Saturday, February 9, 2013

'Highly-motivated' Jackson says he's 100 percent

BY NICK ST. DENIS

A month ago, Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson said he was at best "80 percent healthy" during the 2012 season. But Jackson insists that number is back up.

Jackson, who missed extended chunks of last season with two knee injuries and a concussion, expects to be cleared "to do everything" when he meets with a doctor next week. (photo: Alan Kotok, Flickr)

“I’m doing some lifting now," the veteran running back told The John Murphy Show Friday night. "I’m 100-percent, I feel like it. I don’t anticipate any kind of drawbacks or anything before I get cleared by the doctors next week.”

“... I didn’t play well at all this season. And on top of that, to get hurt, is not a good feeling. I’ll be highly motivated going into this season."

Jackson may feel 100 percent, but he certainly won't take anywhere near that percentage of reps for the Bills in 2013 as long as fellow tailback C.J. Spiller is healthy. Spiller is the Bills' best player and a guy who has the potential to be a top-three -- or at least a top-five -- back in the NFL.

Buffalo's former head coach Chan Gailey had a tough time managing the timeshare in the backfield, but Spiller showed more than enough last season to prove that he should enter the season as the team's clear-cut No. 1 running back.

“If that’s what it is, us sharing reps, we have no problems with that,” Jackson said. “I don’t have a problem with that. I’m looking forward going out there and making the best of my opportunities whenever I get on the field, I’m sure C.J.’s the same way. Whatever we can do to get a win, we’re going to do, that’s what we’re about.”

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