change a lot in a year too.  Maybe there's another RB on the FA market that's an every down back that's worth what Cook is asking next year?  Maybe it's a loaded RB draft class and we desperately need money at signing a big name WR or other premium position.  You just give yourselves so many more options by letting him play out this year.

[Chandler#81]

16 hours ago, eee1776 said:

How about someone being honorable enough to play out the contract he signed.

What’s this ‘honor’ thing you speak of?

10 hours ago, Neo said:

I believe the Josh Allen and O-line led offense of the Buffalo Bills contributes more to the success of James Cook than James Cook contributes to the success of Josh Allen and O-line of the Buffalo Bills.   $11 million; you’re lucky for that; get your a$$ here and play football.   He thinks differently?    Leave in February and best of luck to you.

I’m in this camp. The value of  RB is re-emerging in the League and Cook is quick and fast. Dalvin notwithstanding, I’m confident the team will make a real effort to re-sign him.

[GunnerBill]

6 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

You're flat out drinking Haterade if you think Ty Johnson is "our best all around back". That's like saying Cam Lewis is our best all around DB bc you can put him all over the field.

 

James Cook is Josh's best Offensive Playmaker period. Ty Johnson is a 2.5m a year RB. A good blocker with some Receiving skills - but not NEARLY the weapon that Cook is.

 

I don't know what he is drinking but it has sent him loopy if he thinks anyone other than James Cook is the Bills best back. 

7 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

Cook isn't going to sit out the season; that has never worked. Therefore, trading him now hurts the Bills for the 2025 season, which by all reasonable expectations is Super Bowl or bust. 

 

Would Beane make a move if someone absolutely wows him? I don't know, yeah maybe. But who would do that? And Cook is super valuable on the field to the Bills. They have a nice RB room with him. They're suddenly meh without him. Maybe if a RB with some degree of unrealized pedigree plus a day one draft pick are coming back, maybe that could work? No clue who and what teams fit that profile. 

 

There were definitely rumours that the Bills allowed his agent to explore trade options in the spring pre-draft. If there was a deal that made sense for us, another team and Cook it would have happened in that window. It didn't, and I don't think as such there is a trade that makes sense at this point. So he will play. 

[Scott7975]

4 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

It's a message board.  Why not share your opinions on what you think his worth is?  

No rush at all.  I'd have to see what the franchise tag number is but I'm guessing it's around $15m so that would be a no for me.  The landscape can change a lot in a year too.  Maybe there's another RB on the FA market that's an every down back that's worth what Cook is asking next year?  Maybe it's a loaded RB draft class and we desperately need money at signing a big name WR or other premium position.  You just give yourselves so many more options by letting him play out this year.

 

True, it's just a message board. My opinion would be in the neighborhood of $10m. Maybe $12 with incentives. I'd also want to see him have another season like last year for that. I'd want to make sure that he wasn't just a one season wonder. I like him and I'd like him to stay but not at any cost. I don't think he is a Henry type of back. I also don't value the RB position as much, even if it is making a comeback. I also don't think he is some generational game changing back that should be getting top dollar.

[Thurman#1]

19 hours ago, BigAl2526 said:

Mandatory mini-camp starts a week from today.  Among other things, it will give us a little more of an indication of how serious the rift is between Cook and the Bills.  Presumable, if Cook shows up, it is an early indication Cook is willing to play out his rookie deal before offering his services up for open bid in 2026 and beyond.  If he doesn't show up, it raises the odds of a holdout that could last into training camp.

 

 

The rift is serious. It's about $5M a year serious.

 

But he's not going to skip out on training camp. Or not more than a day or two anyway.

 

8 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

You're flat out drinking Haterade if you think Ty Johnson is "our best all around back". That's like saying Cam Lewis is our best all around DB bc you can put him all over the field.

 

James Cook is Josh's best Offensive Playmaker period. Ty Johnson is a 2.5m a year RB. A good blocker with some Receiving skills - but not NEARLY the weapon that Cook is.

 

 

Nah, it ain't about hating, it's about the meeting of "all around." Ty absolutely is our best all around back if that means having the widest range of skills and abilities. Ty blocks a ton better, catches probably a bit better and is probably better at pure banging.

 

Yeah, Cook is more dangerous as a breakaway threat. But nobody is denying that. Cook is the best back, but that's not the question. The question is what he will sign for and what the Bills will give him.

 

 

5 hours ago, longtimebillsfan said:

Cook is getting really bad advice from his brother or someone.

 

He should attend minicamp, attend all preseason training, and be a team player throughout the season.

 

That will get him a much better contract than acting like a pouty little kid that is mad because he didn't get his way.

 

Grow up Cook.

 

 

That's my feeling too, but it's his life. Doesn't make me angry that he's doing this.

 

 

Edited yesterday at 11:35 AM by Thurman#1

[SoonerBillsFan]

1 hour ago, Chandler#81 said:

What’s this ‘honor’ thing you speak of?

I’m in this camp. The value of  RB is re-emerging in the League and Cook is quick and fast. Dalvin notwithstanding, I’m confident the team will make a real effort to re-sign him.

Who says they haven't?  If he is stuck on 15 mill then bye.  A guy who plays half the offensive snaps, drops passes in critical situations,isn't our best 3rd down back and cant block, isn't worth that kind of money.

[Thurman#1]

12 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

and right to the heart of the matter. He signed.

Maybe ask his agent 

 lol

For all the folks who defend the player. They signed the contract. period

 And yes they certainly should play hard for a much better contract. and then sign that.

It's a business

 This is the year to show for James.

Go Bills

 

 

He signed. Meaning that if he doesn't live up to the particular terms of the contract he will be liable for fines within the CBA.

 

He'll pay the fines if they're assessed. He'll understand if he (likelihood close to zero) misses the first game and loses a game's worth of his paycheck. 

 

Got zero to do with honor.

 

"It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business."

 

 

[Ya Digg?]

5 hours ago, longtimebillsfan said:

Cook is getting really bad advice from his brother or someone.

 

He should attend minicamp, attend all preseason training, and be a team player throughout the season.

 

That will get him a much better contract than acting like a pouty little kid that is mad because he didn't get his way.

 

Grow up Cook.

He’s been a team player for 3 years! This is a negotiating tactic and as a running back he gets one shot at this. You’re making it sound like he’s the first guy to ever do this. 
 

Your reaction is valid as a fan, but it’s why you’re a fan and not an executive or agent. He’s not being pouty or a child, it’s actually a calculated strategy. If he gets hurt, it diminishes his value, so he is minimizing risk. I’m sure the team would like to see him there, but they aren’t taking it personally-it’s business

 

I highly doubt he will be there next week, and don’t be surprised if he misses a couple of days of training camp. That being said, he will end up in training camp, some very misguided fans will boo him, he will be there opening day and he will play hard for a contract if he doesn’t get one during training camp. He knows sitting out games isn’t going to get him paid big money

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

13 hours ago, MJS said:

They get fined for missing mandatory time and they lose an accrued season if they hold out for enough games.

Like I said, terminating it early is, in fact, fulfilling the contract because the contracts allow for that.

 

Yes - and the fines are outlined in the CBA that was agreed upon with the league and NFLPA.  I don't think cook has made enough money to hold out actual games though (He's made like 4M total over 3 years).  I think he'll show up simply because the escalator in his contract pays him more than he'd been paid total in the 3 prior seasons, and holdouts that last into the season tend to hurt your earning potential.  

 

Le'veon Bell had been tagged the prior season when he sat out in 2018, so he had some money.  Reddick last year had been paid a decent chunk of change as well prior to his holdout.  

1 hour ago, Ya Digg? said:

He’s been a team player for 3 years! This is a negotiating tactic and as a running back he gets one shot at this. You’re making it sound like he’s the first guy to ever do this. 
 

Your reaction is valid as a fan, but it’s why you’re a fan and not an executive or agent. He’s not being pouty or a child, it’s actually a calculated strategy. If he gets hurt, it diminishes his value, so he is minimizing risk. I’m sure the team would like to see him there, but they aren’t taking it personally-it’s business

 

I highly doubt he will be there next week, and don’t be surprised if he misses a couple of days of training camp. That being said, he will end up in training camp, some very misguided fans will boo him, he will be there opening day and he will play hard for a contract if he doesn’t get one during training camp. He knows sitting out games isn’t going to get him paid big money

 

If they're negotiating an extension with the Bills currently, regardless of 10, 12, 15M AAV - he shouldn't play until it's signed.  Once a decision is made there, then show up.  If you're extended, great - if not, you still have to play to get the bag in the offseason.  

[FireChans]

14 hours ago, NoSaint said:

 

because he signed those terms

He did.

 

James Cook should do what's best for James Cook. If that means holding out to the last possible second to secure financial salvation for at least 2 generations of his family, so be it and good for him. 

13 hours ago, MJS said:

They get fined for missing mandatory time and they lose an accrued season if they hold out for enough games.

Like I said, terminating it early is, in fact, fulfilling the contract because the contracts allow for that.

the contract allows for skipping camp/mandatory activities, just with penalties.

 

Honor is as honor does.

[billsfan89]

I wouldn't be shocked if he does the old "hold in" where he shows up but claims some sort of ankle sprain to avoid the fines for missing mini-camp but still not be an active participant.  

[MJS]

17 minutes ago, FireChans said:

the contract allows for skipping camp/mandatory activities, just with penalties.

 

Honor is as honor does.

Actually, the contract doesn't allow for that, which is why there are affixed fines and penalties.

 

That's like saying the league allows you to beat your girlfriend or do drugs with game suspensions. Discipline for not adhering to the rules and contracts is not the same.

[chongli]

Oh, he'll show up but not will play or attend meetings so he won't get fined. Hold in.