Is Fred Jackson retiring?

I have assumed all along that he was retiring, but haven't heard anything to confirm. If he doesn't retire, was his blocking and catching ability worth enough to bring him back? If he moves on (and Lynch does too), I think we'll need a veteran RB skilled at picking up blitzes instead of a draft pick. Rawls and Michael don't offer enough experience at the position, IMO.

Just for purposes of discussion. Michael's contract is up at the end of the league year.

Basis4day":3fn1n7qb said:

Just for purposes of discussion. Michael's contract is up at the end of the league year.

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But he's also a RFA so we could tender him if we so choose. Not saying we will, but the ball is in our court.

Here's the problem I see with going after a good, solid veteran. Anyone who's still a good player is going to command maybe around $4 million. We'll be eating around $5 million in dead cap money on Lynch as I understand it even if he's not here. The total investment in a veteran at the position then would be around $9 million. That's approaching the cap hit on just keeping Lynch.

If Lynch decides to not retire and play next year, and we cut him, it makes no sense to me from a financial standpoint to then go out and get a good veteran running back. If we're going to cut Lynch for cap reasons, it only makes sense to find RB depth on the cheap, which would mean the draft or a scrap heap guy. Otherwise, you might as well keep Beast.

kidhawk":2i1lknrq said:

Basis4day":2i1lknrq said:

Just for purposes of discussion. Michael's contract is up at the end of the league year.

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But he's also a RFA so we could tender him if we so choose. Not saying we will, but the ball is in our court.

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I believe he would be an EFA IIR some commentary around here. Technicality, I guess, but it stills leaves us with a hold on him if we want to match any offers.

As for Fred, I think I would like to keep him as a 3rd down back if something doesn't pop up in the draft/TC/pre-season. Seems like the kind of guy you want on your team, and I think he would still be hungry for that elusive ring. He might want one more stab, and he contributed a lot to the team as a 3rd down back IMHO. Obviously, money is a question to be worked out, but I still think he could contribute.

It's up to Jackson, but I would think he'd come back if Seattle asked him. If he retired and Seattle won it all next season, I imagine that would bum him out.

Personally, I see no reason to not bring him back. Age has yet to diminish his blocking and receiving ability, and as a runner he's still competent.

What I like about him is the group at RB will be really young. A respected vet can help a lot. Look what MRob did. He seemed like a true pro

Eh, maybe for a veteran minimum contract to compete in camp.

Honestly I love Jackson, he seems like a really good dude, family man, and great teammate.........but the quickness and allusiveness that was his thing in Buffalo seemed to be gone here.

Me thinks his friendship and mentorship with Lynch seemed to be the biggest reason we brought Jackson in, much like Mike Rob, Pete and John wanted a veteran that Lynch connected with to kind of keep him in check.

Jackson stays. He still is the fastest guy on the team from the stop sign to the planter box.

Jackson has to be gone. They need an upgrade at the 3rd down/receiving back position. Hoping the kid from UCLA gets drafted by Seattle but regardless I think they make an effort to get a little more dynamic at that position.

I love Jackson so this isn't a knock on him.

OMG why would we bring him back. He is a superior blocker but arguably the slowest player on the field.

Erebus":3o8zceq9 said:

I have assumed all along that he was retiring, but haven't heard anything to confirm. If he doesn't retire, was his blocking and catching ability worth enough to bring him back? If he moves on (and Lynch does too), I think we'll need a veteran RB skilled at picking up blitzes instead of a draft pick. Rawls and Michael don't offer enough experience at the position, IMO.

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Some free agent options for 3rd down RB are Bobby Rainey, Jacquizz Rodgers, Lance Dunbar(if healthy), Knowshon Moreno(if healthy). All these guys should be relatively cheap to sign.

I agree there are better options or at least younger at this point.