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Fred Jackson & C.J. Spiller, RBs, Buffalo Bills (1 Viewer)

Jason Wood

Zoo York
2012 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we plan to publish more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters.

As always we will post a list of players to be discussed each week. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discuss expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Fred Jackson & C.J. Spiller, RBs, Buffalo Bills

Player Page Link: Fred Jackson Player Page

Player Page Link: C.J. Spiller Player Page

Each article will include:

[*]Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member

[*]Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads

[*]FBG Projections

[*]Consensus Member Projections

The Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

[*]Focus commentary on the player (or players) in question, and your expectations for said player (or players)

[*]Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"

[*]Avoid redundancies or :popcorn: ... this should be about incremental analysis or debate

While not a requirement, we strongly encourage you to provide your own projections for the player (players):

Projections should include:

[*]For QBs: Attempts, Completions, Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Attempts, Rush Yards, Rush TDs

[*]For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

[*]For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

Now let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 
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See: Garrison Hearst, Kevan Barlow circa 2001.

I don't see the old guy letting up just yet. I'd imagine similar stats to last year, if both are healthy. So, a little bit of ground made by Spiller. I just haven't seen enough out of Spiller to think he's going to step in and be a dynamic all-around RB.

 
I’m buying BUF this year. I think they were one of these teams last year that started to become self-conscious about their success and then at a time when they could have pulled themselves out of their downward spiral, lost their best player for the season and had their QB severely compromised due to injury.

Did C.J. Spiller show some big time potential upon Fred Jackson being lost for the season with a broken leg? Yes. Does this mean that we’re likely to see Spiller assume a larger, more defined role in the BUF offense because of his late season showing? Yes. However, with the emergence of two extremely capable players at RB, I expect the complexion of the BUF to shift dramatically and there being enough opportunity to feed 2 RB’ s in this offense yet F-Jax to still be the clear lead dog.

Last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished 6th in the NFL in passing attempts with 569. BUF does not strike me as a team that should be putting the ball up that many times and when they got off to their surprising 5-2 start, they were only throwing the ball 32.7 times/game. But during their 1-8 finish…that number increased to 38.7. I think this offense reverts back to being one that might put it up around 500 times in 2012…resulting in a fairly significant drop in that category, but with more efficiency. 2011 saw the Bills finish tied for 28th in giveaways. This is a team that made a large investment on the defensive side of the ball and the mandate on offense will be to limit the turnovers on offense while maintaining explosiveness. A Jackson/Spiller driven offense allows the Bills to do this.

Ultimately, I could see Jackson/Spiller combining for 500 touches much like the Chiefs ground game of 2010 (534). It makes sense for them to run the offense through their 2 best offensive players and establishing Fitzpatrick’s ability to push the ball downfield as their offensive counter punch versus primary objective. The question is – if there are 500+ touches for the taking – who gets what? My thinking is that the Bills will be conscious to try and keep the workload manageable for both with Jackson probably topping out at about 300 touches…and because both backs are so versatile, their presence on the field will almost be situation neutral with perhaps some level of favoritism given to F-Jax based on pass protection ability (I’m assuming he’s better in this area) and to Spiller when they are using him specifically in the downfield passing game (he caught 49% of his passes past the LOS versus F-Jax who managed just 23% in this area).

As such, while F-Jax value is not going to be quite what it was in 2011 when he was perhaps the best RB in the NFL prior to getting hurt and you probably drafted him in Round 5-6, I think you’ll be able to take advantage of others reluctance to touch the BUF running game in the first 2-3 rounds because of the unclear role of each player. Jackson will still produce above his ADP. And while Spiller won’t be the workhorse he was upon Jackson getting hurt, he’ll have a significant role in the BUF offense.

Prediction:

Jackson - 260 Rushes, 1175 Rushing Yards, 9 TD’s; 42 Receptions, 289 Receiving Yards 1 TD.

Spiller – 152 Rushes, 681 Rushing Yards, 3 TD’s; 62 Receptions, 486 Receiving Yards, 3 TD’s

 
I’m buying BUF this year. I think they were one of these teams last year that started to become self-conscious about their success and then at a time when they could have pulled themselves out of their downward spiral, lost their best player for the season and had their QB severely compromised due to injury.

Did C.J. Spiller show some big time potential upon Fred Jackson being lost for the season with a broken leg? Yes. Does this mean that we’re likely to see Spiller assume a larger, more defined role in the BUF offense because of his late season showing? Yes. However, with the emergence of two extremely capable players at RB, I expect the complexion of the BUF to shift dramatically and there being enough opportunity to feed 2 RB’ s in this offense yet F-Jax to still be the clear lead dog.

Last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished 6th in the NFL in passing attempts with 569. BUF does not strike me as a team that should be putting the ball up that many times and when they got off to their surprising 5-2 start, they were only throwing the ball 32.7 times/game. But during their 1-8 finish…that number increased to 38.7. I think this offense reverts back to being one that might put it up around 500 times in 2012…resulting in a fairly significant drop in that category, but with more efficiency. 2011 saw the Bills finish tied for 28th in giveaways. This is a team that made a large investment on the defensive side of the ball and the mandate on offense will be to limit the turnovers on offense while maintaining explosiveness. A Jackson/Spiller driven offense allows the Bills to do this.

Ultimately, I could see Jackson/Spiller combining for 500 touches much like the Chiefs ground game of 2010 (534). It makes sense for them to run the offense through their 2 best offensive players and establishing Fitzpatrick’s ability to push the ball downfield as their offensive counter punch versus primary objective. The question is – if there are 500+ touches for the taking – who gets what? My thinking is that the Bills will be conscious to try and keep the workload manageable for both with Jackson probably topping out at about 300 touches…and because both backs are so versatile, their presence on the field will almost be situation neutral with perhaps some level of favoritism given to F-Jax based on pass protection ability (I’m assuming he’s better in this area) and to Spiller when they are using him specifically in the downfield passing game (he caught 49% of his passes past the LOS versus F-Jax who managed just 23% in this area).

As such, while F-Jax value is not going to be quite what it was in 2011 when he was perhaps the best RB in the NFL prior to getting hurt and you probably drafted him in Round 5-6, I think you’ll be able to take advantage of others reluctance to touch the BUF running game in the first 2-3 rounds because of the unclear role of each player. Jackson will still produce above his ADP. And while Spiller won’t be the workhorse he was upon Jackson getting hurt, he’ll have a significant role in the BUF offense.

Prediction:

Jackson - 260 Rushes, 1175 Rushing Yards, 9 TD’s; 42 Receptions, 289 Receiving Yards 1 TD.

Spiller – 152 Rushes, 681 Rushing Yards, 3 TD’s; 62 Receptions, 486 Receiving Yards, 3 TD’s
You have 412 rushes and 104 receptions for the Jackson/Spiller next season. The past 2 years, both under Gailey, they have 391 and 401 rushing attempts TOTAL. QBs, Gadget plays with Brad Smith, end arounds all included. Your adding around 80 rushing attempts for RBs this upcoming season. Receptions is closer and with Spiller reasonably able to split wide a fair amount I won't argue that its to many but I think those are VERY optimistic rushing attempts.
 
You have 412 rushes and 104 receptions for the Jackson/Spiller next season. The past 2 years, both under Gailey, they have 391 and 401 rushing attempts TOTAL. QBs, Gadget plays with Brad Smith, end arounds all included. Your adding around 80 rushing attempts for RBs this upcoming season. Receptions is closer and with Spiller reasonably able to split wide a fair amount I won't argue that its to many but I think those are VERY optimistic rushing attempts.
Thats 5 more rushes per game?!?! With the improvement on defense, and the likelihood of more stops on third downs, more attempts and possession should result.

He could be dead on.

 
if Jackson had never gotten hurt last year and was able to continue his pace, he'd be a first round pick this year. Right now his ADP is around 35. The question is how big will the Spiller factor be? If its not as big as people think, FJAX is a bargain at current levels and if its more than people think, he is overvalued. I don't have an answer and my gut is that it is too risky to make the call, but want to throw it out there to the pool.

 
I’m buying BUF this year. I think they were one of these teams last year that started to become self-conscious about their success and then at a time when they could have pulled themselves out of their downward spiral, lost their best player for the season and had their QB severely compromised due to injury.

Did C.J. Spiller show some big time potential upon Fred Jackson being lost for the season with a broken leg? Yes. Does this mean that we’re likely to see Spiller assume a larger, more defined role in the BUF offense because of his late season showing? Yes. However, with the emergence of two extremely capable players at RB, I expect the complexion of the BUF to shift dramatically and there being enough opportunity to feed 2 RB’ s in this offense yet F-Jax to still be the clear lead dog.

Last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished 6th in the NFL in passing attempts with 569. BUF does not strike me as a team that should be putting the ball up that many times and when they got off to their surprising 5-2 start, they were only throwing the ball 32.7 times/game. But during their 1-8 finish…that number increased to 38.7. I think this offense reverts back to being one that might put it up around 500 times in 2012…resulting in a fairly significant drop in that category, but with more efficiency. 2011 saw the Bills finish tied for 28th in giveaways. This is a team that made a large investment on the defensive side of the ball and the mandate on offense will be to limit the turnovers on offense while maintaining explosiveness. A Jackson/Spiller driven offense allows the Bills to do this.

Ultimately, I could see Jackson/Spiller combining for 500 touches much like the Chiefs ground game of 2010 (534). It makes sense for them to run the offense through their 2 best offensive players and establishing Fitzpatrick’s ability to push the ball downfield as their offensive counter punch versus primary objective. The question is – if there are 500+ touches for the taking – who gets what? My thinking is that the Bills will be conscious to try and keep the workload manageable for both with Jackson probably topping out at about 300 touches…and because both backs are so versatile, their presence on the field will almost be situation neutral with perhaps some level of favoritism given to F-Jax based on pass protection ability (I’m assuming he’s better in this area) and to Spiller when they are using him specifically in the downfield passing game (he caught 49% of his passes past the LOS versus F-Jax who managed just 23% in this area).

As such, while F-Jax value is not going to be quite what it was in 2011 when he was perhaps the best RB in the NFL prior to getting hurt and you probably drafted him in Round 5-6, I think you’ll be able to take advantage of others reluctance to touch the BUF running game in the first 2-3 rounds because of the unclear role of each player. Jackson will still produce above his ADP. And while Spiller won’t be the workhorse he was upon Jackson getting hurt, he’ll have a significant role in the BUF offense.

Prediction:

Jackson - 260 Rushes, 1175 Rushing Yards, 9 TD’s; 42 Receptions, 289 Receiving Yards 1 TD.

Spiller – 152 Rushes, 681 Rushing Yards, 3 TD’s; 62 Receptions, 486 Receiving Yards, 3 TD’s
You have 412 rushes and 104 receptions for the Jackson/Spiller next season. The past 2 years, both under Gailey, they have 391 and 401 rushing attempts TOTAL. QBs, Gadget plays with Brad Smith, end arounds all included. Your adding around 80 rushing attempts for RBs this upcoming season. Receptions is closer and with Spiller reasonably able to split wide a fair amount I won't argue that its to many but I think those are VERY optimistic rushing attempts.
The past 2 seasons, the Bills have also gone 10-22. Transposing a similar run:pass ratio to a team that has done a very good job at adding young and free agent talent would suggest to be that the Bills will be in better positions to control the game through their best assets on offense which IMO are Jackson/Spiller. When you include that beside Steve Johnson, who in and of himself, is a below average #1 NFL WR1...the Bills are really thin at this receiver position...it would seem to make sense for a team with a much improved defense and a QB that probably is best suited be a game manager and not the central focal point of the offense - that they lean on both Jackson and Spiller. I understand it's a significant departure from how their offense has been divided in the past, but I stand by it.
 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked? Nobody seems to be on him right now, maybe I'm off, but I have gotten that sense over the past few days. He seems real healthy, and has looked great in the preseason. What do you guys think? I'm buying.

 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked?
Looks that way.FJ appears to have real solid value at his current adp.Spiller is still nice, but will become much cheaper to obtain after a couple regular season games.Tough handcuff situation to acquire both in a draft.
Jackson has just looked so good. Getting him as a RB2 would be lethal if he is close to what he did last year.
got him with rice today
 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked?
Looks that way.FJ appears to have real solid value at his current adp.Spiller is still nice, but will become much cheaper to obtain after a couple regular season games.Tough handcuff situation to acquire both in a draft.
Jackson has just looked so good. Getting him as a RB2 would be lethal if he is close to what he did last year.
got him with rice today
Me too. Rice at 3 (Rogers at 2) then FJax at 22.
 
I have Jackson as a top 10 RB. Why people are drafting the likes of Demarco Murray over him is puzzling. If he doesn't break his leg and finished 2011 at the same pace he had through 10 weeks, he would have amassed 2200 yards, 10 TDs and 60 receptions. People would have him in the same tier as Rice, Mccoy, and Foster.

 
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Is Fred Jackson being overlooked?
Looks that way.FJ appears to have real solid value at his current adp.Spiller is still nice, but will become much cheaper to obtain after a couple regular season games.Tough handcuff situation to acquire both in a draft.
Yeah, for anyone downgrading Jackson becuase of his age, he seems to be a very young 31 given that he has seemingly always been a backup until the last couple of years.
 
I have Jackson as a top 10 RB. Why people are drafting the likes of Demarco Murray over him is puzzling. If he doesn't break his leg and finished 2011 at the same pace he had through 10 weeks, he would have amassed 2200 yards, 10 TDs and 60 receptions. People would have him in the same tier as Rice, Mccoy, and Foster.
:goodposting: I don't get it either, but I've been more than happy to get him for mid to late 20s in several auctions, while watching others spend anywhere from mid 30s to low 40s on Murray.
 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked?
Looks that way.FJ appears to have real solid value at his current adp.Spiller is still nice, but will become much cheaper to obtain after a couple regular season games.Tough handcuff situation to acquire both in a draft.
Yeah, for anyone downgrading Jackson becuase of his age, he seems to be a very young 31 given that he has seemingly always been a backup until the last couple of years.
Hes actually a very old 31 as he has a Feb Birthday.
 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked?
Looks that way.FJ appears to have real solid value at his current adp.Spiller is still nice, but will become much cheaper to obtain after a couple regular season games.Tough handcuff situation to acquire both in a draft.
Yeah, for anyone downgrading Jackson becuase of his age, he seems to be a very young 31 given that he has seemingly always been a backup until the last couple of years.
He didn't even start his NFL career till age 26.
 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked?
Looks that way.FJ appears to have real solid value at his current adp.Spiller is still nice, but will become much cheaper to obtain after a couple regular season games.Tough handcuff situation to acquire both in a draft.
Yeah, for anyone downgrading Jackson becuase of his age, he seems to be a very young 31 given that he has seemingly always been a backup until the last couple of years.
He didn't even start his NFL career till age 26.
He still played football. Probably not the same beating an NFL running back would get, but it's not like sitting in a cubicle either.
 
Interesting Fred Jackson facts. In 2009, he recorded the 5th most all purpose yards in NFL history. He is the only player in NFL history with 1k rushing and 1k kick return yards.

 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked? Nobody seems to be on him right now, maybe I'm off, but I have gotten that sense over the past few days. He seems real healthy, and has looked great in the preseason. What do you guys think? I'm buying.
He went mid-2nd in my draft yesterday, seems like others in here are also saying they either took him in the 2nd or he went there as well. Doesnt seem to be dropping to me.
 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked? Nobody seems to be on him right now, maybe I'm off, but I have gotten that sense over the past few days. He seems real healthy, and has looked great in the preseason. What do you guys think? I'm buying.
He went mid-2nd in my draft yesterday, seems like others in here are also saying they either took him in the 2nd or he went there as well. Doesnt seem to be dropping to me.
that's unusual but I do think people are starting to figure out he's still the man there. he was normally going in the late 3rd or early 4th for much of the offseason.
 
I got him first pick of the fourth in a ten team league. I picked him over Charles who was also available. Seems like the Buf and KC situation are very similar.

 
Is Fred Jackson being overlooked? Nobody seems to be on him right now, maybe I'm off, but I have gotten that sense over the past few days. He seems real healthy, and has looked great in the preseason. What do you guys think? I'm buying.
He went mid-2nd in my draft yesterday, seems like others in here are also saying they either took him in the 2nd or he went there as well. Doesnt seem to be dropping to me.
that's unusual but I do think people are starting to figure out he's still the man there. he was normally going in the late 3rd or early 4th for much of the offseason.
beginning of the 2nd in my 14 and 12 team leagues this weekend.
 
IF Jackson is out for the season, is Spiller top 10?
He was stellar today and I have a high opinion of him overall, but it's worth noting for the record that Chan Gailey refuses to give him GL carries -- Tashard Choice (?!) comes in for those. Just something to know.
 
IF Jackson is out for the season, is Spiller top 10?
Spiller may become top 10 even if Jackson is only out a few weeks. If Spiller plays like he did today and late last season, he could take over as the main guy regardless. Jackson is 31 1/2 while Spiller's only 25, so the Bills front office likely sees Spiller as the future main RB anyway.Spiller's looking awesome for keeper/dynasty leagues.
 
I would like to nominate myself for the ####### of the week award. I have been man-crushing on Spiller as much as anyone this entire off season. So what do I do with my flex play for week one, I bench him, in two leagues. :wall:

 
'Ahmad Rashad said:
'matttyl said:
IF Jackson is out for the season, is Spiller top 10?
Spiller may become top 10 even if Jackson is only out a few weeks. If Spiller plays like he did today and late last season, he could take over as the main guy regardless. Jackson is 31 1/2 while Spiller's only 25, so the Bills front office likely sees Spiller as the future main RB anyway.Spiller's looking awesome for keeper/dynasty leagues.
Don't forget if you take remove those two long runs he actually had a very ho hum day:sarcasm: if anyone missed it
 
Can't believe we are going there with this.. His first touchdown came in the second quarter and made it 21 - 7. Remember the Bills had a couple of big comebacks last year. Including being down 21 - 0 to the Patriots.

Even if you discount that, garbage yards still count for fantasy points.

 
How much of Spiller's yards came after the Jets were up 20+ points?
Seems like a good sign to me. RBs tend to get pushed to the side when the team is down that far.
I was thinking the same thing. When down by 3 scores, coaches usually let their QB run wild. I slept on this guy, had him #1 on my list for 2 rounds in my keep-4 keeper league, thinking he'd keep falling. Then the round I was going to finally taken, he was picked 2 picks before mine. My own damn fault for waiting. Ugh.
 
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Hate to see Fred Jackson go down again - guy's a great player and a real warrior. Its amazing that RBs don't get hurt more than they do - just a routine open field tackle.

Spiller owners have to be happy now, and Jackson owners depressed. Even when Fred comes back, it probably becomes more of a true RBBC than what it was looking like.

 
Per La Canfora tweet, looks like a minimum of 4 weeks for Fred Jackson, but MRI results uncertain. To be monitored for next 7-10 days.https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/245216955215278081
MRI results will give us more of a time table. Keep in mind that week 8 is the Bills' bye week.
I read that to mean that the MRI results did not give a clear timetable, as opposed to David Nelson who is out for the year. I could be wrong though.
 
Per La Canfora tweet, looks like a minimum of 4 weeks for Fred Jackson, but MRI results uncertain. To be monitored for next 7-10 days.https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/245216955215278081
MRI results will give us more of a time table. Keep in mind that week 8 is the Bills' bye week.
I read that to mean that the MRI results did not give a clear timetable, as opposed to David Nelson who is out for the year. I could be wrong though.
Schefter tweet with a little more clarity. Timetable likely in 7-10 days. http://www.whosay.com/AdamSchefter/content/391101?wsref=tw&code=DLV48LV
 
Per La Canfora tweet, looks like a minimum of 4 weeks for Fred Jackson, but MRI results uncertain. To be monitored for next 7-10 days.https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/245216955215278081
MRI results will give us more of a time table. Keep in mind that week 8 is the Bills' bye week.
I read that to mean that the MRI results did not give a clear timetable, as opposed to David Nelson who is out for the year. I could be wrong though.
Schefter tweet with a little more clarity. Timetable likely in 7-10 days. http://www.whosay.com/AdamSchefter/content/391101?wsref=tw&code=DLV48LV
how does an MRI reveal nothing? due to swelling? or is it maybe a hyper-extension? a little confusing
 
My link

The Fantasy Game Plan --- Consider Drafting Both, Particularly In PPR Leagues

As we've already shown, both RBs were ELITE fantasy performers when they had the lead job. To think they can't approximate last year's numbers is silly. The coaches, system and supporting casts return intact. Yet, Jackson is currently being drafted RB16 and 32nd overall while Spiller is being drafted RB30 and 77th overall. DRAFT THEM BOTH. That amounts to using a 3rd round selection on Jackson, and a 6th or 7th round pick on Spiller. Worst case, you have a healthy Jackson who may not put up the Top 5 numbers from a year ago (because he's sharing touches with Spiller) but will do enough to 12-15 touches per game to deliver RB2 value. But there's also the possibility that either Jackson or Spiller gets hurt (the NFL is an unforgiving game), and then you've landed a possible every week Top 10 running back for a fraction of the price.
:goodposting: Nice piece of advice FBGs!!!!

 
any update on fred?
Hope this injury is the isolated LCL sprain it's expected to be. LCL sprains are unusual for football players, however, and Jackson's mechanism of injury was worrisome for a posterolateral corner injury. If that's the case, Jackson could miss months rather than weeks. More details on the implications of PLC injuries on the FBG Second Opinion blog for those interested.
If it is indeed a PLC injury, it could be career threatening, not just season ending. Injuries to the PLC result in significantly more instability of the knee than ACL's, and the technique for surgical correction is still VERY far from perfected. Watching the replays of the injury, it was a classic mechanism for PLC injuries. Obviously, a lot would depend on the severity of the injury, but it didn't look good. I hope for his sake it is an isolated LCL.
 
What are Fred Jackson owners doing with him, considering Spiller's emergence? Is he even worth keeping around? Not saying cutting him for the sake of it, but what level FA would it take to get you to drop him?

 

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