Running back Fred Jackson is a conspicuous absentee from Buffalo Bills offseason conditioning

workouts.

Virtually all of the Bills' young players are in attendance, and one would expect Jackson

to be there, since he is an up-and-coming player entering his third NFL season.

However, Jackson's contract with the Bills ran out in March, and he is dissatisfied with

the Bills' contract offers so far. He has elected to work out on his own in Buffalo instead of

at One Bills Drive. The Bills' offseason conditioning program entered its third week Monday,

and Jackson was not in attendance. The program is voluntary.

Because he has only two years tenure in the NFL, Jackson is an "exclusive rights free

agent." That means the Bills have exclusive negotiating rights to him because of the fact they

made a minimum contract offer to him in late February. He can not negotiate with or sign with

any other team. At worst, Jackson is guaranteed to play in Buffalo this season under a

one-year deal for $460,000.

The Bills and Jackson's agent, Jerome Douglas, have been talking about a longer-term deal

for several weeks.

Jackson proved to be a versatile backup to starter Marshawn Lynch last season. Jackson

rushed 130 times for 571 yards and caught 37 passes for 317 yards. The catch total was fourth

best on the team.

Jackson filled the lead-back role in place of an injured Lynch in one game each of the last

two seasons. He rushed for 136 yards on 27 carries in the season finale against New England in

2008. In 2007, he combined for 151 rushing and receiving yards in place of Lynch at

Washington. Jackson averaged 5.2 yards a carry in 2007 and 4.4 in 2008.

Jackson is expected to start in place of Lynch to open the coming season Sept. 14 at New

England. Lynch is awaiting disciplinary action from the league and is expected to be suspended

for one or more games to open the year.

Denver last month signed a couple of backup runners who did not match Jackson's numbers

last season. Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington each agreed to four-year deals with the

Broncos for about $10 million apiece. Buckhalter had 76 carries for 369 yards and 26 catches

in '08. Arrington had 31 carries for 187 yards and 29 catches in '08.

Jackson turned 28 in February. The Bills are certain to have his rights again in 2010. If

he plays under a one-year contract this season, he will be a restricted free agent next year.

That means he would be able to negotiate with other teams but the Bills would have the right

to match any offer he gets, or they would get compensation if they didn't match. That

compensation is based on the initial contract offer a restricted free agent gets. This year,

it took an offer of $2.2 million to ensure a first-round draft pick as compensation.

If the NFL and the players union bring about a future with no salary cap (currently the

2010 season would be played with no cap), then a player would have to wait six years to reach

unrestricted free agency.