Rex Ryan is the one to get us over the hump
Running back Fred Jackson has been with the Bills for the last nine years and he’s seen a lot of coaches come through the organization in that time.
The last of those coaches was Doug Marrone, who opted out of his contract after two years this month. Jackson, a Bills captain in 2014, said on PFT Live Wednesday that he received a mass text from Marrone about his decision and hasn’t heard anything else from the coach about his choice to leave the Bills.
The 2014 Buffalo Bills had their best record in the past decade, finishing with a 9-7 mark. The Bills finished on a high note with a 17-9 road victory over the New England Patriots on December 28. Head coach Doug Marrone had a three-day out clause in his contract, in which he could resign and still collect his full 2015 salary. Marrone exercised the out clause and resigned on December 31, 2014.
Fred Jackson said it was "like getting punched in the stomach." It took 12 days for the upset feeling to go away. The Bills hired the outspoken Rex Ryan who has been loyal in his NFL career. Rex has had two stops in 15 years. The first nine were spent with the Baltimore Ravens under successful head coaches, Brian Billick and John Harbaugh. The last six years were consumed chasing the New England Patriots as head coach of the New York Jets.
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"That's hilarious!" Jets' DT Sheldon Richardson told the New York Post when asked about his reaction to Ryan being hired as the new coach of the Bills. "And to be able to face him two times a year? I can't wait."
Before Fred Jackson gets too excited about the hiring of Rex Ryan, he should realize that his new head coach has not proven that he can build a topnotch offense. The Jets in 2014 ranked 22nd in total offense. Ryan's focus has been on defense. His plan for the opponent has always been "whatever you do best, we're going to take away from you." On offense, Rex struggled mightily in 2011 when he tried to isolate himself from offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's system. The "hands off" approach produced an 8-8 record.
The first move by Rex Ryan as head coach of the Buffalo Bills was to hire offensive coordinator Greg Roman from the San Francisco 49ers. With the uncertain status of Bills' free agent RB C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson should be thrilled with the hiring of Roman. Greg's plan has been to have his team lead the NFL in rushing and Jackson should be ready for plenty of carries.
“Teams usually take on the persona of their coaches." Fred Jackson says Rex Ryan is the one we need to get us over the hump. He can't wait to get started.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy
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