James Cook vs Alvin Kamara

[Thrivefourfive]

1 hour ago, Kwai San said:

I am sure it has been said but I look at these numbers and the fact that Cook has what he has at 1/2 the games......I am thinking - barring injury - Cook will surpass Kamara in even more categories as he gets closer in # of games played

There’s a thing here though. Kamara’s run up to those big big numbers, he did that in the same career years # that Cook has already completed and is in now. First four seasons. Then the tail starts shedding.
 

It’s hard to say that if Kamara and Cook started at the same time, Cook and Kamara would be in their respective primes right now, then Kamara would go into decline (which is what happened) and Cook’s career would ascend to the point of surpassing Kamara’s incomparable first four seasons? The likelihood is that Cook declines just as Kamara did after his fourth season, and really just about every back not named E. SMITH, Barry, Henry and those type of Hall of Fame freaks.
 

For the rest of his long career, Kamara would be very good. I’m tempted to accept THIS season as Cook’s career year, and I would ***** up Kamara’s post-prime production to be Cook’s future in a deal with the devil in a heartbeat. Here’s why. Cook is smaller and takes a beating because of 1. His size; 2. Playing outdoors (not a dome), in the cold (not in domes), and in an east division (not the sunny south); 3. He’s going to play in a lot of playoff games, and they’ll most likely be of the three+ game post season variety, and cold; and, 4. why not.. the 17th game.. just one more opportunity to take a beating, maybe even a catastrophic one.
 

On top of all that, Kamara had genius Peyton and genius Brees, who didn’t run for nuts.
 

Kamara got more footballs to play with. It’s cool that Cook hasn’t been chewed up and spat out yet. I like that. But it appears he’s getting chewed up and spit out this season, right before our very eyes. He’s team coMVP with JA17 if you ask me. Let’s say the saved wear n tear (is it really though.. given his size..) extends his prime years, what, a season or two? Then we probably have a steeper decline compared to Kamara because of all the stuff listed here. Buttttttt, who the hell really knows..

[DCofNC]

8 hours ago, billsbackto81 said:

Cook has really impressed me with physical running between the tackles this past year. His ball security has also been immensely improved. He may not be a big bruiser, but the kid runs very hard. He's making it very difficult for Davis to get on the field. 

In fairness, Davis is making it tough to justify putting him on the field.   I was big on him coming out, even thought he would take the lead role.  He’s been below replacement level this season. 

[Buffalo716]

16 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

In fairness, Davis is making it tough to justify putting him on the field.   I was big on him coming out, even thought he would take the lead role.  He’s been below replacement level this season. 

Most running backs thrive once they get into the flow of the game 

 

It's really hard when you're getting four touches a game to ever get into the flow of the speed of an NFL game 

 

Definitely hasn't been looking as good as I thought but I'm not willing to write him off because he's never been able to get into a groove

[BillsFanForever19]

10 hours ago, Andrew Son said:

I like keeping the mileage down on Cook.

 

I keep seeing posts like this and other posts saying we need to manage his load so he doesn't get hurt.

 

And it cracks me up bc so many of them (not you necessarily) were saying he shouldn't be paid bc he's not a 3 Down Back. Now he's being used that way and it's like "don't do that, we have to keep him healthy". 

[DCofNC]

22 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Most running backs thrive once they get into the flow of the game 

 

It's really hard when you're getting four touches a game to ever get into the flow of the speed of an NFL game 

 

Definitely hasn't been looking as good as I thought but I'm not willing to write him off because he's never been able to get into a groove

I do get that part, but that said, at some point you have to make the most of your opportunities.   I think he may have made a bad choice in losing weight, he’s still not real fast and seems like he’s easier to stop.   Most baffling to me is the lack of vision, both Cook and Johnson seem to be in another world in comparison.

[Buffalo716]

3 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

I do get that part, but that said, at some point you have to make the most of your opportunities.   I think he may have made a bad choice in losing weight, he’s still not real fast and seems like he’s easier to stop.   Most baffling to me is the lack of vision, both Cook and Johnson seem to be in another world in comparison.

Well of course he's struggling right now 

 

He's got to work to get out of that funk and Sean's dog house because he's getting deeper in it every game he doesn't have a good run

[Sojourner]

When does Jimbo get his bull ring in the nose???

14 hours ago, NewEra said:

No doubt.  He’s become a star.  Just continues to improve in all aspects. His vision, patience, explosion is top tier.  His power was always lacking but is now extremely tough through contact.  Contact balance has come a long way as has his ball security.  He’s been good as a receiver but would like to see him used more in the pass game.  He could be Marshall Faulk 2.0 if his receiving game reaches what we thought he’d it would be when when we drafted him.  
 

He’s dam good and worth the contract 💯 

Well said man. 
 

Nevee thought Cook was truly elite until the playoffs last season. Dude was legit. Definitely what you said; damn good and worth every penny. 

[machine gun kelly]

16 hours ago, Ray Stonada said:

Feel like Cook is now the better back, Kamara maybe lost half a step.

 

Hoping they will start to use Cook more as a weapon catching more passes out of the backfield, too.

Kamara was great in his day, but Cook has more of a future in the NFL.  He proved me wrong in three games as I was one to want to let him play out his contract, and then franchise at him.  That was a mistake.  This contract is paying dividends.

[Chicken Boo]

Jamaal Charles is my Cook comparison.  

 

Get this guy involved and in the passing game and look out!  

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Sojourner said:

When does Jimbo get his bull ring in the nose???

Well said man. 
 

Nevee thought Cook was truly elite until the playoffs last season. Dude was legit. Definitely what you said; damn good and worth every penny. 

Similar for me, but it was the Detroit game where I really felt he jumped into the next tier.  He went from being a cog in the machine to almost becoming irreplaceable in January 2025.  I’m glad Beane felt the same.  Game breaking ability on a team that was lacking in that capacity.  

7 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

Most running backs thrive once they get into the flow of the game 

 

It's really hard when you're getting four touches a game to ever get into the flow of the speed of an NFL game 

 

Definitely hasn't been looking as good as I thought but I'm not willing to write him off because he's never been able to get into a groove

If you had to choose keeping davis, with 3 years left on his rookie deal or Ty, with 2 years makes 2.5M, who would choose?  I’d take Ty 💯 

20 minutes ago, Chicken Boo said:

Jamaal Charles is my Cook comparison.  

 

Get this guy involved and in the passing game and look out!  

That’s a good comp for sure. 

[DCofNC]

37 minutes ago, Chicken Boo said:

Jamaal Charles is my Cook comparison.  

 

Get this guy involved and in the passing game and look out!  

Thats a really good comp, I was trying to think about the “name of that guy from the Chiefs who was similar” you nailed it for me haha.  Cook is interesting because he’s not big and brawny, but he still packs a punch.  His real talent is the vision and speed, which he’s put on display of late.  I’m happy to say, I was dead wrong, he deserved the contract.

[Buffalo716]

5 hours ago, NewEra said:

Similar for me, but it was the Detroit game where I really felt he jumped into the next tier.  He went from being a cog in the machine to almost becoming irreplaceable in January 2025.  I’m glad Beane felt the same.  Game breaking ability on a team that was lacking in that capacity.  

If you had to choose keeping davis, with 3 years left on his rookie deal or Ty, with 2 years makes 2.5M, who would choose?  I’d take Ty 💯 

That’s a good comp for sure. 

If I could only keep one right now ty Johnson

 

Not even close

[NewEra]

5 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

If I could only keep one right now ty Johnson

 

Not even close

Not even close

[Special K]

Kamara, along with Rattler, was the best player on the field for the Saints offense today......Cook still outplayed him, but it was a fun matchup for sure!

[QCity]

7 minutes ago, Special K said:

Kamara, along with Rattler, was the best player on the field for the Saints offense today......Cook still outplayed him, but it was a fun matchup for sure!

 

I thought Miller was their best back today.

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

Kamara 15 carries 70 yds  0 td 4 rec 2 yds 

 

 

 

Cook  22 carries 117 yds 1 td 3 rec 18 yds

[Buffaloflash]

6 hours ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

Kamara 15 carries 70 yds  0 td 4 rec 2 yds 

 

 

 

Cook  22 carries 117 yds 1 td 3 rec 18 yds

It all seems perfectly clear to me.

Edited September 29 by Buffaloflash
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