Starting to Worry about Spiller...

[Mike]

I am sure this has been posted before, but I am starting to worry that Spiller is not who we thought he was. Judging from his college days and a few pre-season plays I saw a player who could go the distance on any given play from anywhere on the field ala Chris Johnson. Now, I am thinking that I was wrong!

So far, not so good. Spiller has not shown anything during the regular season. Not one Flash in the pan, not one Great Play, not one good game. This is a bad sign, especially for a RB who usually contribute right away. in fact, this past draft class -if judged right now- is not just bad, but it is worst than bad, it is awful.

Now, I know what many of you will argue. Its only been 9 games, he is a rookie, etc... The same basic arguments we have been making for 10+ years for players like Maybin, etc... and how its different this time around. Now, if we can go past this, beyond arguing for arguments sake, or playing devils advocate.

Based on what you have seen what do you guys think of Spiller and this Draft Class?
Do you think Spiller is the dynamic back we though we were drafting like a Christ Johnson or another undersized RB like Warrick Dunn who maybe a good compliment.

[G Wolly]

I think it's still early to determine the answer of the latest episode of Bust or No Bust.

Let Chan work with him this offseason to integrate him into a starting back and we'll see how he does next season.

[Bangarang]

I'm not worried. We know what the guy can do. He'll be just fine.

[better days]

I am sure this has been posted before, but I am starting to worry that Spiller is not who we thought he was. Judging from his college days and a few pre-season plays I saw a player who could go the distance on any given play from anywhere on the field ala Chris Johnson. Now, I am thinking that I was wrong!

So far, not so good. Spiller has not shown anything during the regular season. Not one Flash in the pan, not one Great Play, not one good game. This is a bad sign, especially for a RB who usually contribute right away. in fact, this past draft class -if judged right now- is not just bad, but it is worst than bad, it is awful.

Now, I know what many of you will argue. Its only been 9 games, he is a rookie, etc... The same basic arguments we have been making for 10+ years for players like Maybin, etc... and how its different this time around. Now, if we can go past this, beyond arguing for arguments sake, or playing devils advocate.

Based on what you have seen what do you guys think of Spiller and this Draft Class?
Do you think Spiller is the dynamic back we though we were drafting like a Christ Johnson or another undersized RB like Warrick Dunn who maybe a good compliment.

If Spiller is as good as Warrick Dunn, I will be very happy. Dunn was a very good RB, despite his small stature, he could run between the tackles as well as turn the corner. He is also a great person & was a great teammate.

[djjimkelly]

i like buddy nix and think hes the man to fix our situation

but the spiller pick sucked when it happened

9 games into this season it looks even worse

i pray this is like a redshirt year

[Buffalogic]

Spiller is starting to worry about you..

[PromoTheRobot]

I know. 9 games into the season and no Super Bowl MVP. What a waste.

PTR

[Romes]

It certainly too early but Spiller has shown little since the pre-season and given our recent history at drafting I think its totally reasonable to be skeptical that Spiller will turn out to be that Pro Bowl caliber feature back.

[BertSquirtgum]

really? a bust thread 9 games into the season? gailey hasn't even given him a shot at running the ball. he usually gets..... what... 5-10 rushes per game? we won't know much until gailey gives him the rock more than fred.

[Billz_fan]

Most running backs work off the rhythm of the game etc and need to be out there and part of the offense down in and down out. Just cant run him in off the bench 5-10 times and expect him to get good stats. I would reserve judgement until he has many games strung together where he is the feature back in the offense and gets 20-30 touches a game. If he doesn't produce then you can start to worry.

With that said, I never liked the pick to begin with but I just sighed as usual on draft day :laughter:

Why they have not used him more or given him a game or 2 as #1 back. I do not know.

[airdog32]

what I feel will make the best use of him is using him as a reciever ala BUSH in NO his speed is there just his size is tough, when 240+ Lb's can chase you down those hits hurt, he needs to get over that! I am confident chan will find a way to use his talent it may not be the way we want to see it as fans but it will come! One question why run the risk of injuring such a talent when we are 1-8? Devolpe some talent and postions of need then lets see what type of impact he can make!

[Extremebillsfan247]

I am sure this has been posted before, but I am starting to worry that Spiller is not who we thought he was. Judging from his college days and a few pre-season plays I saw a player who could go the distance on any given play from anywhere on the field ala Chris Johnson. Now, I am thinking that I was wrong!

So far, not so good. Spiller has not shown anything during the regular season. Not one Flash in the pan, not one Great Play, not one good game. This is a bad sign, especially for a RB who usually contribute right away. in fact, this past draft class -if judged right now- is not just bad, but it is worst than bad, it is awful.

Now, I know what many of you will argue. Its only been 9 games, he is a rookie, etc... The same basic arguments we have been making for 10+ years for players like Maybin, etc... and how its different this time around. Now, if we can go past this, beyond arguing for arguments sake, or playing devils advocate.

Based on what you have seen what do you guys think of Spiller and this Draft Class?
Do you think Spiller is the dynamic back we though we were drafting like a Christ Johnson or another undersized RB like Warrick Dunn who maybe a good compliment.

Did you ever consider that he might actually have done something if he didn't have to compete for snaps with Lynch and Jackson, also facing a head coach who hasn't coached an NFL team since Troy Aikman was still a QB in the League? Chris Johnson succeeded because of the situation and team he was drafted to. He didn't have 2 other veteran RBs in front of him competing for snaps at the same position, or a question mark Head Coach to start with as Jeff Fisher has been with Tennessee for a very long time.

Spiller is always going to have a problem with getting out of the backfield. It's when he gets to the second level of the defense where he becomes as dangerous as some of the top Running Backs in the league, and we have all seen flashes of that. But I have to say this was expected considering what he was drafted into.

I understand that he isn't breaking rushing records or anything, but when you have a guy like Fred Jackson in your way, things like that just don't come easy for any rookie. Spiller will have his day, but right now its all about Fred Jackson until Gailey feels it's time to go in a new direction with Spiller. JMO

[tampabay25690]

OMG....
Some of you are funny.
Why would you be worried???
The guy is still learning the NFL, he didnt have to worry about pass protection at Clemson.....
He will be just fine...

[YardRat]

Although I maintained from the point he was drafted that Spiller would become nothing more than a situational specialist and never become a back that can carry the load, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt at least for a year or two.

He's contributed even less than I thought he would his rookie season, but to be fair he really hasn't seen the field as much as I thought also. You've got to get your hands on the ball to have a chance to make plays.

[X-Era]

OMG....
Some of you are funny.
Why would you be worried???
The guy is still learning the NFL, he didnt have to worry about pass protection at Clemson.....
He will be just fine...Exactly. Improve the RT spot, and have improved QB play, and the offense will continue to develop. Spiller could be great in a productive offense.

[Mr. Pink]

Reggie Bush 2.0

[dannyek71]

I keep hearing about how great Nix is in the draft. Nobody from this years draft outside of Moats has shown anything. Throw away Wood, Levitre and Byrd and who even really sees the field from last years?

If you draft a RB in the top 10, he'd better be CJ2k. Otherwise, it was a wasted pick which it is starting to look like.

[Mahdi]

I am sure this has been posted before, but I am starting to worry that Spiller is not who we thought he was. Judging from his college days and a few pre-season plays I saw a player who could go the distance on any given play from anywhere on the field ala Chris Johnson. Now, I am thinking that I was wrong!

So far, not so good. Spiller has not shown anything during the regular season. Not one Flash in the pan, not one Great Play, not one good game. This is a bad sign, especially for a RB who usually contribute right away. in fact, this past draft class -if judged right now- is not just bad, but it is worst than bad, it is awful.

Now, I know what many of you will argue. Its only been 9 games, he is a rookie, etc... The same basic arguments we have been making for 10+ years for players like Maybin, etc... and how its different this time around. Now, if we can go past this, beyond arguing for arguments sake, or playing devils advocate.

Based on what you have seen what do you guys think of Spiller and this Draft Class?
Do you think Spiller is the dynamic back we though we were drafting like a Christ Johnson or another undersized RB like Warrick Dunn who maybe a good compliment.
What you have in Spiller is a very talented RB who had to split carries three and four ways in training camp, split carries for the first few games of the year with 2 other NFL starters and got an untimely injury once it seemed his role was expanding.

Even if Spiller does not get to show his full potential this year, I see him being a top 10 rusher next year.

Spiller is THAT good and all he is missing is a bit of timing on his runs for him to show just how good he is. And he will not be a gimmick RB for those who believe that. He is not Reggie Bush. Spiller can run inside and he will prove that before the year is out.

[Luisito23]

I'm not worried about Spiller, just the other bums that were drafted after him. None of them are gonna become anything other than career backups if they're lucky. We might as well have forfeited the entire draft after CJ was picked.

[DesertFox24]

Troup gets solid playing time and has done well.

Carrington I think being from a small school and going from a 7 technique to a 5 technique might be what his issue is. I still think he will earn a starting job next year or have a larger role.

easley and Batten IR

Wang was injured all training camp and that hurt him

Brown is the the third QB

Also way to early to judge this draft.

[trapezeus]

i'd be worried about him if he was playing as a starter and not performing well. He has done well as a returner. He's had one fumble, albeit a critical one.

As a running back, he isn't really on the field. HE has gotten better as the season progressed, but he's still not getting a lot of touches.

Id be worried about Jhavid Best. I saw him in the Bills game and the giants game a few weeks ago. And he runs side to side and routinely gets closed in on. He is playing starter downs. He struggled against a bad bills run d.

Spiller returned a kickoff against the pats. He had a nice run called back in the bears game. his only touch as a RB was for 16 yards against the lions.

And all this with under 10 touches a game. I hope he just focuses on the rehab of the hammy. I think he's going to be a very different player next year just based on his usage.

[THATHURMANATOR]

I am not too worried but I will agree he hasn't shown me ONE THING so far this year!

[k-oneputt]

I'm not worried at all about Spiller. It's tough to do much when you don't see the ball.
Troup and Carrington though is a different story. I was expecting much more but it's still early.
Once they moved Moats back outside where he belongs, he has showed some promise.
Why is it that the Bills always draft guys then try to re-invent the wheel with them.

[delectrolux]

The kid has never had more than 7 carries in a game. He's averaging 4ypc.

Chris Johnson is averaging 4.3ypc. and he averages 21 carries a game.

[DBrown77]

I am not sure if we are using him correctly

[djjimkelly]

sorry that im old school and want to see a 1st rounder play 40% of the teams snaps

also grow the **** up and stay off twittter

[WeAreArthurMoates]

Look at the preseason though, he made big plays when he started to get into a rhytm. He hasn't done that cause they don't give him more than 8 carries a game.

[FootballCEO]

If Spiller was given carries like Chris Johnson, then we wouldn't have to have this convo.. As a former RB myself, just like posters have already mentioned, you NEED carries to get in a rhythm..

I'm so glad Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas don't play in today's NFL, they wouldn't get the carries and would be deemed busts

[HAMMER]

Patience grasshoppers, it will be rewarded.

[justasportsfan]

It's hard to develop and learn when you get only so much touches in a game. Even Fred needs so much touches before he can get going.

People learn from experience and Spiller isn't getting it.

[Mr. Pink]

Spiller didn't get a lot of carries in college either. I don't know why people expected that would change when he got to Buffalo.

He's not a guy who's ever gonna get more than 15 touches per game.

[Nighthawk]

It's impossible for him to show anything unless the coach gives him more opportunities. He had a ton in the preseason and showed great promise. He hasn't been getting the touches in the regular season. I'm confident that when he starts to get the chances to be the lead guy, he'll perform.

[billsburgh]

i like buddy nix and think hes the man to fix our situation

but the spiller pick sucked when it happened

9 games into this season it looks even worse

i pray this is like a redshirt year
you dont draft a player that high and then redshirt him. If a player is drafted that high, he needs to contribute immediately.

[PromoTheRobot]

I am not too worried but I will agree he hasn't shown me ONE THING so far this year!

Did you miss the kickoff return for TD or does that not count?

PTR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HpV6w9TGfQ

[TheBrownBear]

Dude needs reps at RB if were ever going to see what he can do. I did think he'd be a better return man though. Too much dancing around. Needs to just bust it straight up the field like McGee and McKelvin do.

[gloveus]

you dont draft a player that high and then redshirt him. If a player is drafted that high, he needs to contribute immediately.

Exactly. Wasn't that how they justified using the #9 pick on him? Wasn't it because they said they needed someone who could come in and make an immediate impact? I wonder if this is a Nix fail in underestimating how productive CJ could be, or a Gailey fail since he hasn't been able make CJ as productive as they were hoping.

[delectrolux]

Did you miss the kickoff return for TD or does that not count?

PTR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HpV6w9TGfQ


I never saw that. Wow, the speed was ridiculous! He's got guys beat by fifteen yards. And that's after bumping into two guys and breaking those tackles.

[dasaybz]

You guys are crazy, this guy is going to be a ****ing stud. This team is horrible and he has a proven vet in front of him. Let him learn how to be an NFL back, and make him the starter next year. Buddy's first draft pick is going to be a beast, and he's not going to ride the pine next year, I can guarantee you that.

[BertSquirtgum]

i do think he dances behind the line too much, when he does actually get a chance run. he needs to grab the ball and take off, this is not "so you think you can dance"

[baalworship]

You guys are crazy, this guy is going to be a ****ing stud. This team is horrible and he has a proven vet in front of him. Let him learn how to be an NFL back, and make him the starter next year. Buddy's first draft pick is going to be a beast, and he's not going to ride the pine next year, I can guarantee you that.


I agree. People are forgetting that Fred Jackson is VERY good and Bills are not going to force the rookie on the field. I do hope he continues to get more playing time as the year goes on.

Bills starting to line Spiller as WR which I like. He beat a LB badly and would have had a long rec TD but Fitz missed him. I actually think he is due to break a long TD soon as he does have the ability.

[Demon]

The kid has never had more than 7 carries in a game. He's averaging 4ypc.

Chris Johnson is averaging 4.3ypc. and he averages 21 carries a game.

He averaged 12 carriers a game for Clemson. So, 7 isn't far from where he'll be for his career in the NFL. He's an all purpose back though, he has to run a few times, receive kicks and catch from the backfield to be effective. I don't think he'll ever be a star but i am not worried that he'll be a bum.

[Mike]

If we have to wait, 2-3 yrs why draft a rb in the Top 10?
We already had good RBs, there was absolutely no need.

If he was as good as advertised, he should be able to beat Fred for the starting job. I know college to NFL is a shift but Many other Top 10 RB have made the shift and were studs their first year.

[Mike]

Knowing what you now know, and seeing him in actions, would you make the same decision? If the draft were held today, would he be a Top 10 pick?

[Mr. Pink]

He averaged 12 carriers a game for Clemson. So, 7 isn't far from where he'll be for his career in the NFL. He's an all purpose back though, he has to run a few times, receive kicks and catch from the backfield to be effective. I don't think he'll ever be a star but i am not worried that he'll be a bum.


I've pointed this out numerous times. It falls on deaf ears.

I'm hoping Spiller turns more in Eric Metcalf than Reggie Bush.

[kingJofNYC]

Going into the draft we needed a WR to replace Reed and TO, Dez Bryant was a pariah because his mom was a ho (who ****ing cares) and Deion/Agents got him into trouble. Anyone who watched this kid play knew he was going to be an absolute stud.

I didn't have a problem with Spiller, heck I think many of us had the feeling they would take him before the draft, but he has been a disappointment so far. Not all of that his fault however. Hopefully he blows up next season, can't stand seeing another 1st rounder go down the drain.

[Johnny Bugmenot]

A running back typically has about four years of production in the NFL, the shortest time span of any position. Is it any wonder the UFL is awash with former NFL starters at running back (e.g. Ahman Green, Marcel Shipp, Tatum Bell, Dominic Rhodes)? They wash up much more quickly than other positions..

C.J. Spiller just lost one year.

[k-oneputt]

At the rate they use him he can probably last a dozen more years.

[Mr. Pink]

A running back typically has about four years of production in the NFL, the shortest time span of any position. Is it any wonder the UFL is awash with former NFL starters at running back (e.g. Ahman Green, Marcel Shipp, Tatum Bell, Dominic Rhodes)? They wash up much more quickly than other positions..

C.J. Spiller just lost one year.


They lose time due to wear and tear.

You don't lose time due to sitting on the bench.

[Mike]

So would you guys Draft him, if the draft were held today?

[Mr. Pink]

So would you guys Draft him, if the draft were held today?


Wouldn't have drafted him in the first place. And I'm sure there are plenty of posts of mine that convey that message from months ago.

[k-oneputt]

No, since they don't use him anyways.
I thought when Gailey/Nix picked him they were going to run their offense around him. That obviously hasn't happened so why use the 9th pick on him?
I really don't ever like using an early pick on a rb or wr. If so they had better be damn special, A. Peterson type.

[Johnny Bugmenot]

So would you guys Draft him, if the draft were held today?
Heck no. I was on the Bulaga bandwagon-- if they weren't able to trade up with the Redskins.

[Bill Cody]

here's a depressing thought: NE picked up Danny Woodhead, a guy who wasn't even drafted in the first place, up off the street after the Jets cut him. Would NE trade Woodhead straight up right now for Spiller? Not so sure about that. Woodhead only gets a handful of touches a game but when he does he makes plays. Yeah I'm disapointed with what we've seen from Spiller so far. I didn't want any RB with that pick in the first place but if you're going to take one that early he damn well better produce.