Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

This kid always struck me as a selfish player that would only be in it for the money and not for the team. His brother was a similar guy, as well.

 

I would package him in a trade and move on. He's not a complete back, and he definitely benefits from Josh and the Oline

Posted
18 minutes ago, BeastMaster said:

This kid always struck me as a selfish player that would only be in it for the money and not for the team. His brother was a similar guy, as well.

 

I would package him in a trade and move on. He's not a complete back, and he definitely benefits from Josh and the Oline

What in the world? Why wouldn't he be in it for the money? Those guys are getting the $#%# beat out of them and likely have life-long effects from playing. Get paid, that's what we'd all do. Who cares what billionaire is paying your salary. It's not like these guys grew up in Buffalo or something. My goodness

  • Like (+1) 3
  • Agree 1
Posted
7 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

 

If you're a change of pace back in the NFL it means you're typically coming in with a different style than the starter ahead of you 

 

He would be a really good running back at the next level to start as a change of pace back in his career... And then grow into something more 

 

He's not the guy who's ready for 20 carries a game right out the gate for 10 years... He's better suited for seven to 10 carries a game while he adjusts to the NFL 

 

And he has the frame to grow into more.. but just like James Cook need of the work on his pad level the last two seasons.. and he came out this year with low pads braking tackles 

 

He also needs to work on some of his game to become what would be considered a feature back at the NFL level... Though he has the skill set and potential for it

 

There's a lot of running backs going in the second and the third rounds that have the ability to turn into feature backs at the NFL level.. you don't need to spend the top 10 pick on one.. you just need to be patient and develop them 

 

James Cook has that potential he needs to become a better blocker to be a true three down feature back at the NFL level.. if you can't block on 3rd and seven you're never going to be on the field 70% of the time

 

 

 

I understand what change of pace means,  but you cast be a change of pace until you know what the pace of the rb ahead of you is. 

I'm gonna guess that ty Johnson is a change of pace from cook,  Davis is a change of pace from cook... it's kinda meaningless as a term. 

22 minutes ago, BeastMaster said:

This kid always struck me as a selfish player that would only be in it for the money and not for the team. His brother was a similar guy, as well.

 

I would package him in a trade and move on. He's not a complete back, and he definitely benefits from Josh and the Oline

How is he a selfish player? What has he said or done?

Posted

I think if I'm the GM, I pick up the phone and call Dallas. They have an obvious RB need, need more weapons on offense period and the last time we played the Cowboys, Cook left a lasting impression and rolled all over them. I ask for a first and settle for a second. 

 

If best Dallas offers is a 3rd I keep shopping him or keep him knowing I'd probably end up with a 3rd-4th round comp pick the following year for him. 

 

I'd draft a back with similar skill set and double down in the FA market for a guy like JK Dobbins if he hits FA.

 

I like Cook a lot. But I like him a lot less at $15M per season.

  • Like (+1) 2
  • Agree 1
Posted
7 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

Fundamentally we all seem agree on Cook's value: something around $11-13M AAV. He's dangerous with the ball in his hands. Truly special tbh.

 

But 15M is for a 3-down guy or for a team who isn't paying an elite QB imho. 

I don't. No running back is over $8mm unless it is one of a special calibre - only Barkley.

 

Taylor is overrated, Henry is over the hills, Mixon is a clown, CMC is glass, Mostert and Achane became ass, Gibbs and Ky Irving and Breece Hall all do well.

 

Cook is right there in the mix with those guys but more dependable based on health. But, sorry, Charlie... You're a running back and this is a business. You get paid by the second team you go to.

 

His attitude alone will keep him from ever being as great as he thinks. There's a reason someone like Devin Singleterry is still playing and James Cook doesn't have that. 

  • Like (+1) 1
Posted

First thing that comes to mind is he knows we can’t/won’t pay him 15M per year but has an idea that he’s worth that to other teams around the league. 
 

Doesn’t want to play on the last year of his rookie deal without a long term deal, so is pushing the envelope to get moved to someone who will pay him. 
 

Because he has to know this isn’t how anyone has really handled negotiations on this team, under this front office.  
 

I can’t imagine Beane loves this.. but part of me now thinks Cook wants out because he wants long term security this offseason.. and at his price point. 

  • Like (+1) 1
  • Agree 1
Posted
Just now, AkwiredTste said:

Beane gotta stay away from guys that got bros. in the league


If we end up getting the 3 years out of him that we got and can trade him for a Day 2 Pick or as a package for a big name player, that’s a home run in my book.   

  • Like (+1) 3
  • Agree 1
Posted (edited)

This is nothing new. This is what a lot of players do at this point. Cook is coming off a great year and he has some leverage. You utilize that leverage when you have it. If he was coming off a horrible year, he’d be worried about keeping the money in his contract. He’s coming off a great year and looking for a raise. We all seek our market value. I have zero issue with this.

 

Now, the question becomes, “what should they do?” IMO, I’d probably just make it work. Cook is a gamer and proved his worth this year despite not being an every down back. I’m not really concerned about that as I’d bring Johnson back to fill those gaps and you have Davis. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Bills window is WIDE open and will be for the next 5+ years. Borrow from the future to win now. I’m not going to draw a line in the sand at $12M or whatever if it’ll take $15M. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Find the money and make it happen.
 

The Bills issue has been a lack of top end talent. It’s reasonable to think that Cook is a top 5 back in this system. He was really good this year and good in big games. I guess that you could make him a part of a Garrett or Crosby trade but I wouldn’t. I’d trade Rousseau instead. He’s more of a good starter than a potentially elite player. Get the Cook contract done and move on. It’s one less thing to worry about. Don’t step over dollars to pick up pennies.

 

 

Edited by Kirby Jackson
  • Like (+1) 2
  • Disagree 2
Posted
1 minute ago, Kirby Jackson said:

This is nothing new. This is what a lot of players do at this point. Cook is coming off a great year and he has some leverage. You utilize that leverage when you have it. If he was coming off a horrible year, he’d be worried about keeping the money in his contract. He’s coming off a great year and looking for a raise. We all seek our market value. I have zero issue with this.

 

Now, the question becomes, “what should they do?” IMO, I’d probably just make it work. Cook is a gamer and proved his worth this year despite not being an every down back. I’m not really concerned about that as I’d bring Johnson back to fill those gaps and you have Davis. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Bills window is WIDE open and will be for the next 5+ years. Borrow from t future to win now. I’m not going to draw a line in the sand at $12M or whatever if it’ll take $15M. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Find the money and make it happen.
 

The Bills issue has been a lack of top end talent. It’s reasonable to think that Cook is a top 5 back in this system. He was really good this year and good in big games. I guess that you could make him a part of a Garrett or Crosby trade but I wouldn’t. I’d trade Rousseau instead. He’s more of a good starter than a potentially elite player. Get the Cook contract done and move on. It’s one less thing to worry about. Don’t step over dollars to pick up pennies.

 

 

The more you give Cook the more some of other guys are going to expect, whether they're reasonable or not. Pennies add up quick.

  • Agree 1
Posted (edited)
11 minutes ago, KentuckyBillsFan said:

The more you give Cook the more some of other guys are going to expect, whether they're reasonable or not. Pennies add up quick.

That’s the whole point!! That’s been part of the problem. You don’t pay a Rousseau $20M a year to be a quality starter. You pay Cook top 3 RB money to be a top 5 back. You understand the value of the player compared to the marketplace. You don’t get better by fighting with your top guys and “setting the tone of who is in charge.” That’s what you do when you’re building a roster. That’s not what you do when you’re competing for a championship (and please don’t use the Tyreek Hill example here because there are lots of examples where windows closed when top players left). 
 

Also, who cares what the Bills pay him? It’s not our money. Kick the can down the road!!! Do what the Saints did with Brees. Push all of the money into the post Josh Allen years and keep re-upping to do that.  The thread on the cap has some interesting thoughts on cap management. The actual dollars are irrelevant. The cap hits are all that matter to us as fans. Can the Bills have a championship caliber roster? Yes, but they need to keep paying up front today and taking the cap hits years from now. 

Edited by Kirby Jackson
  • Like (+1) 1
Posted

I have no anger towards Cook for this. 

 

I think the Bills will extend him this offseason. 

 

He's easily the best RB in the McDermott/Beane era Bills.

 

An idea for the Bills is to not just run it back with Ty Johnson and Ray Davis, but draft one of the elite RBs in this draft - Hampton, Johnson, Judkins, Henderson, Sampson and see if you can create an advantage with a better 1-2 pairing. 

 

I know that comes with immediate downsides - a pick that doesn't go to the defense, Cook is not a full time player, you just drafted Ray Davis a year ago, investing in running back. 

 

But what has Joe Brady shown us so far? We run the ball to control clock and minimize turnovers. 

 

I don't think this will happen as I think the Bills mostly just try to keep their core together, so I expect Cook extended and Ty Johnson re-signed. 

  • Like (+1) 1
Posted

LET JAMES WALK

 

The guy has every right to ask for a better contract and a raise. But IMHO negotiating in public is really a lousy thing to do. 

 

 

  • Like (+1) 2
Posted

Good rbs get 1 contract after draft deal. I have no issue with him wanting to get paid max that he can, I would be doing the same thing and everyone else here as well… you’re lying if you say you wouldn’t 

  • Like (+1) 2
  • Thank you (+1) 1
Posted
2 minutes ago, RkFast said:

LET JAMES WALK

 

The guy has every right to ask for a better contract and a raise. But IMHO negotiating in public is really a lousy thing to do. 

 

 

Welcome to the NFL in 2025. The Super Bowl Champs had their superstar WR publicly complaining about their Super Bowl MVP QB. Talent >>>> Vibes

 

Why do we care about him complaining publicly? How does it impact us? Generally, the players support other players. This won’t be an issue in the locker room. It’ll be a much bigger issue in the locker room if players get a sense that he wasn’t treated fairly. Fans and players have opposite perspectives on this topic.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...