Gailey may not necessarily use a RB committee?

[Stevie Ray]

Maybe no 3 headed monster attack?

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/...ds-by-committee

[Dorkington]

I saw this... and... well I wouldn't be surprised if Jackson is our main RB, with Spiller being a 3rd down/slot/combo guys and Lynch getting the backup carries.

 

IMHO (I'm obviously no football genius), I think it'd be a mistake to not use 3 of our most skilled players as much as possible. But I trust that Chan probably knows more about this than I do.

 

Also, just looking at the author's examples... this RB set is much different than Chan's previous teams, who all had a *clear* number 1 guy at the position. This team has 3 guys that could probably start on many teams.

[JPicc2114]

Disagree, what Tim forgot to mention is that Chan Gailey has never had backup running backs of this calliber.

[Typical TBD Guy]

I could see Gailey doing this:

 

1. Jackson as the RB getting the bulk of the carries

2. Lynch playing more of a hybrid RB/FB role who sees carries on 3rd-and-short and red zone packages

3. Spiller playing more of a hybrid RB/second WR role who sees carries on 3rd-and-long and various gadget/reverse plays.

 

I'd go so far as to say that all 3 should be in the offense's base formation in the aforementioned roles. Wouldn't you rather see more of Lynch than McIntyre? More of Spiller than Johnson/Hardy/Parrish?

[Green Lightning]

Spiller is an unproven (and unsigned) rookie. Don't anoint him yet - the history of touted 1st rounders that turned out to be a waste is there.

 

 

Just like Chris Henry was unproven.....until he proved himself by getting the ball.

 

Spiller has 21 touchdowns of 50 or more yards! How do you keep that on the bench? I gotta believe Gailey is going to pound Marshawn and Jackson and give CJ 12 to 16 touches a game in some form to start with. If he does what he did in college you gotta hand the ball and let him run

[uncle flap]

Just like Chris Henry was unproven.....until he proved himself by getting the ball.

 

Spiller has 21 touchdowns of 50 or more yards! How do you keep that on the bench? I gotta believe Gailey is going to pound Marshawn and Jackson and give CJ 12 to 16 touches a game in some form to start with. If he does what he did in college you gotta hand the ball and let him run

 

chris johnson?

[starrymessenger]

Spiller is an unproven (and unsigned) rookie. Don't anoint him yet - the history of touted 1st rounders that turned out to be a waste is there.

 

CJ will not fail. Take it to the bank.

[Green Lightning]

chris johnson?

 

 

Yeesh sorry. Bad typo. Chris Johnson.

[uncle flap]

also, even though i'm all for using all three backs, one thing about a fairly evenly 3-way split of the workload concerns me:

 

marshawn seems to need to "get into the groove" to really be effective, and by limiting his consecutive carries i don't think he's likely to reach his beast-mode potential. i know, i know... all running backs usually are better the more carries they get, but to me, lynch thrives on a lot of carries and is rather mediocre spelling jackson, or when the bills don't feed him the rock regularly.

[Kelly the Dog]

What a stupid article. If you have a workhorse back and no one else, you ride him. If you have a workhorse back and a good back up, you ride the workhorse and you sprinkle in the good back-up. If you have three good backs and no workhorse, you use all three good backs. Gailey never had a good back-up. And all of those seasons were before the NFL became a two back league a few years ago (if, of course, you have two backs).

 

What a stupid article.

[starrymessenger]

So you reject the fact that he hasn't played a single NFL down against an opponent yet? Wow!

 

I don't reject it. I acknowledge it. IMO you can take it to the bank nevertheless. CJ is no "ordinary superstar". Possibly the best football player drafted this year on either side of the ball. Certainly close to it. There is a reason the Bills almost fell over themselves in their haste to reach the podium. You will see soon enough.

[Malazan]

wow, that article is awful. He didn't talk to anyone, didn't learn anything about the plans just looked at some past stats and made a bunch of stuff up.

 

 

ESPN should just be banned from any conversation on sports. Its quality is lol

[NoSaint]

Spiller is an unproven (and unsigned) rookie. Don't anoint him yet - the history of touted 1st rounders that turned out to be a waste is there.

 

 

I was going to say anointing him and calling him a highly talented back up are very different.... and then the chris johnson references started flying..... touche my friend, it seems you knew what was coming before it was even said.

 

 

That outta the way - I think that real difference maker isnt how talented he thinks the backups are, but how big of a gap he sees between them and the lead. Also never know, lynch has definitely dug himself a hole, but he could come out gang busters in camp and win the starters role. Hes proven he can, he just hasnt proven he wants/needs it.

[In-A-Gadda-Levitre]

What a stupid article. If you have a workhorse back and no one else, you ride him. If you have a workhorse back and a good back up, you ride the workhorse and you sprinkle in the good back-up. If you have three good backs and no workhorse, you use all three good backs. Gailey never had a good back-up. And all of those seasons were before the NFL became a two back league a few years ago (if, of course, you have two backs).

 

What a stupid article.

ya, that's what I thought. A good coach runs what they got and all those stats preceded today's NFL strategies

[Coach55]

As I said in previous threads - if Gailey wants to maximize this roster he will keep 2 backs on the field on 80-90% of the downs. Your typical line-up would see Jackson in the backfield with Spiller motioning almost every down - moving between the slot and the backfield to create mismatches with the defense.

 

Lynch, as he is nowhere near the receiver as the other 2 and should be used as the 3rd man in. When Lynch is in the game, I would look for him to be the feature back and Jackson move into Spiller's "flex" position, Spiller will always be the "flex". This would play to each player's strengths. Assume there are 50 offensive plays, Jackson and Spiller will be on the field for 35-40 each and Lynch 20-25.

[stuckincincy]

As I said in previous threads - if Gailey wants to maximize this roster he will keep 2 backs on the field on 80-90% of the downs.

 

Yet - numerous folks here wax poetic about all this great speed and running a 3-wide set as a base attack etc. Yes - pixie dust can fall and turn this BUF OL into pass and run blockers never seen before. Our QBs will astound the opponents.

[Coach55]

Yet - numerous folks here wax poetic about all this great speed and running a 3-wide set as a base attack etc. Yes - pixie dust can fall and turn this BUF OL into pass and run blockers never seen before. Our QBs will astound the opponents.

I like your Moniker. Only on page 150... haven't gotten to the point where he is introduced.

[nobody]

Disagree, what Tim forgot to mention is that Chan Gailey has never had backup running backs of this calliber.

 

 

Even Chan Gailey himself has stated that fact. He will use all of them in whatever way he feels will help the team the most.

[stuckincincy]

I like your Moniker. Only on page 150... haven't gotten to the point where he is introduced.

 

How nonsensical.

 

Shouldn't you admit that you stole your sig line from one of my posts? tenesseeboy kiped off of me, too.

[Coach55]

How nonsensical.

 

Shouldn't you admit that you stole your sig line from one of my posts? tenesseeboy kiped off of me, too.

I never stole my sig line off one of your posts. Saw it on a bumper sticker. Needed something to replace "In Trent we Trust" when the trust was broken.

[VA Bills Fan]

Hear me now and believe me later.... Lynch will be our #1 back.

[kota]

I personally don't like the Running Back by Committee approach. Switching backs all the time doesn't do anything for consistancy or rythme with the oline.

 

I believe lynch will be starting by game one. Spiller will be a returner, 3rd down specialist and situational player. Jackson will be riding the pine. If this wasn't the case Lynch would have been traded.

 

Lynch got away with murder under Jauron. Chan didn't put up with his attitude. Lynch eventually came in to OTA's and didn't sit out mini camp. Lynch needed some tough love and got it. I expect him to return to form. who knows he could be a 1300 yard back this year.

[stuckincincy]

I never stole my sig line off one of your posts. Saw it on a bumper sticker. Needed something to replace "In Trent we Trust" when the trust was broken.

 

Accepted and my apology offered!

 

There are memorable bumper stickers out there. One of my favorites was on an old, rusty read-wheel drive sled, that said "Love is Grand. Divorce is 10 Grand. Another on a vehicle stuffed with kids - "All men are idiots - I know, I married their King."

 

stuck

[Coach55]

Accepted and my apology offered!

 

There are memorable bumper stickers out there. One of my favorites was on an old, rusty read-wheel drive sled, that said "Love is Grand. Divorce is 10 Grand. Another on a vehicle stuffed with kids - "All men are idiots - I know, I married their King."

 

stuck

No worries. I did a post search and did see you used it the past. So my apologies for unitentionally stealing a post

[Hplarrm]

I could see Gailey doing this:

 

1. Jackson as the RB getting the bulk of the carries

2. Lynch playing more of a hybrid RB/FB role who sees carries on 3rd-and-short and red zone packages

3. Spiller playing more of a hybrid RB/second WR role who sees carries on 3rd-and-long and various gadget/reverse plays.

 

I'd go so far as to say that all 3 should be in the offense's base formation in the aforementioned roles. Wouldn't you rather see more of Lynch than McIntyre? More of Spiller than Johnson/Hardy/Parrish?

I agree for the most part. While Graham's article does not guarantee that he is gonna pick 1 RB and run him into the ground (those who insist the past determines the future are the same folks who are running foreign policy based on fighting the last war rather than winning the new war) it does provide a reasonable indicator of what he tends to do. I doubt he goes the RB by committee route if he has Jackson/Spiller/Lynch because not only is that not his past tendency but on the face of it this type of committee approach is harder to do well than simply go with a stud (if you got a Emmit Smith then run him) or even divvy things up between two players playing the same position.

 

Developing a feel for injury status, getting a player/team in a groove, and simply keeping everyone happy is a near impossible task when 3 players are sharing one position.

 

This is a big part of why I not only endorse your division of roles but in fact will not be surprised if Gailey tries to fit the talented Spiller peg into the huge WR hole we have at #2 WR as a base O. The depth chart certainly does not reflect this now, will not reflect this for quite a while even if this is what we are doing (and well may not ever reflect this as Gailey is a master of misdirection.

[stuckincincy]

No worries. I did a post search and did see you used it the past. So my apologies for unitentionally stealing a post

 

 

That still leaves tenny. Now, how many people here quote long-dead Supreme Court justices? I just checked - he's on line.

 

 

Fess up, tenny, and give me my due...

[vincec]

Barring injuries, I see Spiller getting 10-15 caries per game and EITHER Lynch or Jackson getting the rest (except for mop up duty). They will have to sort it out during camp and the pre-season.

[nucci]

Hear me now and believe me later.... Lynch will be our #1 back.

Willing to place a little friendly wager on that?

[Ramius]

What a waste of an article. Way to look up some simple numbers and spout off 1000 words on absolutely nothing, without any semblance of research or analysis. But thats par for the course for ESPN.

[cåblelady]

Yet - numerous folks here wax poetic about all this great speed and running a 3-wide set as a base attack etc. Yes - pixie dust can fall and turn this BUF OL into pass and run blockers never seen before. Our QBs will astound the opponents.

How 'bout a 3-back set?!

[Lurker]

"Gailey's track record shows an obvious preference for one back taking 300-plus handoffs."

 

I know it's the off season, but this article is downright silly. The backups Chan had in prior stints were nowhere near as accomplished as what he has in Buffalo.

 

TG obviously never took a logic course while he was getting that journalism degree.

[Hossage]

Hear me now and believe me later.... Lynch will be our #1 back.

 

Pony up and put that as your signature if you are so sure.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

What a waste of an article. Way to look up some simple numbers and spout off 1000 words on absolutely nothing, without any semblance of research or analysis. But thats par for the course for ESPN.

 

 

How DARE you defame Tim Graham, the greatest living sportswriter of our time?

 

</sarcasm>

[Ramius]

How DARE you defame Tim Graham, the greatest living sportswriter of our time?

 

</sarcasm>

 

I wonder if he's going to come out of lurking and threaten to take his ball and go home...again.

[DonInBuffalo]

I agree for the most part. While Graham's article does not guarantee that he is gonna pick 1 RB and run him into the ground (those who insist the past determines the future are the same folks who are running foreign policy based on fighting the last war rather than winning the new war) it does provide a reasonable indicator of what he tends to do. I doubt he goes the RB by committee route if he has Jackson/Spiller/Lynch because not only is that not his past tendency but on the face of it this type of committee approach is harder to do well than simply go with a stud (if you got a Emmit Smith then run him) or even divvy things up between two players playing the same position.

 

Developing a feel for injury status, getting a player/team in a groove, and simply keeping everyone happy is a near impossible task when 3 players are sharing one position.

 

This is a big part of why I not only endorse your division of roles but in fact will not be surprised if Gailey tries to fit the talented Spiller peg into the huge WR hole we have at #2 WR as a base O. The depth chart certainly does not reflect this now, will not reflect this for quite a while even if this is what we are doing (and well may not ever reflect this as Gailey is a master of misdirection.

I'm guessing we're going to see a wide variety of personnel combinations and formations. Depending on how the OL performs, we may see a lot of 2 TE sets with Matthews and Nelson. If you also have Jackson and Spiller on the field in the backfield, then you could split out either Nelson or Spiller. (or on occasion possibly both)

[VA Bills Fan]

Willing to place a little friendly wager on that?

 

Do you take paypal? haha -- I'm telling you, probably by week 3 or 4....

[VA Bills Fan]

Pony up and put that as your signature if you are so sure.

[Hossage]

Thanks, VA, you're a classy guy.

[boyst]

Read the replies in the chat below. Lori made some interesting points in the whole discussion. I added that I cannot imagine Gailey just letting Jackson or Lynch sit on the bench with one getting all the carries. Both will get playing time, perhaps Freddy will just be a ST and can give a - dare I say it - Mark Pike/Steve Tasker play making ability.

 

Sounds insane, but I think with our well rounded depth we'll have great special teams again and that will be our Bills highlight...again.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

Great thread.