Coe’s Fred Jackson cut by Buffalo Bills

Fred Jackson, who went from being an undrafted running back out of Coe College to a stalwart for the Buffalo Bills, was waived by the Bills Monday.

Jackson had been with Buffalo since 2007, amassing 5,646 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns in 106 games. He rushed for 1,062 yards in 2009. He also had 2,640 receiving yards and seven catches for TDs.

His story has been extremely unlikely. His Coe career ended in 2002 and he wasn't selected in the 2003 NFL draft. He tried out for three NFL clubs, but that got nowhere. He played for the Sioux City Bandits in minor-league indoor football in 2004 and 2005, then got a shot with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe in ‘06.

From there came a training camp invitation to the Bills, and Jackson made his first NFL start during the 2007 season. He gradually became one of the franchise's most-popular players.

His effectiveness didn't wane as he got older. Just two years ago, he had 1,283 yards from scrimmage and scored 10 touchdowns.

He had a nagging hamstring injury this season, and the Bills' off-season acquisition of LeSean McCoy from the Philadelphia Eagles apparently made Jackson more expendable. But he rushed five times for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Bills' 43-19 preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Saturday night.

'Death. Taxes. And Fred Jackson carrying the ball in Buffalo's backfield. Some things never change, even with Hurricane Rex sweeping through Western New York.” That was written by Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News Saturday night after thata game.

Jackson is the Bills' third-leading rusher in franchise history, behind Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and O.J. Simpson.