Can James Cook break a tackle, ever?!?!

[BADOLBILZ]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

Of all the terrible takes coming out of week 1 this was the most terrible. 

 

 

There were people who insisted Devin Singletary was just awful too.........despite him putting up very good ypa year after year.

 

RB lovers will not be satisfied until they get something akin to Bijan Robinson..........a player who is called the best player in the draft by some hot take draft talking heads.    

 

And whether the player actually consistently produces or stays healthy in the NFL or not is a DISTANT secondary concern to his draft pedigree.   

 

[HappyDays]

All this run offense needed was some speed to take full advantage of easy opportunities given to us by the defensive coverages we face.

[VW82]

Cook not breaking tackles is a legitimate gripe even though he’s obviously good. 
 

I’d prefer we start games with one of Murray or Harris. Soften up the defense first, and then bing in Cook to gash them for big plays. He can still get 20 touches like that. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

2 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

7 YPC on draws... That's incredible. Although the Raiders game was surely responsible for most of that success. We'll have to see if it continues.

 

Yeah - and he turned some of the negatives into... mildly positive gains against NYJ.  I think one of the big losers was a pitch actually too.  

 

Probably just remembering a 2nd and 15 draw and being pissed off.  Good to know though!

[HappyDays]

8 minutes ago, VW82 said:

Cook not breaking tackles is a legitimate gripe even though he’s obviously good. 

 

So I think there's two conversations here. Cook is not the type to take on a defensive player head on and power through the tackle. In that scenario he usually goes down on first contact. But because of his speed and smooth cutting he often times puts defenders in situations where they're just getting a hand or an arm on him and he's gliding right through those tackle attempts.

 

The thing is defenses are giving us a ton of space to work with up front because they're so focused on stopping our pass game. So Cook's skill set in that chess match is a lot more valuable than a hard-nosed downhill thumper. We don't need someone that can power through a loaded box, we need someone that can take full advantage of that free space. FWIW I've been saying this for years. Cook is perfect for our offense.

[Royale with Cheese]

On 9/12/2023 at 12:00 AM, LABILLBACKER said:

No, he's fast but has no ability to shed anyone.  And when your moron OC calls these delayed draws, it gives James no chance to use that speed.

 

Do you still feel Dorsey is still a moron when we are averaging 7 ypc on draws?

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

2 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

Do you still feel Dorsey is still a moron when we are averaging 7 ypc on draws?

it's almost like ppl don't watch the game

 

[GunnerBill]

8 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

So I think there's two conversations here. Cook is not the type to take on a defensive player head on and power through the tackle. In that scenario he usually goes down on first contact. But because of his speed and smooth cutting he often times puts defenders in situations where they're just getting a hand or an arm on him and he's gliding right through those tackle attempts.

 

The thing is defenses are giving us a ton of space to work with up front because they're so focused on stopping our pass game. So Cook's skill set in that chess match is a lot more valuable than a hard-nosed downhill thumper. We don't need someone that can power through a loaded box, we need someone that can take full advantage of that free space. FWIW I've been saying this for years. Cook is perfect for our offense.

 

Yep me too. It was my main gripe with Singletary who was a steady starting back. I think this O is built for a fast running back. That speed makes a real difference. 

[NewEra]

34 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

All this run offense needed was some speed to take full advantage of easy opportunities given to us by the defensive coverages we face.

And better OGs

[GunnerBill]

Just now, NewEra said:

And better OGs

 

Yep, it's both. A back with speed and better interior blocking. 

[34-78-83]

3 hours ago, NewEra said:

12 people agree with, 2 like and 1 awesome this OP.

 

🤣

It's like one of those "I'm with Stupid > " T-shirts 😁

[Shaw66]

59 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

So I think there's two conversations here. Cook is not the type to take on a defensive player head on and power through the tackle. In that scenario he usually goes down on first contact. But because of his speed and smooth cutting he often times puts defenders in situations where they're just getting a hand or an arm on him and he's gliding right through those tackle attempts.

 

The thing is defenses are giving us a ton of space to work with up front because they're so focused on stopping our pass game. So Cook's skill set in that chess match is a lot more valuable than a hard-nosed downhill thumper. We don't need someone that can power through a loaded box, we need someone that can take full advantage of that free space. FWIW I've been saying this for years. Cook is perfect for our offense.

Well, I'm still not so thrilled.   I do think the guy needs SOME ability to break tackles; he needs at least a little power in his game. 

 

But having said that, I agree with you.   And there's a particular point that you didn't mention that has impressed me.   I think he sees the creases really well.  He has some hesitation in his game, not always, but sometimes, because he seems to understand that the opening isn't there yet but it's coming.   Your point about his speed and smooth cutting is relevant here.  When he sees where he wants to go, he's quick to accelerate, and he accelerates really well.   And it is smooth; he just flows into his cuts.  

 

He'll never be a power back and I'm not sure he's going to break a lot of really long runs.   But he's a constant threat to go 12 yards, a bigger threat than Singletary was.  And because he catches the ball well, part of what makes him a threat is that the Bills can get him the ball in places necessary to attack every part of the line of scrimmage, from the right flat right through the middle of the line to the left flat.  Singletary attacked between the tackles, and the Bills needed McKenzie in the lineup to threaten wide.  Cook means the Bills can attack all along the line with just one guy.   Sunday they ran a few stretch handoffs to get Cook on the edge before the defense could adjust.  Allen has the ability to get out to make the handoff behind the tackle in a hurry.

 

He doesn't look like a superstar, but he has the potential to be seriously good.   Well, let's say that differently: I'm becoming convinced that he IS seriously good; it's just that people around the league aren't really understanding it yet.   (I feel the same way about Rousseau.  Later this season, I think the talking heads will be talking about both of them.)

 

Two other related points.   First, I know he's not Marcus Allen, but Cook's running style reminds me of Allen.   Allen was really smooth, and Cook is smooth like him.   Cook seems to glide around the field the way Allen did.   Allen had the power that made him a Hall of Famer, and Cook may never show that, but the fact that his style looks like Allen is enough for now. 

 

Second, I think the Bills needed a running back like Cook in order for McDermott's vision for the offensive line to work.  I'm sure that McDermott's vision is an offensive line that can do it all - protect the passer and support a running game that can dominate in the fourth quarter.   His vision of the players he needs are the jackknife guys we keep seeing on his roster.  Brown and Dawkins are not classic offensive tackles.   They don't hold up to the pass rush as well as elite guys, but they're both mobile in ways that give the run game a lot of variety.   There was a play Sunday where Brown ended up ahead of a five-yard run off left tackle.   I only saw the replay once, and I simply couldn't figure out how he got there.   There was another play when Dawkins led Cook into the hole off right guard.   Morse, of course, gets upfield really well.   The challenge for the offensive line is to be that mobile and still keep Allen in clean pockets.  That went pretty well on Sundays and frankly, the Bills expect Allen to read the rush well enough to escape when his mobile offensive line isn't quite perfect in pass pro. 

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Maybe Cook wouldn’t have to break so many tackles if Kincaid could throw a block!

[BigAl2526]

James Cook is what he is, an undersized back with speed.  I don't expect he's ever going to break a lot of tackles, but that doesn't mean he can't be a valuable and productive running back for the Bills.  I don't know that I'd want James Cook on my team without a good run blocking offensive line, because he's not the kind of running back who is going to make yardage inside without some holes.  He's also going to struggle when defenses have lots of speed on the outside.  The Bills have to be careful not to broadcast their intentions in running the ball.  They have three different running backs.  One of them (Cook) has speed to the outside and can be used like a receiver.  Murray is a bruiser with some straight line speed.  Harris is a slippery medium sized back who can get through small holes inside and also has some power for tough yards in short yardage situations.  The team needs to figure out how to use Cook successfully inside so defenses can't just assume he'll run outside and defend accordingly.  Likewise, I think they need to pass occasionally to Murray and Harris and even run them outside, at least enough to keep defenses honest.

[DrDawkinstein]

2 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

There were people who insisted Devin Singletary was just awful too.........despite him putting up very good ypa year after year.

 

RB lovers will not be satisfied until they get something akin to Bijan Robinson..........a player who is called the best player in the draft by some hot take draft talking heads.    

 

And whether the player actually consistently produces or stays healthy in the NFL or not is a DISTANT secondary concern to his draft pedigree.   

 

 

Cook is a big upgrade over Singletary.

[Spiderweb]

6 hours ago, VW82 said:

Cook not breaking tackles is a legitimate gripe even though he’s obviously good. 
 

I’d prefer we start games with one of Murray or Harris. Soften up the defense first, and then bing in Cook to gash them for big plays. He can still get 20 touches like that. 

Yards gained after contact doesn't support your opinion. Just stop.

[warrior9]

2 minutes ago, Spiderweb said:

Yards gained after contact doesn't support your opinion. Just stop.

Dude, there is no way a human is that dense. 

 

Bills fans will LITERALLLLLLLY stare at stats and videos of something happening and STILL say "no that's not true." They can't get over their feelings about a person once they formulated them.

 

He's been INCREDIBLY elusive so far this year and even in to the back half of last year. People were pounding the fking table for speed for YEARS with singletary... now we have it and they want power? It's absolutely asinine 

[Royale with Cheese]

4 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

Well, I'm still not so thrilled.   I do think the guy needs SOME ability to break tackles; he needs at least a little power in his game. 

 

But having said that, I agree with you.   And there's a particular point that you didn't mention that has impressed me.   I think he sees the creases really well.  He has some hesitation in his game, not always, but sometimes, because he seems to understand that the opening isn't there yet but it's coming.   Your point about his speed and smooth cutting is relevant here.  When he sees where he wants to go, he's quick to accelerate, and he accelerates really well.   And it is smooth; he just flows into his cuts.  

 

He'll never be a power back and I'm not sure he's going to break a lot of really long runs.   But he's a constant threat to go 12 yards, a bigger threat than Singletary was.  And because he catches the ball well, part of what makes him a threat is that the Bills can get him the ball in places necessary to attack every part of the line of scrimmage, from the right flat right through the middle of the line to the left flat.  Singletary attacked between the tackles, and the Bills needed McKenzie in the lineup to threaten wide.  Cook means the Bills can attack all along the line with just one guy.   Sunday they ran a few stretch handoffs to get Cook on the edge before the defense could adjust.  Allen has the ability to get out to make the handoff behind the tackle in a hurry.

 

He doesn't look like a superstar, but he has the potential to be seriously good.   Well, let's say that differently: I'm becoming convinced that he IS seriously good; it's just that people around the league aren't really understanding it yet.   (I feel the same way about Rousseau.  Later this season, I think the talking heads will be talking about both of them.)

 

Two other related points.   First, I know he's not Marcus Allen, but Cook's running style reminds me of Allen.   Allen was really smooth, and Cook is smooth like him.   Cook seems to glide around the field the way Allen did.   Allen had the power that made him a Hall of Famer, and Cook may never show that, but the fact that his style looks like Allen is enough for now. 

 

Second, I think the Bills needed a running back like Cook in order for McDermott's vision for the offensive line to work.  I'm sure that McDermott's vision is an offensive line that can do it all - protect the passer and support a running game that can dominate in the fourth quarter.   His vision of the players he needs are the jackknife guys we keep seeing on his roster.  Brown and Dawkins are not classic offensive tackles.   They don't hold up to the pass rush as well as elite guys, but they're both mobile in ways that give the run game a lot of variety.   There was a play Sunday where Brown ended up ahead of a five-yard run off left tackle.   I only saw the replay once, and I simply couldn't figure out how he got there.   There was another play when Dawkins led Cook into the hole off right guard.   Morse, of course, gets upfield really well.   The challenge for the offensive line is to be that mobile and still keep Allen in clean pockets.  That went pretty well on Sundays and frankly, the Bills expect Allen to read the rush well enough to escape when his mobile offensive line isn't quite perfect in pass pro. 

 

You jinxed it.  Now he's going to get at least one 40 yard run this week.  

[NewEra]

Cam Akers traded to Vikings for 2026 pick swap.  No clue which round.

 

not worthy of its own thread.  I’d rather have our 3 rbs

[unbillievable]

Cook is more Barry than Emitt