Dalvin Cook Discussion

Minniman
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Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 11, 2017 7:01:01 GMT -6

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Post by Minniman on Sept 11, 2017 7:01:01 GMT -6

Aug 20, 2017 11:16:50 GMT -6 Funkytown said:

Good find (and share, Aussie61), I appreciate it. I was going to share that as well, when I found a few minutes to get on my laptop. That was actually from our old friend, Nick Olson (WhirledWorld on Reddit), who used to do a little writing for us at Vikings Journal. Here is more of what he had to say:

A couple other Cook gifs:

Cook's balance and quickness is so good you can barely even notice that he breaks three tackles over those two plays.

Re-watching the game I actually really like Shurmur's playcalling. Love the use of motion to ease the QB's pre-snap read and create running room. On this play, Bradford motions Cook out wide where he runs a 9 route against an LB, so that's definitely happening this season. Love setting up the run to set up the play action--Diggs gets wide open here because all the LBs and Earl Thomas lose track of the receivers with the play-action.

Floyd and Diggs have to block better downfield. Cook has one of the best bursts in the NFL, and he can get to the second level quickly. The receivers have to hustle up and block off a defender.

Logic is the beginning of wisdom - not the end.

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Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 16, 2017 11:53:52 GMT -6 Minniman likes this

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Post by Funkytown on Sept 16, 2017 11:53:52 GMT -6

Dalvin Cook's hefty workload could become a constant in Vikings offense by Courtney Cronin

Dalvin Cook is used to shouldering a heavy workload. As a featured running back at Florida State, Cook averaged 22 carries a game during his junior season and rushed for 1,765 yards.

In the Minnesota Vikings' season opener, Cook again was the workhorse, carrying the ball 22 times for 127 yards and breaking the rushing record for a Vikings player in his debut, a record previously held by Adrian Peterson for 103 yards.

"It was about what I expected," Cook said of his carries. "Coach KP (Vikings running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu) is a guy of rhythm. He told us that whoever has the rhythm, he was going to let them finish it out."

That echoes what Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said earlier in the week about going "with the hot hand" in the run game.

That concept played into Cook's favor as the running back ripped off bigger gains as the game wore on. Those included a 32-yard run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to set up a touchdown three plays later and a 33-yard dash to the outside as the game was all about over.

"He's a really good player so we want him to touch the ball," Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. "It's hard to say, the flow of the game dictates sometimes how things go. We'd certainly like to get Latavius a little bit more work, if we can. You saw there, we have a role for Jerick as well."

Part of the reason Cook was able to stay in the game so long points to his strengths in pass protection. Most notably on at least one occasion, Cook recognized and immediately reacted to a blitz pick up, an area where the running back expected to make contributions right away.

"It’s something that we work on with the O-Line," Cook said. "We spend a lot of time on protections and just stuff that we feel like we need to work on and that’s something we worked on all week, so I was expecting it.

Link: www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/23652/dalvin-cooks-hefty-workload-could-become-a-constant-in-vikings-offense

Funkytown Owner Purple Pain Big Dog Posts: 67,627 Likes: 31,558 Fan Since: 1998	Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 20, 2017 19:08:53 GMT -6 Danchat likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Funkytown on Sept 20, 2017 19:08:53 GMT -6

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Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 20, 2017 19:37:13 GMT -6

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Post by Funkytown on Sept 20, 2017 19:37:13 GMT -6

How Good is Dalvin Cook? by Arif Hasan

Dalvin Cook could end up being the savior of the Vikings offense. With an ambiguous injury timeline for Sam Bradford, the overall skill of the stellar receiving duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs may not matter. And without a turnover, the defense is unlikely to provide points themselves, like they did earlier last season.

Instead, the tremendous burden falls on a second-round rookie, the third running back taken in the draft and one who must overcome some of the deficiencies of a much-improved but still struggling offensive line.

So — how good has he proven to be, and where can he improve?

Highlights and Film

Cook has put together some fantastic highlights that demonstrate everything about who he is as a runner already.

...

Cook actually places fifth among NFL running backs (with at least 20 carries) in success rate. That kind of consistency thus far is impressive, especially with a poor offensive line.

And it’s not as if Cook hasn’t been explosive, either; 8.8 percent of his running attempts have gone for at least 15 yards, which ranks fourth among all running backs.

But if he makes his biggest impact on meaningless downs, like third-and-20, it doesn’t mean much. So I’ve devised a metric called “yards over expected.”

GIFs and in-depth analysis at the link: zonecoverage.com/2017/vikings/how-good-is-dalvin-cook/

Funkytown Owner Purple Pain Big Dog Posts: 67,627 Likes: 31,558 Fan Since: 1998	Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 21, 2017 11:12:29 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Funkytown on Sept 21, 2017 11:12:29 GMT -6

Minniman Moderator Posts: 13,640 Likes: 8,134	Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 21, 2017 18:10:45 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Minniman on Sept 21, 2017 18:10:45 GMT -6 Yeah, but unlike Cook, Hunt can also catch the ball. NFL Leaders ... receiving yards: Kareem Hunt KC 126 Yards James White NE 115 Yards Ty Montgomery GB 114 Yards
	Logic is the beginning of wisdom - not the end.

beckmt Hall of Fame Inductee Posts: 12,220 Likes: 1,584	Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 21, 2017 18:12:45 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by beckmt on Sept 21, 2017 18:12:45 GMT -6 Cook is supposed to be able to catch the ball. My be just how he is used.

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Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 21, 2017 19:16:06 GMT -6

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Post by Danchat on Sept 21, 2017 19:16:06 GMT -6

Sept 21, 2017 18:12:45 GMT -6 beckmt said:

Cook is supposed to be able to catch the ball. My be just how he is used.

Cook was supposed to have "average" catching skills, and I think he's going to get better as time goes on. One of the drops I remember was a focus drop, he took his eyes off the ball because he was about to get hit, and he dropped it. He'll improve but he's not going to become a 3rd down receiving back like some guys.

Yeah, but unlike Cook, Hunt can also catch the ball.

Hunt was my favorite HB prospect after Fournette, McCaffrey, Cook, and Kamara. I was hoping the Vikes could land him in the 3rd-4th round, but Cook dropping to the 2nd round happened. He's a great runner, rarely fumbles the ball (ironically, he fumbled away his first carry), is a good receiver, and his only problem is lack of top speed. He's going to be a top 10-15 HB in the NFL.

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Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 21, 2017 20:54:37 GMT -6

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Post by Funkytown on Sept 21, 2017 20:54:37 GMT -6

PFF: Race for Rookie of the Year - Week 2

9. DALVIN COOK, HB, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

PFF Grade: 82.3

Elite Stat: Cook has the third-highest elusive rating among rookies at 49.5.

Where Cook may have struggles in the passing game (two drops), he has more than made up for it with his running strengths. Cook currently holds the highest rush grade among all running backs at 89.5, and has forced a total of seven missed tackles on 34 carries. He only averages 2.41 yards after contact per attempt, but his shiftiness in space, and playmaking ability has been on display for the Vikings offense.

Link: www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-race-for-rookie-of-the-year-week-2-4

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Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 22, 2017 18:51:02 GMT -6

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Post by Minniman on Sept 22, 2017 18:51:02 GMT -6

Sept 21, 2017 20:54:37 GMT -6 Funkytown said:

PFF: Race for Rookie of the Year - Week 2

9. DALVIN COOK, HB, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

PFF Grade: 82.3

Elite Stat: Cook has the third-highest elusive rating among rookies at 49.5.

Where Cook may have struggles in the passing game (two drops), he has more than made up for it with his running strengths. Cook currently holds the highest rush grade among all running backs at 89.5, and has forced a total of seven missed tackles on 34 carries. He only averages 2.41 yards after contact per attempt, but his shiftiness in space, and playmaking ability has been on display for the Vikings offense.

Link: www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-race-for-rookie-of-the-year-week-2-4

Cook was known to have quick acceleration, elusiveness, average hands, and not a great ability to power through tackles coming out of college.

That is pretty much what I see.

McCaffrey has soft as dough hands. He is a better receiver than many wide receivers that were drafted this year.

Logic is the beginning of wisdom - not the end.

Funkytown Owner Purple Pain Big Dog Posts: 67,627 Likes: 31,558 Fan Since: 1998	Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 25, 2017 20:21:36 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Funkytown on Sept 25, 2017 20:21:36 GMT -6

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Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 26, 2017 5:04:44 GMT -6

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Post by James on Sept 26, 2017 5:04:44 GMT -6

That comparison with Peterson is something to definitely keep an eye on. Not saying he is on the same caliber as Peterson. But he is on pace to beat some of his records. Both Cook and Peterson bring something different to the game. What I love about Cook's running is that he doesn't do all of that dancing in the backfield. It worked for Peterson however. But Cook just hits one cut and go, and STILL makes defenders miss. He can find the smallest of holes and still find a way to squeeze through them. And why it may seem like he's not getting many yards because not breaking 80 yard runs like Peterson did. But he's still making good runs to help move the chains and set up the offense in 2nd or 3rd and short.

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Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 26, 2017 20:41:17 GMT -6

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Post by Funkytown on Sept 26, 2017 20:41:17 GMT -6

Dalvin Cook, Success Rate and You by LBVikings

Through three weeks of the 2017 NFL season, the Vikings offense is 2nd in the league in total yards. They’ve blown out two NFC South teams, and while strength of opponent must be considered, it’s been an incredibly successful start for the offense in spite of a shaky QB situation. Perhaps most oddly, the Vikings are third in the league in total passing, racking up 856 yards and six touchdowns through the air. So how are the Vikings, with a patched together offensive line and largely the same weapons as last year, suddenly start putting up gaudy numbers? And more importantly, is it sustainable?

The answer lies with Dalvin Cook and his ability to keep the team ahead of the chains. ‘Ahead of the chains’ is a phrase commonly used to describe down-and-distance situations. While a 2nd and 5 is manageable, 2nd and 9 is prohibitive. If you’re able to get enough yardage of 1st and 2nd down, making 3rd down manageable, you’re considered ‘ahead of the chains’ and everything gets easier. This can be measured using ‘success rate”, or a yes-or-no tally of whether plays gained enough yardage to stay ahead of the chains. The line is drawn at 40% of 1st down to-gain yardage, 60% on 2nd down, and 100% on 3rd down. It’s a good way to measure running back success because it can’t be skewed by one huge run, rendering the rest of that RB’s day useless. A back who failed on 9 of 10 runs, but happened to bust the one success for 65 yards, didn’t have a good day.

On 1st down throughout these last three games, Dalvin Cook carries have been successful 13 of 31 times, or 41.9%. That means that on 41.9% of the time, the down and distance were manageable, and Pat Shurmur has access to a wider range of his playbook. This may sound like a cliché, but it’s worth illustrating exactly how huge the difference is.

Dalvin Cook Stat Line
Ahead of Chains: 14 rushes for 70 yards, 5 YPC, 64% Success Rate
Behind Chains: 11 rushes for 68 yards, 6.2 YPC, 36% Success Rate

More at the link: purpleptsd.com/dalvin-cook-success-rate-and-you/

Last Edit: Sept 26, 2017 20:43:49 GMT -6 by Funkytown

Deleted Ghosted Member Posts: 0 Likes:	Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 26, 2017 21:05:56 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2017 21:05:56 GMT -6 To paraphrase a popular political reference. "It's the OL stupid!"

Funkytown Owner Purple Pain Big Dog Posts: 67,627 Likes: 31,558 Fan Since: 1998	Dalvin Cook Discussion Sept 27, 2017 14:41:24 GMT -6 Danchat likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Funkytown on Sept 27, 2017 14:41:24 GMT -6