CJ Spiller to get about 12 carries per game

[SouthGeorgiaBillsFan]

He wasn't my choice at the spot either. But we have to see if he can become a pro player. No basis to judge the pick until he gets on the field. All we know so far, is that he seems a very decent young lad with a head screwed on straight.

 

If I were the coaches, and saw an inkling of his college performance on an NFL field, I'd be running him 30 or so times a game, to see if he's the real deal. A rb with a good set of wheels and shifty moves does help an OL...or a qb.

 

All we can do is to stay tuned and see what happens.

 

Guys when we already have a big bruising back and a good overall back it doesn't make any sense to run a small shifty back 30 times a game. Especially considering our offensive line, I think that 12 carries and 15-18 touches for a rookie back who is small and quick is just about a great compliment to what we have in the backfield, and it plays into Trent's tendency to check down, which is pretty obviously why they drafted him (and kind of makes it a no-brainer as to who the new regime believes the starting QB is going to be).

 

Actually 12 carries a game would be great if we only had Fred or Marshawn. I really don't see him getting that many carries unless we move one of those two guys. Expect to see him in passing situations predominantly and probably carrying the smallest load of the running game and almost certainly not starting at the position.

[sabres...yawn]

Yes but he "adds excitement."

 

Right....

the Bills don't need any of that.

 

[nucci]

Awesome. So our 9th round overall pick, the third first round RB we've taken in the past six years, won't even get 50% of the snaps?

 

But he's fast. So it's okay.

Right, because we know in May that all this is decided and won't change. And it's true because ESPN said it. I think the Bills plan on winning 10 games this year. Doesn't mean it's going to happen.

[Thurman#1]

Apparently Clayton opined about this during his Inside the Huddle report yesterday…you have to scroll down, there's no permalink.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/sportscenter/post/...e-the-huddle-16

 

His quote: "TRENT EDWARDS BACKUP PLAN: C.J. Spiller showed amazing quickness last weekend at the Bills' rookie mini-camp, but coach Chan Gailey still has to determine how much to use him in a crowded backfield that also has Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson. Early thoughts are to get Spiller about a dozen carries a game, meaning his main role could be catching passes, particularly screens and check-down throws that play into Trent Edwards' strengths."

 

I became aware of the Clayton quote because of this: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...110&id=5566

 

And what Rotoworld took away from Clayton's quote: "According to ESPN's John Clayton, the Bills' current plan is to give C.J. Spiller around 12 carries per game. Fred Jackson will be so difficult to take off the field on early downs that this may even be an optimistic projection for the No. 9 overall pick. Spiller should wind up with 15-18 overall touches per week, including catches and return chances. He's just not going to be a workhorse in Buffalo."

 

And of course I became aware of the Rotoworld report because of the link on the best one-stop shopping site for NFL News…ProFootballTalk:

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/...-one-liners-63/

 

Anyways, there you have it. Informed speculation that Spiller will get about 15-18 touches per game. I'm okay with the Spiller pick and have been. But it's interesting to draft a player in the first round who will play a limited number of snaps per game.

 

Keep in mind that the average NFL game has about 65 offensive snaps per team. I'm guessing between offense and special teams, that Spiller will be on the field for about 30 of those plays.

 

I do not mean to "sheet disturb" but it is interesting to put Spiller's anticipated contributions in this context.

 

 

 

Yeah, people have been saying this since he was drafted.

[ChasBB]

Since when is dumping the ball off to your safety valve because you cannot or will not try to get the ball to your receivers a "strength"? LOL

[PushthePile]

Since when is dumping the ball off to your safety valve because you cannot or will not try to get the ball to your receivers a "strength"? LOL

Eliminate that and he doesn't have a single strength.

[auburnbillsbacker]

I think if Spiller carries the ball 12 times a game, returns kicks, and averages 4-5 receptions per game you can justify the pick. Especially if he is the "special player" that Nix and Galley think he his. His return yards should shorten the field for the offense. You would also hope that he could help the offense by breaking 1-2 long runs or receptions a game.

[Nanker]

I'm more interested in how many touchdowns the kid will have.

Maybe he can reintroduce Marshawn to the endzone. Freddy too for that matter.

Maybe he can hang onto the damn ball when returning kicks against the Cheaters.

That'd be a real plus right there too.

 

This kid's got a chance to be compared to Walter Payton and Gayle Sayers.

Lynch's got a chance to be compared to Booker Moore and Greg Bell.

[BuffaloBillsMagic1]

I'd get him 12 to 15 carries and 5 receptions every game out of the backfield. What would be so hard about this? I'd sit him on STs and use simpson or mckelvin for KOs and Parrish/mckelvin for PRs.

[Canadian Bills Fan]

This is a dumb question but when they say 15 touches, does that just mean handoffs? If not maybe he will get 15 handoffs as well as some receptions

[Sabre Bill]

Plus there's the difference between snaps and touches. If he shows himself to be a homerun hitter, then just being on the field is valuable -- and improves the chances/production of the workhorses.

 

Checking-down may become my favorite play call?!

[kenneuf]

Spiller's too small to be an every down back. His body won't take the pounding. He'll be a tremendous assett 3rd down when we need to get between 4-8 yards. The closest players to him of recent vintage are Warrick Dunn and Reggie Bush.

Yeah, no way he could possibly possibly play at Thurman Thomas size. No way.

[Lurker]

Yeah, no way he could possibly possibly play at Thurman Thomas size. No way.

Or Walter Payton, Tony Dorsett, Barry Sanders...

[uforesircher]

then it's a good thing clayton's not running the offense - i am hoping he gets closer to 18 carries a game + thrown to 5-7 times a game + any return touches he gets - imo that would put us in a better competitive position.

 

he has the ability to take it all the way every time he touches the ball - gm nix and coach gailey know this already though

[uforesircher]

Yes but he "adds excitement."

 

idiotically negative at best

[muffmonster]

Since when is dumping the ball off to your safety valve because you cannot or will not try to get the ball to your receivers a "strength"? LOL

 

That is what I was wondering. The most basic requirements of your job (throwing the ball 5 yards) can not be considered a strength.

[LABills08]

Well, Clayton is entitled to his opinion. Fair enough.

 

If Spiller is moving the ball on the ground well, I'll run him 30+ times. If you pay for a horse, and it turns out to be a good one - ride it.

 

Ride it into the ground?

[yungmack]

Because of Spiller's perceived ability to "take it to the house" every time he touches the ball, just having him on the field is going to screw with the defenders minds. I could see the Bills having Lynch, Jackson and Spiller on the field at the same time, with Spiller split out or in motion. The D is going to have to put one of its better players on Spiller, which should open it up for the receivers, including the TE. So whether he get 10 or 15 or 25 touches per game, his mere presence on the field should make the Bills offense substantially better.

[EastRochBillsfan]

Awesome. So our 9th round overall pick, the third first round RB we've taken in the past six years, won't even get 50% of the snaps?

 

But he's fast. So it's okay.

 

It's about quality, not quantity.

 

Guys when we already have a big bruising back and a good overall back it doesn't make any sense to run a small shifty back 30 times a game. Especially considering our offensive line, I think that 12 carries and 15-18 touches for a rookie back who is small and quick is just about a great compliment to what we have in the backfield, and it plays into Trent's tendency to check down, which is pretty obviously why they drafted him (and kind of makes it a no-brainer as to who the new regime believes the starting QB is going to be).

 

Actually 12 carries a game would be great if we only had Fred or Marshawn. I really don't see him getting that many carries unless we move one of those two guys. Expect to see him in passing situations predominantly and probably carrying the smallest load of the running game and almost certainly not starting at the position.

 

You had me till the "plays into Trent tendency" and beyond stuff. I have to believe Gailey when he said it wasn't lip service that the qb competition was open. Spiller will help ANY qb with his skills. To me , THAT's why it was a no brainer.

 

Right....

the Bills don't need any of that.

 

 

Nice use of sarscasm!........I'm with ya bro!

 

I'd get him 12 to 15 carries and 5 receptions every game out of the backfield. What would be so hard about this? I'd sit him on STs and use simpson or mckelvin for KOs and Parrish/mckelvin for PRs.

 

What do you mean SIT him on STeams? It sounds like you are saying don't use him for returns which would be defeating the purpose. he is a dangerous weapon that should be used in anyway that will help. I would like to think that this will be a big part of his game.

[Chandler#81]

This is a dumb question but when they say 15 touches, does that just mean handoffs? If not maybe he will get 15 handoffs as well as some receptions

 

 

This is more to my thinking.

 

'15' touches can come from anywhere. Don't forget, 15 touches doesn't mean 15 plays. He's a game-changer and just being on the field will draw LB's to his every move, creating attack zones elsewhere. The guy was the preeminent offensive player in the Draft and absolutely the BPA @ the 9th pick. Can't honestly argue the pick and have any cred, IMO.