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

[DrDawkinstein]

That isnt his game. Did anyone think it was?

 

Cooks game is to AVOID contact, out run it, beat it to the corner and get loose.

 

He is NEVER going to run through someone. He never has. That has never been his game and shouldnt be expected.

[SoMAn]

Leading up to the season I went back and watched some of last year’s games. One of my thoughts with each watch was, “they’re going to miss Singletary”. 
 

There seems to be a common belief that our RB room has been improved this year.  I’m not so sure. 
 

Cook arguably has better quickness and vision that Singletary, but he’s got no arse. He’s what they used to call a scat back. With today’s faster and stronger defenders, a back has to have some push, otherwise he’s absolutely useless between the tackles-as seen last night with Cook.  In his defense, the o-line wasn’t doing much to provide him with holes to run through.

Watching the line collapse, I’m starting to wonder if Morse, who should be that anchor in the middle, is starting to become a liability. 

[1onemangang7]

He can't avoid contact forever. If he plays that many snaps the likelihood that he will miss time I'd guess would be pretty high. Just a reality no wishful thinking or anything. Ya need a backup plan other than Josh hitting the wrong uniform lol

Edited September 12, 2023 by 1onemangang7

[C.Biscuit97]

Dude ran hard against a good defense. I would love a legit stud rb. But Cook is the least of this teams worries. 

25 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

That isnt his game. Did anyone think it was?

 

Cooks game is to AVOID contact, out run it, beat it to the corner and get loose.

 

He is NEVER going to run through someone. He never has. That has never been his game and shouldnt be expected.

Also, isn’t the goal to avoid getting tackled? 
 

I swear some want the Lombardi GB offense of 3 yards and a cloud of dust.

[1onemangang7]

7 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Dude ran hard against a good defense. I would love a legit stud rb. But Cook is the least of this teams worries. 

Also, isn’t the goal to avoid getting tackled? 
 

I swear some want the Lombardi GB offense of 3 yards and a cloud of dust.

Damn right. I thought Harris' 3 yarder looked good.  That's how you soften em . It's ok to use a punter.

[zow2]

I'm sure it's noticed in the RB film room... they will watch and the other RBs will think Jesus dude, an opponent fingernail scrapes across your leg and he goes down like a 12 year old..  Get tough James,  you won't be able to avoid defenders on every carry. 

[1onemangang7]

1 minute ago, zow2 said:

I'm sure it's noticed in the RB film room... they will watch and the other RBs will think Jesus dude, an opponent fingernail scrapes across your leg and he goes down like a 12 year old..  Get tough James,  you won't be able to avoid defenders on every carry. 

Gotta be some eye rolling at least

[Chandler#81]

1 hour ago, Dopey said:

Yeah, Cook is the reason we lost 🤣

Cook isn't the one leading the nfl in turnovers over the since last year. 

I created a Josh Allen excuse thread right after the game. This seems to be an excuse thread, for Josh.

Yeah, a RB who can’t break a tackle is an excuse for Allen. Next week, Allen will most likely perform better. Cook will not.

[PBF81]

10 hours ago, zow2 said:

So many people here love the guy. I just don’t see it as i’ve said since last season.  As a RB you simply have to break some arm tackles.  Watch Breece Hall for 2 carries and he’s everything Cook isn’t. 

Yes, when no one touches him, Cook is decent, but that’s the case with any RB.  I need more Damien Harris or Murray.  Cook seems like a nice change of pace, but not THE GUY to me.  Hope im proven wrong 

 

 

Cook has never been a tackle-breaking player, not even in college.  He was drafted for his speed.  It's wrong to expect that from him.  But that's what McBeane want.  

 

I was hoping to see more of Harris yesterday, he only saw 9 snaps.  Seems as if he's like Hines, a lot of hype over his signing, but maybe they won't use him much either.  

 

Good coaching would know how to optimize the talent we have.  

 

 

[C.Biscuit97]

53 minutes ago, 1onemangang7 said:

Damn right. I thought Harris' 3 yarder looked good.  That's how you soften em . It's ok to use a punter.

Actually, maybe it’s not!

 

too soon 😞

[C.Biscuit97]

25 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

Yeah, a RB who can’t break a tackle is an excuse for Allen. Next week, Allen will most likely perform better. Cook will not.

Why the hell are you dumping on Cook?

[Dopey]

36 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

Yeah, a RB who can’t break a tackle is an excuse for Allen. Next week, Allen will most likely perform better. Cook will not.

I'll wait and see. 

[1onemangang7]

48 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Why the hell are you dumping on Cook?

He's not cut out for the pros. Why do you dump on Kelly?. He clearly was

[Boatdrinks]

I don’t see Cook as a feature back and never have. Just doesn’t seem to have “ it” factor. 

[BullBuchanan]

why do you expect him to? He didn't break tackles in college either. he was and is an outside runner and pass catcher we're trying to use as a normal back. Classic Beane - McD miscue.

Edited September 12, 2023 by BullBuchanan

[CapeBreton]

2 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

why do you expect him to? He didn't break tackles in college either. he was and is an outside runner and pass catcher we're trying to use as a normal back. Classic Beane - McD miscue.

 

Bills reached on him because they were desperate for a receiving back, now they are using him as a workhorse which he clearly isn't, doesn't make any sense. I hated the pick at the time and I hate what he means for our offence, we can't rely on this guy at all.

[vincec]

Cook will never break a lot of tackles. Unfortunately, he’s not that elusive either. He has good speed and good hands. If he puts on some size, it will help his pass blocking, which isn’t great, and he can be a pass game specialist. My main problem with Cook yesterday was that he got the ball way too many times, which it’s not his fault. He’s not Marshall Faulk. Harris and/or Murray should have been more involved. That’s on Dorsey, IMO.

[billsbackto81]

He's not a physical "between the tackles" RB, especially with a subpar O Line like ours. He's got speed for days but once contact is made, it's over.

[MikePJ76]

He isn't a lead back.  He is a good player but not a lead back.  

 

The fourth quarter last night should have been all about the two bigger backs and the tight ends.  Instead they are just going to run delayed draws out of the shotgun and hope cook can beat people to the edge.

 

They are never going to get better if they don't change the running game and use it more.  

Edited September 12, 2023 by MikePJ76

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, MikePJ76 said:

He isn't a lead back.  He is a good player but not a lead back.  

 

The fourth quarter last night should have been all about the two bigger backs and the tight ends.  Instead they are just going run delayed draws out of the shotgun.

 

They are never going to get better if they don't change the running game and use it more.  

 

Disagree, in that, he is a lead back in today's NFL. And performed really well the first 3 quarters.

 

But when you want to downshift and grind it out, you put in your secondary back as your "closer". Which we kinda did, but then got cutesy again.