Is Cook worth it?

[SoonerBillsFan]

1 hour ago, Billsfed1 said:

Those first few games to me are fairly dicey.

 

Still think he’s a hell of a back and would love to have him, but if he really makes his intentions clear…does he get booed out of Buffalo?

 

When he undoubtedly makes a big play in the opener…does he get booed?

 

Hollins and Cook were the 2 guys not named Allen that really gave us something against the Chiefs.

IMO he deserves his spot if he’ll behave.

 

Is he worth the headache?

No.

[Don Otreply]

Maybe, I’m just saying maybe, the OP didn’t know there has been an ongoing thread for weeks now about Cook an his inability to read the room he is in, or is it just me? 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[yall]

1 hour ago, Billsfed1 said:

Those first few games to me are fairly dicey.

 

Still think he’s a hell of a back and would love to have him, but if he really makes his intentions clear…does he get booed out of Buffalo?

 

When he undoubtedly makes a big play in the opener…does he get booed?

 

Hollins and Cook were the 2 guys not named Allen that really gave us something against the Chiefs.

IMO he deserves his spot if he’ll behave.

 

Is he worth the headache?

Is this some kind of long form Haiku?

 

 

[JP51]

I believe I said this in another thread... at issue here isnt losing James Cook per se...  who do you put in there... how productive can they be in this system... whats the difference in salary between the two... and is the theoretical production increase worth the money....  So just for examples sake... Cook runs for 1100 yards, 300 receiving and 10 TDs.... 

 

Ty runs for 900 yards, 400 receiving and 8 TDs as the starter (not saying this is going to happen... just a comparison.)  Ty gets 4mm a year Cook gets 15mm a year. 

Is 11mm a year worth 200 yards rushing and 2 TDs?   If yes, pay him, if not don't...

 

thats where the position gets blurred.. as there is often only minimal production differences between RBs... so often the choice is to spend the money elsewhere... 

 

Now, if he is gonna go all 1800 yards like a Barkley or Henry... you adjust your thinking and maybe then he is worth the money...  

 

From my perspective, he is a super talent 2 downs... not a great blocker and hope to see him with a bigger role in the passing game.. What you would get from Ray and Ty wouldnt equal Cook likely but it would be close enough for me to pass on the extra 8-11mm  or whatever it would amount too to keep him... I would rather use that on a CB or a WR etc... 

[Doc Brown]

1 hour ago, Billsfed1 said:

Those first few games to me are fairly dicey.

 

Still think he’s a hell of a back and would love to have him, but if he really makes his intentions clear…does he get booed out of Buffalo?

 

When he undoubtedly makes a big play in the opener…does he get booed?

 

Hollins and Cook were the 2 guys not named Allen that really gave us something against the Chiefs.

IMO he deserves his spot if he’ll behave.

 

Is he worth the headache?

It's more likely that you'll get a fans "pay him" chant going than him being booed.

[NoSaint]

1 hour ago, Billsfed1 said:

Those first few games to me are fairly dicey.

 

Still think he’s a hell of a back and would love to have him, but if he really makes his intentions clear…does he get booed out of Buffalo?

 

When he undoubtedly makes a big play in the opener…does he get booed?

 

Hollins and Cook were the 2 guys not named Allen that really gave us something against the Chiefs.

IMO he deserves his spot if he’ll behave.

 

Is he worth the headache?

you can debate the cash but if this is too much drama it might be that you are being more dramatic than cook is 

[Doc Brown]

59 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

I think the more interesting aspect for the Cook saga is when, and for what, would you move him for?

 

The first opportunity comes at the draft.  For instance if J Barron drops down a ways, packaging Cook and our first to move up could make sense.  Moving Cook during the draft would then allow the Bills to include an RB in their draft strategy.

I don't think a team would trade for him because they know what his asking price is already.  Giving up assets and then paying an above average player elite money is a terrible allocation of resources.  Especially at a non premium position like RB.

[gjv]

Next to Josh Allen, Cook has the most touches for the Offense. He also is second in yards gained and TDs scored. That being said, you would think he has a great argument to be the second-highest paid skill player on the Offense. Of course, since his skill set is so common, his argument to be paid is worthless, We can find a RB in the middle round of this year's draft, save a lot of money, get the same production, and let Cook walk. It's really a no-brainer, or am I missing something?

[BigAl2526]

Worth what he's asking for?  No.  Keep the lines of communication open.  If negotiation doesn't produce, let him play out his rookie deal.  If he holds out, then the Bills can start thinking trade, but it will be difficult since other teams will be reluctant to pay his asking price, and a holdout handcuffs Buffalo's negotiation for a trade.

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, FireChans said:

The Bills just spent another pick on an RB last year and re-signed Ty Johnson.

 

whether Cook is here or not, do we really need to draft ANOTHER running back? Am I back in 2010?

We do if we trade Cook, and we would get back a draft asset making that possible without impacting our other draft plans.  If we don’t trade Cook, then no, you don’t draft a RB this year

Edited 16 hours ago by Alphadawg7

[Logic]

1 hour ago, Einstein's Dog said:

I think the more interesting aspect for the Cook saga is when, and for what, would you move him for?

 

The first opportunity comes at the draft.  For instance if J Barron drops down a ways, packaging Cook and our first to move up could make sense.  Moving Cook during the draft would then allow the Bills to include an RB in their draft strategy.

The problem for Cook and for the Bills -- if indeed a trade is what they want -- is that this is an EXCEPTIONALLY amazing running back draft. Deeper than any year I can ever remember at the position.

As such, why would any team want to trade a pick to the Bills and then hand Cook big money when they can just draft a guy instead and have a cost-controlled running back deal for four years?

It's a bad year to try to force your way out at running back, and it's a bad year to be hoping to get anything substantial in return FOR a running back.

I genuinely can't foresee the Bills getting anything better than a 4th round plus at this point, and I think most people would rather just have him on the roster for 2025 than trade him for that return.

[FireChans]

6 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

If the Bills trade Cook, yes they need another RB.  And the draft would be the way to do it.  It doesn't have to be with one of their first three picks though.

 

Yes, the Bills spent a pick last year on RB, and I bet they are glad they did now with the Cook dilemma in full bloom.

 

This is not 2010, there are more games.  A team would be foolish to not have depth, especially at RB.

I mean, our second best RB on the roster was a bargain bin JAG we found on the scrap heap.

 

 

[Xerx]

Cook isn't getting $15m from anyone...period

 

I wouldn't pay him at all, let him walk after the season

 

Draft his replacement in mid-rounds this year

 

Yes, this year...it's a really deep class, you could potentially get a normal 2nd/3rd round graded guy in the 4th, that's value drafting regardless of position

[ddaryl]

No, at this junction he is not a 3 down back... I don't think he will be given an oportunity to see if he could be a 3 down back here either. I think Beane's M.O. is no RBs on 2nd contracts unless they are team friendly or a backup type player. Cook has already killed the team friendly contract thoughts, and he is not a back up either. 

If next years draft is weak at RB then I would consider a transition tag and trade scenario depending how Cook '25 season goes.

[Low Positive]

50 minutes ago, gjv said:

Next to Josh Allen, Cook has the most touches for the Offense. He also is second in yards gained and TDs scored. That being said, you would think he has a great argument to be the second-highest paid skill player on the Offense. Of course, since his skill set is so common, his argument to be paid is worthless, We can find a RB in the middle round of this year's draft, save a lot of money, get the same production, and let Cook walk. It's really a no-brainer, or am I missing something?

In a world where draft capital is as valuable as cap space, I'm beginning to think that RB is one of the most expensive positions because teams have to keep spending second-round picks on it every other year. I guess it comes down to a pretty simple question. What's more valuable, ~13 million in cap space or a second-round pick that you can use to fill other needs? 

[Thrivefourfive]

3 hours ago, Billsfed1 said:

Those first few games to me are fairly dicey.

 

Still think he’s a hell of a back and would love to have him, but if he really makes his intentions clear…does he get booed out of Buffalo?

 

When he undoubtedly makes a big play in the opener…does he get booed?

 

Hollins and Cook were the 2 guys not named Allen that really gave us something against the Chiefs.

IMO he deserves his spot if he’ll behave.

 

Is he worth the headache?

Is he worth what? He’s not a problem. 
 

is he worth the money? What money? His idea for a contract, or what he should be paid? I think he’s worth a three/four year deal. At this point, I don’t care if Beane gives him at extra $10mil over that deal, if that’s what it takes. Again, Beane can’t in the franchise by paying Cook. 

 

But I’m guessing Beane will get him something he’s happy with.

 

I’m not going to project on whether the money goes to his head. Just don’t want to go there. 

[Direhard Fan]

Cooked his own goose when he said he would only take 15M.  Sold his house.  Left very little wiggle room to barter.  Sorry to see you go.

[nosejob]

3 hours ago, Logic said:

He's not worth paying a top RB contract to, but not because he's any kind of headache.

He's not worth it because he's not elite.

He isn't a great weapon in the passing game (he's capable there, albeit with the occasional case of the dropsies, but nothing special), he comes off the field on third downs because his pass blocking stinks, and he's a guy whose load you have to manage.

So if he's not a three-down back, he's not a huge weapon in the passing game, and he comes off the field for key third downs, how to you justify handing him a big contract? Simple: You don't.

Let him play out 2025 and then walk. Ray Davis and Ty Johnson and a draftee will be perfectly capable replacements. If you feel the need to spend money on the running game, allocate those dollars to Connor McGovern instead.

Well if he's selling his house and doesn't want to be here, money's moot. Let's talk comp pick.

Edited 15 hours ago by nosejob

[Logic]

1 minute ago, nosejob said:

Well if he's selling his house and doesn't want to be here, money's moot. Let's talk comp pick.

Money talks, bull#### walks.

I think publicizing that he's "putting his house on the market" thing is a stunt. A ploy. A negotiating tactic.

I don't think he's given any indication that he doesn't want to be here. He simply wants to get PAID.

If it gets to the point where it looks like the Bills won't be paying what he's looking for -- and I hope they don't, for the reasons I mentioned above -- then they only have two choices: Get one more good year out of him and let him walk and net a compensatory pick, or trade him away for whatever they can get. But as I said in my other post, I don't think the Bills are coming from a particularly strong place in terms of negotiating trade compensation, and I don't think many teams are going to be eager to trade for Cook, given his apparent compensation demands. So if you're the Bills, would you rather have one more good year of James Cook, or would you rather have, say, a 4th and a 7th?

Obviously if Cook is gonna be a malcontent and a distraction, then maybe you lean more toward trading him. But so far, he's given no indication that he'll be those things.

 

[C.Biscuit97]

I’m team Cook. Second best player on the offense (and maybe team last year). Best player in the championship game and maybe we win the game if he touches the ball more. 
 

fans need to remove their feelings. Cook say his brother’s career end at 27. Every good player in his class got a new deal and he’s arguably been the best at his position of all of them. 
 

totally understand the problem with paying RBs but Cook has earned a new deal. I’m sure there is a happy median. But for a SB contender to let their 2nd best offensive threat leave would be a tough thing to watch. Especially when that player has gotten better every year

6 minutes ago, Logic said:

Money talks, bull#### walks.

I think publicizing that he's "putting his house on the market" thing is a stunt. A ploy. A negotiating tactic.

I don't think he's given any indication that he doesn't want to be here. He simply wants to get PAID.

If it gets to the point where it looks like the Bills won't be paying what he's looking for -- and I hope they don't, for the reasons I mentioned above -- then they only have two choices: Get one more good year out of him and let him walk and net a compensatory pick, or trade him away for whatever they can get. But as I said in my other post, I don't think the Bills are coming from a particularly strong place in terms of negotiating trade compensation, and I don't think many teams are going to be eager to trade for Cook, given his apparent compensation demands. So if you're the Bills, would you rather have one more good year of James Cook, or would you rather have, say, a 4th and a 7th?

Obviously if Cook is gonna be a malcontent and a distraction, then maybe you lean more toward trading him. But so far, he's given no indication that he'll be those things.

 

Well said. Cook has barely spoken his first couple of years. Everyone who has known him has nothing but positive things about the guy.