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Tarik Cohen - RB - CHI (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter JFS171
- Start date
Cohen has hit a rookie wall and the return of Cunningham doesn't help. It was evident last night that he tried to dance too much against a good Vikings defense. He will learn that sometimes just go through your blockers and take what's there. Hit that home run at the right time. He is a hold for me. But he will ride my bench. He will be relevant again sometime this year when that learning curve passes. Based on the interviews I have seen he has a mind for football and we'll talk about him again in a few weeks.
This is the obvious question based on his recent usage. Assuming 12-team PPR, how many of you are stashing him and how many are dropping this week for someone else? Realize everyone may have different needs. Just curious.
The rookie wall for an NFL back surrounds the player learning defensive schemes and the NFL teams. Like a rookie MLB pitcher learning about the hitters. You just can't dance that much in the NFL.
Holding him in 16-team non-PPR, but I don't think I can start him anymore. Unless I get McGuire or Mack off the WW (and I'm next-to-last in priority), I'll sit him for Collins (which is not even remotely an endorsement of Collins' prospects; I just can't keep rolling Cohen out there).
Grahamburn
Footballguy
The defense keys on him now when he's in the game. They know he's basically Chicago's only weapon. He's seeing 3 and 4 defenders in his area instead of 1-2. Hence, the dancing. Predicted after week 1.
Once the Bears get more weapons he'll be more effective. I don't see that happening this year however.
Once the Bears get more weapons he'll be more effective. I don't see that happening this year however.
Tommy Collins
Footballguy
I think I'm dropping Cohen at this point. It's a small bench league (15 starting spots, 5 bench), so I can't say I would recommend it for everyone. But Cohen's trade value is pretty low. I've been shopping him for 2 weeks to teams desperate for RB and they aren't giving anything up for him. Two weeks in a row that Cohen wasn't very involved in the offense, and now Bennie Cunningham is getting touches as well. I'm sure that with me dropping him, he's going to have a breakout game, so you can thank me later.
Interseptopus
Footballguy
The way I see it, it's also 2 weeks in a row where their team looked pretty bad offensively. The less they use Cohen the less successful the offense is. I don't know what the deal with Cunningham is but I have to think Fox gets canned at some point and the guy taking over plays Cohen more, or the GM just flat out tells Fox to play Cohen. Not like the Bears are winning the division, but they have to figure out an offensive identity.
Interseptopus
Footballguy
Any talk locally about this? If everyone else sees it, you have to think the coaches/GM do and there has to be talk on local radio etc.
Hawkeye21
Footballguy
mozzy84
Footballguy
I just don't think the targets he was getting the first couple weeks were sustainable (that's kinda obvious with how high they were). Teams figured out yea we need to cover this guy and he's just not open as much now.
And as for the Cunningham thing, I am assuming the coaches are seeing the same thing I am, this kid is tiny and is going to get killed if they use him to much. They want him on special teams too....
Interseptopus
Footballguy
mozzy84
Footballguy
He's a talented rookie third down/scat back with an established starter in front of him (who looks a lot better running the ball). He's not going to be out there all the time, or even half the time. I think people were over estimating his floor from the start thinking he would automatically catch 5+ balls a game.
dnurk
Footballguy
His lack of targets is somewhat alarming. His target numbers are 12, 9, 4, 4, 1. One single target while Cunningham saw 4. Zach Miller also looks to have benefited from the switch to Mitch.
I have bench space so I will sit him for a few weeks to see if they can figure out a way to get him more looks but it sure looks dismal at this point.
I have bench space so I will sit him for a few weeks to see if they can figure out a way to get him more looks but it sure looks dismal at this point.
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Widbil83
Footballguy
Cunningham getting the 2 minute drill both halfs last night and at least one in the Green Bay game is what scares me. That is basically ruining what should be 3 or 4 catches and an extra 6 or 7 pts for a nice floor.
That being said I'm rolling him out again next week. Call me crazy as a fox but I think he sees more time next week.
That being said I'm rolling him out again next week. Call me crazy as a fox but I think he sees more time next week.
Interseptopus
Footballguy
One
Not Allowed In Mexico
Cohen might be a good buy low as Howard’s direct compliment. Disclaimer: Howard is Numero Uno, there’s no doubt about it.
My gut says Chicago knows what they have and will gameplan Cohen into the offense more often at the expense of Cunningham and their awful WRs.
My thoughts watching the game..
—
Blows my mind watching Cohen breaking tackles of defenders twice his size, he’s always close to breaking the big one. Takes hits and jumps right up He’s thick and compact enough to endure a decent amount of carries.
—
Saw a lot more involvement this week at the expense of Cunningham, not Howard. Cunningham had 1 snap in the 2nd qtr on a 3rd&11 pass play. Got hurt in the 4th quarter covering special teams.
—
During the telecast, one of the commentators said this..
“(Bears OC) Loggains told us the gig was up Cohen. Whenever he was in the game Defenses knew we were going to pass the football. Today we’re gonna give him more hand offs and see if we can keep defenses off balance.”
—
Cohen caught a screen broke a few tackles, gained 14 on 3rd and 20, was a shoelace away from breaking for TD.
Cunningham would have had 3 yards.
—
Cohen toss left
Cohen toss right
Cohen toss right, 21 yd TD pass
—
Chicago started running Cohen between tackles more in the 2nd half and he looked fine with it. Ravens were getting used to playing tosses and stretch plays.
—
Lost a fumble early 4th qtr. Ball slapped away on a cut. In true Cohen-like fashion, he tried to pick the ball up and run forward with it.
—
Cohen lined up in the slot, OC ran a WR screen to him. Unfortunately, his own linemen were in the way, but he still broke their tackles and gained yardage. Play called back on a Zach Miller hold.
My gut says Chicago knows what they have and will gameplan Cohen into the offense more often at the expense of Cunningham and their awful WRs.
My thoughts watching the game..
—
Blows my mind watching Cohen breaking tackles of defenders twice his size, he’s always close to breaking the big one. Takes hits and jumps right up He’s thick and compact enough to endure a decent amount of carries.
—
Saw a lot more involvement this week at the expense of Cunningham, not Howard. Cunningham had 1 snap in the 2nd qtr on a 3rd&11 pass play. Got hurt in the 4th quarter covering special teams.
—
During the telecast, one of the commentators said this..
“(Bears OC) Loggains told us the gig was up Cohen. Whenever he was in the game Defenses knew we were going to pass the football. Today we’re gonna give him more hand offs and see if we can keep defenses off balance.”
—
Cohen caught a screen broke a few tackles, gained 14 on 3rd and 20, was a shoelace away from breaking for TD.
Cunningham would have had 3 yards.
—
Cohen toss left
Cohen toss right
Cohen toss right, 21 yd TD pass
—
Chicago started running Cohen between tackles more in the 2nd half and he looked fine with it. Ravens were getting used to playing tosses and stretch plays.
—
Lost a fumble early 4th qtr. Ball slapped away on a cut. In true Cohen-like fashion, he tried to pick the ball up and run forward with it.
—
Cohen lined up in the slot, OC ran a WR screen to him. Unfortunately, his own linemen were in the way, but he still broke their tackles and gained yardage. Play called back on a Zach Miller hold.
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Buck Bradcanon
Footballguy
Great post One thank you for the context on yesterday's numbers. Much appreciated.
Dawg Pound 69
Footballguy
Cunningham left the game with hamstring injury. Don't like to wish harm on anybody, but since nobody owns him in fantasy it's probably okay ? Cohen owners wouldn't mind him missing a few games.
I think if anything we just overestimated the competency of the coaching staff. Was never a reason to scale back his workload like they did the previous few weeks which I"ll more to below.
I heard the bolded during the game telecast and thought to myself that just made Loggains look bad on many levels. He allowed the defense to dictate the game to him was his first mistake. Secondly if the offense was off balance that was always on him. Cohen may be a rookie but like Tyrek last season he's a very versatile player who can be used in a variety of ways, he's a weapon as much as just being the COP/third down back. There was never a reason to not play him often with Howard, which would have done a much better job of keeping the defense guessing. When your best receiver looks like Kendall Wright and you have a rookie QB there is zero justification for reducing his role in the offense, especially so you can increase Cunningham's role.
Regarding the play you referenced and comment that Cunningham would have gained 3 yards. That is another example of what I'm talking about. I don't know how many third and longs I saw past few weeks where they put Cunningham in the game. Now you don't have much at WR, Glennon or a rookie QB and you need a 10-20 yard play who is going to give you a better chance to make that play on third and long? Cohen or Cunningham?
sneakerfreak
Footballguy
Maybe Cunningham is just a better passblocker? Seems pretty reasonable to me. Why risk your franchise QB?
BigBlue_RI
Footballguy
I think I'm cutting Cohen this week, maybe for Darkwa or to handcuff Melvin Gordon. I'm in a Non-PPR and it seems he's just not going to amount to anything.
Interseptopus
Footballguy
Anyone thinking of throwing him into their lineups this next week? NO's offense can move the ball, which I would imagine Chicago would be throwing more as a result. Cohen is their play maker, but just not getting the touches...
But then again we've seen Fox run the ball down 2-3 scores
But then again we've seen Fox run the ball down 2-3 scores
Chaka
Footballguy
He may get his but I think it is pretty clear that the offense runs through Howard no matter what.
SameSongNDance
Footballguy
He played on 18% of the snaps and was utilized 3 times (3 targets) vs. CAR, both are season lows. The entire CHI offense really is just Howard.
JFS171
Footballguy
Yeah it's pretty crazy, honestly. Cohen is quite clearly their best/second best playmaker. There's room for him and Howard to both be featured (especially considering there are no WRs, and the TE is mediocre at best). Fox hates rookies, so ... there's little hope until he gets canned.
Cohen has talent ... the long game in dynasty will pay off, I think. For the rest of this year ... who knows?
JFS171
Footballguy
As a Panthers fan, I (miserably) watched a good chunk of that game when not flipping over to better games. I honestly thought Cohen was hurt with as little as they had him on the field.
I wasn't going to start him with Cunningham, but Cunningham was inactive, so ... in he goes in a couple leagues over the question mark that was Aaron Jones.
Oh man, you told us. Seven games in and it's clear to see he's McCluster. Instead of tooting your own horn, why don't you give the guy a full season before crowning him the next big bust.
barackdhouse
Footballguy
Same hereJFS171 said:As a Panthers fan, I (miserably) watched a good chunk of that game when not flipping over to better games. I honestly thought Cohen was hurt with as little as they had him on the field.
I wasn't going to start him with Cunningham, but Cunningham was inactive, so ... in he goes in a couple leagues over the question mark that was Aaron Jones.
BigBlue_RI
Footballguy
Worthless in non-PPR. Looks like it's time to cut him for Gordon's handcuff.
Interseptopus
Footballguy
I'm between Cohen and Abdullah at RB2 or Cohen and Brate at flex...
The Tick
Footballguy
Hey, that was like 50% of the bears non-running offensive plays, so I'd say he's pretty heavily in the game plan
.As others have said coaches have no clue what to do with him. They only let him run outside, so the second teams see him in the backfield they may as well line up in the "wide 15" defense and just surrender the middle because there is no way they consider running him inside now.
ericttspikes
Footballguy
I have no idea if Cohen will produce Sunday, but I'm interested to see him play on carpet with the Bears most likely playing from behind.
That is all valid and one way of looking at it.
Another way of looking at is is he 42% of the target share in the passing game and if you count the catch he had that got called back he accounted for 50% of Trubisky's intended targets.
Cohen actually leads the NFL in targets per route run. I've read like 2-3 puff pieces by Chicago papers this week discussing his growing role in the passing game. It's just been hard to see because Trubisky is averaging 16 attempts a game. Loggains a few days called Cohen the best playmaker on the team and a Bears beat writer said it's obvious they trust him more than any of their WR's.
I'm forced to use him for sure in a few leagues this week, debating using him over options like Mack/Fulller in other leagues. What I don't like about using him is of course the unpredictable nature of his usage.
Here are main reasons I got a good feeling about him this week:
1. First game on turf. ESPN lists his stats from Ravens game as being on turf but I think Ravens went to grass before 2016 season? I think this can have a huge impact based on his style.
2. Saints defense has been playing a lot better but still big potential for game script to force Bears to throw more and Saints have yielded some massive games to pass catching specialist RB's like James White and McCaffery, those two went for 8 and 9 catches.
