Tag: Dalvin Cook

Don’t forget about Ravens RB Justice Hill

The Baltimore Ravens should be careful not to slight the contributions running back Justice Hill has made this season.

With the signing of running back Dalvin Cook, the Baltimore Ravens should be careful not to slight the contributions of running back Justice Hill this season.

Hill went from playing frequently early in the season to losing reps to rookie running back Keaton Mitchell. When Mitchell suffered a season-ending injury in week 15, Hill re-emerged, elevating his play to function as a timely asset to the Ravens’ offense.

Hill had five catches on five targets in week 17, making one touchdown catch while recording 48 rush yards on three carries. Hill also returned two kicks for 101 yards as well. After such an emphatic performance, head coach John Harbaugh must be mindful not to ruin team comradery by allowing Cook to believe he will receive most of the reps at running back.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken should work Cook into the rotation behind running back Gus Edwards, primarily on early downs. Hill should be the primary on third down until he shows himself inadequate.

Cook has taken zero snaps in the Ravens’ offense that already ranks No. 1 in the NFL in total rush yards. Hill, Edwards, Mitchell, and quarterback Lamar Jackson are the players that should be accredited for this success. Finally, while Cook’s skills cannot be denied, unless Hill’s play declines, the Ravens’ should avoid disrupting team chemistry.  

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=46916063]

Around the North: Veteran running back Dalvin Cook signs with Ravens

An already strong running game adds more talent

The rival Baltimore Ravens have already won the AFC North and first overall seed in this year’s playoffs before Week 18 begins. Though it would have made sense for the Cleveland Browns to sign veteran Dalvin Cook after his release from the Jets he signed with the Ravens instead. The veteran now has a couple of weeks to get up to speed before the divisional round of the playoffs begins.

Cook isn’t quite the player he was a couple of seasons ago he is still a solid player with a ton of experience. He improves on an already strong running game in Baltimore with Lamar Jackson, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill. They have already rushed for over 2,500 yards on the season with five yards per carry.

It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Todd Monken incorporates Cook into the rushing offense. The Ravens will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for their final regular season game of the 2023 season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

James Cook’s brother, Dalvin, parts ways with Jets

Maybe a future name to keep an eye on?

James Cook’s brother no longer plays in the AFC East.

The Jets and Dalvin Cook, the older brother of the Bills running back, have parted ways. The decision came just prior to the final week of the 2023 NFL season with the Jets already eliminated from postseason contention.

Dalvin Cook was released by the Vikings this past offseason. He had expressed interest in joining his brother James with the Bills, however, the Jets came calling with a contract that included $5.8 million in guarantees. 

With the Jets, Cook had 67 carries for 214 yards and no touchdowns. He caught 15 passes for 78 yards. A brutal year as Cook was clearly upset with the Jets based on his lack of usage.

While there was never any sign the Bills were interested in signing Dalvin Cook despite his thoughts on the idea… he’s a name to keep in mind for down the road. Currently the Bills have two big-bodied rushers in their backfield for short-yardage situations, Latavius Murray and Leonard Fournette.

Murray has long been favored by the Bills over Fournette as the latter has only appeared in one game since signing with the team. However, Murray is 33. Perhaps there’s a world where Dalvin Cook, currently 28, considers a reasonable contract offer with the Bills in an effort to play alongside his brother.

For now, the Bills will simply focus on their current run to the postseason.

Follow the Bills Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-related id=120388,129779,129777]

Does RB Dalvin Cook make sense as a Browns’ playoff addition?

Does the veteran makes sense for Cleveland?

The Cleveland Browns run game has been boom or bust since Nick Chubb went down against the Steelers the second week of the season. Jerome Ford has shown promise but he doesn’t have great vision and misses extra yardage being decisive behind the line of scrimmage. With the playoffs just around the corner the New York Jets have released veteran Dalvin Cook and the Browns should give him a call.

He has a history with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski during their time with the Vikings. When Cleveland hired Stefanski Cook had nothing but good things to say about the now fourth-year head coach.

Cook didn’t see much usage in New York and honestly, it didn’t make sense after the fanfare behind the signing. He isn’t what he was in his prime but he is still a veteran that has had a lot of success in the NFL and you can never have enough of those heading into the playoffs.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

5 NFL landing spots for ex-Jets RB Dalvin Cook, including the Cowboys

Could your postseason-bound NFL team use Dalvin Cook for the playoffs?

Veteran running back Dalvin Cook is being released by the New York Jets this week for a chance to play with a contender, per multiple reports.

The once-electric running back signed with the Jets as a complimentary piece of an offense led by Aaron Rodgers, but the latter’s season-ending injury changed New York’s season almost immediately.

Cook fell behind in New York’s rotation, only logging 67 carries for 214 yards and 15 catches for 78 yards. He’s averaging only 3.2 yards a carry.

No matter, there will likely be some NFL contender who feels Cook is worth having around for a possible Super Bowl push this month.

We’ve taken a look at five teams who would make sense for Cook, including one team down in Texas who could really use some help at running back right now.

Jets, Dalvin Cook parting ways just before end of season

The Jets are parting ways with Dalvin Cook, allowing him to sign with a playoff team if he wishes.

The Jets are moving on from running back Dalvin Cook. The team and Cook are agreed to mutually part ways, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The Cook signing will go down as a major miss for general manager Joe Douglas. The Jets have Cook $5.8 million guaranteed this season, only to carry the football 67 times for 214 yards and no touchdowns. Cook also caught 15 passes for 78 yards.

Per Adam Schefter, Cook is forfeiting the remaining guaranteed money for this season. By letting Cook go now, Cook has a chance to sign with a playoff team and have a chance at a Super Bowl.

For the Jets, it’s a chance to get more work for Israel Abanikanda this week in practice and during Sunday’s game against the Patriots. The Jets also have Xazavian Valladay and Jacques Patrick on the practice squad.

25 SKOL’s of Christmas: Vikings complete largest comeback ever

In December of 2022, the Minnesota Vikings completed the largest comeback in the history of the National Football League

Welcome to the 25 SKOL’s of Christmas!

In a similar vein to how Freeform has done the 25 days of Christmas, we will look back at different moments in Vikings history to bring a little extra joy to you this holiday season.

It’s that simple. The holidays can be a trying time for some people and we want to put a smile on people’s faces by reminiscing about some truly joyous times in Vikings’ history.

On the twenty-first SKOL of Christmas, the Vikings gave to me: The biggest comeback in NFL history.

The Vikings history against the Indianapolis Colts over the last 25 years has not been kind. Prior to the 2022 season, they hadn’t beaten the Colts since the 1997 season when Jim Harbaugh, now the head coach at the University of Michigan, was the starting quarterback. They never could beat Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck.

On December 17th, 2022, the entire nation was primed to watch the game at U.S. Bank Stadium as it was broadcast at noon on NFL Network. Things didn’t start off well for the Vikings.

The first half was a disaster for the purple and gold. Multiple turnovers and failed fourth downs paired with a pick-six had the Vikings down 33-0 at halftime and things couldn’t have been worse.

Oh, but they did get worse. The Vikings went three and out on their first drive out of halftime and things felt hopeless. After forcing a punt by the Colts, the Vikings did something no other team had ever done before: come back from 33 points down and also come back from being down 30+ points at halftime while being shut out.

At halftime, cornerback Patrick Peterson famously said “All we need is five touchdowns” and the offense delivered.

Kirk Cousins played the game of his life, throwing for 460 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Vikings to a comeback victory.

K.J. Osborn got the first touchdown and C.J. Ham, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen scored on consecutive fashion but the final touchdown scored by Dalvin Cook had U.S. Bank Stadium in an uproar. It came after the Vikings got a stop on a quarterback sneak on fourth and inches.

The game ended up going to overtime and Greg Joseph hit the game-winning field goal to complete the greatest comeback in NFL history 39-36.

These kinds of things don’t normally happen to the Vikings, but they found a way and clinched the NFC North in the process. While it was both improbably and unlikely for a myriad of reasons, it was the epitome of the Vikings 2022 where anything was possible.

Previous SKOL’s of Christmas:

Drafting Randy Moss
Vikings 1997 Wild Card Comeback
Jarius Wright Walks Off the Jets
Jared Allen traded to Vikings
Adrian Peterson Sets Rushing Record
Brett Favre Revenge Tour
Bud Grant Rocks a Polo in Freezing Temperatures
Adrian Peterson Stiff Arms Defender to Oblivion
Anthony Carter Dominates the 1987 Playoffs
Kirk Cousins’ First Major Comeback
Randy Moss Dominates Monday Night Football
Tuesday Night Joe Webb
Randy Moss Laterals to Moe Williams
Miracle At The Met
Cris Carter catches number 1,000
Resurgence of Randall Cunningham
Sam Bradford Opens Up U.S. Bank Stadium
Teddy Bridgewater’s Triumphant Return
Randy Moss on Thanksgiving
Bernard Berrian 99 Yard Touchdown
Jeff George’s Moonshots

5 takeaways from Jets’ dominant 30-6 win over Texans

Here are five of our immediate takeaways from the Jets’ lopsided 30-6 win over the Texans in Week 14.

The New York Jets put an end to their five-game skid with an impressive, dominant outing against the Houston Texans in Week 14 with a score of 30-6. For one of the first times this season, the Jets got a collective effort from all three phases to produce a victory.

With the win, the Jets improved to 5-8 on the season as Zach Wilson returned as the starting quarterback following the release of Tim Boyle. After a first half where both teams punted on every offensive drive, the Jets found their rhythm in the second half.

In what was a much-needed win for morale, here are five takeaways from the Jets’ blowout win over the Texans in Week 14.

6 takeaways from Jets’ devastating 13-8 defeat to Falcons

Here are our six immediate takeaways from the Jets’ dismal 13-8 loss to the Falcons in Week 13.

The New York Jets failed to put an end to their losing streak as they’ve now lost five consecutive games. The latest defeat was a dismal 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13, handing the Jets a 4-8 record.

Similar to most weeks, the offense was stagnant and unable to produce enough points to win. Amid the team’s five-game losing streak, this was the third game where the Jets weren’t able to find the end zone on offense.

With another loss on the docket, here are our six takeaways from the Jets’ disappointing defeat to the Falcons in Week 13.

Jets expected to have Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook vs. Falcons

The Jets are expected to have running backs Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Jets are expected to have running backs Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Both backs were listed as questionable — Hall with a hamstring; Cook with a shoulder — but both improved their practice status Friday — Cook went from limited to full; Cook from no practice to limited — suggesting a positive direction.

The Jets (4-7) face a Falcons defense that is allowing over 110 rushing yards per game, so having their top two backs will be key. Israel Abanikanda (illness) was also listed as questionable but did practice in a limited capacity Friday.