(A new, quick weekday feature in which BSD’s Patrick Moran hits on three topics etched in his floundering mind before handing off to you)
First: Fred Jackson’s season came to an unceremonious end following a LCL knee sprain suffered Sunday against the Rams. He’ll go on Injured Reserve today. This ends a forgetful season for Jackson, both physically and mentally.
Jackson injured his knee twice this season and also missed with a weak after suffering a concussion against New England. Perhaps coupled with the mental weight of sharing touches with C.J. Spiller, Jackson had a forgetful 2012 campaign. He averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry and tied a career-worst with five fumbles, including four lost fumbles—the most of his career.
His future in Buffalo could be tied into who the head coach is in 2013. Chan Gailey clearly has an emotional connection to Jackson and frankly, trusts him more than Spiller on the field. If Gailey stays there’s no reason to suspect Jackson won’t return as well. But if Gailey is let go and a new coach enters the mix, he could and should decide it’s time for Spiller to be the man in Buffalo. That could spell the end of Jackson, unless he’s ready to embrace a true backup role.
Second: I’ve been pretty rough on Bills safety George Wilson over the past 24 hours. Wilson is a great guy and has been a solid overachiever throughout his tenure here, but I have to stand by what I said—despite all the messes surrounding Gailey, C.J. Spiller, Dave Wannstedt and everything else, Wilson has largely escaped wholesale criticism.
Maybe Wilson has developed a case of the yips this season because here’s the bottom line— if he could catch the football the Bills would be 7-6 and tied for the sixth seed in the AFC East. Wilson flat-out dropped last drive interceptions against both Tennessee and St. Louis. He makes those plays, and mind you both hit him directly in the hands, and the Bills win those games.
Sure, there’s plenty of reasons why the Bills were even in close games when they could’ve blown both teams out. Gailey coached scared, Fitzpatrick missed the target, dumb penalties and turnovers generated the headlines. But still, despite all that if Wilson doesn’t drop two gift interceptions, it’s a whole new ball game for Buffalo over the final three weeks.
Wilson doesn’t have a pick this season after having four last year and 10 over the past three campaigns. Something is definitely wrong with him.
Third: I know there aren’t a ton of high school basketball fans that frequent Buffalo Sports Daily, but it’s worth noting a pair of outstanding games taking place tonight in the same building. Perennial powers Jamestown clashes with Catholic standout St. Joe’s at 6pm, and following that could be a matchup between the two best teams in Western New York. Canisius is the top-ranked large school in WNY and will take on Olean, the top-ranked small school. Take my word for it, if you like seeing talent at this level perform, then St. Mary’s high school is the place to be starting at 6:00pm.
