Rhodes Ready to Help Bills

ORCHARD PARK, NY (WIVB) - New Bills running back Dominic Rhodes is excited to join the Bills, and believes he will help the team beyond Marshawn Lynch's suspension.  Rhodes was introduced in Orchard Park Monday, after agreeing to a contract on Friday.  The former Colt will provide depth at the Bills running back spot.

That depth will be tested for the first three games, while Lynch is on NFL suspension.  Rhodes will compete with Fred Jackson to be the starter, a job Dominic believes he will win.

Asked about his role when Lynch returns in Week 4, Rhodes says he plays to make such a good impression that the coaches will find it hard to take him off the field.

"When I get in the game, I try to give them a reason not to take me out," said Rhodes, "and a reason to keep putting me back in.  The first three games is definitely a plus, and anything after that...hopefully things will still be pretty good."

Rhodes, an eight year veteran, is a versatile back who can also catch the ball.  Despite a productive 2008 with Indy, Rhodes remained unsigned.  That's why he called himself  "an angry little guy" and plans to play with that chip on his shoulder. 

Despite running for 538 yards with 45 catches and 6 touchdowns, Rhodes did not know why the Colts did not bring him back.  He believes off the field troubles two years ago (drunk driving arrest) may have scared away other NFL teams.  He was also arrested for a domestic distrubance in 2002.  Rhodes says he is conscience of those issues, and how the Bills are sensitive to character problems in light of Lynch's suspension.

Rhodes spent all of his career with Indy, except for a 2007 season in Oakland.

For those interested, his first name is pronounced "dom-in-EEK."