Buffalo Bills Offseason: Fred Jackson Extension Another Step in Right Direction

The Buffalo Bills began the 2011 regular season by jumping out to a surprising 5-2 record before watching injuries to key players, lack of a pass-rush and erratic play at the quarterback position doom their shot at the playoffs.  

Bills owner Ralph Wilson apparently liked what he saw last year, spending big to keep the core of his team together and improve in areas where the team was deficient. 

First, there was the big extension given to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Of course, almost directly after signing it, Fitzpatrick's play took a nose dive. The team hopes that has more to do with him reportedly playing through cracked ribs than any complacency that may have settled in after getting paid. 

Earlier this offseason, Wilson broke the bank by reeling in top defensive free agent Mario Williams with a potential $100 million deal and followed it up by shelling out big bucks to defensive end Mark Anderson. 

The Bills also kept wide receiver Stevie Johnson in the fold by giving him $19.5 million guaranteed in a five-year deal that could be worth up to $36.25 million.

And earlier today, as first reported by Bleacher Report's own Chris Trapasso, the Bills signed veteran running back Fred Jackson to a two-year extension for a reported $8 million plus incentives. 

While giving any running back that is in his 30s a contract extension is dubious at best and cap-wrecking at worst, two more years at roughly $4 million-per is a decent price for a back who was arguably the best running back in the league prior to injury in 2011. 

I really like what the Bills have done this offseason. Continuity on the offensive side of the ball is one of the more important aspects of building a winner in today's NFL. Ralph Wilson, GM Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey appear to have gotten the message.