No action affecting Bills' Jackson
Published: October 30, 2009, 1:35 am
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Running back Fred Jackson was the Buffalo Bills' most valuable player during the first quarter of the season. He ranked among the NFL leaders in total yards from scrimmage.
But he had the backfield all to himself then. Since Marshawn Lynch returned from his season-opening, three-game suspension, Jackson has seen his playing time and statistics drop precipitously.
In the first three games, he rushed for 291 yards on 61 carries and caught 15 passes for 134 yards. In the four games since Lynch's return, Jackson has run for 126 yards on 42 attempts and caught five passes for 43 yards.
Jackson was missing in action last week at Carolina with five carries totaling 2 yards. He also went without a reception for the second straight game.
Jackson is still the eighth-leading rusher in the AFC with 417 yards and in the top 10 with 594 combined yards from scrimmage. But he admits it has been an adjustment going back to being Lynch's understudy.
"It's taken some getting used to," Jackson said. "It's not too challenging from the standpoint of sharing touches because that was expected once Marshawn came back. But it's hard to get into a rhythm when you're not getting the touches. It's just a matter of trying to get in a groove while I am out there with the touches I am getting."
The Bills have had a hard time getting Jackson and Lynch in the groove. They combined for 42 yards on 22 carries against the Panthers last Sunday, with seven of their rushing attempts going for zero or negative yards. Lynch has struggled since his return, averaging only 2.9 yards on 70 carries.
Bills offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said the problem with the running game last week was attributed to the Panthers crowding the line of scrimmage with extra defenders. Overall, their patchwork offensive line has had trouble getting a consistent push, which allows opposing defensive linemen to disrupt plays in the backfield.
But Van Pelt feels the primary reason for the sputtering rushing attack is the lack of time the offense is on the field. The Bills ran just 52 plays last Sunday compared to 69 for the Panthers.
"You take 52 snaps in a game, that's not enough," Van Pelt said. "Then you start limiting touches for people. The more cracks you get in the run game, the more the O-line gets a feel for their fits, the more the running backs get a feel for how it's being blocked up front."
Van Pelt acknowledged that, even with the low number of snaps, Jackson needs to be involved in the offense more than he has been in recent weeks.
The challenge is keeping both backs happy. The Bills have used Jackson and Lynch together on a number of occasions the past two years, but only one can get the ball on each play. Who gets it and how much is something Van Pelt has to figure out.
"Obviously with two good guys it's hard getting them the touches that they need," he said. "Fred is doing a great job and Marshawn is doing a great job for us, and you've got to get both guys touches. You couldn't go a whole season asking one guy to carry it 25-30 times a game just because of the demands of the position. We're just trying to find a happy mix and keep them both fresh because they're a different style of backs."
Two quality running backs are better than one, so the Bills have a problem a lot of teams would love to own.
"Absolutely," Van Pelt said. "It takes the pressure off that one guy having to stay healthy and take that year-long pounding."
Jackson certainly didn't mind the bumps and bruises that come with touching the ball more than 20 times per game.
"It's always fun to be that every-down back and get the most touches possible," he said. "It was a great role to be in. Now it's about adjusting and being in the role that I'm in now. We're back to splitting carries, so I'm trying to do as much as I can that way."
The Bills are getting Jackson on the field more by having him return kickoffs and punts. He replaced Roscoe Parrish two weeks ago, and the new role appears to be permanent.
Whether it's as a runner, receiver or return specialist, all Jackson wants is a chance to showcase his talent and contribute any way possible.
"Any time you can get on the field and get the ball in your hands, you're going to be happy," he said. "It's another way to make plays for the team and try to get points for the team. I'm happy to be back there."
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