The Bills finished with the 14th-best running attack in the NFL last season. Marshawn Lynch led Buffalo with 1,036 yards and eight touchdowns last season -- but the emergence of Fred Jackson (571 yards on 130 carries) made the Bills realize they have something special.On Tuesday, the club announced the signing of Jackson to a contract extension. Financial terms were not disclosed. Jackson was an exclusive rights free agent which meant he couldn't sign with any other team.
The Bills initially offered him a one-year contract worth $460,000, but Jackson balked at that deal.
The ability to sign Jackson became important to the Bills because Lynch is suspended for the first three weeks of the 2009 season for violating the NFL conduct policy.
In the offseason, the team signed veteran Dominic Rhodes to help backup Jackson and become a strong No. 3 when Lynch returns.
But there is no guarantee that Lynch will return to form once he comes back. He will miss the season opener at New England on Sept. 14, then the home opener against Tampa Bay, and the Sept. 27 contest at home against New Orleans.
In a tough AFC East, the Bills can't afford to go 1-2 during this stretch. They have to go at least 2-1. If the Bills are under .500 going into a Week 4 game at Miami, there will be pressure on Lynch to produce -- if he can after missing three weeks of the season.
This is why it's so important to get Jackson signed. If Jackson, Lynch and Rhodes can produce much like the Giants' trio of backs that led the NFL in rushing last season, it takes tremendous pressure off quarterback Trent Edwards to get the ball to Terrell Owens.
"I have all the faith in the world from my teammates," Jackson said. "Having the faith from them and the coaching staff, that lets you know that they're ready and willing to give you the ball. You want to step up to the plate when they ask something out of you like that, you want to be ready for it and you want to go out and prepare for it and have confidence."
Jackson was not happy with the process of getting signed. The Bills signed Owens to a one-year, $6.5 million contract in March and are taking a gamble with a proven player. Jackson is not proven, yet his work last season -- he averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught 37 passes for 317 yards -- must be duplicated again if the Bills are to give him more money.
What helps Jackson is Lynch's issues. If Lynch gets in trouble again, he could face a longer suspension and the Bills are mindful of this. Why do you think they signed Rhodes to a contract? NFL teams want insurance in case a starter gets hurt or in this case suspended. Jackson and Rhodes are insurance.
"You can say there was some frustration at times, but I think that's part of the process," Jackson said. "It's something that you grow from, and I think both sides grew from it and we moved forward,so we're here now. Today's the day it's over and done with and now we have to play football."
