General Malaise
Footballguy
And that was WITH Josh Allen vulturing some of his goal line looks!
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RB James Cook, BUF (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Faust
- Start date
And that was WITH Josh Allen vulturing some of his goal line looks!
Sunday Gravy
Footballguy
13 carries when he was the best player on the field. Unacceptable.
TheDirtyWord
Footballguy
I was really surprised by how much they democratized RB touches when Cook was killing it. I don't know if it was the difference in the game, but he was gashing KC.
Snotbubbles
Footballguy
Eerily reminiscent of Jahmyr Gibbs against Washington.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Yeah, had the same vibe didn’t it?
The Duff Man
Footballguy
Cook is operating off the “pay me now” playbook going into his last year.
- scrub team off social media - check!
- post how much you want to be paid - check! ($15M per year)
One of three things will happen:
- play out the year and be gone (most likely)
- trade
- Bills pay him
With the Bills cap situation, several needs, others that need contracts and their philosophy I can’t see them paying him.
IF they are going to pay him, they need to use him a LOT more and I just don’t see that happening.
- scrub team off social media - check!
- post how much you want to be paid - check! ($15M per year)
One of three things will happen:
- play out the year and be gone (most likely)
- trade
- Bills pay him
With the Bills cap situation, several needs, others that need contracts and their philosophy I can’t see them paying him.
IF they are going to pay him, they need to use him a LOT more and I just don’t see that happening.
He had a great year. Really impressed me. But Davis showed a lot as his back up and l agree with other posters I think that Buff need the money elsewhere.
Given current feelings about the RB position and the depth of this draft class its hard to see a trade market value for him that ill tempt Buff to pursue that avenue.
Most likely they run him into the ground this year.
Given current feelings about the RB position and the depth of this draft class its hard to see a trade market value for him that ill tempt Buff to pursue that avenue.
Most likely they run him into the ground this year.
Agreed. Seemed like a lot so had to go check out who else was in that range. It's a club of 1 at 15 and only 4 at 10+. Crazy.15 million a year?
Cook is a good RB, but that's ridiculous. Only CMC makes that much, and Cook hasn't shown to be anywhere near that level. Cook wasn't in the top-10 in any stat except TDs, which are the most random stat there is.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Bills are a better team with Cook versus without, however he is not getting 15/year from anyone. I cannot blame him for trying to capitalize but I imagine they settle for a bit less. He has become a better runner of the ball than I anticipated he would be coming out of college, however oddly has not become a constant reliable receiver that I thought he would be at this point. Still has some ugly untimely drops and goes stretches as a non-factor in the passing game. Also seems to give way to other backs in key situations at times. His best bet for continued FF success is to remain a Bill, as a holder I hope they can make that happen.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Meh. Ray Davis looks good. Cook has zero leverage.
Also doesn't help that the Bills (the team that knows him best) have shown repeatedly they don't trust/want him to be a 300+ touch guy.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Not a deal breaker these days as most teams try to split the load between multiple backs. However, him not even being on the field during the last drive of their season was unique. They seemed to favor Ty Johnson on crucial third downs/obvious passing situations which is not a positive for Cook’s case.
Its kind of a deal breaker for big contracts. Only RBs making over 10 million are: CMC, Barkley, Taylor, Jacobs, and Kamara. Kamara is the only sub-300 touch guy in the bunch, and in his case, its usually been injury (or suspension in 2023) that stopped him.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Swift had a Pro Bowl season with the Eagles & got 3/$24M from the Bears
I suspect Cook’s deal will be closer to that than $15M/
I suspect Cook’s deal will be closer to that than $15M/
it is also possible hes asking for 15 mil because he doesnt wanna be there. He doesnt wanna badmouth the franchise or the city publicly, so hes askng for something they will never give him.
and given his lack of use, maybe he thinks he does better in another city
I gotta think his brother’s quick drop off is an influential factor here. Dalvin made the pro bowl several times on his rookie deal but I don’t think he got to really cash in before his injury problems emerged. James had his best season and proved he could break big runs. He won’t get $15M per year but he has to get what he really can now.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
He is on Year 4 of his rookie deal
He had a TD jump from 6 to 18 last season and everyone thought Bills' WRs were going to see a downtick in their output
Is it that surprising that Cook saw his numbers jump up there?
Because he also saw a down tick in number of touches and even yds per touch was down from 5.6 to 5.3 but he had a good year overall.
I don't think Cook is worth big time money and I don't think he has the leverage he believes he does.
Fairly decent RB class coming in this year, he's replaceable after what I saw the Bills do last year with Allen mostly short handed at Receiver
I wouldn't make him one of the highest paid RBs in the league, if anything try and work a trade out and let the next team pay him as part of the trade negotiation
Bills hold most of the cards here
He had a TD jump from 6 to 18 last season and everyone thought Bills' WRs were going to see a downtick in their output
Is it that surprising that Cook saw his numbers jump up there?
Because he also saw a down tick in number of touches and even yds per touch was down from 5.6 to 5.3 but he had a good year overall.
I don't think Cook is worth big time money and I don't think he has the leverage he believes he does.
Fairly decent RB class coming in this year, he's replaceable after what I saw the Bills do last year with Allen mostly short handed at Receiver
I wouldn't make him one of the highest paid RBs in the league, if anything try and work a trade out and let the next team pay him as part of the trade negotiation
Bills hold most of the cards here
agreed. and I seem to recall Ray Davis looked pretty good at times last year. not sure if hes good enough to start but hes definitely shown some flashes.
but if they dont think they can get a good contract with Cook, a RB at this years draft may be just what the doctor ordered. then Cook wil find himself traded.
steelcityman
Footballguy
Just franchise tag him after this year, its no where near $15m. If he wants to sit out, he'll cost himself money. Bills dont have to do anything they dont feel comfortable with.
BassNBrew
Footballguy
Flaw in your premise.
I know WR pay > RB pay by a lot but sure sucks for Cook to see that deal today. He’s like I was drafted higher same class and have produced much higher stats. Guessing he will get 3/33ish but who knows.
pinkstapler
Footballguy
Not trying to draw the ire of Cook lovers, but leave aside I personally think he's a mildly above average RB who's at the very least a perfect example of a guy screaming for TD regression; this is not the year for him to be seeking a top 5 contract for his position. Most articles coming out now from scouts and reporting on scouts have ~5-8 rookie RBs with 2nd round grades. I've continually read "you'll potentially see more starting rookie RBs this year than because of the depth of experience", "if you can't find a new RB in this class you aren't looking hard enough", "there will be starters coming out of rounds 5/6/7", etc. I'd be shocked if the Bills didn't add to that backfield regardless of Cook and a new contract. But I think we'd be kidding ourselves to not think him demanding $15mil a year isn't just upping the Bills motivation to put even more time (and potentially draft capital) into this rookie crop.
All this to say, if he stays and has no competition, even with TD regression almost guaranteed, I do still think he'll be a low end RB1. That just feels a less likely outcome when you add in this incoming rookie class and his recent contract demands. If I was an owner, I'd be looking to see if I could sell him at his 2024 RB8 finish price if another league-mate bites on that. I think it's very likely that it's as high as he'll ever be valued. From a dynasty perspective, give me an early and a mid 2nd round picks in exchange for Cook to just reroll at this point. I think hitting on even one of those two picks puts you slightly ahead going into next season.
All this to say, if he stays and has no competition, even with TD regression almost guaranteed, I do still think he'll be a low end RB1. That just feels a less likely outcome when you add in this incoming rookie class and his recent contract demands. If I was an owner, I'd be looking to see if I could sell him at his 2024 RB8 finish price if another league-mate bites on that. I think it's very likely that it's as high as he'll ever be valued. From a dynasty perspective, give me an early and a mid 2nd round picks in exchange for Cook to just reroll at this point. I think hitting on even one of those two picks puts you slightly ahead going into next season.
ghostguy123
Footballguy
If looking to compete and have a decent team, would you give a future 1st (say the pick is likely between 6-10) for Cook?
eighsse2
Footballguy
Probably.
FarFromHome
Footballguy
I would all day.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Short term yes, long term no. What if the pick is around 1.3 or 1.4?
ghostguy123
Footballguy
What if Cook helps win the title?? That can go both ways
The odds off the future 1st in question being top 4 is pretty slim
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Well, if you think 1.06 is a possibility, then 1.04 should be in play also. There's a fine line between 1.4 and 1.6 IMO. List the roster and league parameters.
ghostguy123
Footballguy
1.12 is also in play.
How bout this. Let's say this team has two future 1sts, and trades the one from a different team, and somehow with your crystal ball you knew that future 1st would be pick.....7
JohnnyU
Footballguy
List the roster and league parameters.
ghostguy123
Footballguy
Or you could just answer.
Oh well, moving on.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Just saying it is easier to answer if you just list the roster and whether a 10, 12, 14 team league, ppr or not, and starting requirements.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
I don’t want to say the Bill’s need Cook this year to compete, but it sure helps. I have to think they knew a contract issue was coming, which makes it odd they did not take a later swing in the draft at an RB in this deep class. That alone makes me assume they will eventually extend him. Any thoughts on how this will be resolved?
He is under contract this year. If he starts missing training camp or games we may have to worry
Faust
MVP
@SleeperBills
Adam Schefter on the James Cook situation#BillsMafia
“He has basically disconnected himself from the organization and the city put his house up for sale.”
“I don’t think we’ll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon.”
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Hard to know what to believe here.
One thing’s for sure - Cook thought he had leverage & quickly learned he did not.
One thing’s for sure - Cook thought he had leverage & quickly learned he did not.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Cook will probably dig his heels in as he will turn 26 at the beginning of the season and this is his shot to collect.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
They drafted a very competent Ray Davis. They have Ty Johnson as well.
Cook can dig in his heels all he wants, he has zero leverage here.
