As the Buffalo Bills hit the practice field Wednesday for the second day of mandatory minicamp, it’s back to work for the NFL’s leading rusher from last season.
James Cook returned to practice at mandatory minicamp after skipping the voluntary organized team activities leading up to it.
“Family,” Cook said of why he skipped OTAs. “I have kids who stay in Miami, so I just wanted to be around them a lot more and just keep continuing to work and get better.”
Last year at this time, Cook was in the middle of a contract dispute that lingered into training camp. Head coach Joe Brady isn’t too worried about his star running back missing time.
“James wasn’t here last season and I always want our guys here, and I’ve been in touch with Jimbo the whole time,” Brady said. “You guys remember how he was when he showed up last offseason. He works. We’re in touch with everything down there. I’m always going to want guys here, but it’s voluntary. It’s part of it. Jimbo has a great work ethic and a great approach.”
Cook got his new contract and responded with a career year, topping the NFL in rushing yards while logging the most carries he’s ever had.
“It was good, but the ultimate goal is to win a championship and that didn’t happen, so you’ve got to go back to the drawing board and get better and see what the future holds for this year,” Cook said.
So how can he top being the No. 1 rusher? Well, cutting down on fumbles is at the top of the list.
“I didn’t feel like I did a good enough job of that,” he said. “But new season, got the whole offseason to work on it, got the whole summer, so come back ready to go.”
Cook was busy with more than just family this spring. He graduated from the University of Georgia five years after leaving school to go to the NFL.
“I owed that to myself just for being there for four years, so I decided to go back,” Cook explained.
Can Cook go back-to-back as the NFL rushing champion? We’ll find out starting in September.