Cook Says His Role in the Jets’ Talented Backfield Is Simple: ‘Just Be Dalvin’

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Dalvin Cook dinner joined the Jets realizing they already had been stacked at operating again.

The previous Minnesota Vikings star intends to make New York’s backfield even higher — it doesn’t matter what his position could be.

“Simply be Dalvin,” Cook dinner mentioned Thursday, a day after signing a one-year deal with the Jets. “Simply be me. My quantity will get referred to as, go be explosive.”

The 28-year-old operating again joins a backfield that features Breece Corridor, who was a frontrunner for AP Offensive Rookie of the 12 months honors till he tore a knee ligament in Week 7 final season. The versatile and shifty Michael Carter, the highly effective Zonovan Knight, fifth-round draft choose Israel Abanikanda and undrafted free agent Travis Dye are additionally on the roster.

“I’m the older man within the room,” Cook dinner mentioned. “Simply share the information. I’ve bought quite a lot of expertise on this sport. Each little factor I can drop on these guys, that I can assist them to achieve success on this league, I’m going to provide it to them. Simply be me and assist these guys develop, that’s it.”

Cook dinner will possible be taking part in for one more contract subsequent offseason after agreeing with the Jets on a deal value as much as $8.6 million, together with incentives. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett should work out how one can break up these carries and attempt to assist quarterback Aaron Rodgers transfer the ball constantly and put up factors.

“I believe it’s simply one other man that, he’s executed a lot in his profession,” mentioned Hackett, who noticed loads of Cook dinner when he was an assistant in Inexperienced Bay. “Going towards him for these three years, these six instances watching him win quite a lot of video games and beat us — glad, he’s on our crew now.”

Cook dinner, who’s third on Minnesota’s profession speeding checklist with 5,993 yards after six seasons with the Vikings, visited with the Jets final month and watched a coaching camp observe. He left with out a deal and was weighing his choices, however had seen sufficient to know the place he needed to go.

Particularly given the chance to play with Rodgers.

“Being on the opposite facet of that the final six years, I could not be on the opposite facet no extra,” a smiling Cook dinner mentioned. “I bought the prospect to go be part of him and assist him win — that was an enormous factor to return over right here.”

Cook dinner, who had shoulder surgical procedure in February, spent Thursday within the trainers space at first of observe after which watched from the sideline the place he chatted along with his teammates. He mentioned he is “proper on schedule” along with his shoulder and may start training “inside the subsequent few days.”

He’ll head dwelling for the delivery of his child Saturday, when the Jets play Tampa Bay of their third preseason sport. Cook dinner will then rejoin his new teammates and get to work after staying in form in the course of the offseason.

“I’ve been figuring out, I’ve been grinding,” Cook dinner mentioned. “I have been sticking to my script.”

Cook dinner’s authorized state of affairs stays a bit unsure as he is going through a pending home violence lawsuit by an ex-girlfriend. He has no considerations, although, he may face a suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s private conduct coverage.

“None,” Cook dinner mentioned. “None in any way.”

Coach Robert Saleh mentioned Wednesday the crew totally seemed into the state of affairs and felt comfy with bringing in Cook dinner.

On the sphere, Cook dinner needs to win a Tremendous Bowl after some playoff disappointments in Minnesota and believes he can assist Rodgers and the Jets ship one other to their pissed off fan base.

“Me being in 12 months Seven, I form of know that attending to playoff video games and dropping, attending to championship video games and dropping, you have form of bought that small window of form of figuring issues out and successful,” Cook dinner mentioned. “And I will not say I may very well be a lacking piece, however I do know I can come assist a crew win.

“I do know what I may do on the soccer subject. I do know what I may carry to the crew. In order that’s what I’m right here to do. I’m simply right here to be Dalvin Cook dinner and be explosive and be an amazing teammate.”

NOTES: Tony Oden, the Jets’ cornerbacks coach and senior defensive assistant, was back on the field coaching however along with his left arm in a sling after he was injured during one of the several skirmishes Wednesday between gamers at New York’s joint observe with Tampa Bay. Oden, who was carted off the sphere and brought to a hospital for analysis, would not disclose the character of his harm. “Bought slightly battle wound,” he joked. “I’ll be all proper.” … Corridor participated in crew drills for the primary time since being activated from the bodily unable to carry out checklist Tuesday. … The Jets signed CB Nehemiah Shelton and launched RB Damarea Crockett.

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