Dalvin Cook did not have much to go his way during his run with the New York Jets.
Cook posted career lows across the board while with the Jets, from yards from scrimmage (292) to rushing yards (214). The veteran running back joined the Jets with the hope that he would emerge as an X-factor with the team, but this did not turn out to be the case at all.
Cook, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens last week, sees that he still has plenty left in the tank at this stage in his career.
"I feel like that's why I'm in the situation I am," Cook said on Thursday. "Me, I'm a man of faith, and I feel like I got put in this situation for a reason. I'm not trying to prove nothing to anybody; I'm just going to be me, to be honest, and that's what got me to this point in my life.
"So, I don't listen to the naysayers. I block the noise. My legs still here, I'm still me, I'm still Dalvin; it's just for the world to see it."
Cook agreed to join the Ravens’ practice squad on Friday. He is aiming to be elevated to Baltimore’s active roster for its upcoming playoff run.
"I don't expect; I'm going to earn my rights," Cook said. "Like I said, these guys put in the work all year. I'm going to earn everything I get. I appreciate Coach Harbaugh so much. You guys don't understand; he's a great a person. And for me, I'm just going to work my tail off, every opportunity that come my way. I'm going to give it my all for these guys, everything I've got.
"So, for me, I'm going to earn everything I get, and I'm going to just lay it on the line for these guys."
Cook has tallied 6,207 rushing yards over 88 career games played in the NFL.
More must-reads: