Spiller could make strides

[Pinkerton Security]

C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills (No. 9 pick)

The results: This was a really tough situation to land in. Buffalo needed blocking help and was unsure about what they'd do at quarterback, and they shocked a lot of people by taking Spiller. The bigger surprise is they didn't appear to have much of a plan to utilize him. That's a head-scratcher given where he was taken. Spiller isn't an every-down back, but he never had more than nine carries in a game in 2010, and definitely could have caught more than 24 passes. He finished the year with just 283 yards rushing. You can't draft a running back this high and get so little.
Why the leap: Spiller is more of a Reggie Bush-type than a back that should pile up carries, but you can't hit home runs unless you let the guy swing the bat. He has sprinter's speed, and if the Bills can trust him, they should use him. He should double his carry totals, and perhaps even more, double his targets in the passing game, where he can create big plays if you get him in the open field.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=6556568

[elltrain22]

Re: Spiller could make strides

It's only a matter of time before we all see just how special of a talent this kid is.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: Spiller could make strides

You have to get him in space, either by splitting him out at WR, or running him around the end. He'll never get you much between the tackles, especially if our O-line continues to struggle with run blocking.

[Raptor]

Re: Spiller could make strides

The coaches need to get him more involved. That was one of my complaints about this coaching staff last year and specifically Gailey. If your going to pick this kid at #9 overall when you already had Fred and Lynch then you damn well better use him. They did a horrible job of getting him touches especially in the running game, 5 carries a game is a joke. No RB is ever going to get in any type of flow with that many carries.

They need to double his carries and get him more involved in the passing game. The kid is explosive as can be but it doesnt matter if he doesnt get the touches

[acehole]

Re: Spiller could make strides

Swing pass..

Delay hand offs.

Counter trey..

Screens..

Quick slants..

Wheels..

You have to get him in space, either by splitting him out at WR, or running him around the end. He'll never get you much between the tackles, especially if our O-line continues to struggle with run blocking.

[trapezeus]

Re: Spiller could make strides

i agree with get him in space, but you need him to be a little thurman. he needs to be able to chip block and be a real third down blitz pick up back to be more reliable.

how many times did we see thurman chiip in on a block out of shotgun then roll out and be wide open for a 10-30 yard gain in the90's?

some of chan's comments last year suggested that the blocking scheme's weren't coming to spiller. they should this year and next. that's where we will see his value.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Spiller could make strides

the OL has to be fixed particularly the run blocking which was below average.

[jamze132]

Re: Spiller could make strides

Gailey has stated numerous times that CJ needs to be a better blocker. Until he is, he won't have more than 10 or so touches per game.

[Raptor]

Re: Spiller could make strides

Gailey has stated numerous times that CJ needs to be a better blocker. Until he is, he won't have more than 10 or so touches per game.

and to me that is a completely cop out on his part for the lack of use

Does he need to be a better blocker? Yes, but we didnt draft him #9 because of his ability to block.

[trapezeus]

Re: Spiller could make strides

but him being a better blocker will make the space he needs. without blocking skills, spiller in the back field pretty much means he's getting the ball which lets people t-off on him.

if he's a real threat to block then the passing game opens up, which opens up his running game. LB's will overpursue to get to the qb, and in the game, they can use that to let him chip the guy and slide out for a big gain.

taking out last year, i really can't think of more than maybe 10 good long runs or screen plays for over 15 yards. they were so common in the 90's.

[Bill Cody]

Re: Spiller could make strides

If a coach doesn't have complete trust in your ability to pick up the blitz as a RB you're not going to play much. That's my guess as to why he didn't play more last year.

[Raptor]

Re: Spiller could make strides

Im sorry but this blocking thing is nonsense

Does he need to be able to pick up the blitz? Yes

However this league is littered with Backs who suck at blocking but still play a considerable amount of plays because there ability to make plays and explosiveness out weigh it. We drafted him because of this explosiveness and Gailey completely blew it in his use of him and the cop out is "well he needs to block better". Id say to Gailey, you need to find a way to put the ball in this kids hands because you completely blew it last year.

and yea teams tee'ing off the Bills blitzing b/c Spiller can block? Do what other teams do and run a screen pass with him and once he bust one for 50 yards teams wont be so aggressive.

I DO NOT buy the blocking excuse for lack of touches at ALL

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: Spiller could make strides

and to me that is a completely cop out on his part for the lack of use

Does he need to be a better blocker? Yes, but we didnt draft him #9 because of his ability to block.

So teach the dude how to block. How hard is it???

[mysticsoto]

Re: Spiller could make strides

Well, let's be frank, none of our RBs have been great at blocking. Lynch was probably the best and even he whiffed alot. Neither FJ nor CJ have shown to be good at it. However, if Chan is using that to force CJ to improve on his skillset, then I'm all for it. After all, CJ may be faster, but FJ has proven to be more elusive and make better run decisions. That may be experience, but if you want more time, you have to beat FJ out. Improving his blocking substantially could help him get that time to beat FJ and gain a foothold. I read about Troup, Jasper, etc are working hard. I certainly hope he is also. FJ put his time in, playing in Europe early in his career to improve his skillset and has earned his position. Now it's CJ's turn to work hard to earn his...

[jamze132]

Re: Spiller could make strides

and to me that is a completely cop out on his part for the lack of use

Does he need to be a better blocker? Yes, but we didnt draft him #9 because of his ability to block.

Seriously?

We drafted Spiller because he is a dynamic player and can make plays in space. But if 30 defenses know that Spiller can't block for **** and he's in their on a passing down, they can zero in and know that Spiller won't be blocking. It handicaps the offense when a RB can't get in someone who's trying to kill the QBs' way for a second.