Newly signed Thomas shouldn’t be Bills’ No. 1 back

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, March 13, 2007  |  Comments( 70 )

Buffalo Bills
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The Buffalo Bills continued making news at the running back position on Monday, re-signing Anthony Thomas to a two-year contract. Thomas, a six-year veteran, spent last season with the Bills, the fourth team of his career.

While backing up the now-departed Willis McGahee in 2006, Thomas rushed for 378 yards and two touchdowns on 107 carries. In his two 20-plus-carry games of the year, Thomas racked up 95 yards on 20 attempts (24-10 win over the Packers) and 109 yards on 28 carries (17-16 loss to the Colts).

The Bills made a sound decision to retain the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Thomas, but the 28-year-old certainly shouldn't be the team's chief back in 2007.

As it stands right now, Buffalo's backfield contains Thomas, Shaud Williams and Fred Jackson, whom Bills General Manager Marv Levy has recently praised. Thomas isn't starting material, nor are Williams and Jackson, a former NFL Europe star.

The problem for the Bills is that the free-agent market is dwindling at the running back position. The most proven of the remaining class is 32-year-old Corey Dillon, but he's called off visits to Bills headquarters on two separate occasions. Frankly, with Thomas back in the fold, Dillon probably wouldn't be a smart acquisition anyway.

After Dillon is Chris Brown, who was a member of the Tennessee Titans' by-committee backfield for the first four years of his career. Brown's agent expects the 25-year-old to sign with either Detroit or Buffalo, and Bills fans should be concerned about that. Considering the Lions already have a bevy of backs, Brown probably isn't an option for them at this point. That leaves the Bills, who would be better off waiting for the draft. Though the 6-3, 220-pound Brown has been solid at times during his career, he's among the most injury-prone backs in the league.

If the Bills end up bypassing the remainder of the free agent runners, they'll obviously look toward next month's draft.

Speculation is already flying about former California Golden Bear Marshawn Lynch being taken by the Bills with the 12th pick in Round One. Lynch is a supremely talented 20-year-old who would immediately add a dynamic force to Buffalo's backfield. The same can be said about ex-Oklahoma Sooners back Adrian Peterson, though he's not expected to fall from the top 10 in the draft.

Buffalo may have needs more pressing than running back (such as linebacker, defensive tackle and cornerback), but it will have difficulty passing up either Lynch or Peterson on April 28. Both would probably be long-term upgrades over McGahee, which is more than can be said for Chris Brown.

As for Anthony Thomas: Keeping him as the No. 2 option for a second straight season would be the best decision. The 2001 NFL Rookie of the Year is not featured-back material at this point in his career.

cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Daily Buffalo Bills insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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