Bills cutting Jackson put Aaron Williams

Bills safety Aaron Williams had tears welling in his eyes and Jeremiah Poutasi Jerseywore his emotions on his back upon learning the team had cut Fred Jackson. Rather than wear his blue No. 23 jersey for practice, Williams hit the field wearing Jackson's No. 22 white jersey - with Jackson's name printed on the back - to pay tribute to the veteran running back, who was among 11 players released by the Bills on Monday. ''It's just like having ahttp://www.titansnflofficialproshop.com/Authentic-Jonathan-Massaquoi-Jersey brother be gone,'' Williams said. ''To me, Fred was the Governor of Buffalo. Everybody looked up to him,'' he added. ''It's a deep blow for us in the locker room and people in the community. But at the same time, we can't dwell on it. I can't dwell on it. Nobody else can dwell on it. We've still got a season to get ready for.'' For the first time in nine years, the Bills will open the season minus Jackson, a respected team leader whose blue-collar approach and perseverance made him a fan favorite. The Bills' decision was a mild surprise after Buffalo restocked its group of running backs by acquiring LeSean McCoy http://www.titansnflofficialproshop.com/Authentic-Jurrell-Casey-Jerseyin a trade with Philadelphia this offseason. And yet that didn't make it an easy decision for general manager Doug Whaley, who referred to Jackson as ''the heart and soul of the Buffalo Bills.'' ''A decision like this doesn't come lightly,'' Whaley said, noting he even consulted with team owners Terry and Kim Pegula. ''Everybody was on board, reluctantly, because of the magnitude of this player, and what he means not only to the Buffalo Bills but to the community of Buffalo. Whaley said Jackson was expendable in part because of the Bills depth at the position, and the $2.35 million base salary he was scheduled to make in the final year of his contract. Jackson didn't return aDoug Martin Jersey message left on his cellphone, but did post a message on his Twitter account in which he thanked Bills fans for their support. He ended the note by writing: ''The Old Man isn't done yet!!'' Rex Ryan called it one of the toughest cuts he's made in seven seasons as a head coach. And he acknowledged that the Bills roster is weakened without Jackson. ''I'm not going to say that we're a better team because Fred Jackson's no longer here. I certainly don't believe that,'' Ryan said. ''But it's part of the process. ... Sometimes you can't everybody you want to keep.'' The Bills' depth chart at running back includes Boobie Dixon, http://www.buccaneersofficialauthentic.com/Authentic-Evan-Dietrichsmith-JerseyBryce Brown and hard-hitting rookie fifth-round draft pick, Karlos Williams. The cuts were made two days after Jackson made his preseason debut in a 43-19 preseason win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. After missing three weeks with a hamstring injury, Jackson was greeted by loud chants of ''Freddie!'' when he was introduced among the starters. On the first play from scrimmage, Jackson broke off on a 41-yard run, and scored on a 1-yard dive two plays later. The offseason additions left Jackson aware that his days in Buffalo might be numbered.