RENTON, Wash. (AP) The instant Fred Jackson got word he was being released by the Buffalo Bills he made a brief phone call to the West Coast.
The recipient was Marshawn Lynch and the request was to put in a good word with Seahawks management that Seattle would be a preferred destination for the free agent.
A week later, Jackson participated in his first practice with the Seahawks on Monday with the expectation he’ll play on Sunday when Seattle opens the season at St. Louis.
”I think he’s going to give us some real secure play,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. ”Right now, coming out of the backfield and doing some things for us that we need some help on, so I think he hits at a good time for us.”
Jackson’s signing finished off a weekend of tinkering with the roster that included trading for safety Kelcie McCray from Kansas City and sending running back Christine Michael to Dallas in return for a conditional draft pick. The trade of Michael cleared the roster spot for Jackson’s one-year deal.
Jackson let Lynch put in a good word for him and once his name hit the NFL waiver wire, the Seahawks were the first team to call. Others called as well, but Seattle was where Jackson wanted to be from the start.
”The best thing that could have happened to me happened. I got to come to a great organization with open arms and I’m here now and I’m excited about it,” Jackson said.
The relationship between Jackson and Lynch dates to their time together in Buffalo. They’ve been close friends since 2007, when both broke into the NFL with the Bills. Lynch was Buffalo’s first-round pick and Jackson made the Bills roster after spending the previous year on the team’s practice squad.
The two shared starting duties during the 2009 season and Jackson took over as the starter after the Bills traded Lynch to Seattle.
”He’s definitely somebody that I will get the layout of the land and stuff like that,” Jackson said. ”He’ll be at my house playing with my kids and I’ll treat him just like he’s one of them. He’s definitely going to be that guy I put my arm around and treat like a little brother.”
Jackson will primarily be used as a third-down back for the Seahawks because of his pass blocking and pass receiving skill. He’ll also be used in earlier downs to give Lynch a break.
At 34, Jackson was the league’s oldest running back last season, but the Bills restocked their backfield by acquiring LeSean McCoy in a trade with Philadelphia in March. Jackson was also set to make a $2.5 million base salary in the final season of his contract, which was deemed expensive for a backup.
Jackson’s 5,646 yards rushing rank third in Bills history; he is fourth with 30 touchdowns rushing. Jackson was highly complimentary of the fans that showed their support after Jackson was released.
”The reactions I got form them was something that as a player you hope to get,” Jackson said.
The trade for McCray was to add depth with experience in the secondary. Seattle will start Dion Bailey at strong safety on Sunday with Kam Chancellor continuing to hold out, but wanted to add another option that has at least some NFL experience. McCray has played in 17 games spending one season each in Miami, Tampa Bay and Kansas City.
Seattle continues to prepare as though Chancellor will remain absent. Carroll confirmed a couple of teams have called to see if Chancellor might be available via trade.
”There have been a couple of phone calls from other teams, people just kind of wondering what is going on,” Carroll said. ”We’re really not interested in talking to them about that, so we just don’t.”
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