C.J. Spiller to return kicks

[GingerP]

Per BB.com:

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/CJ-Spiller-to-be-lead-kick-returner/149f0bf7-3ec8-40d2-a2c2-1833b44b0d0b

I like it, a way to get a dynamic player more touches.

[Pinkerton Security]

Do I think he'll be good at it? Yes. Am I going to be pissed if he gets hurt on a kickoff? Hell yes.

[SpikedLemonade]

Use him as much as we can in his last year here.

[k-oneputt]

Use him as much as we can in his last year here.

That very well could be the thought. I can't see them overpaying.
Heck of a kr though.

[Fletch]

Do I think he'll be good at it? Yes. Am I going to be pissed if he gets hurt on a kickoff? Hell yes.

He hasn't been good at it so far. He's got a very average 23.1 career KR avg.

[Night Train]

90 % of the time, no return.

Much ado about nothing.

[bdutton]

The original post should read:

"CJ Spiller to watch kicks zoom over his head out of the endzone this season."

[Ed]

I'd rather see him return punts if we're going to use him on ST's. Let Goodwin return kicks.

[ServoBillieves]

I'd rather see him return punts if we're going to use him on ST's. Let Goodwin return kicks.

My confusion as well. We have Leodis who has always been good at (if anything) returning punts, yet we test Robey/Graham there. Then, we bring in Goodwin for his ridiculous speed to be our burn receiver and kick returner, but we're going to put our starting RB back there?

Really doesn't matter, it's kicked through the uprights anyways.

[stuckincincy]

I'd rather see him return punts if we're going to use him on ST's. Let Goodwin return kicks.

Dunno. Spiller is tops in picking out a hole, but I've never been overwhelmed by his lateral speed. Punt returners get rocked pretty hard, time to time, too.

[swiper]

Are we sure Ralph is dead?

Using a marquee back for kick returns.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Spiller isn't that good at returning kicks, and the kickoff is basically being phased out anyway. That said, if it helps him get into a rhythm then why not? RB is our deepest position by far.

[gebobs]

We should never have let Brad Smith go. The Eagles know a quality clipboard holder...er kick return specialist when they see one.

[stuckincincy]

We should never have let Brad Smith go. The Eagles know a quality clipboard holder...er kick return specialist when they see one.

His dead money charge is just a half a million this year, down from 1.8M last season.

[Ed]

I thought it was Spiller who was great at returning punts in college and not as good at kick returns, but I had it backwards. He was actually great at KR's at Clemson returning 7 for TD's. He had 4 TD's in his last year alone and averaged 33 yds/ret. It was actually McKelvin who I was thinking of that was great at PR's in college. So I guess I'd like to see McKelvin still returning punts and I'm ok with Spiller returning kicks. Although I don't expect him to get a lot of opportunities as others have said.

[swiper]

I fail to see how standing back to return kicks does anything to "get him into a rhythm."

[IlluminatusUIUC]

I fail to see how standing back to return kicks does anything to "get him into a rhythm."

I'm trying to find something to justify the move. I think returns are incredibly overrated on this board and by the Bills in general.

[Ed]

I'm trying to find something to justify the move. I think returns are incredibly overrated on this board and by the Bills in general.
Well if they're concerned about the offense and taking pressure off EJ Manuel as much as possible, starting with better field position can only help.

[gebobs]

I thought it was Spiller who was great at returning punts in college and not as good at kick returns, but I had it backwards. He was actually great at KR's at Clemson returning 7 for TD's. He had 4 TD's in his last year alone and averaged 33 yds/ret. It was actually McKelvin who I was thinking of that was great at PR's in college. So I guess I'd like to see McKelvin still returning punts and I'm ok with Spiller returning kicks. Although I don't expect him to get a lot of opportunities as others have said.
Yup. McKelvin was the just the opposite of Spiller. Seven punts returned for TDs and one kick.

And there in a nutshell is why the Bills drafted them. They have a recent history of targeting guys that can play regular downs and be a return threat. It hasn't really been a good strategy IMHO. Brad Smith is a good example. Stupid signing. McKelvin was a reach. Then there's Goodwin

Spiller, without his contributions to special teams, is really half a player. He wasn't the featured back at Clemson until his senior year and had just 600 carries for his career. And some here want him to get 25-30 a game now. Never gonna happen. He will always need to platoon the position. Thank god he has Freddy. Not sure how much longer that's going to be. Then again, Spiller may be gone next year?

[swiper]

How are kicks over-rated? They have been minimized.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Well if they're concerned about the offense and taking pressure off EJ Manuel as much as possible, starting with better field position can only help.

Sure, but outside of a handful of guys the difference between a bad returner and a good one is small (unless they fumble). Spiller hasn't really shown that elite ability at the NFL level so I don't think it's going to make a difference unless, as I said, it improves his running from scrimmage.

- - - Updated - - -


How are kicks over-rated? They have been minimized.

That's why they are overrated.

[swiper]

If they put it back the way it was, would you like it better?

[stuckincincy]

I fail to see how standing back to return kicks does anything to "get him into a rhythm."

I think it's a PR stunt to move some tickets. He might break one, he might get broken.

[swiper]

TO was a PR stunt. This is just stupid. IMO.

[ServoBillieves]

I'm trying to find something to justify the move. I think returns are incredibly overrated on this board and by the Bills in general.

When your offense is inept at scoring touchdowns, you have to score somehow...

[EDS]

Marrone is clearly outsmarting the rest of the NFL. By jogging out to the end zone to fair catch a kickoff or watch it sail through the end zone CJ is already warmed up for the ensuing offensive series, so the defense will be playing on their heals as a result.

[Forward_Lateral]

I hope he doesn't hurt his neck watching all the kicks go through the endzone and into the seats.

[Meathead]

the bills had one of the worst average drive starts in the league so I think marrone is just trying to improve field position. but you would think its more likely a problem with the st unit itself, either the talent level and/or the coaching cough Crossman cough. if that's the case then using spiller might be a backwards solution

btw - the general thought is that doing returns is more hazardous for the ball carrier than regular plays but do we have any data on that?

[stuckincincy]

the bills had one of the worst average drive starts in the league so I think marrone is just trying to improve field position. but you would think its more likely a problem with the st unit itself, either the talent level and/or the coaching cough Crossman cough. if that's the case then using spiller might be a backwards solution

btw - the general thought is that doing returns is more hazardous for the ball carrier than regular plays but do we have any data on that?

Field position is vital. I recall a CIN-CLE game a few years back, there CIN had a whopping 240 yards edge on field position. Of course, CLE was slaughtered.

If they choose to have Spiller run back kickoffs, it tells me that they are grasping at straws - they must have just about the biggest bucket of straws of most any club.

Can he break one? Sure - he has a decent first move and has wheels. Forget punt returns - he isn't much when it comes to lateral speed or darting cuts, and punt returners can get absolutely crunched.

[Dujek]

"Hey other NFL teams, Spiller can return kicks too! Somebody make us an offer for him pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaase"

At least that's what this looks like to me.

[gebobs]

the bills had one of the worst average drive starts in the league so I think marrone is just trying to improve field position.
Wrong way to do it. Many if not most returns now get stopped inside the 20. The median return is 23 yards. Most kickers can get it 7 yards deep into the end zone rather easily.

His strategy should be like mine with the lottery. The best way to get ahead is to not play at all. I think that was WOPR's conclusion in War games as well.

[EDS]

Maybe Watkins will be returning punts?

[stuckincincy]

Maybe Watkins will be returning punts?

Did he in college?

[gebobs]

Did he in college?

LOL...pretty sure EDS was being sarcastic. Can you imagine the Bills risking the guy they mortgaged the future on, the guy that is going to cost them a better player next year, on special teams? For crap sake, he can't even take scrimmage hits.

He did return kicks in college, one for a td in his first year, but otherwise unremarkable. He returned a smattering of punts.

He will do no such thing for the Bills so long as his muted introduction to the fans doesn't continue and he starts living up to what he cost. All bets are off if he busts.

[YardRat]

Might as well, even though with the rules his actual returns will probably be minimal. We've been hearing since he was drafted that CJ is a threat to score anytime, from anywhere, when he gets his hands on the ball it can't hurt to give his as many opportunities as possible to finally prove it.

[casdhf]

Bump

[Typ0]

I don't think there are many kick offs ran back. Spiller just earned him money...plus he answered a score by Mia with a TD when our offense can't put one in the end zone. If we win this game that's a defining play.

[k-oneputt]

BUT, BUT, BUT,BUT.....

[ServoBillieves]

I don't think there are many kick offs ran back. Spiller just earned him money...plus he answered a score by Mia with a TD when our offense can't put one in the end zone. If we win this game that's a defining play.

*ahem*...

I refer you to post #25

[IlluminatusUIUC]

*ahem*...

I refer you to post #25

Yes, he did prove me wrong today. Big time return at the most necessary of times.

[gebobs]

I love being proved wrong by the Bills. It's always good news.