Buffalo Rumblings
After wondering “will he or won’t he show up” for mandatory minicamp, questions turned into “what now” about Cook’s contract situation.
Fresh off his first day as a full participant at mandatory minicamp with the Buffalo Bills, running back James Cook took a seat in front of the microphone — ready to face the barrage of difficult questions from members of the media. Cook is a man of few words, ones often carefully guarded and selected so that he’s not misunderstood.
During the seven minutes and change with Cook at the mic, a frustrated canvas of emotions seemed to reveal itself. Always level-headed in conversation, Cook did let his guard down a couple times when it came to conversations about training camp and teammates from his draft class who received new deals this past offseason.
While a good bit of coverage will seek to further stir up drama either through spicy headlines or wild opinion pieces about Cook these next few months, what follows below is simply a tense conversation between the media and a young man looking for answers, presented without embellishment as transcribed by yours truly.
You can watch Cook’s presser in full at the via the embedded video at the bottom of this article.
Josh Reed: “James, what’s this whole process been like for you?”
Cook: “I’ve been good. I mean, just working out and just continuing to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Reed: “Did you feel like it was a must that you had to be here — I mean, obviously it is mandatory. But, why did you decide to come?”
Cook: “Um, I like my money. You know, I do. Definitely do. So that’s why I’m here.”
Thad Brown: “Why did you, back in February [video artifacting ruins audio] why did you take it public with the internet, asking for the money? Did you feel you needed to make that public?”
Cook: “Uh... no. Um, it’s just something that I did, and, I, I, (shrugging shoulders)... something I did. I don’t know why I did it.
Brown: “It was (part of) a strategy?”
Cook: “Nah.”
Maddy Glab: “James, what do you hope to get our of mandatory minicamp?”
Cook: “Just to get better, and just to be around the guys — feels good to be around them — and just... keep playing football.”
Alaina Getzenberg: “James you didn’t have to participate today, necessarily. Why did you decide to fully participate?”
Cook: “I mean, why not? I’m here. I’m part of the team. And, just not practicing... would — I’m a leader, so just gotta practice and get the job done.”
Vic Carucci: “Do plan to fully participate in training camp as well, James?”
Cook: “Um, yeah. Um, it’s my team and in order for us to win a Super Bowl or compete for a Super Bowl, and have a winning season — have to be out there, and be out there with my teammates.”
Sal Capaccio: “James, what’s been your communication with Sean...
