Free Agent RB Rhodes visits Buffalo

by Brian Galliford on Apr 14, 2009 9:32 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

The Buffalo Bills have met with free agent running back Dominic Rhodes, according to Alex Marvez at FOXSports.com.

Rhodes, an eight-year veteran out of Midwestern State, spent the 2008 season with the Indianapolis Colts. He rushed for 538 yards and six touchdowns last season - one year after a disastrous 2007 season with the Oakland Raiders. Rhodes has spent seven of his eight seasons with the Colts, rushing for 3,114 yards and 26 touchdowns throughout his career.

His one season in Oakland included a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He was also arrested in February of 2007 for drunk driving, eventually pleading guilty. His license was suspended for 180 days and he was fined $2,000 as a result of the incident.

The 30-year-old tailback does not have a lot of wear on his tires, having registered roughly 130 touches per season as a pro. He is best known for his 21 carry, 113-yard performance (with a touchdown) in the Colts' Super Bowl XLI victory over the Chicago Bears - a strong performance that led to his big free agent deal with Oakland.

Rhodes is the latest in a long line of free agent running backs to visit Buffalo this off-season; Fred Taylor, Kevin Jones, DeShaun Foster, Maurice Hicks and Cecil Sapp have all visited team headquarters as well. The Bills are looking for a veteran to help share the workload early in the season while starter Marshawn Lynch serves his three-game suspension.

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Suspended

He was suspended 4 games when with the raiders for a dwi that was pleaded down. Not sure with all that has gone on this season we can risk it, although I like him as a player.

by billsfan69 on Apr 14, 2009 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

My one concern is that he is now in the progam ( I believe) and one slip up and he is gone.

by billsfan69 on Apr 14, 2009 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

As long as it's after the third week I don't care really.

:-)

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Apr 17, 2009 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions

a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He was also arrested in February of 2007 for drunk driving, eventually pleading guilty

I am sure the Bills have done their “due diligence” on him. Hahahahahahahhahahah!!!!!!

"Get ready for the pain women…the pain train is coming Whooo Whooooo !!!!!" – Terry Tate Office Linebacker

by Joe P. on Apr 14, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions

wow

The Bills really have the faith in Xavier, eh?

McCoverage- McGee and McKelvin :D

by Toronto? on Apr 14, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

Common Buddy, it don’t mean that they can’t get their hands on another running back there, eh?

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 14, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not your buddy, fwiend! (sorry, couldn’t resist…)

Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet.

Noli nothis permittere te terere.

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Apr 14, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not your friend, guy! (that’s exactly what I was going for actually)

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 14, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

i'm not your fwiend, pal!

by the_prophet on Apr 14, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ts GUY! not pal…. click the link dammit! lol

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 14, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

hahahahaha

McCoverage- McGee and McKelvin :D

by Toronto? on Apr 14, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

ah, dangit, and i thought i was being clever.

oh well.

by the_prophet on Apr 14, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Lol, don’t worry about, if I hadn’t looked it up, I would have put pal too.

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 14, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the idea- he’s nothing amazing, but him and Fred would be a decent stopgap til Lynch gets back.

Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet.

Noli nothis permittere te terere.

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Apr 14, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

I like it too, Rhodes would be a good backup… I’d still prefer Warrick Dunn though.

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 14, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I would like Dunn as well.

Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009

by norcaliangelsfan on Apr 14, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

i think hes a better signing than Fred Taylor honestly

for what he we need from him. He has less wear on the tires and is probably just as good as Fred now and probably cheaper.

Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.

by poz on Apr 14, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

definitely

He had a good year last year back at Indy, and in Oakland, I mean, forget it. People don’t exactly flourish over there the past some-odd seasons

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Apr 14, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d like this signing. There aren’t many other vets still out there that I’d take over Rhodes. He’d be a nice complement to Freddie during Lynch’s suspension, to Lynch if Freddie were to get hurt, or in place of either in a worst case scenario. We can do much, much worse than him, that’s for sure….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Apr 14, 2009 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

There aren’t many other vets still out there that I’d take over Rhodes.

Dunn is about the only one that I would take.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 14, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m still woundering why the Bills haven’t kicked the tires on Dunn, I think he’d be one of the best FA signings the Bills could make, not so much because of his playing ability, but because of his character and leadership.

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 14, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

He had a good year last year. and would provide MUCH NEEDED leadership.

McCoverage- McGee and McKelvin :D

by Toronto? on Apr 14, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

better than rhodes would, at least...

didn’t someone post about the jailblazers a while back?

by the_prophet on Apr 15, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

wasn’t that a tire manufacturer………. Dunn Tire?

Are we drafting Dino's now?
"6'6" monster receiver with a Terradactyl wingspan "....... Keysh67

by Billsfanstuckinthesouth on Apr 15, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

They do service actually.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Apr 17, 2009 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions

If he's no more than 2 mil

Sign’em, but to me, anymore wouldn’t be worth it and I think the Bills may or may not sign a vet before the draft but even if they do, I expect a runner at least undrafted coming in here for camp along with Omon, etc. I would also like a FB drafted…just saying even if it is unrelated

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Apr 14, 2009 11:05 PM EDT reply actions