By: Jake Rajala

The utterly quick human being Darren Sproles entered the league as a fourth-round draft pick with the San Diego Chargers in 2005. Sproles didn’t gain steam in his rookie season nor his sophomore season (as he missed the entire season with a broken foot), but he did make flashes of greatness in his third season: 6 total touchdowns, 672 all-purpose yards, and two return touchdowns.

He really blossomed with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in 2011. He recorded set an all-purpose yard record (2,696 yards/1,313 yards from scrimmage) in his first season in the Big Easy. Peyton Manning was quite jealous that Brees had a weapon like Sproles in his arsenal. The 5’6 Sproles was still the x-factor (as opponents focused on the 6’7 Jimmy Graham) in 2012 — as Sproles unleashed 911 yards from scrimmage and 8 total touchdowns in 13 games.

Sproles might have been an “aging RB”, but his versatility allowed him to excel at his next home: Philadelphia. Sproles joined another offense with a creative play-caller in Chip Kelly. In 2014, he recorded two punt return touchdowns (outside of six rushing and receiving touchdowns), earned a trip to the Pro Bowl, and he was named second-team All-Pro. The do-it-all-RB would also have a Pro Bowl nod in 2015 and 2016.

Sproles finished his career with 55 RRTDs and 9 return touchdowns (including 7 punt return touchdowns). He won’t be a Hall of Fame candidate, but will certainly be remembered as one of the NFL’s best x-factors.

The post Darren Sproles: tribute and reflection appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Buffalo Bills drafted former Georgia Bulldog James Cook, also known as Dalvn Cook’s younger brother, 63rd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Cook was an excellent, bell-cow RB for Georgia in his senior season. He averaged 6.4 YPC, totaled 728 rushing yds, and also nicely recorded 284 receiving yds. Most importantly, he possesses excellent explosiveness and pass-catching ability that should help him transition into having a unique role at the pro level.

Jay from Buffalo News feels that Devin Singletary’s role shouldn’t change a bit with Cook in 2022. He forsees Cook potentially being the starting third-down back in the Bills offense in his rookie season. It would make sense if the Bills incorporated Cook into a pass-catching threat for Josh Allen, as he could be the x-factor that can help the Bills get over the hump. The Patriots did a fantastic job of implementing RB/WR James White in their scheme for Tom Brady (as White was the second SB MVP in Super Bowl 51). Furthermore, Darren Sproles was a fantastic all-purpose weapon for Drew Brees and Phillip Rivers.

Cook will certainly help a Bills passing offense that cut ties with the Cole Beasley and Emmanual Sanders this off-season. The Bills playoff legend Gabriel Davis is expected to take the next step alongside Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox (9 touchdowns last season), but there should be plenty of opportunities for Cook to excel in the passing game. Perhaps Allen can improve his completion percentage and commit fewer interceptions than last season (15 ints in 2021) with a superb security blanket in Cook.

The post What does James Cook bring to the Bills? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.