Fred Jackson: ‘Definitely good to have a veteran’ in Buffalo Bills huddle

Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills told CBS Sports Network’s Jim Rome he could notice a difference Sunday with veteran quarterback Kyle Orton in the huddle.

A week ago, Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson defended second-year quarterback EJ Manuel, citing poor pass protection.

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But after the Bills knocked off the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Jackson was

singing

the praises of Manuel’s replacement, Kyle Orton.

"“[Orton] did a tremendous job for us in the huddle,” Jackson told CBS Sports Network’s Jim Rome on ROME. “Definitely good to have a veteran out there, telling us what he was seeing on defense. He made some plays and put some guys in a position to make plays.”"

Jackson hesitated when asked if he was all right with the decision to bench Manuel and start Orton, but said everyone—including Manuel—was OK with the change.

"“I mean … it’s one of those things where you definitely want to make your coach right,” Jackson said. “He said what he was going to do and we all got behind him, including EJ. It’s definitely not a position he wants to be in. No one likes to be sat down and told they aren’t getting the job done.“But at the same time, this is about the team and we want to do whatever we can to get us a victory. And that was putting Kyle in at quarterback.”"

Jackson understands what it’s like to be replaced—he’s been in Buffalo long enough to have had to compete with draft picks Marshawn Lynch and C.J. Spiller.

So Jackson reached out to the young quarterback.

"“I did reach out. It’s not something you want to deal with as a player, being told you didn’t get the job done and we’re going to look to someone else. That can be very frustrating.“I just wanted to make sure he was OK. He’s just like any other player. He didn’t like it but he wants to win games. He’s going to continue to come to work, bust his butt and be that player we want him to be down the road.”"

Jackson has 202 yards on 43 carries this season and has also caught 26 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown.

Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills told CBS Sports Network’s Jim Rome he could notice a difference Sunday with veteran quarterback Kyle Orton in the huddle.

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