The Buffalo Bills shocked most people Monday morning when the team released their 12 roster cuts. It wasn’t because there were 12, it was because of one person’s name who was on it: running back Fred Jackson. The Bills released the fan favorite after eight seasons with the team.
Immediately following the announcement, fans are starting petitions to keep Jackson in Buffalo. Twitter and Facebook blew up with angry and sad tweets about his release. Many were asking what the Buffalo Bills gained by releasing Jackson. By all accounts he was called the heart of the team.
Doug Whaley, the Buffalo Bills general manager, said it was a difficult and emotional decision, but really didn’t go into the decision any further than that. The only thing he did add was the reason they released Jackson now was so he had a chance to sign with another team if he wanted to do so (the New England Patriots have already reportedly expressed interest).
With the releases of Jackson, that leaves Bryce Brown, Boobie Dixon, Cierre Wood, and rookies Karlos Williams and Bronson Hill to backup Lesean McCoy at running back. Jackson was seen as the number two behind McCoy but that may go to Dixon if he is healthy. Jackson’s release gives the Buffalo Bills a little more than $2.5 million in salary cap space.
Jackson began his career in Buffalo back in 2007, after then general manager Marv Levy recruited him after watching him play for NFL Europe. From the beginning Jackson was considered an underdog as he played college football at Division III Coe College.
Jackson turned out to be the one strong constant on the team during years of different quarterbacks and playoff misses. He was arguably the heart of the Buffalo Bills franchise. He and his family put roots down in Western New York as they embraced the community as their own. No matter how good the Buffalo Bills turn out to be, this move will most likely sting for a while and won’t be easily forgotten, even with the strategic “leak” of the starting quarterback.