It’s no secret that many NFL locker rooms have a bit of a dividing line where offensive players more often congregate with the teammates on their side of the ball and the defensive players do the same. In many cases it’s not done in any kind of exclusionary way, it’s just human nature. Marrone and his staff with their offseason program have successfully mixed position groups with the mini-teams in the offseason competition program. The result is players from vastly different position groups are rooting for one another and knowing more than by the number on their jersey.

“It’s one of those things where we’re a team, but we’re also competing with each other so you’ve got guys at different positions rooting for each other,” said Fred Jackson. ”We have running backs rooting for defensive tackles and guys that play defensive end rooting for safeties. It’s a great way to know everybody and compete with them at the same time.”

Jackson is currently atop the individual player leaderboard through the first four weeks of the program.

Appearing on The John Murphy Show Wednesday, the Bills veteran says he acknowledges the intent behind the new rule–to protect players from serious head injury.  But he says NFL players know the risks when they sign their pro contract.

“When we sign our name on that contact, we know what we’re signing up for,” Jackson said.  ” It’s a physical game.  That’s what drew us to this game, instead of basketball or baseball—how physical we are.  We get to go out and be physical, beat the crap out of each other for three hours, see who comes out on top.”

” We know we put ourselves in harm, our bodies in harm, whenever we step out on that field,” Jackson told host John Murphy.  “For those who play this game, you have to have a love for that, or you wouldn’t be able to do it.  I think I can speak for everybody in the NFL when I say, there’s a part of the brutality of this sport that draws us to it, that’s why we do it.”

Jackson says he may have to be prepared to be fined as a result of the new rule.  He’s worried that adjusting to the rule may alter his running style.

“I’m not a fan of it.  We’ll have to abide by the rule, because it is a rule,” he said.

Jackson missed the last three games of the 2012 season with a partially torn ligament in his knee.  But he said on the radio show he expects to be ready to work out, when Bills veterans return for offseason conditioning in two weeks.

“I’m on track ready to go.  I’m trying to hit the ground running and do as much as I can.  I’ve been cleared by all the doctors so I’m ready to get back into it, and get back on the field and prove to these coaches that I need to be on the field.”

The entire interview with Fred Jackson is available in buffalobills.com/johnmurphyshow

“I think this rule, out of anybody on this team, it applies to me the most,” Jackson said Wednesday night on The John Murphy Show.

” Its one of those things I thrive on, being able to break tackles and make yards after contact.  We’ll see what happens.  I’m looking forward to getting back out on the field and see how this rule affects me.”
The rule was approved by NFL owners by a 31-1 margin  Wednesday.   It’s described as a “player safety” step by Rams Coach Jeff Fisher, a member of the league’s Competition Committee.

Under the new rule, a runner or tackler will draw a 15-yard penalty if he initiates forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top/crown of his helmet against an opponent when both players are clearly outside the tacikle box (an area extending from tackle to tackle and from three yards beyond the line of scrimmage to the offensive team’s end line).

Jackson says he’s all for player safety, but he’s not sold on this rule.

“You gotta respect what they’re  doing, they’re trying to make our game safer,” he said. ”But at the same time, they’re limiting some of the stuff you can do as a runner.  I guess we just have to evolve, but you cant change how you play.  I’m a guy that likes to be physical in the running game.   I like to break tackles and create some contact.  It will be interesting to see what goes on.”

Jackson is worried that running backs might not be able to protect themselves when a defender is bearing down on them.

“I don’t think I lead with the crown of my helmet,” he told host John Murphy.  “But when you go to break a tackle and a D-B is coming after you, the first thing you do is lower your shoulder and means you’re lowering your head.  It’s gonna be interesting to see how they call it.  That’s one of the things I like to do, use my shoulders to break a tackle.  Those safeties are coming downhill  pretty fast, and they try to get their shoulders lower, too.  There will be some contact.”

The entire interview with Fred Jackson is available at buffalobills.com/johnmurphyshow

Jackson made the comments Friday night, in an interview on The John Murphy Show. The veteran Bills RB did the interview while making an appearance at the Buffalo Mega RV Show inside the Healthy Zone Fieldhouse at One Bills Drive.

“If that’s what it is, us sharing reps, we have no problems with that,” Jackson said on the radio show. “I don’t have a problem with that. I’m looking forward going out there and making the best of my opportunities whenever I get on the field, I’m sure C.J.’s the same way. Whatever we can do to get a win, we’re going to do, that’s what we’re about.”

Jackson is two months removed from his second knee injury of the 2012 season, in which he only played ten games because of knee problems and a concussion. He’s eager to get back to work, and he’s already had a chance to sit and talk with the Bills new coaching staff.

“I have. I’ve had the opportunity to come in and talk to them,” Jackson told host John Murphy. “They’re an enthusiastic bunch, I’m excited about what they bring to the table. I’m sure everybody else is on pins and needles, waiting to see what happens, waiting to see what the season brings to us. I think there’s going to be some big things for us. Once we get back and hit the ground running in April, we’ll be able to see what we can get done.”

Going into his seventh NFL season, Jackson said he’s especially excited about getting to work with the Bills new running backs coach, Tyrone Wheatley.

“He’s a guy that has played in the league, he’s played in a Super Bowl,” he said, “so he knows what it takes to get there. He’s a guy that’s not going to come in and try to change everything we do. He’s going to try to get the best out of us in everything we do.”

The entire interview with Fred Jackson is available at buffalobills.com/johnmurphyshow.

Jackson was a guest Friday night on The John Murphy Show. And he said he’ll see a doctor next week, as he recovers from the knee injury he suffered two months ago.

“I’ve been doing rehab the entire time,” Jackson said on the radio show. “I’ve been able to get up and do some movement on it. I have a meeting with the doctor next week. I’m sure I’ll be cleared and be able to do everything.”

“I’m doing some lifting now. I’m 100-percent, I feel like it. I don’t anticipate any kind of drawbacks or anything before I get cleared by the doctors next week.”

Jackson told host John Murphy he’s eager to get working this offseason, and ready to rebound after a tough 2012 season, that saw him suffer two knee injuries and a concussion.

“I didn’t play well at all this season,” he said. “And on top of that, to get hurt, is not a good feeling. I’ll be highly motivated going into this season. The new coaching staff, I’ve had an an opportunity to meet all of them. I’m excited about their enthusiasm and what they’re going to bring to the table. I want to be a big part of what we do next year.”

The entire interview with RB Fred Jackson is available at buffalobills.com/johnmurphyshow.

The veteran Bills RB will be a guest tonight on The John Murphy Show broadcast from One Bills Drive. Jackson was in the Healthy Zone Fieldhouse Friday afternoon, meeting fans and signing autographs at the Buffalo Mega RV Show. And he’ll be back for more of the same Sunday from 11am-1pm.

Jackson says he’s had a chance to meet most of the new coaching staff, including new RBs Coach Tyrone Wheatley. And he also talks about his rehab from a season-ending knee injury last year. Jackson says he’s got an appointment with the doctor next Tuesday and he’s expecting the go-ahead to pick up the pace on his workout schedule.

We’ll air the interview with Fred Jackson tonight at 820pm on The John Murphy Show. Also tonight, new Bills LBs Coach Chuck Driesbach joins us in studio at 720pm, to talk about his background and his approach to defense. And we’ll get a preview of the NFL Scouting Combine with Jeff Foster, the President of the National Invitational Camp. They’re the group that runs the annual combine in Indianapolis.

The John Murphy Show airs tonight from 7pm-9pm on the flagship station of the Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.

“We’ve got guys in here that want to do what’s best for this team or letting somebody else step in because they’re hurt,” Jackson told Buffalobills.com. ”They want what’s necessary for the team to be done. (Eric) Wood is a perfect example. We have nothing to play for and he decides to come back off a torn MCL and not even close to 100 percent, but he’s ready to do what he has to and help us get wins.”

Jackson said as far as his right knee is concerned he should be able to have a normal offseason come February.

“A month for the knee,” he said. ”I just have to come back and see the doctor. He said he’ll check me out and make sure my range of motion is okay and then I’m free to train. So from that point it’ll be a normal offseason. I’ll  be working out and doing rehab here so they’ll know everything that’s going on.”

Fred Jackson arguably struggled through one of the most trying seasons personally in his career, which only added to his level of frustration with how the season unfolded.

“It’s sickening,” he said. ”As players we had the highest hopes out of anybody and for us to fall short of that we don’t like it at all. It’s depressing. You play this game that you love, but you play it because you want to win and we’re all competitors and want to do better than 6-10. I was happy the guys got the win. That’s something to end the season on and go out with a win. It’s something to build on.”

1 - Hey Chris,
Here’s my question of the week. We have a very large investment in a player at the WR position being Marcus Easley. He came to us via the draft & there was very high expectations on him from the time he was drafted. Illness put his career on hold for the last few years, now he has been deemed healthy. The guy has been in meetings learning the offense.

So by now he should know the offense really well. The Bills have invested all this time in him why won’t they give him much if any playing time?

I have heard that they were concerned about how many ft it takes for him to get to full speed & that he was working on that. I know that you have seen guys that play faster than their times show. Is Easley’s game so far off that he can’t unseat someone like R. Martin or even B. Smith, he hasn’t really showed a lot for the paycheck? Easley can run kick returns, is much younger than Martin, put that with the fact of the investment I don’t see why the guy has been in the recent past inactive & then when he is active he’s not on the field with the offense to prove his usefulness.

Thanks for your insight on all of my questions as always !
Mr. T from Fort Myers Via Nashville

CB: All I can tell you is it seems that Easley’s inability to get quick separation in his routes hurts him in this offense. The offense is a quick passing game so early separation is key. Easley has good speed, but it’s build-up speed, not explosive off the line speed.

That being said I understand your position, that the team made an investment in him as a draft choice, but has lined up other receivers before him on offense. What I gave you is really all I have to go on.

2 - Chris, 
  Hi my name is John I’ve been a bills fan for the longest time. I wanted to know if the bills plan on drafting a quarterback do you have any idea towards who they will consider drafting? Also I think we need a tall receiver that can jump up for those deep balls. What do you think of them drafting a qb and wr combo
like cincy did two years ago? Thank you again.

CB: I have no idea who they would consider drafting at the quarterback position. I will say that GM Buddy Nix specifically referenced what the drafting of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green did for the Bengals, who have now qualified for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Here’s his comment from an interview on the radio. 

“Wide receiver is certainly on our radar,” said Nix. ”Last night I’m watching Cincinnati and there’s Marvin Lewis and he’s been there 10 years. I don’t remember their record the first six or seven years then they take A.J. Green and Andy Dalton and that duo has really turned them around and made them a playoff contender. I think you’ve got to have a guy that’s like Andre Reed was when he was here and Jim Kelly and Andre Reed and Thurman produced a lot. You need those three guys and we’re aware of that and we’re certainly looking at wide receiver.”

3 – Hey Chris,

I just wanted to ask a question about our QB situation. Kirk Cousins performed admirably in the Ravens comeback game for the Redskins, and then followed up with a very impressive performance in his first game as a starter. My question for you is: Is there any way the Bills trade a 2nd rounder for Kirk Cousins? I’m not one to jump on the backup QB bandwagons (Kolb, Flynn, etc.), but Cousins just seems like a guy who can be great one day. I know he was a fifth rounder, so it seems silly to trade a 2nd rounder the next year for him, but with our need at linebacker, Wide Receiver, and possibly safety opposite Byrd, do you see this as a possibility for the Buffalo Bills this offseason, while addressing the previous needs in the first round instead?

Thanks for all your work.
Derek, Williamsville

CB: I do know the Bills liked Cousins going into last year’s draft and if memory serves he did make a pre-draft visit. It was recently reported that Washington would be open to entertaining trade offers for Cousins. What the cost would be remains to be seen and I’m not sure that just a single second-round pick would get it done.

I will say this. I think the Bills being interested in acquiring Cousins, could, and I stress could, materialize if the scouting department deems him far and away better than any quarterback prospect in the draft.

4 – Hey Chris,

Also, you definitely see Fred Jackson returning with the Bills next year right?  I know he signed a contract extension last year or maybe it was earlier this year.  I just remember hearing rumors that he wouldn’t be back next year due to injury and what not.  However, no one can deny his leadership and mentoring to Spiller.  Thanks for all you do!  You make many Bills fans happy and keep them sane with your daily updates.  I know because I’m one of them!

Tim West (Displaced Bills fan in Maryland)

CB: I’m pretty confident Fred Jackson will be in the fold next year. The guy is one of the unquestioned leaders in the locker room. I think he also was the victim of never being fully healthy this season and it led to the lowest yards per carry average for a season in his career (3.8). His legs are young for a 31-year old back.

A fully healthy Fred Jackson is still a valuable back and I expect him to recapture his game breaking ability in 2013.

5 – Chris,
I saw that new scoreboards were part of the new lease agreement. Being that the new board was just installed a few years ago, is it safe to say that this means a long awaited second board will be installed in the tunnel end zone? If so, any idea of the specs or where exactly it will be put? Thanks for all you do to cover the team.

Nate
Lancaster

CB: Yes, it would be the tunnel end zone for the second video board. I don’t have any details on the size of the board or its exact location, but from what I understand it wouldn’t be installed until about the end of 2014. Appreciate the kind words.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey.

“He’s done better as the season has gone along. He really has,” said Gailey in reference to Spiller’s pass protection. ”The thing about it is we’re probably doing him a disservice because you compare him to Fred and Fred is one of the best if not the best in the league as a pass protector. So you want to take advantage of having one of the best in the league at that on the field and it’s not that C.J. can’t, it’s just that Fred was great at that.

“What you’re trying to do is making sure you’ve got C.J. enough reps where he’s a lot more comfortable in those situations because he is good. He’s not great yet. I think he’s got a chance to be better than he is and he’s getting better. But he’s good and can do the job. I’m not worried about that.”

Spiller will take on a greater role in pass protection now with Fred Jackson out for the season with a knee injury.

With Fred Jackson the latest addition to injured reserve (Tuesday) the Bills total on I-R is now 11, with Jackson the third in the last two weeks alone.

Last week Buffalo lost Chris Hairston and Chris Kelsay to season-ending ankle and neck injuries.

Instead of going to a largely spread attack much like the first two seasons, Gailey and his offensive assistants chose to lean more heavily on their two dynamic backs, an approach that the Bills head coach had not previously adopted in his NFL career. In his offensive coaching career Gailey had leaned on one feature back whether it was Bobby Humphrey in Denver, Jerome Bettis in Pittsburgh or Emmitt Smith in Dallas. Obviously injuries to Jackson at three different times this season compromised those plans this season.

“Last year when C.J. got a chance to play and show how explosive he was and we came into the season saying we’ve got two great backs, let’s use them both,” said Gailey Monday reflecting back on the previous offseason. ”Let’s let them both get carries that way we may not wear one down and keep them for the whole year, which didn’t work out, but that was the plan.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick acknowledged that their approach did shift from a wide open spread attack to an offense that was designed to run it more.

“I think our philosophy has changed a little bit this year, just in terms of how dynamic our guys in the backfield are, and trying to get them the ball,” he said. ”I think the numbers with the passing game are down in terms of yardage, I don’t know about completion percentage, passing efficiency, any of that stuff. I think we want to be a team that obviously we feature our guys in the backfield, we want to get them the ball.” 

With Jackson in and out of the lineup with two knee injuries and a concussion it compromised the offensive approach for 2012 and has left the Bills still searching for a true offensive identity.

“I think this year has been a little bit different in terms of trying to gain our identity,” said Fitzpatrick. ”But there has been a change this year—there’s more play action. We’ve been trying to move a little bit more towards that because how effective we’ve been in the ground game this year.  The four wide receiver sets used to be our M-O, but with David (Nelson) going down, moving more to having Scott (Chandler) in there with the three wide receiver sets—there’s definitely been some changes this year.” 

Despite the struggles on offense of late, Gailey believes his decision to make use of both Jackson and Spiller as much as possible was the right call.

“We made the decision, which seemed like the best decision at the time, which I still believe is the best decision that we could’ve made considering our situation with two great players,” he said. ”I’d do it again if I had it to do over. It was the best decision and you go with the best decision.”

“He’s not going to make it. He’s going to be out for the rest of the year,” said Gailey.

When asked if he’s headed to injured reserve, Gailey wasn’t ready to go that far yet.

“It looks like it, but let me hold off to see what is officially, but that looks like the plan, yes,” said Gailey. 

Gailey also said Jackson’s MCL sprain is more likely to be a 4-5 week injury than a 2-3 week injury.

“I really cannot control how many times I touch the ball,” he said. “I keep saying it over and over. I do not konw what else you want me to say. The only thing i can do is when my number is called, just try to do the best I can. Even when it is not, just do the best I can. Today I let a couple of my pass pros kind of slip a little bit. So I just have to go back to the drawing board to see what I did wrong, try to fix it and finish these last three games on a high note.”

Spiller, who gave up a sack on the first third down of the Indy game in pass protection in Week 12, also spent less time on the field in the second half of that game. So his mention of his pass protection assignments in the Rams game is telling.

The Bills back had one reception for 15 yards and seven carries for 37 yards in the game. When asked if he’s frustrated by his lack of work, Spiller said the following.

“Of course I want to touch the ball more, but there is no need for me to sit around, mope and groan and do all that because that is high school,” he said. “That is childish. That is not what I am about. Is the frustration there? Yeah. Deep down in your gut as a competitor, yeah it is there. But there is nothing I can do about it so I am not going to sit around and pout and be a little baby or a little girl or something.”

Although Ryan Fitzpatrick typically gets the ball out quick, the Rams are a formidable pass rushing front as they’re currently tied for fourth in the league in sacks with 34.

“They do a great job of rushing the passer and (Chris) Long will be a challenge over there for Sam (Young). That’ll be a real challenge for him. But to be honest with you they rotate through a lot of guys that can play. This might be overall as athletic a defensive front and a powerful combined with quickness defensive front as we’ve played all season.”

Long has seven sacks this season and fellow DE Robert Quinn has 8.5. Buffalo’s tight ends and running backs assure they’ll be ready if help is pass protection is required.

“It’s something that we’ll be aware of,” said Fred Jackson. ”We would like to see what those guys can do, though. We’re going to have some things in the game plan where we may be doing some things over there, chipping here and there,  but I think that will be dictated by how they handle it. 

“If they’re doing fine, we’ll let those guys handle it on themselves, and just do what we do.  If we feel like we’ve got to get over there and give Fitz a little bit more time back there, it’s something we’re accustomed to doing and it won’t be hard for us to adjust to that.”

What’s interesting is C.J. Spiller was in for 29 plays and Fred Jackson was in for 32 plays. Part of the reason why appeared to stem from Spiller’s struggle in handling a blitz pickup on the first third down of the game when LB Jerrell Freeman got by him to sack Ryan Fitzpatrick forcing Buffalo to punt.

Head coach Chan Gailey making his weekly appearance on WGR Sportsradio 550 Monday morning said it did have an impact on his thinking.

“The first third down he struggled to protect on that play so you start to wonder if that’s going to be a good day for him in pass protection,” said Gailey.

Of Spiller’s 29 snaps he was asked to block on pass plays four times. Of Jackson’s 32 snaps he was asked to block on pass plays 11 times.

Gailey did reiterate that Spiller will continue to get the majority of the work.

Offense snap counts
Cordy Glenn – 60
Andy Levitre – 60
Eric Wood – 60
Kraig Urbik – 60
Chris Hairston – 60
Ryan Fitzpatrick – 60
Stevie Johnson – 57
Scott Chandler – 53
Donald Jones – 48
Fred Jackson – 32
T.J. Graham – 31
C.J. Spiller – 29
Lee Smith – 27
Corey McIntyre – 8
Ruvell Martin – 5
Brad Smith – 4
Sam Young – 2
Dorin Dickerson – 2

“This is definitely not what we wanted, so its gonna be hard to get to where we wanna get, so we gotta keep fighting,” said Fred Jackson. “It was good to be back out there but I didn’t do much.  It felt like it was hard to be out there and not do much for your team.  Hopefully we can get things turned around.”

“I’m disappointed in losing the game. Definitely not discouraged,” said Nick Barnett. “I don’t ever go that route. I think we’re still in this thing and still fighting. All we can do is take it step by step. Last year’s champion was 7-and-7 at some point. And we’ve just got to fight to get there.”

Bills RB Fred Jackson returned to action from his concussion suffered in Week 10, but lamented not being asked to make a lot of plays.

“No, I didn’t really get a lot of work,” he said. “We came out down 20-6, so  you know were gonna pass the ball a little bit, so, its tough.  A lot of guys are upset.  We gotta keep pushing, though.  A lot of guys are upset about the game, but we gotta keep pushing.”

Jackson had six carries for 16 yards and a reception for eight yards in the game.

Jackson finished his concussion protocol and testing Tuesday. More to come on Buffalobills.com.

“Fred has not completed everything,” Gailey said. ”He’ll complete everything tomorrow, but everything is on track for him to be ready to go Wednesday. He said he’s feeling well.”

Provided Jackson comes through the end of the concussion protocol Tuesday with no problems, he’s expected to practice Wednesday. Jackson missed last Thursday night’s game against Miami.