Putting Fred Jackson's 2009 season in perspective
by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2010 8:21 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintThough the 2009 season saw the Buffalo Bills finish with an incredibly disappointing 6-10 record - followed by a good old-fashioned house cleaning - there were bright spots amongst the darkness of the past four months. No single person in the Bills organization shone brighter in 2009 than running back Fred Jackson, who is quickly becoming a household name.
Jackson, who will turn 29 in February, set career highs in rushing attempts (237), yards (1,062), receptions (46), reception yards (371) and total touchdowns (5) this season, his third in the NFL. His story is moving toward local legend status: Jackson is a Division III product out of Coe College that cut his teeth with the Sioux City Bandits, an indoor football team. His climb to NFL prominence has been fascinating to behold.
No. 22 did it all for Buffalo in 2009. On top of his solid rushing and receiving totals, Jackson returned 41 kickoffs for 1,014 yards as the team's primary kick returner. He returned six punts for 69 yards. He threw a touchdown pass out of the Wildcat formation to Lee Evans in a Week 10 loss to Tennessee, giving him passing, rushing and receiving scores on the season.
It was plain to everyone who watched him this year that Jackson was Buffalo's MVP, by a wide margin. What few still understand is that Jackson's 2009 season was one of the most prolific in NFL history from an all-purpose yardage standpoint.
Jackson's 2,516 all-purpose yards were the most by any NFL player this year. They were also the highest total the NFL has seen since 2002, and the fourth-highest total in NFL history. Jackson's all-purpose yardage was the highest total in franchise history. The second-highest total belongs to O.J. Simpson, although Chet Mutryn of the AAFC's version of the Buffalo Bills gained 2,288 yards in 1948. Jackson became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and return kicks for 1,000 yards in the same season.
Two other players this year - Cleveland's Josh Cribbs and Tennessee's Chris Johnson - put up monstrous all-purpose yardage totals as well, with Cribbs putting up the fifth-highest total in league history (2,510) and Johnson sixth (2,509). These are two players that are considered elite playmakers at the NFL level - Johnson, in particular, is a dominant force, scoring 26 total touchdowns in his first two seasons in the league - but Jackson deserves mention as well. He's not flashy, but no one can deny that he gets the job done at highly productive levels.
There are days where even I think Jackson is a touch overrated by the Bills' fan base. Truth be told, he isn't. He's every bit as valuable and productive as the most crushing optimists make him out to be. Respect him, folks - Jackson's earned it.
All statistics presented come via Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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I'll say it
Time to trade away Lynch who continues to provide headaches for OBD and needs a fresh start. Jackson might not be a true number one, and he’s bordering 30, so that would mean bringing in a Free Agent or a mid-round draft pick for a 1-2 punch. Lynch not getting carries the last game must say something.
I was never for trading Lynch, and still think he can be a great back, but this is Jackson’s team. Probably the best move of the Levy era.
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so because Jackson is so good, it makes lynch less valuable?
RB’s in this league may be a dime a doesn’t, but it is also just as easy to miss on a player and be disappointed. Some of his recent actions may have been disappointing and his performance this year may have been a disappointment but it was not a normal year for him. Lynch did not even get half the carries as Fred this year. With Lynch missing the first 3 games and Jackson rising to the occasion, Lynch never had a shot this year.
What you must look at is his production the two years he got the bulk of the load. What you will find is 2 consecutive 1,000
+ yard seasons. In my opinion it is too early to write off Lynch as a trouble maker and far too early to trade away his obvious and proven talent for much less value than he is worth.
Would you trade Lee away because T.O had more yards than him this year?…well not exactly the same but..
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-
Lynch
With Lynch missing the first 3 games and Jackson rising to the occasion, Lynch never had a shot this year.
And who’s fault is that?
There’s a reason Lynch got less than half the carries Jackson got. It’s because he was terrible this year and was nowhere near as effective as Jackson. Watching Lynch this year, he looked like a mediocre 2nd or 3rd string RB. There was no explosion. No ability to break tackles. No Beast. Blame whatever you want, but that’s a concern going forward, just like his off field baggage is.
I think many would trade Lee Evans if offered the right trade….
~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."
Agreed
I think many would trade Lee Evans if offered the right trade….
Everyone is on the proverbial trading block in my mind, especially Lynch. You make a good point that he could not win his job back after his suspension, when he was given ample chance to do so.
B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"
and kYnch should have never got to start when he returned
that was a bad coaching move… Jackson deserved to stay hot going the rest of the year, while we still had a “chance” at something
It's not all that bad.... Go Bills 2010 !!!!
Well it is easy to think that you would take a trade, but what would that trade need to have?
I am not saying this was not Lynch’s fault; my point was that most likely you would not get great value for him. You cannot expect Lynch to excel without the opportunity to get into a rhythm. He is a good back and has proven so, where someone you may get with an acquired pick is more of a gamble.
Evens – I think you could say “for the right trade” for anyone.
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-
Yes
In this league, RBs are a dime a dozen. Trade Lynch if there is good value and cut ties. Draft the next guy to share the load with Freddy and move on. Let’s also not forget that Lynch is one more off-field issue from being suspended for a long period of time and if that were to happen he would probably be released. Let’s get what value we can from him and move on. I love the way Marshawn runs and he had a fantastic first two seasons behind terrible lines, but we don’t need two #1’s. Sad to say but the Buddy Nix should test the market on Marshawn come draft time.
B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"
In all likelihood, this is never Jackson’s team if Lynch doesn’t mess up. You may want to thank Lynch for messing up his 2009 season.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 5, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed, the suspension was all Lynch and ill timed for Bills
Lets see Mr. Lynch
Hit n Run – now a new lawsuit
Multiple BYOB sightings in downtown bars – open container law anyone?
Gun charge while burning chronic in Cali last year!
Unfortunately it appears Marshawn has a longstanding alcohol/weed dependency that leads him to do things like the above on a pretty regular basis.
No way we get anywher near what we got for McGahee (3rd on 2007, 3rd in 2008, 7th in 2007) as his next positive test will result in a year suspension.
We would be lucky to get a 4th for him. I say trade him to Raiders for Michael Bush or Justin Fargas.
I would kill for Michael Bush.
And luckily Al Davis is the only man crazy enought to do that.
"We should be wearing a ski mask right now. We stole something." - Ryan Miller after the 3 goal comeback against Atlanta
a ray of light
There are days where even I think Jackson is a touch overrated by the Bills’ fan base.
As most Bills fans, I was looking for any ray of brightness in a truly dark, dismal season. Fred’s performance provided that.
Lynch didn’t help himself with his off-season troubles and late start. He’s a good back, and, if he could stay out of trouble and concentrate on football, the new coach would not have a running back problem to deal with coming in. I think Jackson/Lynch provide the 1-2 running punch every team needs. The operative words are can Lynch stay out of trouble. And face it, we won’t get anything for Lynch so the new coach needs to lay it on the line to Lynch.
Finally, kudos to Fred for having the character and ability to rise above the gloom/doom and give us that ray of light.
I disagree
you can get something for a former 12th overall pick that’s only going to be 24 in April and has two 1,000 yard seasons in 3 years.
Sure he has legal issues, but somebody out there would take the risk for a low draft pick or expendable player.
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you can get something for a former 12th overall pick that’s only going to be 24 in April and has two 1,000 yard seasons in 3 years.
A valid argument, but, these all could be reasons for keeping him as well. A quality HC who could exorcise the legal demons and “coach” this guy, could have a real potent 1-2 punch.
As stated before
You need 2 quality backs in this league. After a full offseason of preparing and actually being able to play in all the games, BEASTMODE will be back as a force in this league. He will see the housecleaning that is going on and tell himself that it really is time to grow up and become the man.
NE shows why it can work with many average backs.
you can survive without two quality backs, just like you can survive without a franchise left tackle (Arizona).
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 5, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
I agree NYC
Look at Cedric Benson. Who in the world thought he’d EVER make something of a miserable career, and one in which he was now bathed in legal trouble. He went to the Bengals and, in my opinion, deserves the “comeback player of the year” award.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 5, 2010 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
misprint?
was put up by HB/DB Chet Mutryn in 1948
No Bills in 1948 last I checked
It's not all that bad.... Go Bills 2010 !!!!
No, not a misprint, but dang it all, I forgot to clarify that.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/bba/
Those were the Buffalo Bills of the All-America Football Conference. They lasted from ‘46 to ’49. I added into the post that O.J. Simpson was these Buffalo Bills’ previous all-purpose yardage record-holder.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2010 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
I just don’t see that as counting for the history of the BUffalo Bills founded by Ralph Wilson…
Also, if those were the Buffalo Bills, then does that somehow change the origins of the team name ‘Bills’, such as been noted in other posts on this site and other places… any thing on that.
AND, not to seem like just a nit picker, this article puts into perspective just what kind of blunder it was that Jauron gave Lynch the starting role when he came back, while it is clear that Jackson should have never been given a chance to be knocked out of his rhythm which occurred in the middle of the year
It's not all that bad.... Go Bills 2010 !!!!
I made it very clear in the post that Mutryn’s stats don’t count in franchise annals. I just wanted to point them out, because for 1948, that’s a hell of an achievement.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2010 9:47 AM EST up reply actions
For 2009, that’s a hell of an achievemnet! I love reading about players from the past, especially when remotely tied to pro ball in this part of the country.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 5, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
1948 Bills
I checked on pro-football-reference.com and wikipedia. Turns out there were Buffalo Bills in the AAFC in the late 40’s. Not really fair to include them in our Bills’ history – there’s no institutional link between the 40’s Bills and today’s. Still, it would be pretty darn cool to have a Chet Murtryn jersey to show off.
It’s silly to nitpick on something that was clearly brought up as an example of perspective.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 5, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
The AAFC was a legitimate league
Three storied franchises (Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts) merged with the NFL after the league closed up shop. The rest of the teams including the Bills folded. I’m not sure about whether or not to include Mutrin’s stats—and I’m not going to lose one nanosecond of sleep over it—but it is quite an achievement nevertheless.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
buffalo teams back to 1920
actually, there are Buffalo teams in and out of pro football back to 1920. A bit of the genealogy here:
Oh how I want a Rochester Jeffersons jersey!
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 5, 2010 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
I think its simple really
You shop Marshawn before/during the draft. If OBD gets a good offer that they think is a fair market value… you send him. If not, he’s the change of pace back for Bills in 2010. Fred has earned the starting job though.
There are days where even I think Jackson is a touch overrated by the Bills’ fan base
It was painfully obvious to a lot of folks that Jackson had the skills – I see S.Johnson in that same light. If he had more opportunities I think he could shine.
It has nothing to do with that 1 TD he scored – but how comfortable he looks on the field – he has good size and seems like a good route runner.
I think in time – these two will be seen as players that shined once given a chance.
One of the reasons Jackson is so good is his vision – watch him while he’s in a pile – he still manages to twist his body when a S is coming at him and either a) makes him miss or b) doesn’t get a clean shot at him. he has vision – not all players have that (marshawn doesn’t) – but he does – and that’s part of the reason he’s our MVP
Never put salt in your eyes
Bills goals = stop sucking
Agreed
You can’t teach a player vision, they either have it or they don’t and Jackson has it – Lynch for all his physical skills doesn’t. In 2008 the first half it was really evident, as the season went on he seemed to get better – but this year he completely regressed.
I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City
Great point about Fred's vision.
Another reason he is a successful running back is his ability to let plays develop. He understands how available space on the field flows throughout the course of a play. He rarely forces the ball past potential blocks, and runs at the pace which is called for in the situation.
Go Bills! I mean 'stay' Bills...
Great season by Jackson
Every yard he picked up was well-earned.
Imagine if he had been the unquestioned starter and ballcarrier for most of the year? I suppose he wouldn’t have returned kicks, but if he did, he could have set an NFL record!
~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."
Imagine what he’d do with an O Line. Incredible
by radan on Jan 5, 2010 10:46 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Should be addressed
Lets hope the new regime takes care of the O-line issues. I wonder if Dockery and Walker made it thru the entire season and didn’t end up on IR. They might have fared better if the Bills hung on to them.
Not sure. I try to forget about them, DJ, Whitner, and any other part of Marv’s GM legacy.
by radan on Jan 5, 2010 11:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Another Highlight
Don’t forget he was the one that affixed that “shiner” to Trent Edwards face earlier in the season. How many of us would have loved the chance to do that after the performance he put on this year?
I like Lynch and think he should be kept. But I must say that Freddy really impressed me this year. I agree that his vision is fantastic and I don’t think there is a shortage of athleticism with him by any means. An obvious late bloomer, that is the track you sometimes have to take as a DIII talent. I am happy the Bills picked him up.
He should be the #1 back next year for sure and have Marshawn earn his carries. I cannot imagine what a consistent offensive line could do for this running back tandem.
Jackson's career
is as great a Bills story out of this last decade as they come, and depending on how many touchces he received (and his injury history prior to the NFL), we fans could be cheering for him for a good number of years.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 5, 2010 11:10 AM EST reply actions
It took injuries and a suspension...
It’s scary to think that this guy came close to not getting his opportunity. Remember a couple of years ago Jauron shied away from playing Jackson—instead favoring Anthony Thomas as the #2 back for a while. When Lynch went down and the A-Train proved he had no steam in the engine, Action Jackson finally got his shot.
Despite a consistently superior yards per attempt statistic, Jauron still considered Lynch his #1 back, that is until close to the end of his tenure as coach.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Good point. Reminds me of Steve Tasker’s wide receiver career with the Bills. He never played a lot, then, I think due to injuries, he got some serious time and went crazy. Bills spent their entire offseason building the offense around him and he got hurt early in the following season and never was the same. Hopefully Fred will stay healthy.
by radan on Jan 5, 2010 2:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
My thoughts exactly, especially since the Bills seemed to be bitten by the injury bug. Jackson seems pretty durable although his Jekyll & Hyde style of running may put him at risk when he’s in Mr. Hyde mode. What I mean by the reference is that sometimes he’s elusive and avoids the direct hit and other times he just lowers his head and drags tacklers. I think that the later could shorten his career.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Not to poke holes, but
how difficult is it really to pick up a 1000 return yards? It seems like if the coach lets you stand back there you end up with at least 850. As impressive a season as it was, I think it says a bit more about how few other weapons the team than it does about how good Fred Jackson is, because, as good as he is, he’s not in a guy like Chris Johnson’s league.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
Well, no kidding, he’s not in Chris Johnson’s league. That’s not the point – the point is that Jackson does it all, does everything well, and did it all at an incredibly productive pace.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2010 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
and without injury.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 5, 2010 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
absolutely.
i guess the point i was making was that him having the 5th most all purpose yards ever is more about the fact that everyone else we wanted to return kicks or share touches with him missed significant portions of the season than that he is even in the discussion as one of the best players in the league. He’s awesome, but he doesn’t approach those numbers without a huge number of things going wrong (Lynch’s suspension, Roscoe’s implosion, Leodis’s injury).
While he deserves a ton of credit for doing what he did despite having no help, we should recognize that the fact that he had no help was precisely why he ended up with so many yards.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
by JPH on Jan 5, 2010 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
Who cares?
He still made the best of his opportunities, unlike many other players on this team. He played at a high level for the majority of the season and those numbers back it up.
Nobody is questioning just why he was in position to put up so many yards. Just be happy that we have a player of his caliber and abilities. Jeesh, I get called the negative one over and over….
~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."
Who cares?
nobody I guess. I guess I just wanted to qualify his being mentioned in the same breath as Chris Johnson. Could have something to do with my mancrush on Chris Johnson…
He played at a high level for the majority of the season and those numbers back it up.
Nobody is arguing that.
Jeesh, I get called the negative one over and over….
Or that…
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
by JPH on Jan 5, 2010 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
Nobody's comparing him to Chris Johnson!
Nobody, other than maybe Jamaal Charles, should even be mentioned in the same breath at this point.
The stats don’t lie. Jackson had more total yards than Johnson. That’s all anyone was talking about here!
~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."
Jamaal Charles is going to be a household name soon.
You could see it in the making with the game agains the Bills LAST year. He is something…
"We should be wearing a ski mask right now. We stole something." - Ryan Miller after the 3 goal comeback against Atlanta
He already should be
I can’t wait to draft him in the top 5 of fantasy next year…assuming KC doesn’t do something stupid with him.
I had him in my pay league this year, but couldn’t really use him down the stretch because I missed the playoffs. Oh how I wish it was a keeper league!
~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."
Nobody’s comparing him to Chris Johnson!
well that’s not true. I don’t want to put words in Brian’s mouth, but the whole point of mentioning Cribbs and Johnson was this: “How impressive was Fred’s season? It was so impressive that he had comparable numbers to Chris Johnson’s.”
All I was trying to say was that, while Jackson’s numbers might make it appear that was in the same league as Chris Johnson, he isn’t. What these numbers really say was that the Bills had so many failures on special teams and offense that Jackson, by virtue of being the only guy who was producing, had to handle not only the bulk of the offensive workload, but the kick returns as well. And he did a great job.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
by JPH on Jan 5, 2010 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
Hes so patient too. If he watch him hit the hole its almost as if he is doing just a light jog to see the whole then… hes thru it breaking tackles and falling forward. Thats a huge plus with Jackson, hes not as powerful as most backs but he is strong. He rarely gets stuffed or driven back. Most of his runs end with him falling forward another yard or two which is huge. ?
And there is no reason to trade Lynch just because we have Jackson, that argument is stupid. Now if the right value is there for Lynch then by all means pull the trigger… but dont just “trade him for a bag of footballs” because we know he can produce, he has in the past. He just needs to get his head on straight and get his act together (easier said than done)
Great season Freddy. Team MVP no questions asked.
"We should be wearing a ski mask right now. We stole something." - Ryan Miller after the 3 goal comeback against Atlanta
Roger that.
We need to keep Lynch unless we get a serious trade offer. Yeah, I know he’s a scumbag off the field, but has never been a locker room cancer (Read: McGagmee).
Hopefully……..hopefully….. he has learned his lesson and understands that his career is over if he screws up again.
Plus, maybe getting on “Weight watchers” would help this offseason. The extra weight did nothing for him.
Finally, IF we let him go, we are screwed when Freddie goes down during OTAs (he IS 30), and everybody on here starts screaming, "We should’ve never left Lynch go!).
Keep them both.
"A failure becomes just one time at bat if you refuse to let it defeat you." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jan 5, 2010 7:00 PM EST up reply actions
Dickersons top year I would have to guess would be one?
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Derrick Mason, Michael Lewis and Lionel James.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2010 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
and with that, all purpose yards suddenly become less prestigious...
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
Feed Lynch and teach him to block
then we might just end up having the leagues’ premier pass catching fullback. Can we say “screen pass”?
most of my posts get deleted :(
Homer – Brian just wrote this so his Fred Jackson jersey from last offseason would gain value.
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