metzelaars_lives Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Read Sullivan this morning and then read the comment by Chris Krueger below the article. Absolutely destroys Sullivan and he's 100% right. What does Fred Jackson think? That he's gonna go to another team and get 300 carries? Every team in the league uses a platoon system. Of course he's gonna end up with more carries than Spiller this year. They're going to try to win, which means they're gonna give carries to the back that is producing. But of course Spiller needs the touches in the preseason. I have the organization's back 100% on this one. Just as long as they don't trade him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserable_fan Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 (edited) No, being the fact that it's only pre-season. If he outplays Spiller during the regular season and still doesn't get carries, then perhaps his whining would be warranted. With that being said, I love Freddy. He seems like a great team player, and puts everything he has on the football field. Edited August 24, 2011 by miserable_fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfreak Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Am I the only one who thinks Fred Jackson is being a huge baby? YES! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpunchy Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I don't think he is being a baby, I think he is speaking his mind. He has been a model teammate and Bill and should be allowed to speak of his frustration over the situation. Frankly, I am surprised he handled it as professionally as he did. Most people would have gone off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Tuesday Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 He is underpaid. Please address that issue. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFITZ1 Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Read Sullivan this morning and then read the comment by Chris Krueger below the article. Absolutely destroys Sullivan and he's 100% right. What does Fred Jackson think? That he's gonna go to another team and get 300 carries? Every team in the league uses a platoon system. Of course he's gonna end up with more carries than Spiller this year. They're going to try to win, which means they're gonna give carries to the back that is producing. But of course Spiller needs the touches in the preseason. I have the organization's back 100% on this one. Just as long as they don't trade him. Jackson is pissed, not a "huge baby". What he's upset about is all the mixed signals he gets from the FO. He's outperforming and being paid less than the guy next to him. For what he's done for this team, FJ has every right to be pissed and want to know where he stands. His reward for having a decent year at RB 2 years ago was to have an immediate replacement drafted. I would not expect someone who worked so hard to become an NFL starter to be anything but insulted and upset over that pick especially when there were so many other immediate needs. I can't believe anyone would expect FJ to just smile, take it, and roll over on command. Fred Jackson wasn't given what he has, HE TRULY EARNED IT. No one who does that just rolls over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Live&DieBillsFootball Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I think that it's stupid to get upset that someone else is starting a FREAKING PRESEASON GAME. Also, someone tell Fred that if Spiller gains 200 yards in a game and catches another 10 passes for 100 yards that Spiller will start ahead of him. Then also tell him that neither is very likely and to have his ass ready for Sept 11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's House Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I think Jackson is showing a lot of class. He's grossly underpaid, and rather than going on a "show me the benjamins" tirade to the public, he's more diplomatically referring simply to "disrespect". Obviously he's been trying to renegotiate his contract, which he signed as a backup, and isn't making any headway. Gaily saying the starting job is Spiller's to lose, or that they're both starters, adds insult to injury by pouring salt in the wound and killing his leverage. Plus, this isn't like a Jason Peters deal where they upped him last year and he's got 2-3 more years on his contract. And his window of opportunity is closing fast. Bills should do the right thing, the smart thing, and take care of a productive team leader who has earned it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountDorkula Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Read Sullivan this morning and then read the comment by Chris Krueger below the article. Absolutely destroys Sullivan and he's 100% right. What does Fred Jackson think? That he's gonna go to another team and get 300 carries? Every team in the league uses a platoon system. Of course he's gonna end up with more carries than Spiller this year. They're going to try to win, which means they're gonna give carries to the back that is producing. But of course Spiller needs the touches in the preseason. I have the organization's back 100% on this one. Just as long as they don't trade him. Im not going to say huge baby, but the way he went about it was immature. Don't go to the media. GO to Gailey and Nix and ask them, adn talk to them in private. IMO, Freddie is what he is. A 30 year old good running back. He will not be around when the Bills actually have a shot at making the playoffs (See Lee Evans) So Spiller needs to get touches to see if he can be a dominate player in this league. I like Freedie I think he is good for this team, but he is paid like the 40th best back in the league for a reason. He signed the contract and was not happy about it when he did. He has no one to blame but himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2003Contenders Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 (edited) Let's see... In 2007, the Bills trade Willis and Marv spends all winter talking about what a special player Fred Jackson, who hails from his alma matre is. Then the team turns around and drafts Marshawn Lynch in the first round. In 2008, Jackson clearly outplays Lynch. Then Jauron inexplicably hands the starting job to Lynch after coming off his suspension in 2009. After Jauron is fired, Perry Fewell has the good sense to reinstate Freddy as the feature back. Fred has a career year. In 2010, the new regime comes is -- eschews trade possibilities for Lynch and drafts Spiller. Spiller isn't ready for prime time, and the Bills do everything they can to showcase Lynch for a trade. When they finally trade Lynch to Seattle, Fred finally gets the carries he deserves -- and produces. Now entering 2011, he faces the possibility of losing his starting job again to Spiller, who still hasn't proven anything. So, no, he is not being a baby. Edited August 24, 2011 by 2003Contenders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOBILLS78 Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 He is underpaid. Please address that issue. Thanks. Chris Johnson is underpaid. Fred Jackson is 30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanM.D. Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I don't think he is being a baby, I think he is speaking his mind. He has been a model teammate and Bill and should be allowed to speak of his frustration over the situation. Frankly, I am surprised he handled it as professionally as he did. Most people would have gone off. Players try to manipulate public sentiment in these types of situations. Going public with his complaints gives him a non-confrontational platform to spout off. He could have just as easily gone to Gailey's office and 'gone off'...or called a team meeting and 'gone off.' I agree with his sentiment but not the methodology. Being pissed is fine...but don't use the media as your sounding board. In addition, he has been a very classy pro/vet. So, I suppose, I am a bit surprised by it as well. Knowing his playing history, however, he'll just go out and produce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu Cthulhu Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Seems like the common belief "RB is over 30=he's circling the drain and won't be around for long" is repeated mindlessly around here a lot. I know it's a belief perpetuated by all the media outlets like ESPN based on cases like Shaun Alexander. Recently though older guys like LT and Thomas Jones have shown they can produce past 30 so I wouldn't be so dismissive of every RB that old. I'm not saying the Bills should shell out a big extension to Jackson, but until you see an appreciable dropoff in his production maybe cut the guy a break - he may have more tread on his tires than you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzelaars_lives Posted August 24, 2011 Author Share Posted August 24, 2011 I'd agree he's underpaid. But that doesn't seem to be his gripe. He is not Thurman Thomas and CJ Spiller is not Kenneth Davis (yes I know, Kenneth Davis was sweet, bad example). But Jerry Sullivan- THE BILLS DID NOT REACH FOR SPILLER AT 9! He was considered the best player in the draft by both Gruden and Herm Edwards and I'm sure many others. Why do people act like the notion of trying to get carries for a guy taken 9th overall is an antiquated one? That's what they should be doing! If Jackson thoroughly outplays Spiller again this year, then he'll get the carries and will have nothing to worry about. This is the organization that made you- a guy playing in NFL Europe or the Arena League or whatever it was- a millionaire. Show some respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvanvol Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Something funny from a bills-dolphins game a few years back. Travis henry got hurt and mcgahee went off and scored what i believe was his first touchdown for us. Everytime he got a first down The guy a row ahead of me who had a few chardonnays before the game was screaming "trade henry" and this happened a lot with him and his friends actually starting a chant in our section. Then the third string running back came in to spell mcgahee and ran for like a 15 yard gain, our section went silent and the guy that was yelling the chant turned and looked at everyone in the section, he was silent for about 5 seconds and then yelled "F#$% it, Trade em both" and the crowd went wild ahahah The moral of the story: NFL RBs have a short shelf life and its all about productivity, the more effective player will play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max997 Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Jackson is coming off really bad thinking he doesnt have to compete for the starting job and that it should just be given to him even worse he is upset he didnt start a preseason game, are you kidding me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defend Greece Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Freebies JOB is to play football, he shows up to work everyday, on time with a good attitude. He sets a good example for the younger guys and does what he is asked. How would you like if you were the best at what you do for your employer but your boss keeps trying to have guys who make 2-3 times what you make try to do your job and after not being able to, instead of them paying you what the guys who don't do your job as good as you make, they try another less knowledgeable higher paid employee to do your job again... And the cycle doesn't stop Pretty sure most of us would demand better, or quit Jackson is coming off really bad thinking he doesnt have to compete for the starting job and that it should just be given to him even worse he is upset he didnt start a preseason game, are you kidding me? I am pretty sure there is more to it than that. It's along drawn-out history of disrespect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Syracuse Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 (edited) He's not being a baby, he's being a HUGE coward. He wants more money and didn't have the guts to stand up and say so. He know that if he's not the consensus #1 back is chances of getting more $ are greatly reduced. Instead he conjured up some story about being respected. Someone should remind him that when he came into the league no other NFL teams wanted anything to do with him. The Bills gave him a chance to earn millions now he wants more. Maybe he'd prefer to go back to Europe? Edited August 24, 2011 by Mike in Syracuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defend Greece Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Jackson is coming off really bad thinking he doesnt have to compete for the starting job and that it should just be given to him even worse he is upset he didnt start a preseason game, are you kidding me? I am pretty sure there is more to it than that. It's along drawn-out history of disrespect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I understand both sides of this argument. On the one hand, Freddie needs to be a mature professional. Most teams use a platoon system and he can't expect to be on the field all the time. On the other hand, Freddie suffered in Lynch's shadow for a while and was now hearing rumors he was going to be benched in favor of Spiller who has done nothing to earn the starting role. The rumors seemed to be validated when Spiller started last week. After what he's been through, Freddie became concerned. Personally, I think Freddie was wrong for going public with this stuff before talking to the coaching staff and resolving his worries and doubts privately. But Freddie has been an outstanding competitor and teammate since joining the Bills. IMHO, we all make mistakes and he's allowed this one. And even though he's 30 and perhaps beginning his decline, I would love to see him rewarded with a better contract. His pay has been less than his level of contribution. And it's not like we're in dire need of cap space at the moment. Ralph and Buddy ought to demonstrate to the players that they take care of people - like Freddie - who take care of the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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