Rhodes ready to shine with Buffalo Bills
Free agent RB gives team more flexibility on offense
Dominic Rhodes admits that as he lined up for his first play of training camp with his new team, the Buffalo Bills, the scenery in front of him looked a bit odd.
Namely, where did No. 18 go?
For seven of his eight NFL seasons, Rhodes played for the Indianapolis Colts. That meant quarterback Peyton Manning was either handing him the ball, throwing it to him or relying on his block on a blitzing linebacker.
Nothing lasts forever, though. While Manning is still calling the shots for the Colts, Rhodes joined the Bills’ backfield from the free-agent market.
He’s anxious for the new beginning, one where Trent Edwards will play the part of Manning in running the offense.
“Five is cool; we can work with 5,” Rhodes said of Edwards and the QB’s jersey number. “Number 18, that was my brother for years; but it is what it is. Now I have Trent.”
He’s hoping that in just a few short weeks, Edwards will be saying he now has Rhodes.
Coming off one of his most productive seasons, the 5-foot-9, 203-pound Rhodes signed with the Bills in April. At age 30, he’s out to prove he’s far from finished.
Marshawn Lynch is clearly the No. 1 running back — or will be once he serves his three-game suspension for off-field, off-season transgressions — but Rhodes didn’t come to Buffalo to be a spare part.
“When they take me out I want them to be ready to put me right back in,” said Rhodes, one of just two Bills with a Super Bowl ring (with the Colts in 2006; linebacker Kawika Mitchell with the New York Giants in 2007 is the other). “I want the coaches to know that when they give Dominic Rhodes an opportunity, he’s going to show up and shine.”
With the Colts in 2008, Rhodes rushed 152 times for 538 yards and 6 touchdowns. He averaged 3.5 yards per carry. He also caught 45 passes for 302 yards (6.7 average) and 3 TDs.
That ability to catch passes and run is what Bills coach Dick Jauron likes.
“He played in a fast-paced system (with the Colts),” Jauron said. “He’s very, very quick and very elusive in the open field.”
Jauron spoke as though Rhodes’ blocking ability is somewhat of a concern. He’s a bit undersized when it comes to taking on defensive linemen or linebackers.
“He knows how to play,” Jauron said. “He’s not a giant man so protection, I won’t say it’s a problem, but you know those guys that come in to pressure in our league will sometimes have him outmanned. But he’s a very tough guy, a hard-nosed guy.”
Essentially Jauron seemed to say Rhodes will be a receiver, not a blocker, in obvious passing situations.
Rhodes could, of course, change perceptions. Especially in the first three games when Lynch isn’t allowed to play. He and incumbent Fred Jackson must be productive.
“In those three games I want to leave no doubt that I’m here to make a difference,” Rhodes said. “Those games are big.”
