Using Bills’ Jackson early means good results from Lynch late

By Anthony Bialy  |   Thursday, November 20, 2008  |  Comments( 69 )

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For a backup running back, the Buffalo Bills' Fred Jackson is quite good at moving his team forward. Marshawn Lynch finally looked comfortable for the Bills versus the Cleveland Browns on Monday after usual sub Jackson alleviated some of the pressure on the primary man while perhaps inspiring him, too. Even though the Bills should in no way consider taking carries away from last year’s first-rounder, the truth is that inserting Jackson earlier in the contest would get both this team and the starter going.

Buffalo’s second-quarter touchdown drive against the Browns was a perfect example of how the two work as well together as Jake and Elwood. Consecutive runs of 19 and 17 yards by Jackson set up an 18-yard pass to Lynch two plays later which he of course took into the end zone; importantly, the throw itself covered 1 yard, as the Cal product went to town on a joyous highlight run.

The four-run, two-throw play balance on that drive was one of the keys to its success, as was the way that the blockers actually cleared ground for both backs on the drive. But what was even more notable was that the Cal product looked invigorated by the second-stringer’s fine performance.

It was refreshing for those watching, too, because of the way Lynch has looked tentative on many occasions this season. It can’t be pinned on him, though: With little open field and little faith from his coaches, why wouldn’t he be hesitant? That said, Lynch ran with ease and looked at ease against Cleveland after Jackson entered the game and took handoffs decisively; that perhaps happened because the reserve hasn’t been as exposed as frequently to the perils of trying to rush with an oft-dysfunctional line comically attempting to clear space. That lack of deep mental scarring lets Jackson work easier.

The situation is at the point where Jackson could even open the game on the field, even if he doesn’t stay there for long. Call him the starter if you’d like, even though it would be basically in name only, but using him that way would get good performances out of both players. The move comes down to their background and status: Lynch's tentativeness also stems in part from the way it looks as if he’s trying to shoulder the burden and conjure up fantastic gains every carry, while the eager Jackson has been great at reacting with zero hesitation, a product of his humble beginnings and demonstration that he’s actively appreciative of his NFL opportunity.

It’s certainly not that Lynch has been slacking in any way, but it may be that he sometimes doesn’t do enough precisely because he tries to do so much. Jackson’s decisiveness means he should be rotated into the lineup on early occasions, while Lynch’s brutality makes him an ideal candidate to enter just slightly later after Jackson has hurt the defense and helped his own team with a positive example.

The Coe College product will provide not motivation but rather a reminder to the star, namely that it’s best to just act and not think once the ball is snapped. Lynch gained nearly twice as much ground on almost twice as many attempts against Cleveland, 23 for 119 yards versus 12 for 60 by Jackson, and the coaches shouldn’t attempt to alter that ratio; on the other hand, it would be entirely beneficial to let Jackson go from changing the pace to setting it.
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