James Cook absent from OTA's

[nosejob]

29 minutes ago, Gregg said:

I can't say I am surprised by this as he is unhappy and wants a new deal. It's only April but if this carries over into TC then we may have a problem. I also wonder if Beane looks to move him on draft night. 

I would not be surprised if Beanes got a couple of backs in mind.  If Cook looks to hold out even to the start of camp, draft the best RB you can, trade Cook for a 2026 2nd during the draft and use our own 2026 2nd to get us at least a mid 3rd. Our later picks will serve us better  then.

Edited Tuesday at 07:51 PM by nosejob

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, Bad Things said:

If Jimbo doesn't want to come along for the ride, then find someone else who does.

 

He's a good player, but is he really that good?  (15 million.)

 

He isn't elite like Barkley or Henry, but he is very good and our 2nd best player on offense. I do hope the Bills and Cook can reach an agreement on a new deal.

[TBBills Fan]

18 minutes ago, gjv said:

Is Cook the only Bill not attending voluntary work-outs?

I believe Parcels, Goldberg and Murray are also absent 

[Einstein's Dog]

2 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

He isn't elite like Barkley or Henry, but he is very good and our 2nd best player on offense. I do hope the Bills and Cook can reach an agreement on a new deal.

It would have been nice to have him for 2025, Cook is exciting and on the verge of elite. 

 

But we just got another sign.  Can't blame Beane if he moves Cook during the draft.  Makes the earlier rounds a little more interesting for me now, Cook could be packaged for the Bills to be moved up.  Moving Cook early makes sense for the Bills because then they could use the later rounds in the draft for an RB.

[JP51]

29 minutes ago, The Cincinnati Kid said:

I bet he is talking to Dalvin and that those conversations are driving James’s words and actions.

Oh I think Dalvin is as good for James as Trevon was for Stephon... but the fact remains Dalvin Diva'ed himself out of relevance.. 

[mikemac2001]

9 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

He isn't elite like Barkley or Henry, but he is very good and our 2nd best player on offense. I do hope the Bills and Cook can reach an agreement on a new deal.

He is also our most explosive player on offense. So many quick / easy TDs because of his speed 

[Cray51]

If you are going to trade cook and draft a replacement, by god this is the year to do it...  So many good options available

[WideNine]

3 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

It would have been nice to have him for 2025, Cook is exciting and on the verge of elite. 

 

But we just got another sign.  Can't blame Beane if he moves Cook during the draft.  Makes the earlier rounds a little more interesting for me now, Cook could be packaged for the Bills to be moved up.  Moving Cook early makes sense for the Bills because then they could use the later rounds in the draft for an RB.

 

I believe it is the final year of his deal.

 

The Bills would love to pay everyone, but that is not realistic. I also think they frown a bit when players try to negotiate deals in the domain of social media.

 

Either way, I agree that he is elite with the ball in his hands and should have a great year if he is a Bill and is playing for the market next year.

 

 

 

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, mikemac2001 said:

He is also our most explosive player on offense. So many quick / easy TDs because of his speed 

 

This is why I hope they can reach a deal as he is a big part of the Bills offense. 

[TBBills Fan]

Just now, Gregg said:

 

This is why I hope they can reach a deal as he is a big part of the Bills offense. 

People underestimate how much value he brought to the offense last year

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, TBBills Fan said:

People underestimate how much value he brought to the offense last year

 

Tied for 1st last season with 16 rushing TDs. That is not easy to replace plus he helps take a lot of pressure off of Allen.

[richNjoisy]

Was Cook at last year's OTA's?

 

[SectionC3]

30 minutes ago, gjv said:

Is Cook the only Bill not attending voluntary work-outs?

Probably not, based on my comings and goings in OP and noticing who

is not at home.  I can say that one high end starter — who I have seen a bit during the off-season — did not appear to be in town as of this morning.  (Don’t ask; I’m not outing the person.) 

[HamptonBillsfan]

36 minutes ago, JP51 said:

I honestly dont want to over think this... but not gonna lie, all too often when players who are disgruntled with their contract do this it tends to be a thing... when he starts skipping mandatory stuff then I think its at another level...  I will say this to James Cook... be careful dude... lots of 2 down backs under 200lbs out there lookin for work and they dont want 15mm...  Diva running backs tend to have an issue.. talk to Dalvin he will tell you.  May wanna ring Ezekiel and Le'veon too...  

Don’t lump in dumpster diving pedestrian journeyman in comparison to Cook. He had over a thousand yards in 200 carries and scored 16 touchdowns. With one of the premier 3rd down backs in Johnson and the fact that Brady may have killed us against KC by not playing Cook the last two series, be careful what you wish for. Josh should be actively pushing for Beane to negotiate with this guy. Remember RBs have 6 year careers if they’re great. By signing Rousseau,who stinks in the postseason and dishing out big money to PED guys for 11 game seasons, what should arguably the best back in the AFC do at 25 years old.

[NewEra]

As expected.  

[BlueRed]

I actually think Cook could sit out the whole offseason program, show up week 1 and play just fine. 
He’s a RB in his 4th year on the team - Get ball, Run fast!

[LABILLBACKER]

1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

And now the question is…, 

 

Is Cook going to continue to, through his actions, distance himself from the team, not showing up when even your PB franchise QB is there does not shine a positive light on one’s self, 

.....and this will be the storyline moving forward.  I would hope that James is professional enough to continue giving effort.  Which at the very least reflects on his possible FA, if we don't tag him.

[Bad Things]

28 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

He isn't elite like Barkley or Henry, but he is very good and our 2nd best player on offense. I do hope the Bills and Cook can reach an agreement on a new deal.

I totally agree with you.

I just don't want the team to have any distractions with any "me first" type attitudes.

 

Plus, don't forget how well our RB2 and RB3 produced when given a chance last year.

[Gregg]

2 minutes ago, BlueRed said:

I actually think Cook could sit out the whole offseason program, show up week 1 and play just fine. 
He’s a RB in his 4th year on the team - Get ball, Run fast!

 

I remember LT used to do that to the Giants with TC and preseason. He was always suffering a "serious" injury, and his week 1 status was in doubt. Then week 1 comes and LT leads the Giants to win with 9 tackles, 3 sacks and forced fumble.

[4merper4mer]

56 minutes ago, TBBills Fan said:

Are we mad at Beane or Cook?

 

Just need to know who I'm sending the angry letter to

For about a week or so everything has clearly been Tre White's fault.  Try to keep up.