Jackson Has Bills Seeing Double

by Brian Galliford on Dec 3, 2007 7:19 AM EST in Opinion Comment 13 comments

Jackson excels in first NFL start (BuffaloBills.com)

In his first career NFL start at running back, Buffalo's Fred Jackson more than held his own. The surprising former undrafted free agent out of Division III Coe College, and a member of Buffalo's practice squad last season, got the start in Washington after rookie Marshawn Lynch and veteran Anthony Thomas were both deactivated due to injury. Buffalo went into the game saying they would use both Jackson and rookie Dwayne Wright to fill the void, but Jackson's performance prevented that from happening.

How's this for a first-start stat line? 82 rushing yards on 16 carries (5.1 yard average), and 69 receiving yards on 4 catches. On this day, Jackson was Buffalo's leading rusher and receiver - and he did it all against the 9th-ranked defense in the NFL.

The Real Surprise
It was discussed pre-game all week: facing a defense coordinated by Gregg Williams, rookie QB Trent Edwards would be facing blitz pressure the entire game. And that was true - just as expected, Williams dialed up some exotic blitz packages and sent the house at Edwards on occasion.

Trent Edwards was not sacked yesterday. Why? Jackson was superb in blitz pickup.

Shouldn't that be the weak point of a first-year running back's game? Not in Jackson's case - he held his own, despite not being the biggest guy around (6'1", 215). The Bills didn't even get around to using the sturdier Wright in that scenario - in fact, Wright only logged two carries on the day. Jackson played the role of workhorse on a day he wasn't expected to - and that is opening up some interesting possibilities for this Bills offense.

Two-Back Potential
In case you hadn't heard, Marshawn Lynch practiced at the end of last week - great news in his recovery process, as it seems likely that he could suit up for this weekend's important contest against the Miami Dolphins. Even if Lynch can go, he may not be able to handle a full workload. There is also the opinion that Lynch should never handle a full workload. With Jackson emerging yesterday, the question now becomes: does he have to?

Lynch and Jackson, despite the disparity in their status entering the league (no larger margin exists between Division I first-round pick and Division III undrafted), are cut from the same cloth. They are both sturdy backs who fight for every inch of real estate they can muster. They both have excellent hands out of the backfield, and hold their own in blitz pickup. More importantly, they've both proven to be catalysts for this Bills offense this season. Their playing styles are so similar that I'd venture so far as to say that if the duo were used in conjunction, Buffalo's offense would never miss a beat.

I'll even go further than that - using both Lynch and Jackson would increase Lynch's production. When you can increase the production of your best player, you do it. Simple. It will also help the development of Trent Edwards a lot, as he'd have two excellent runners and outlet receivers to take pressure off of him as he continues to learn how to read NFL defenses. It sounds nice, doesn't it? It would be - the two-back system works in the NFL (see: Dallas, Indy, New England, etc.), and it's something that Buffalo needs to explore.

Fred Jackson deserves more playing time. With the home stretch possibly allowing the Bills to make the playoffs, now is the perfect time to give it to him.

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FJ

I would hear alot about Fred Jackson during the pre-season, and always sort of chalked it up to playing after the defensive starters had left. But man, against the starting defense (on a good defensive squad) he really shone. And for a squirrely guy, who you think of as small and quick, he fought so hard for extra yardage on every play.

I watch on a 2" low res screen, and couldnt really see the blitz pick ups. I was amazed though that playing Greg Williams we didnt get sacked at all. If FJ can pick up the Blitz as well rack up the yards, its great having this guy on our team.

by Thronsen on Dec 3, 2007 9:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re:

If you have NFL Network, the game is re-airing tonight at 7PM on NFL Replay. That'll be a good spot to see Freddie shine.

If not, I'll be reviewing that film and discussing it tomorrow.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Dec 3, 2007 9:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

nice

thanks for the notice on the replay. i was at the game yesterday and it is always nice to watch a re-air. my impression from watching live is always a little bit different than from when i watch at home.

by jmorris0823 on Dec 3, 2007 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not too excited

Let's not get carried away here -- 22 of those 82 yards came when the Skins had 10 men on the field, and the play was to that open side. Take away that one run, and it's more like 3 and a half yards per carry. Also, that 9th place ranking came with one Sean Taylor, who was easily one of their best players.

I'm not saying I don't like Jackson, but we Bills fans have this tendency to both love the backup irrationally and to get carried away with one good game.

by ragamuffindad on Dec 3, 2007 1:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

... if you take away that 22-yard run, he had 15 carries for 60 yards. 4 yards per carry. On the road. In his first start. And something Lynch has only done twice this season in a game.

Please, be excited. Jackson was a stud yesterday.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Dec 3, 2007 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Excited? About what?

So, you want me to be excited about the back-up RB on a 6-6 football team? Look, I'm a Bills fan, so I'm sure I'm jaded, but I won't do that.

I want to get excited about damn-good starters who will take us to the play-offs, not nice role-players who can fill in pretty well on a not very good team. No problem with Jackson, but he's the back-up RB on a 6-6 team. In that role, I won't complain one bit.

by ragamuffindad on Dec 3, 2007 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You missed the entire point

of this article. My point was not that Jackson is a capable fill-in, it's that he can be a huge part of this offense if Buffalo employs a two-back system. Think about it - Julius Jones and Marion Barber in Dallas. Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk in New England. Joseph Addai and Kenton Keith in Indy. Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville. Need I go on? Good teams have more than one running back that they use in the offense. With Lynch and Jackson, the Bills could have that. They just need to keep using Fred when Marshawn returns.

Buffalo's offense would be better using Jackson in conjunction with Lynch. It would make Trent Edwards better. That's all in the article, and that was the crux of my post. It wasn't merely to commend Jackson on a solid performance, it was to explore the possibilities his emergence have created.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Dec 3, 2007 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kenton Keith?

He had 1 rush yesterday, Addai had 21... Hardly using 2 backs... The New England RB situation is just goofy, why not include Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel?

But yes, I get your point. I just don't agree here. Sure, use Jackson instead of Thomas, and maybe a little more, but Lynch has been our meal ticket (when we've eaten). He's a rookie also, lest we forget. I'm all for using a legit back-up (not Thomas, obviously) more, and Jackson could be that guy, but again, let's not get carried away.

Today, I'm happiest about Moorman getting that low snap down for a good hold, and Lindell going 6 for 5. (I hate that TO rule.) Even if they are short, it is normal for Kickers to miss them occasionally. Lindell did his job yesterday.

I realize that's not what this article was about. I just can't get fired up about Jackson. Maybe I'll be proven wrong over a long-haul, and I'll take that, but right now I'll be a grinch and I won't fall into the Buffalo fan trap of loving the back-up, and going ga-ga over one good game.

by ragamuffindad on Dec 3, 2007 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

kidding me

give me a break. jackson looked great in preseason, really fast for a good sized running back. ive been complaining to friends all year about atrain and wright getting carries over him all year. i realize he was needed as an emergency qb, but he has talent.

lynch struggled with injuries at cal, and there is no reason to run him like we have all year. as i posted in brian's earlier article about this, getting jackson involved would allow lynch to drop to 15-20 carries. you can maintain his touches by using him as a receiver out of the backfield or splitting him out more. jackson can also be used in this capacity.

if you aren't excited then you haven't paid attention to the kid's talent or the bills full roster. nobody is excited solely because of this game, but because he showed explosiveness in nfl europe (second in NFL europe in rushing and the second leading receiver on his team) and the preseason, and looked to be a step faster than the skins all day yesterday. his 22 yd run was on him alone as he beat the defender to the corner. on his 50+ yd catch he blew past fletch. for a team lacking weapons, jackson needs to be utilized.

it is not over-analysis or buffalo fans being buffalo fans, jackson has genuine talent running and catching the ball. overusing lynch is going to lead to unnecessary injuries and a shorter career.

on a historic note, thurman's career was extended and diversified by kenneth davis. davis' use as a short yardage and goal line back gave thurman breathers and lessened the load. it also allowed thurman to be more involved in the passing game.

there is no reason for jackson to get less than 10 carries and a few throws his way. looking forward to lynch and jackson being split out and perhaps both on the field simultaneously. i would rather have either as a 4th wide than any other option on our roster.

by jmorris0823 on Dec 3, 2007 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm excited

If you apply that thinking to all running backs and you take out their longest run most will drop their yards per carry quite a bit HE GOT 82 YARDS-they all count in the average. I've been waiting for him to get into a game to see if he was as good as the pre-season and he didn't disapoint me. He's a hard runner and is a lot like Marshawn.

Bills fan in PA

by Bills fan in PA on Dec 3, 2007 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not Subjectively taking out longest run...

But I'm not just taking away his longest run -- I'm taking out the run when the defense had 10 men on the field, deliberately. I'm not saying I don't like having him on the team, and I do think he is a good back-up, but let's keep things in perspective.

by ragamuffindad on Dec 3, 2007 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Forget the numbers

Jackson has consistently looked good (in prior games, as well) in terms of how he runs. It seems that defenses have a difficult time tackling him, and he gets more out of plays than a sub should. His catch and run, his blitz blocking, his run outside and inside -- they all looked good for the situation he was in. On the other hand, we have seen Dwayne Wright fumble twice (last week, and this week in kickoff) in very limited play -- and he runs straight into tacklers. I was also particularly impressed that he contributed throughout the game -- I thought he would be winded by the end with so much play time and emotion, but he looked good the whole game.

by labill on Dec 3, 2007 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

scout.com

review of jackson from nfl europe.

The Bills again have a good prospect out of the backfield in RB Fred Jackson . Whether returning, rushing or receiving, Fire running back Fred Jackson gets the job done. He's second in the league with 577 rushing yards on 135 attempts. Jackson also added 315 yards receiving(second on the Fire).

This season Jackson has stayed true to those claims by gaining countless extra-effort yards after initial contact. He's totaled 1,061 combined net yards this season and is the only running back of the top three in the league to have balanced yardage across the board.

Jackson makes a living by being versatile, and offensive coordinator Steve Logan says he couldn't ask for more. "His lower body strength has been the most surprising thing for me. He's a real slender hip athlete, but he's incredibly strong in the lower body and his yards after contact are impressive," said Logan. "And to top it off, his hands are impeccable and he catches everything thrown to him."

by jmorris0823 on Dec 3, 2007 5:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs