Performance aside, Jackson’s no lock to make Bills’ roster

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, August 28, 2007  |  Comments( 26 )

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After trading running back Willis McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens back in March, the Buffalo Bills were left with a less-than-esteemed backfield trio of Anthony Thomas, Shaud Williams and Fred Jackson. That didn't last long, though, as Bills General Manager Marv Levy took action during April's draft, grabbing RBs Marshawn Lynch (first round) and Dwayne Wright (fourth round) during the NFL's two-day festivities in New York.

Once Lynch and Wright joined the team, Jackson in specific became an afterthought.

So far in the preseason, however, he's been a revelation for the Bills' disappointing offense. The former United Indoor Football League MVP added 51 yards and a 17-yard touchdown on eight carries during Buffalo's exhibition debut in New Orleans, piquing the interest of some followers of the team. However, that excitement was quelled after a nine-carry, 22-yard effort in Week 2 of the preseason, a 13-10 defeat to Atlanta.

Last week, though the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder dazzled in the second half of a loss to the Titans, accruing 31 yards and a touchdown on four rushes and another 80 yards on a quartet of receptions. Jackson's most impressive play, a 43-yard catch and carry, came after backup quarterback Trent Edwards found him on a short route over the middle. Jackson caught the pass, broke multiple tackles and sped past Tennessee defenders down the sideline en route to the Bills' third-biggest gain of the night.

Despite on-field escapades like the one above, Jackson's definitely not a sure bet to make Buffalo's final roster.

Lynch and Wright haven't exactly been world-beaters, but both possess high-end potential and could combine for an outstanding one-two punch in the future.

Then there's Thomas, who was a decent backup behind McGahee last year and is the only true veteran in the Bills' backfield. Plus, he has a strong relationship with head coach Dick Jauron that dates back to 2001, when the two were together in Chicago and Thomas was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Once you get past Lynch, Wright and Thomas, there's Williams and Josh Scobey, neither of whom are offensive threats. To Scobey's detriment, he's been injured throughout the summer and hasn't even appeared in a preseason game. Williams, at 5-7, 193 pounds, has almost no chance to be a big-time pro back, but he's very good on special teams, an area the Bills have excelled in for the past few years.

Nevertheless, given the way he's performed during the preseason and the fact that Jackson attended the same little-known Iowa institution as Levy, Division III Coe College -- where he was named to five All-America teams in 2002 -- it's becoming more and more difficult to envision Buffalo releasing the 26-year-old before its regular-season opener on Sept. 9.

Then again, a similar discussion was had last summer about the potential of RB Lionel Gates, who was cut by the Bills last September, signed with Tampa Bay and failed to appear in a game.

E-mail: cbyrne@realfootball365.com

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CommentsComments: 26  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Phil		04:28 AM
08/28/2007
That might be a valid comparison...Gates and Jackson. The reason Gates was cut was his lack of blocking ability. He couldn't...
No.2
Pocono Bob		08:39 AM
08/28/2007
First of all, where did you get your info in the final of the Atlanta game? Ooooooops!!! (Eds. note: Sorry about the error, Bob....
No.3
RJ		08:44 AM
08/28/2007
The Bills need to start Jackson Thursday night against the first team Lions D to see what they got. Jauron owes him that much...
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