Predicting Big 2023 Season for Kaiir Elam and James Cook

[CSBill]

I can't predict, but both must have productive seasons (start and be above average) for the Bills to be serious SB contenders this season.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

On 6/26/2023 at 3:27 PM, RoyBatty is alive said:

I don't necessarily disagree with you but think that was more or less decided when we added Harris and Murray.  He will be a return man/backup RB and gadget player.  A McKenzie that doesn't drop the ball as much.

 

Figure one of harris or murray isn't active on gameday - likely expecting one to get banged up at some point anyway. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

10 hours ago, NewEra said:

I’d rather just give those touches to cook.  It’s not like he’s going to get overworked.  Harris is going to get his carries, there’s no doubt in my mind.  Giving cook those snaps you speak of intended for Hines gives us better productivity (imo) and saves us a roster spot.  If we think we have other solid options in the return game, I would hope we move on and get a late round pick in return.  
 

I was really excited about landing a guy with his speed and explosiveness.  I’m down on him based on what I saw him do on offense wearing a Bills uniform.  
 

He’s got game…. I just think cook has a lot more and would rather give him those reps

 

I like having him simply because if cook were to get hurt - he can replace him better than some of our depth could have in the past.  I also don't want Hines getting whole drives, but maybe some unique stuff for third downs or in the red zone.  

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

19 hours ago, NewEra said:

Cook and Hines in the backfield takes knox or Kincaid off the field. No thanks.

 

hines is borderline useless in this offense imo.  Cook >>>>>>>>>>>>> hines

 

In the red zone we have struggled to run the ball against some of the stouter run defenses (someone like the jets or cincy).  Hines and cook can function as some eye candy, motion outside to create a mismatch situation with a linebacker, force them to adjust etc.  Just a different way to attack a team with speed instead of size.  

 

The main thing i want to avoid this season is being predictable.  We have that stable of playmakers that all do things a bit differently so we really have a lot of ways to attack.  

[RoyBatty is alive]

29 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

Figure one of harris or murray isn't active on gameday - likely expecting one to get banged up at some point anyway. 

Totally realistic

[NewEra]

44 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

In the red zone we have struggled to run the ball against some of the stouter run defenses (someone like the jets or cincy).  Hines and cook can function as some eye candy, motion outside to create a mismatch situation with a linebacker, force them to adjust etc.  Just a different way to attack a team with speed instead of size.  

 

The main thing i want to avoid this season is being predictable.  We have that stable of playmakers that all do things a bit differently so we really have a lot of ways to attack.  

 

49 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I like having him simply because if cook were to get hurt - he can replace him better than some of our depth could have in the past.  I also don't want Hines getting whole drives, but maybe some unique stuff for third downs or in the red zone.  

Good points-  

 

personally- I’d rather have the draft pick and cap room.  
 

regarding the red zone- I don’t think we’ll ever see cook and Hines on the field at the same time.  

[RoyBatty is alive]

49 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

In the red zone we have struggled to run the ball against some of the stouter run defenses (someone like the jets or cincy).  Hines and cook can function as some eye candy, motion outside to create a mismatch situation with a linebacker, force them to adjust etc.  Just a different way to attack a team with speed instead of size.  

 

The main thing i want to avoid this season is being predictable.  We have that stable of playmakers that all do things a bit differently so we really have a lot of ways to attack.  

Yes we can do some outside motion with them but now we do have more "size".    Lets see if they have "solved" their totally inept guard play this year, combined with Harris I think they could actually run the ball for TDs.

[colin]

i don't know how much they will play him, but i expect cook to be a monster when he does play.

 

im still baffled by hines, they just don't want to throw rb passes or use him it seems.

 

i think elam is a starter if not all year then most of the year.  i suspect tre might get either hurt again, or sat for banford to start over him at some point.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

40 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Yes we can do some outside motion with them but now we do have more "size".    Lets see if they have "solved" their totally inept guard play this year, combined with Harris I think they could actually run the ball for TDs.

 

Yeah, we tended to be stupid and really show our hand in the red zone last year.  Constantly spreading out despite pass pro issues, no play action from under center, just run routes and expect allen to buy time and find stuff.  That and running same plays out of same formations based on down and distance.  

 

Not saying change EVERYthing but you should have counterpunches prepared vs. each opponent.  

[pocoboy]

On 6/26/2023 at 8:56 PM, Kwai San said:

I'm all in on both......amazing how many folks just love to crap on these guys.  Your home lives must be absolutely miserable.

 

The tough part is owning enough computers to juggle between the 5-6 accounts.

[newcam2012]

19 hours ago, BuffBillsForLife said:

I would say Cook has a big year, but McBeane love RBBC too much for that to really happen.  Elam is just a wing and a prayer at this point.

Cook has never been a high volume RB. Look back at his college days in Ga..

 

I don't see him getting a large amount of touches in this offense. He shows promise. His quickness and speed must be maximized. Good luck there with Dorsey. The RB situation seems a little crowed right now. 

 

I think he can have a  nice year but I do think some expectations here are a little too rosey. Cook still has a lot to prove. 

[newcam2012]

12 hours ago, Patrick Duffy said:

 

First I wasn't referring to him rushing, I was talking out the backfield type passes with his speed if getting him into space..... that being said, I'll still address your question, he is also a threat as KR/PR so that plays into it.

 

He won't have very many opportunities rushing anyways unless injuries become a big factor but certain issues like the screen game etc type plays is clearly an area Bills need to figure out. If they do that then he has the speed that as you said any one of "20 UDFAs" may not have.

 

 

 

Well yeah, you don't take touches from Cook. I'm saying if he rotates in once in a while or maybe ends up getting more opportunities due to injury and can catch the ball with just a little bit of room he could definitely make some plays

It's yet to be seen if Cook is able to be effective with a consistent large work load. 

 

He's a pretty small RB and he's never had an opportunity to be a high volume RB. An increased workload doesn't always equate to better production. 

2 hours ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

Figure one of harris or murray isn't active on gameday - likely expecting one to get banged up at some point anyway. 

Harris for sure has huge injury concerns. Think Crowder for a reference. 

[hondo in seattle]

I'll go out on a limb and say Harris starts, though Cook will get his touches both as a ball carrier and as a receiver out of the backfield.  

 

Harris and Cook will get the most carries.  

 

Murray and Hines will both be used in certain situations but with significantly fewer touches than Harris and Cook.  

 

I do hope Dorsey uses Hines some in the passing game.  He can catch and is dangerous in space.  

[pocoboy]

1 hour ago, hondo in seattle said:

I'll go out on a limb and say Harris starts, though Cook will get his touches both as a ball carrier and as a receiver out of the backfield. 

 

I'm probably reading this wrong, but it seems to me that the hope is that Cook impresses in camp and gives them the chance to release Harris. I feel like Murray is a bruiser back they need in the short down situations to complement Cook, and would prefer not to be using Cook as the changeup to Harris.

 

Like, if you look at 2022 rushing yardage stats, the next name after Damien Harris is...Zach Moss. And Moss has a better YPC than Harris.

 

I'm assuming they wanted competition to challenge Cook, but it's tough to believe that aside from a true "kicking of the tires" that either guy (Harris or Murray) is their plan on 1st down.

Edited June 28, 2023 by pocoboy

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Elam should be a 17 game starter. He was the best defender on the field in the playoffs. 

White will start by reputation but he was not good last year. We all wanted White on the field but after watching him play they probably would have been better with Jackson and Elam on the field in the playoffs.  

I have a strong suspicion 2023 is the last year White is a Bill. After this year his dead cap falls quite a bit. Either that or he moves to safety. 

The wildcard is Benford. Is he a safety in waiting or is he an outside corner? He's a cheap option to start on a team that will be in cap hell for years to come.

 

As for RB, I think it will be a committee. I don't see anyone getting close to 1000 yards. Not how I would coach it but it is how McD will. He likes his veteran backs for some reason. Cook could be a true bell cow but it won't play out like that. Harris should be excellent at times if he stays healthy. I dont expect much from Murray.  Bills running backs accounted for only 1300 yards last year. I think it will be closer to 1500-1600 this year.  They will run more and Josh will run less. My guess Cook gets 800, Lewis 500 and Murray picks up the scraps around 250. 

[BigAl2526]

15 hours ago, Patrick Duffy said:

 

Not sure I'd go quite that far lol.....I think he could do well with his speed if can ever  get him the ball in space. And we know that's something that needs improvement getting each of the RBs involved. I mean I'm just saying I don't think he's hardly had nearly enough opportunities yet to know how useful or useless he is in this offense.

 

 

I think Himes could do some good things if he had more opportunities, but at this point I think the coaching staff has decided to use him primarily on special teams for his return abilities.

[maddenboy]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

White will start by reputation but he was not good last year. . . .

 

I have a strong suspicion 2023 is the last year White is a Bill. . .

 

 

As for RB, I think it will be a committee. I don't see anyone getting close to 1000 yards. Not how I would coach it but it is how McD will. He likes his veteran backs for some reason. Cook could be a true bell cow but it won't play out like that.

this and this.  

 

And for the evaluators on this site, can White be a safety?  As Ethan suggests?  He is smart in this defense.  But body-type, movement, communication, etc, is it reasonable?

 

(not asking whether he should.   not asking whether he would want to)

 

Edited June 28, 2023 by maddenboy

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

On 6/26/2023 at 8:56 PM, Kwai San said:

I'm all in on both......amazing how many folks just love to crap on these guys.  Your home lives must be absolutely miserable.

I never understood why people suggest that if you’re not 1000% in on everything  Bills do, then you must be a miserable person. I think Spencer Brown sucks when I’m on my boat with good friends watching the sunset on a beautiful summer evening. I am certainly not miserable because I think he’s not really swell at NFL Level football. 

[John from Riverside]

After cover one did that piece with Elam I became much more invested in him
 

He is a smart player and really should be in that number two corner position

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

Cook is going to have a monster year. He really started to come on in the latter part of the season rushing & receiving. I think Elam is gonna need another year, but if Tre White can return to at least 90% then the secondary will be in good hands. Having a consistently good Safety duo really helps as well.