Marshawn Lynch and Marcus Stroud will be in downtown Buffalo late this afternoon for an autograph signing.

Both Bills players will be signing at the New Era flagship store on Delaware Ave. from 5-6pm.

Buffalo’s run game has to be the ticket this Sunday against the Browns. It’s been one of the team’s relative constants on offense.

Fred Jackson has been very productive and is the main reason the team ranks seventh in yards per carry average (4.8) and rushing yards per game (110.8). Add in the fact that Marshawn Lynch has averaged 100.5 rushing yards in two career games versus the Browns and you can see where the Bills should have some success offensively.

Cleveland’s defense was considerably better against the Bengals last week holding Cincinnati without a first down on eight straight possessions in the middle of that game, but the fact remains they are still 31st in the league against the run allowing almost 177 rushing yards (176.8) per game.

Gotta get a win this week. No ifs, ands or buts. Let’s get to your questions. And send your future questions to AskChris@bills.nfl.net.
1. Hi Chris, while watching the Bills game, I noticed that the four times that Trent Edwards tried to reach Terrell Owens they were mostly deep balls. Why didn’t they use Owens underneath? Like in a run and catch play? He is very dangerous when utilized in this fashion.

I understand that teams are limiting the deep ball, but the Bills could have went to both Owens and Evans underneath, and turned in huge gains in each situation. Obviously, it is the receivers job to catch the ball regardless of the play, but I think the Bills are using Owens the wrong way. What do you think?
 
Tony, Daytona Beach, Florida.

CB: I think there’s some merit to your suggestion. We actually saw Owens and Evans targeted more on some intermediate routes in the preseason. Both of Owens receptions in the Hall of Fame game were short and intermediate throws that Owens turned into first downs after the catch. Knowing the protection has been spotty of late I’d be all for letting Owens and Evans gain the extra yards after the catch instead of trying to get it on one big throw.

 
2. In watching each one of the bills games I notice the DB’s playing at least 7-10 yards off from TO and Lee, what would be so hard to stand and throw the ball to them on the back shoulder as they come off the ball. I watched closely to see if they were being baited and were going to run out a LB or DE but in at least 6 of the times nothing happened. I also noticed that Lee and TO mostly run down the side line and haven’t been curling or skinny post ….. nothing. I can’t believe this is the whole arsenal they have established for 12 mill per year. Every team with a stud receiver finds a way to get them the ball…. 
Thanks 
Terry

CB: I don’t deny that it’s been frustrating to watch. Much like the answer above, I’m not opposed to giving Trent the option to check to a ‘now route’ when he sees single coverage outside and the cornerback is playing off Evans or Owens. Take two steps back from center and throw them the ball to them right at the line of scrimmage and let them make a defender miss to get yards after the catch. It’s a much higher percentage throw and gets Evans and Owens involved quicker.

 
3. Chris,

Do you see the Bills looking to Jackson to return kickoffs more now that Lynch is back?  Parrish seemed to struggle against the Saints though he was better against Miami. With McKelvin out the return game has looked weak.  Any other thoughts on others that could return kicks if Jackson doesn’t?

Thanks,
Dan

CB: Jackson was out there with Parrish on a few kick returns in Miami, but as you pointed out Parrish fared better against the Dolphins. If the team does decide to go in another direction Jackson is an option as is Xavier Omon who has done kickoffs. I also think an intriguing option would be rookie Ellis Lankster who returned kicks and punts in college at West Virginia and was a JUCO All-American returner.

 
4. Due to the recent scoring struggles we have had and the addition on Lynch back to our offense, do you see us using some type of situational wildcat offense?  To me, a backfield of Jackson and Lynch would be extremely lethal.
 
Best regards,
Ryan Korchinski

CB: I’d be surprised if it becomes a prominent feature, but with the struggles they’ve had I don’t see why they couldn’t turn to it for a series or two. I’d have Fred Jackson in the quarterback role (Ronnie Brown), with Marshawn Lynch as the move back (Ricky Williams role). Roscoe Parrish was also utilized in the QB role in training camp having been a former HS QB. We’ll see.

5. Chris,
With McKelvin going down, that leaves McGee, Florence, Corner, Youboty, and Lankster.  Do you think Lankster will be seeing any action this week?  Will he even be on the active roster?
-Chris, Rochester

CB: He was active, but did not play on defense last week against the Dolphins. He’s basically the 5th corner now with McKelvin on I-R. He’ll play on special teams depending on numbers each week. I wouldn’t mind seeing him on kick returns. He’s got potential there I believe.

Already at the quarter pole mark of the season. Gotta get a win this week and get off the AFC East schneid. Let’s get to your questions.

 
1. Dear Chris,

I’m wondering who’s available at the middle linebacker position to replace Paul Posluzny while he’s out for a few weeks? Marlon Greenwood and some other quality free agents are available or will the coaching staff allow Marcus Buggs to handle everything Poz was tasked with?
–
Michael T. Licata

CB: I don’t see the Bills going out and picking up another linebacker knowing they’ll get Poz back around midseason. But here’s a short list of guys that would make sense for the Bills should they decide to go in that direction in my opinion.
Derek Smith, Dontarrious Thomas, Rocky Boiman (versatility inside/outside)

2. Chris,

Do you think there would be a way that the All Access shows such as the ones with you and Tasker and the Thurman Thomas show could be put on the website for us that don’t live in the area to be able to watch??

I live in the Nashville, TN area now after being in WNY for 25+ years and would like to see these shows.
I know that the uploading/downloading would take a great deal of time, and maybe an impossibility, but it sure would be nice.
Thanks a lot and keep up the good work.

Tom Howes
 

CB: We do put them on the team website. Here’s the link where you can find them every week.
http://www.buffalobills.com/media-lounge/videos

On the left side of the page is a listing of the different video programs we offer. Click on All Access for those shows and on the Thurman Thomas tab for that show. We break the show up into different segments so it does not take too long to load. Enjoy.

3. Hi Chris,
Since we know Fred Jackson is capable of handling a starting role, is there any chance the Bills trade Marshawn Lynch for a Tackle or draft pick?
Omon seems capable of handling a back up role plus the Bills are already talking to Free Agent RB’s. What do you think?
Thanks,
Mike

CB: I don’t see the Bills doing this. Most teams in the league like having two capable backs to share the workload. Dick Jauron is fiercely loyal to Lynch and with good reason. The guys always plays hard and doesn’t go down easy.
If you trade Lynch away you’re leaving yourself a bit vulnerable at running back in the event that Jackson goes down with an injury. Omon shows promise, but he’s not Lynch.

4. Chris – Buffalo’s signing of Jamom Meredith from the Green Bay practice squad prompted this question.  What are the rules for an NFL team signing a player from another team’s practice squad?  Was Buffalo required to give prior notice of its intent to Green Bay before making an offer to Meredith?  If so, did Green Bay then have an opportunity to keep Meredith, such as by moving him to its active roster, within some specified period of time?
 
- Bill

CB: Signing practice squad players are a lot like signing free agents. Teams that covet a practice squad player on another team contact the agent and begin negotiations to sign him to an NFL contract that puts him on an active roster (practice squad pay is considerably less).

Sometimes agents call the original team to give them an opportunity to promote them to their own 53-man roster, but in most cases the agent just completes the deal with the team interested in putting the player on their active roster. The original team is none the wiser until the signing is completed.

5. Hey Chris,
Since Fred is doing awesome and Marshawn is coming back do you see the Bills putting in any Wildcat plays to keep them both on the field? If both Fred and Marshawn are running to the same side on an option play who the heck would you cover as a defender! Maybe they develop the plays now and don’t show the Wildcat until they need to surprise a team in the playoffs.
 
What do you think?
Mark
Evergreen, CO

CB: I don’t think the Wildcat is necessary to keep both of them on the field. I anticipate seeing Fred Jackson split out wide more as a receiver, which they did a lot of during the spring. I also think in time we could see a split backfield with both of them back there giving the team a ton of options.

Buffalo, like all NFL teams, has a handful of Wildcat plays, and if you remember when they ran some of that last season Fred Jackson was the ball handler. I don’t know if he’s the guy this year because Roscoe in an option in that formation as well being a former high school quarterback.

With Marshawn Lynch now off suspension the big question has been what kind of workload Marshawn Lynch will be getting this week in his return to the lineup. Bills offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and head coach Dick Jauron seem conscious of easing him in knowing he hasn’t been exposed to contact in almost a month.

“A lot of it for me will have to do with how he feels at the end of the work week,” said Jauron. ”I can’t anticipate that he’ll feel any differently than wanting to go. And that’ll be good because Freddy has been so good and Freddy is not a surprise, but it would be nice to even out this thing, get Marshawn back into the mix, have them play off each other. It’s a really positive thing for us, it’s great to have him back.”

Jauron indicated that if they were successful running the ball and ran it 30 times it’d be nice to split it down the middle, but in his first week back it might be a bit less.

“(We’ll) probably bring Marshawn (Lynch) along slowly to let him get back into it physically. But those guys (Lynch, Jackson) are some of your better players obviously offensively and some of the groupings with both of them are very good for us. But I don’t know where or how long it’ll take before we get there, but we’re just glad to have Marshawn back. I think it’ll help us down the road keeping both of those guys fresh.”

While Jauron indicates a 50-50 split, Van Pelt seems to indicate less at least for this week. It’s hard to ignore how much success Jackson has had with 425 yards from scrimmage in three games, but Lynch is not someone you keep on the sidelines either. It will be very interesting to see how the workload is divided, knowing the staff, like many others in the league, is cautious about overworking either one of them.

Even though Marshawn Lynch has completed his three game league-imposed suspension, he is still not on the team’s 53-man roster.

Buffalo has filed a request with the league for a three-day roster exemption. This is sometimes a request by teams for players that are coming off suspension. So on Thursday the team will need to move another player off the roster to make room for Lynch at which point he’ll be added to the active roster.

Marshawn Lynch addressed the media on his first day back from suspension at One Bills Drive Monday. And he succinctly answered the question everyone was expecting. Whether or not he cares who is the team’s #1 running back. Here was his answer.

“No I do not,” said a subdued Lynch.

Lynch claimed he’ll be ready to go come Sunday in Miami. He praised his teammate and good friend Fred Jackson for the job he did in his absence. How the two will be used remains to be seen, but in light of Jackson’s production it’s likely to be a 50-50 split.

Heading into Week 3 with a big defensive test for the Bills in Drew Brees and company.

1. Hey Chris,
 
If Maybin’s play becomes deserving of a starting role, can you foresee the coaches moving Schobel to left DE and inserting Maybin in at right DE?
 
Thanks
Tom

CB: I don’t see that happening any time soon. The good thing about Maybin is he told me he feels equally comfortable coming off the right side as the left side. And Bills VP of College Scouting Tom Modrak said he feels he can come off both edges effectively as well. Also I don’t think it matters all that much which side you put Maybin on. Just because he’s fast doesn’t mean you put him at RDE. In fact you may want to put him on the left side where the less talented of the opponent’s two offensive tackles is lined up.

 
2. Chris,

After watching the Thurman Thomas show on bb.com I was wondering what station that is on? I live in PA and have direct tv…. do you know how I can get some of the local bills stations so I can watch these shows? a few years ago it used to be empire sports…. I never get to see much of the in depth interviews with all the different guys…. let me know when you get a chance….

Thanks
Chris

CB: Here are the listings for Steve Tasker’s All Access show and the Thurman Thomas show. If you can’t get one of these regional affiliates you can always view the segments to these shows on Buffalobills.com in the media lounge (http://www.buffalobills.com/media-lounge/videos).

Bills All Access
 Day  Time  Station
Saturday 12:35 a.m. WTVH – Syracuse (CBS)
Sunday 12:00 a.m. CW-WHAM – Rochester (ABC)
Sunday 12:05 a.m. WBNG – Binghamton
Sunday 11:30 a.m. WKBW – Buffalo (ABC)
Sunday 12:00 p.m. WHAM – Rochester (ABC)

The Thurman Thomas Show
 Day Time  Station
Saturday 1:05 a.m. WTVH – Syracuse (CBS)
Saturday 11:35 p.m. WBNG – Binghamton
Sunday 12:30 a.m. WHAM – Rochester (ABC)
Sunday 10:30 a.m. CW – WHAM – Rochester (ABC)
Sunday 11:00 a.m. WKBW – Buffalo (ABC)

3. When Lynch gets back, what do you think about running him and Fred in the backfield every play? With our super wide outs and their talents, wouldn’t that just drive defenses nuts? Omon makes a great reliever to spell the backs!
Murph

CB: I think that Lynch and Jackson will in fact be seen on the field at the same time when Marshawn’s suspension ends on Monday. How much remains to be seen, but Alex Van Pelt has mentioned that he’s open to putting them both on the field at the same time. I think Jackson will be used as a receiver at times in those situations, lined up wide. But a split backfield is also a possibility and you’re right that will be a lot to worry about.

 
4. Chris,
Is there any chance that Maybin will be used as a linebacker since Poz is out and the back ups are weak? I think he may be fast enough but how long would it take to learn the responsibilities?
Wayne

CB: I don’t see this happening. The only way I see Maybin being used at the linebacker position is if he’s used as an additional pass rusher in obvious passing situations. Taking one of your most athletic pass rushers and moving him further away from the line of scrimmage hurts your team more than helps it as I see it. I also think Keith Ellison has performed well in the first two games at both the strong side and nickel ‘mike’ LB spots, and Buggs held his own last week.

 
5. Hi Chris, Now that Paul Posluszny is injured, and probably out for six weeks or more, wouldn’t it be smarter to put Kawika Mitchell in the middle? Mitchell is 253 pounds, and 6′ 1″, Marcus Buggs is 223 pounds, and 5′ 10″. Not to diminish the abilities of Buggs, but Mitchell has a lot of savvy, and not to mention size. I think Marcus Buggs would be better suited to be a weakside linebacker. The middle linebacker is the centerpiece of the unit, and Poluszny was the leader. Wouldn’t most teams now view this as a weakness, i.e., running the ball up the middle more? Trying to make plays over the middle? Tell me what you think. I will look forward to hearing from you.
 
Tony Falzone, Daytona Beach, Florida.

CB: Your idea has merit. Mitchell did play MLB for the Chiefs early in his career and performed well there. However, most coaching staffs usually try to avoid changing two positions for the sake of one. In other words, by plugging in Marcus Buggs at MLB for Poz, only one position on defense is affected. If you moved Mitchell to the ‘mike’ LB spot then you have to fill Mitchell’s weak side spot with someone else and you’ve changed your starting defense at two positions.

Most coaches prefer continuity. I respect your point about MLB being the more important position, but they see this approach as the least disruptive to the defense. From that perspective it makes sense, but there’s an argument for both sides.

SI.com’s Don Banks sees a difficult decision coming up next week for head coach Dick Jauron concerning his running backs.

With Marshawn Lynch set to return off suspension Monday, Banks openly wonders if Jackson’s big time production through the first two games will force Dick Jauron and his coaching staff to keep Jackson in the lineup as the starting RB.

When Jauron was asked about it Wednesday he indicated it’s not something he’s going to think about until after Sunday’s game.

“I think I’ll think about it after this week,” said Jauron. “We’ve said all along we’ve felt like we have more than two (running backs). We love Marshawn and we love Freddy and Xavier (Omon) has done a nice job for us. So here we are. Marshawn is not here right now.”

Fred Jackson, who won the Northtown Automotive game ball as voted by the fans after every Bills win, received an interesting question from one of the Bills fans that voted for him this week.

Jackson was asked if he has kept in touch with Marshawn during Lynch’s three-game suspension.

The Bills current feature back said he has kept in touch with him by phone.

“I call him every day,” said Jackson. “He’s been busy doing his thing, staying focused. He’s working out two times a day, so we’ll be excited when we get him back next week.”

The Bills locker room already has a different feel to it with Marshawn Lynch not there to lighten the mood.

Bills RB Fred Jackson admitted that Lynch is already missed by his teammates since his league-imposed three-game suspension began last Saturday.

“He’s a great guy to be around and a character unto himself,” said Jackson. ”He kind of lightens the mood of practice. Without him out on the field yelling at Kyle (Williams) and Marcus (Stroud) and getting them all riled up, it’s just some of the things we miss. Even in the running back room with him cracking a joke every five minutes you miss things like that, but he’s still with us and we’re still playing for him.”

Lynch is eligible to return to the club on Monday Sept. 28.

The Bills did not announce it because the league makes the designation, but Marshawn Lynch has been placed on the reserve/suspended list meaning he currently does not count toward a roster spot.

So the Bills get down to 53 by virtue of that designation.

James Hardy was also placed on Reserve/PUP meaning he will not be able to practice with the team until the end of Week 6 at the earliest. Truthfully it was a wise decision. It affords Hardy a month and a half more to build up stamina in his knee to withstand the daily rigors of practice and games.

Thursday night’s preseason game will be the last for Marshawn Lynch. But he’s not going to be seeing any additional action prior to his time away from the team.

When Dick Jauron was asked if he planned to play Lynch more knowing his 3 weeks away from the team starts on Saturday Jauron said, “No, we do not.”

All along Lynch has maintained that he has a plan in place for himself while he cannot play or practice with the team at 1 Bills Drive for 3 weeks. And the coaching staff is confident it will keep their feature back sharp for when he returns.

“We’ve talked about it a good deal and we feel confident that he’s got a real good idea of what he’s going to do and he certainly knows what he needs to do,” said Jauron.

Lynch will be able to return to the team on Sept 28.

A good portion of that glut of quarterbacks that had been harvested over the past couple of years by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden is now on the trade block.

According to NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora, Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown and Josh Johnson are all available for the right price.

Johnson is the cousin of Bills RB Marshawn Lynch. LaCanfora mentions the Bills as one of four teams “monitoring” their backup quarterback situation, whatever that means.

Another training camp is in the books, but preseason continues, and Aaron Maybin is in. Here’s some of your latest and greatest questions. Keep them coming.

1. Chris;
 
Every time I see Trent get ready to throw the ball, he keeps looking right at the receiver. Don’t you think,as I do,that the opponents see that and know exactly where to go? Shouldn’t he try to bluff a little?
 
Thanks.
Sonny, LF.

CB:  While I agree that looking off safeties before delivering the ball to the primary or secondary target is important, I do not agree that Trent does that every time he throws the ball. In fact I think he’s improved in this area a lot over this past offseason.

I’m not saying he’s perfected looking safeties off down in and down out, but I think he’s made significant strides in that area of his game. The only time I’ve seen him stare down a receiver so far this summer is on his interception in the Hall of Fame game. He did look at Lee for a bit on that play. Other than that he’s been much better.

2. Chris: With Marshawn Lynch sitting out the first three games of the year, do you think Fred Jackson and Dominic Rhodes can shoulder the load? Will teams respect the Bills’ running game, given that their primary weapon is not there?
 
With the changing of the offensive line, do you think the Bills’ will successfully protect Trent Edwards?
 
Tony Falzone, Daytona Beach, Fl

CB: I think the Bills running game won’t drop off much with Jackson and Rhodes, and one team that respects Jackson more than anyone is New England after he ran for over 100 against them in the season finale last year. With that ridiculous wind they knew he was going to run and they still could not stop him. I think Rhodes and Jackson are more than capable for three games.

As for the line protecting Trent I think it will be a work in progress. Even coach Jauron is expecting some growing pains. It’s a lot to pull together in one offseason, but if this no huddle can work effectively at top speed it could help mask some of those growing pains up front.
3. Hi Chris,
 
I was wondering, with all the talent at the WR position this season, how many WR’s do you see the Bills keeping and who do you think that it will be?

I mean Evans, T.O. and probably Reed are the obvious choices, but after that? What are the chances for Parrish, Hardy, Steve Johnson and the other WR’s currently on the roster.
 
Thanks for taking you time to answer the questions of the non-US fans and go Bills!
 
Niels Wester, Denmark

CB:It’s certainly going to be a tough set of decisions for that position. You’re right the top five right now are Evans, Owens, Reed, Parrish and Johnson. In two out of the three previous seasons under Jauron they’ve kept six receivers on the 53-man roster. In all likelihood the sixth receiver will be James Hardy.

Justin Jenkins I believe deserves an awful lot of consideration. He’s improved his route running a great deal and is one of the two best gunners on the special teams top ranked punt team.

Logicall it’s hard to see how a coaching staff as much as they would like, can keep seven receivers. They’d be pulling away from some other position. However, there is one way I could see them keeping seven receivers and that’s with the extra roster spot they’d have at their disposal due to the suspension of Marshawn Lynch.

Effective Sept. 5, the Bills could and probably will put Lynch on the reserve/suspended list and he would not count toward a roster spot when the roster is reduced to 53. With that extra spot at their disposal they could choose to use it on a seventh receiver.

Three weeks later when the Lynch’s suspension is over they’ll have to make a decision again to make room for Lynch on the roster. But who knows, there could be an injury at the receiver position over those first three weeks and suddenly they’re down to six receivers.

I know it’s probably unlikely, but with the Lynch suspension they’ll have an extra roster spot to play with. Maybe just maybe they keep seven WRs.
4. Hi Chris,

How is Alvin Bowen coming along? I know he had a good training camp last year but went down due to injury. Does he have any chance at starting over Ellison?

Thanks.
Kay

CB: Bowen is doing well. Since Ashlee Palmer suffered an ankle injury in the HOF game Bowen has moved up to the second unit at weak side LB behind Kawika Mitchell. However, I do not think he displaces Ellison as the starter. The most likely candidate to do that is rookie Nic Harris, who is having a solid preseason.

5. Hey Chris,
 
I’m reading an article from Pat Kirwan of nfl.com and it says that the Bills plan to implement some 3-4 defense this year. I was wondering if you had any idea how often that will happen, and what the line-up would be in such a formation?
 
I assume Stroud in the middle is a given, and on the outside Schobel and Kelsay? Or would they potentially mix in Spencer Johnson, for more of a typically large 3-4 DE?
 
What about the linebackers? Who becomes the second ILB with Poz? Would Maybin get some opportunities as a pass-rushing OLB?
 
Thanks Chris!
 
–Brad

CB: No information as to how often we might see it this season, and I haven’t seen it in the camp practices at all under the live team work setting. I think the main reason for considering it is Aaron Maybin. Much like you do I do foresee them sometimes using Maybin as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 kind of look. That would obviously only be in obvious passing situations, so that’s when I’d be on the lookout for it.

Since it would be a passing situation I’d also expect to see Schobel and possibly Chris Ellis at the ends.

With training camp coming to a close it’s time to hand out our 4th annual training camp awards.

Most entertaining player – Roscoe Parrish – T.O. certainly had his moments, but Parrish from start to finish in camp drew the most oohs and ahhs from the fans with the catches he made and the defenders he juked.

Most improved defensive player – Chris Ellis – As camp wore on Ellis’ confidence grew with the pinnacle coming in the Bears preseason game when he had a sack and forced fumble as well as a fumble recovery. Ellis has taken a big step forward from year one to year two.

Most changed player - Paul Posluszny – This guy’s demeanor on the field has changed significantly. He’s taken full command of the team’s defense and you can see it and hear it in his voice. In year three Buffalo’s MLB is a confident player that’s ready to lead as well as become a playmaker. Trent Edwards is a close second here for a lot of the same reasons.

Most improved offensive player – Demetrius Bell – the offensive tackle has begun to mesh his solid athletic ability with the techniques required to play effectively on the line. He may not start this season, but by mid-season he might look starting caliber.

Most impressive rookie – Ellis Lankster – Helped by the fact that he was a seventh-round pick, Lankster carried his strong spring in OTAs into training camp and did not disappoint. Constantly around the ball, Lankster was among the team leaders in interceptions and pass breakups in camp. Eric Wood was a close second here.

Most consistent veteran – Kyle Williams – The defensive tackle put in his typical solid camp and got consistent penetration during run game segments and fared well during one-on-ones and team work. Honorable mention to Lee Evans and Josh Reed.

Most surprising player – Ashlee Palmer – The undrafted rookie linebacker got a long look in the spring from the coaches and they liked what they saw as they had Palmer running with the second unit. We had him as a training camp sleeper and he made plays in the HOF game, but an ankle injury has unfortunately curtailed his progress. Jonathan Stupar gets an honorable mention here.

Most inspirational player - Marshawn Lynch – Whether he’s joking with an offensive teammate to remind them they have to make a play or trash talking the defense to get them to play harder, Lynch is his own way pulls the best out of his teammates on both sides of the ball. He’s doing it in a much different way, but it’s leadership.

Marshawn Lynch and Steve Johnson are part of the Family First community organization based in California’s Bay area (Oak/SF). The organization acts as a resource for developing scholastic athletes for the next level (college, pro). And now they have their own line of athletic wear (see photos below).

To order Family First gear go to  www.famf1rst.com for more info or to  www.zazzle.com/famf1rst

With Marshawn Lynch’s suspension upheld Dick Jauron named Fred Jackson the starting running back for the first three games.

“Going into the season unless something happens it would be Freddy,” said Jauron. “Freddy would be the starter. But both (Jackson and Rhodes) will be playing a lot.”

This comes as no surprise. Jackson has a better handle on Buffalo’s offensive system and though Rhodes is a proven veteran back, Jackson has proven himself capable in the times he’s had to start in place of an injured Lynch the past two seasons.

Marshawn Lynch’s three game suspension has been upheld NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“It’s the league’s policy,” said head coach Dick Jauron. “We’re disappointed. He’s a real good player. We like this man on our team, but he’s paying a price.”

Marshawn Lynch and Aaron Schobel seem to enjoy trying to get under one another’s skin during practice. Whether it’s Schobel giving a playful kidney punch when the two are subbed out on the sideline, Lynch giving Schobel an extra shove at the end of a run play or jawing back and forth with one another during play. Lynch commented on just exactly what the two are doing out there.

“Schobel is my son,” said Lynch. “He is actually my son. Your son gets out of hand, you have to put him in his place sometimes. But seriously Schobel has been a great guy for me since I came into the league. I pull him off to the side and ask him some things and get some pointers on what defensive ends don’t like, and I found out they don’t like being chipped. So every chance I get I go and give him a chip. And if you all know Schobel, he doesn’t like being chipped. He doesn’t like being messed with.”

Schobel didn’t really care to comment on the games he and Lynch play, but one this is certain, they get each other riled up for practice and that can’t be a bad thing. I’ll have to tell him about the ’son’ comment by Lynch however.