Give Spiller a break

[DC Grid]

I believe Spiller will be just fine and develop into a Reggie Bush like back. If the Bills were more desperate for RB help he would have had a better year as he'd get more touches. (Obviously this only underlines what an odd luxury pick an RB was.) Think of how jackson didn't hit his stride in the season till about 100 carries in, or how Jackson and Lynch usually take 5-10 carries a game to even get going. Right now Spiller is getting 2-5 carries and that's it.

 

I think there is also another aspect of Spiller's development that people are missing. The time crunch Chan Gailey has been under. Coordinating plays and developing a player in a reggie bush like roll takes time and effort. Looking at the comments coming out of OBD when Spiller was drafted it seems that Chan was planning to spend tons of time with Spiller and integrate him into the offense in a Bush like or Harvin like manner. But that was when Chan didn't really seem to appreciate the mess he'd have on his hands QB wise.

 

Instead of being able to focus on inegrating Spiller, Chan was working his rear off to try to prepare a QB to start for the Bills. He spent all preseason and the fist two games trying to make Edwards the guy, then had to completely retool and go to work on Fitz after he realized Edwards was a lost cause. As was talked about ad nauseum in the offseason, Chan is a hands on OC. He is in EVERY QB meeting, he lives with them, and he has head coaching duties to boot. Given all of this Chan really hasn't had the time to work with Spiller or worry about his development.

 

This wouldn't be a big issue if Spiller was the typical plug and play back, or if the Bills didn't have Freddy (and Lynch at the start) and Spiller had the opportunity to learn on the field through voluminous opportunites. But Spiller as Chan envisions him is a different kind of back. And Chan spent the entrie preseason and weeks 1-5 of the regular season just trying to figure out who his QB was and bring them up to speed. Then Chan spent every waking moment trying to hold the team together and prevent a winless season. As things finally settled down a little, and he might have had time to better integrate Spiller, Spiller got hurt. Over the next 4 weeks Chan should finally have more time to work with Spiller, but with the OL now a complete disaster again due to a rash of injuries I wouldn't expect any back to excel in the Bills offense the rest of this year.

 

And even when the line was healthy, Spiller's style was the worst posible paring with the Bills OL. Spiller is an outside runner...nothing wrong with that, but an outside runner needs OTs that can run block. Right now the Bills have 0 OTs who can effectively run block on sweeps or pitches. Freddy has success becuase he gets to run behind some of the better young interior linemen in the NFL. When Spiller gets a pitch or a sweep, he is running behind THE WORST OTs in the entire NFL.

 

I don't defend drafting Spiller. I wanted Bulaga at the time, and it is clear the Bills desperately could have used a defensive player instead, but labeling Spiller a bust at this point is premature and ignorant of the totality of circumstances.

Edited December 8, 2010 by DC Grid

[tennesseeboy]

I'm not labeling him a bust. I'm just saying he hasn't proved anything yet. He is a nothing until he's a something.

[Dorkington]

No one on a 2-10 team deserves a break, imo.

[DreReed83]

Dude. Stop making lame excuses for Spiller and how we're trying to put him in our offense like a Reggie Bush. Theres so many things wrong with this post its just embarassing.

 

First, you say Chan didn't have time to develop Spiller because he was too busy spending time with his QB's? DUDE. He's a HC in the NFL. If he doesn't know how to multi-task and use his other coaches to develop his players, then he's not doing his job. So i HIGHLY doubt that was an issue. Stop saying Chan didnt have time or this and that. HE HAS OTHER COACHES IN HIS COACHING STAFF. THEY'RE CALLED RUNNING BACK COACHES, OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS, AND QB COACHES. You talk as if he's the only coach in this coaching STAFF

 

You guys keep talking about how it takes TIME to incorporate a RB into an offense. So why is it that Belichick can take a 5'0" oompa loompa named Danny Woodhead and make him look 10000 times better than CJ Spiller? From what I've seen from Danny Woodhead, is that he's been a more physical RB than Spiller AND a better receiver than Spiller. It shouldnt take time for a RB to get that involved in an offense. ESPECIALLY for a top 10 pick. If Spiller was that good, then Chan would have NO PROBLEMS getting him into the lineup. Spiller's obviously struggling in all aspects of the game. From running the ball, to seeing holes, to pass blocking, to returning kicks. I havent seen him succeed in anything.

 

You made a comment how you need OT's to run outside? Not always true. You can always run counter plays and pull our Guards to run around and our Guards I think are definately athletic and good enough to do that.

 

You guys wanna talk about RB's taking time to develop with a crppy o-line? Explain Jahvid Best please with the Lions. As a rookie, he's been AWESOME at making things happen and receiving. He's shown PROMISE even though his numbers arent mindblowing. He's shown me and the NFL something. Spiller? What's he shown? Why did it take the Lions this short of a time to develop Best? They had QB problems too. You're to tell me that the Lions have a better o-line than we do? Why? I'll tell u why. Jahvid Best is legit and Spiller? Well. Not really.

 

Jahvid Best 800 yds from scrimmage and 5 TDs. I'm not even gonna post Spillers sorry azz numbers cuz its just freakin EMBARASSING.

 

Give me a break dude. Stop with these lame excuses that dont make sense

Edited December 8, 2010 by DreReed83

[zow2]

It's ridiculous to label Spiller a "bust" but I'd be lying if I said i wasn't disappointed. Obviously if he were better, and the coaches trusted him more, he'd be playing more. I'll say the same thing about CJ that i said about Lynch for 3 years...stop running east/west and stutter stepping. You are not going to beat NFL defenders bouncing outside too often. Get the ball, eye the seam, and make one cut at most ala Freddie...and take what you can get GOING FORWARD. If that's 3 yards so be it. If you bust it into the second layer, then use the juke move if you want but be decisive and hit it hard! there is rarely a hole...just a small seam and he has to realize what it takes to make yardage in the NFL. Once he "gets it" he will be darn good.

[DreReed83]

It's ridiculous to label Spiller a "bust" but I'd be lying if I said i wasn't disappointed. Obviously if he were better, and the coaches trusted him more, he'd be playing more. I'll say the same thing about CJ that i said about Lynch for 3 years...stop running east/west and stutter stepping. You are not going to beat NFL defenders bouncing outside too often. Get the ball, eye the seam, and make one cut at most ala Freddie...and take what you can get GOING FORWARD. If that's 3 yards so be it. If you bust it into the second layer, then use the juke move if you want but be decisive and hit it hard! there is rarely a hole...just a small seam and he has to realize what it takes to make yardage in the NFL. Once he "gets it" he will be darn good.

 

He should ALREADY get it. Why did we draft a RB who hasn't "gotten it" by now that early? It's the end of his rookie season and he's obviously not even getting it in practice because he barely sees the field.

 

Jahvid Best looks like the real thing.

Edited December 8, 2010 by DreReed83

[Cson76]

here is the long term picture of why Spiller will change our offense. It's a needed threat for the long term picture of Chan's

 

http://www.nfl.com/thanksgiving/story/09000d5d81c5c0f6/article/bushs-return-gives-saints-muchneeded-threat-decoy

 

PS. X's and O's included in the article.

[zow2]

He should ALREADY get it. Why did we draft a RB who hasn't "gotten it" by now that early? It's the end of his rookie season and he's obviously not even getting it in practice because he barely sees the field.

 

Jahvid Best looks like the real thing.

 

Relax, i understand your point about Spiller. As i said, most people including me are disappointed. Don't get too crazy about Best though. He looks decent but i have him on my fantasy team and have followed him closely. There was about 6 consecutive games recently where he did next to nothing in terms of production. He has had 3 or 4 games though where he looks better than CJ has ever looked so you can see his potential.

[tennesseeboy]

here is the long term picture of why Spiller will change our offense. It's a needed threat for the long term picture of Chan's

 

http://www.nfl.com/thanksgiving/story/09000d5d81c5c0f6/article/bushs-return-gives-saints-muchneeded-threat-decoy

 

PS. X's and O's included in the article.

What a laugh...CJ is not a threat...no one is worried enough about him to be a decoy. What the hell is "long'term"...? In the long term he'll be playing for another team.

[Cson76]

Javid Best has been hurt all year. Spiller's role is more of WR which takes longer to develop. Not to mention we had to showcase Lynch which took development time away from him.

 

Bush's first year

2006 New Orleans Saints att155 yd565 3.6

 

Javid best 444 yards and a 3.6 average. Not any better than Spiller

[DreReed83]

Relax, i understand your point about Spiller. As i said, most people including me are disappointed. Don't get too crazy about Best though. He looks decent but i have him on my fantasy team and have followed him closely. There was about 6 consecutive games recently where he did next to nothing in terms of production. He has had 3 or 4 games though where he looks better than CJ has ever looked so you can see his potential.

 

Jahvid's missed a couple games due to injury and he plays against the Packers, Minnesota, and Bears defense twice a year, not to mention he's had to play the Giants and Jets defense too. That's 6 times this season, he has to go up against some of the best defenses in the league. Regardless, Best has 570 yds of scrimmage more than Spiller and 5 times as many TDs. Best plays these tough defenses and he STILL Gets carries and decent production. Again, his numbers arent mindblowing but he's shown potential. That's all i look at in a rookie year.

Edited December 8, 2010 by DreReed83

[Thoner7]

Lets give Maybin and McCargo a break too while we are at it.

[DreReed83]

Javid Best has been hurt all year. Spiller's role is more of WR which takes longer to develop. Not to mention we had to showcase Lynch which took development time away from him.

 

Bush's first year

2006 New Orleans Saints att155 yd565 3.6

 

Javid best 444 yards and a 3.6 average. Not any better than Spiller

 

Spiller's role is more of WR which takes longer to develop?

 

Jahvid Best has 50 receptions, 407 yds, 8.1 yds per reception and 1 TD

CJ Spiller 20 receptions, 82 yds, 4.1 yds per reception, and 1 TD

 

BEST is better than Spiller at receiving too. I thought it took time for a WR type role to develop?

 

NEXT LAME EXCUSE PLEASE?

 

Lets give Maybin and McCargo a break too while we are at it.

 

I know right??? And i'm sure Raider fans are giving Darius Heyward Bey a break too. He runs fast.

 

Edited December 8, 2010 by DreReed83

[jr1]

IF CJ excelled in practice, he'd be starting. Chan believes in meritocracy

[Mr. WEO]

I believe Spiller will be just fine and develop into a Reggie Bush like back. If the Bills were more desperate for RB help he would have had a better year as he'd get more touches. (Obviously this only underlines what an odd luxury pick an RB was.) Think of how jackson didn't hit his stride in the season till about 100 carries in, or how Jackson and Lynch usually take 5-10 carries a game to even get going. Right now Spiller is getting 2-5 carries and that's it.

 

I think there is also another aspect of Spiller's development that people are missing. The time crunch Chan Gailey has been under. Coordinating plays and developing a player in a reggie bush like roll takes time and effort. Looking at the comments coming out of OBD when Spiller was drafted it seems that Chan was planning to spend tons of time with Spiller and integrate him into the offense in a Bush like or Harvin like manner. But that was when Chan didn't really seem to appreciate the mess he'd have on his hands QB wise.

 

Instead of being able to focus on inegrating Spiller, Chan was working his rear off to try to prepare a QB to start for the Bills. He spent all preseason and the fist two games trying to make Edwards the guy, then had to completely retool and go to work on Fitz after he realized Edwards was a lost cause. As was talked about ad nauseum in the offseason, Chan is a hands on OC. He is in EVERY QB meeting, he lives with them, and he has head coaching duties to boot. Given all of this Chan really hasn't had the time to work with Spiller or worry about his development.

 

This wouldn't be a big issue if Spiller was the typical plug and play back, or if the Bills didn't have Freddy (and Lynch at the start) and Spiller had the opportunity to learn on the field through voluminous opportunites. But Spiller as Chan envisions him is a different kind of back. And Chan spent the entrie preseason and weeks 1-5 of the regular season just trying to figure out who his QB was and bring them up to speed. Then Chan spent every waking moment trying to hold the team together and prevent a winless season. As things finally settled down a little, and he might have had time to better integrate Spiller, Spiller got hurt. Over the next 4 weeks Chan should finally have more time to work with Spiller, but with the OL now a complete disaster again due to a rash of injuries I wouldn't expect any back to excel in the Bills offense the rest of this year.

 

And even when the line was healthy, Spiller's style was the worst posible paring with the Bills OL. Spiller is an outside runner...nothing wrong with that, but an outside runner needs OTs that can run block. Right now the Bills have 0 OTs who can effectively run block on sweeps or pitches. Freddy has success becuase he gets to run behind some of the better young interior linemen in the NFL. When Spiller gets a pitch or a sweep, he is running behind THE WORST OTs in the entire NFL.

 

I don't defend drafting Spiller. I wanted Bulaga at the time, and it is clear the Bills desperately could have used a defensive player instead, but labeling Spiller a bust at this point is premature and ignorant of the totality of circumstances.

 

The OC/HC hasn't had time to spend with his 1st round draft pick RB??

 

Chan has spent every waking moment trying to prevent a winless season??? And this mighty task prevented him from figuring out what to do with Spiller?

 

Our last 3 HCs didn't have to work this hard to avoid going 0-16. In fact, the last one could string together 7-9 seasons without doing anything.

 

Now I've heard everything.

[racecitybills]

Does anyone have OJ's first year stats- most of you clowns would have cut him too- very few rookies take the league by storm- relax a little

[DreReed83]

Does anyone have OJ's first year stats- most of you clowns would have cut him too- very few rookies take the league by storm- relax a little

 

OJ had over 1000 total yds from scrimmage and 5 TDs. 697 yds rushing and 343 yds receiving. Almost 4 times more than Spillers 280 yds from scrimmage.

 

NEXT LAME EXCUSE? Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Edited December 8, 2010 by DreReed83

[racecitybills]

not sure how old you are but the nattering nabobs of negativity ahd labeled him a bust also

 

Keep up the good work

[DreReed83]

Marshawn Lynch was over 1000 yds in his rookie year,

So did OJ Simpson.

So did Willis McGahee (HIS FIRST FULL YEAR),

So did Thurman Thomas,

Travis Henry was just over 900+ yds his rookie year

 

ANTOWAIN SMITH HAD 1017 YDS FROM SCRIMMAGE HIS ROOKIE YEAR.

 

BUT ITS OK...CJ Spiller is learning to play a HARD position.

 

I dunno. When Antowain Smith has almost 4 times more yds from scrimmage than your prized RB, then I have a SERIOUS issue.

 

not sure how old you are but the nattering nabobs of negativity ahd labeled him a bust also

 

Keep up the good work

 

Not my fault you can't back up your statements

Edited December 8, 2010 by DreReed83

[PromoTheRobot]

No one on a 2-10 team deserves a break, imo.

Right. Cut everyone and start over....every year!

 

PTR