Dominic Rhodes Signs With Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills added some depth to their backfield on Friday, agreeing to a two-year deal with running back Dominic Rhodes, according to NFL.com. Rhodes, a nine-year veteran out of Midwestern State, spent the 2008 season as a member of the Indianapolis Colts -- his second stint with the team -- after spending one season with the Oakland Raiders.

He rushed for 538 yards on 152 carries, while scoring six touchdowns.

According to Steve Wyche, the contract is loaded with incentives, while Rhodes should have an opportunity to open the season as Buffalo's starting running back thanks to the three-game suspension issued to Marshawn Lynch, and the fact his backup, Fred Jackson, is currently a no-show for the team's offseason conditioning drills.

Speaking of which, Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News penned an article in Friday's edition of the Buffalo News outlining Jackson's frustration, which stems from the fact he wants the team to reward character guys after their recent comments about placing an emphasis on character (this emphasis must begin next offseason).

Here's what Jackson's agent, Jerry Douglas, had to say, via Gaughan's article:

"We find the organization's comments regarding the importance of character very interesting given their position on Fred Jackson," said Douglas, who is based in New Jersey. "I think it's a fair statement to say that during his three years with the Bills, Fred has demonstrated his high character and that he is second to none in that department, to say nothing of his on-the-field contributions. Yet the organization is not making a concerted effort to lock in Fred as part of the team's long-term future. Public statements are great as long as you mean what you say."

Jackson might have a point, seeing as how the team had three players arrested this offseason, signed Terrell Owens, and now add Rhodes who was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in February, 2007. I'm not trying to pile on Rhodes here two years after the fact, just pointing out the the Bills' recent comments on placing an importance on character and their offseason moves that seem to fly in the face of such comments.

Jackson, meanwhile, has rushed for 871 yards on 188 carries in his two years as a member of the Bills, while scoring three touchdowns.