With Lynch out 3 games, Bills turn to veteran RBs
PITTSFORD, N.Y. - PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo's running game will have to survive three games without its star, but the Bills aren't worried about their interim starters.
Marshawn Lynch lost his appeal of his three-game suspension Monday, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell deemed the punishment fair for Lynch pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in California during the offseason.
But just because the Bills won't have the Pro Bowl back who describes his punishing style as "Beast Mode," don't expect them to go into panic mode.
To carry the running game in Lynch's absence, Buffalo will count on two versatile veteran backs — Fred Jackson and newly acquired Dominic Rhodes.
A former practice squad player, Jackson filled in admirably for Lynch the past two seasons, twice rushing for more than 100 yards in a game, including last year's finale when he gained 136 yards on 27 carries vs. New England.
The Bills signed him to a contract extension in the offseason after he rushed for 571 yards and caught 37 passes for 317 yards in 2008.
Rhodes spent the past eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, starting 33 of 96 games. Like Jackson, he is coming off an impressive season in which he rushed for 538 yards, caught 45 passes for 302 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Barring injury, Jackson is scheduled to start the season opener against the Patriots in New England on Sept. 14. But Rhodes also is expected to see plenty of action.
"Just the way the reps are going, I would say that I'm the guy right now, but he's definitely going to get his opportunities, too," said Jackson, who graduated from Coe College, alma mater of legendary former Bills coach Marv Levy.
"It's going to be a running back by committee thing right now. We're both just holding it down to make sure we get through those games and get (Lynch) back. Then, we'll see how things go from there."
Jackson said he wasn't bothered in the least when he heard the Bills had signed Rhodes as an unrestricted free agent.
"He's a playmaker, and we can use as much help as possible," Jackson said. "With both of us being from Texas, we have a lot in common. We compete against each other, but it's a friendly competition. Having him here just brings more reference and experience into that running backs room. I'm excited about the opportunity to play with him."
Rhodes was a clutch player for the Colts. His finest moment came in the 2007 Super Bowl, when he rushed for 113 yards in Indianapolis' win over the Chicago Bears.
He was disappointed that Indianapolis let him go, but is excited about his new team. Rhodes is particularly enthusiastic about the no-huddle offense the Bills are installing.
"Guys are getting more confident in this new approach," said Rhodes, who excelled in a similar offense run by Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. "I think we are going to expose a lot of people, and we're going to keep some guys off balance. They're going to have to play us in a whole different way."
Lynch was suspended after pleading guilty in March to a misdemeanor gun charge in Culver City, Calif. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and three years probation. He was arrested on Feb. 11 after police searched a parked car the player was in and found a 9mm semiautomatic handgun inside a backpack in the trunk. Police also found four marijuana cigarettes in the car, but no drug charges were filed.
It was Lynch's second run-in with the law following a hit-and run-accident in Buffalo in May 2008. A month later, he pleaded guilty to a traffic violation and admitted to driving off after striking a female pedestrian with his car near Buffalo's downtown bar district.
Lynch apologized for both incidents and had hoped Goodell would reduce his suspension, but the appeal was denied. He can play in the preseason but must sit out the first three regular-season games. Lynch will be eligible to play at Miami on Oct. 4.
"We are disappointed," Bills coach Dick Jauron said. "Obviously, we lose a real good football player for three games, but, hopefully, Marshawn has learned a good deal from it."
In the meantime, Jauron is confident Jackson and Rhodes can do the job.
"They are both very tough guys, very smart guys," he said. "They're guys that we are going to need very badly."
NOTES: Starting right offensive tackle Brad Butler left practice with a back injury. Jauron said he was told by the training staff that it wasn't expected to be long term. Kirk Chambers, who started briefly at the position last season, took Butler's place ... Cornerback Leodis McKelvin sat out practice to rest his sore quadriceps muscle.
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