Player Spotlight: C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills (1 Viewer)

[WilsonTheVolleyball]

Through the first 7 weeks of the season in standard leagues, If CJ Spiller were a kicker, he'd rank 27th in the position based on total fantasy points. True story.

 

[humpback]

Spiller’s ankle to be closely monitored

Posted by Chris Brown on October 21, 2013 – 2:48 pm

Bills RB C.J. Spiller has been playing hurt for the past three games now with his ankle injury suffered against Baltimore. Outside observers wonder if it’s better to just let Spiller’s ankle completely heal and sit him for a week. Head coach Doug Marrone admitted that playing on it slows the healing process, and indicated that Spiller’s progress will be carefully monitored.

“It’s been up and down,” said Marrone. ”We just monitor him during the week and see where he’s at and if it continues to get better then we go out there and play. There’s going to be a setback when you play the game. He’s not going to come out of there 110 percent. It’s a situation where we keep monitoring it and then if there’s a point where during the week it doesn’t feel as good as it should then we have to look and see what we want to do.

“As long as he’s getting better when he’s in there he has the potential to be productive, which he was. He had a couple of runs over 10 yards and against Cleveland he had the big run for a touchdown. We just have to try to get him better each week.”

Marrone said the injury is the only reason Spiller’s production is down this season, but he doesn’t sound convinced that sitting Spiller is the best course of action at this point.

“The injury has everything to do with it, not some of it,” said Marrone of Spiller’s production. ”We’re looking at the production, seeing if he’s getting better and not putting him out there in jeopardy. Him being out there if he can produce, you look at the run against Cleveland, the run even the other day that he bounces outside and takes it up the sideline. Not many people can do that so that’s what we’re trying to balance the whole time."

 

[Ted Mullins]

Wish he'd just take a week off and hopefully get better. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any way to get much of anything for him at this point.

The week he had the TD vs Cle is the only week I haven't played him

 

[buddhacwru]

Looks like he will be playing this week. I kind of don't want him to since the matchup vs. KC is pretty bad. At least it's at Buffalo.

 

[djjosee]

For the love of God ... sit him and get him 100%!

 

[RushHour]

The way this is going, feels like he won't be 100% all season. Someone needs to inform the Bills that the extra week of rest doesn't actually do any good if he then plays the next week while still hurting.

 

[zamboni]

The way this is going, feels like he won't be 100% all season. Someone needs to inform the Bills that the extra week of rest doesn't actually do any good if he then plays the next week while still hurting.

Yeah, I don't get it why Marrone won't sit him longer. It's not like they don't have another option with Fred running pretty well these days, and Choice hasn't been terrible.

Maybe they're worried about Fred wearing down, but the best way to combat that is to keep Spiller fresh.

 

[buddhacwru]

The way this is going, feels like he won't be 100% all season. Someone needs to inform the Bills that the extra week of rest doesn't actually do any good if he then plays the next week while still hurting.

Yeah, I don't get it why Marrone won't sit him longer. It's not like they don't have another option with Fred running pretty well these days, and Choice hasn't been terrible.

Maybe they're worried about Fred wearing down, but the best way to combat that is to keep Spiller fresh.

Perhaps a Rookie coach wanting to prove himself? Or perhaps he thinks he can win the AFC east actually.

 

[LargeMouthBass]

Now that I've trade for Fred Jackson, I have a feeling if both of them start, they will just produce mediocre numbers. And both will be unstartable for me for the rest of the season, smh...

 

[NREC34]

He took a week off and many people were calling for that. I'm happy at least he did that.

 

[Kenny Powers]

155 total yards? I'll take it

 

[andyk803]

He reaggravated it a couple of times after those long runs, but in the post game he said he had no setbacks.

 

[flysack]

It's amazing what he did while still not 100%. You could see it on one of this long runs; he tried to cut quick to juke the last guy between him and the endzone, but had almost no cutting ability. he practically had to stop to redirect his motion. A healthy Spiller would have taken that to the house.

 

[flysack]

The way this is going, feels like he won't be 100% all season. Someone needs to inform the Bills that the extra week of rest doesn't actually do any good if he then plays the next week while still hurting.

Gotta agree with this. He won't be 100% all season, but I think the problem is Spiller himself trying to gut it out because he knows he can still contribute. He did gain 155 all purpose yards against a good KC defense.

 

[Godsbrother]

Spiller has a very tasty matchup against the Steelers this week, The Steelers run defense is awful and have given up quite a few long ones.

 

[GroveDiesel]

What's amazing is that Spiller is still averaging 4.8ypc this year and over 6.0ypc in 3 games.

I think he's an excellent buy low in keeper and dynasty leagues.

 

[flysack]

What's amazing is that Spiller is still averaging 4.8ypc this year and over 6.0ypc in 3 games.

I think he's an excellent buy low in keeper and dynasty leagues.

I'm very optimistic that he'll be a fantasy beast next year. He'll be healed, his offense will have had a year under Marone's system, Manuel will be one year into his pro career, and the Bills in general will be much better.

Of course, I've been saying stuff like that for years now. /billsfanstuff.

 

[FUBAR]

thoughts going forward? Will he start to see more action than Jackson?

 

[ragnarok628]

He reaggravated it a couple of times after those long runs, but in the post game he said he had no setbacks.

feeling pain in the ankle is not the same thing as further injuring the ankle.

FWIW, Bloom had this to say in the Upgrades/Downgrades:

He's back to being a must-start RB1/RB2 with top 5 upside even while sharing with Fred Jackson.

 

[LittlePhatty]

He reaggravated it a couple of times after those long runs, but in the post game he said he had no setbacks.

I don't get it either. It was initially reported on Yahoo that he didn't finish the game because he tweaked it again. Unless we hear further news about any sort of setback, I think you have to start him against the Steelers.

 

[nastynate]

I don't know that is was aggravation as much as general soreness from a lingering injury.

 

[DocHolliday]

I saw enough this past weekend to feel comfortable starting Spiller over FJax.

 

[smapdi]

What's amazing is that Spiller is still averaging 4.8ypc this year and over 6.0ypc in 3 games.

I think he's an excellent buy low in keeper and dynasty leagues.

He has all the talent in the world. If you can get him in dynasty, I'd go for it. He isn't going anywhere and the 1st half of this season is going to be the exception; I'd expect more 2012's then first half's of 2013. At the end of the day, he still their best offensive play maker by a pretty significant margin. FJax is 32 and isn't getting any younger. Stevie is good but nowhere near the athlete and potential game breaker Spiller is.

Manuel's return should help the RB's. Tuel was pretty bad last week. Lewis is getting a lot of praise but he wasn't anything special when you compare him to your average starting NFL QB. Manuel will make them a lot less one dimensional and should back the defenses off the line.

155 yards. He should have had a TD as well but the coaches decided to let their UDFA throw from the 1 yard line on 3rd down instead of letting Spiller finish it off after he broke off a 61 yarder to put them in that position.

My only concern at this point with this staff is his lack of touches inside the 10. They won't even give the opportunity to take a crack at it and prove he can't do it. I have a feeling that will change next week against PIT. The coaches have taken a bunch of flack over that 99 yard INT on the goalline so I can see them letting Spiller go after it next time around.

 

[humpback]

What's amazing is that Spiller is still averaging 4.8ypc this year and over 6.0ypc in 3 games.

I think he's an excellent buy low in keeper and dynasty leagues.

He has all the talent in the world. If you can get him in dynasty, I'd go for it. He isn't going anywhere and the 1st half of this season is going to be the exception; I'd expect more 2012's then first half's of 2013. At the end of the day, he still their best offensive play maker by a pretty significant margin. FJax is 32 and isn't getting any younger. Stevie is good but nowhere near the athlete and potential game breaker Spiller is.

Manuel's return should help the RB's. Tuel was pretty bad last week. Lewis is getting a lot of praise but he wasn't anything special when you compare him to your average starting NFL QB. Manuel will make them a lot less one dimensional and should back the defenses off the line.

155 yards. He should have had a TD as well but the coaches decided to let their UDFA throw from the 1 yard line on 3rd down instead of letting Spiller finish it off after he broke off a 61 yarder to put them in that position.

My only concern at this point with this staff is his lack of touches inside the 10. They won't even give the opportunity to take a crack at it and prove he can't do it. I have a feeling that will change next week against PIT. The coaches have taken a bunch of flack over that 99 yard INT on the goalline so I can see them letting Spiller go after it next time around.

It makes sense that they'd be more likely to run the ball in that situation now, but why would you assume Spiller would get the call over Jackson?

 

[smapdi]

What's amazing is that Spiller is still averaging 4.8ypc this year and over 6.0ypc in 3 games.

I think he's an excellent buy low in keeper and dynasty leagues.

He has all the talent in the world. If you can get him in dynasty, I'd go for it. He isn't going anywhere and the 1st half of this season is going to be the exception; I'd expect more 2012's then first half's of 2013. At the end of the day, he still their best offensive play maker by a pretty significant margin. FJax is 32 and isn't getting any younger. Stevie is good but nowhere near the athlete and potential game breaker Spiller is.

Manuel's return should help the RB's. Tuel was pretty bad last week. Lewis is getting a lot of praise but he wasn't anything special when you compare him to your average starting NFL QB. Manuel will make them a lot less one dimensional and should back the defenses off the line.

155 yards. He should have had a TD as well but the coaches decided to let their UDFA throw from the 1 yard line on 3rd down instead of letting Spiller finish it off after he broke off a 61 yarder to put them in that position.

My only concern at this point with this staff is his lack of touches inside the 10. They won't even give the opportunity to take a crack at it and prove he can't do it. I have a feeling that will change next week against PIT. The coaches have taken a bunch of flack over that 99 yard INT on the goalline so I can see them letting Spiller go after it next time around.

It makes sense that they'd be more likely to run the ball in that situation now, but why would you assume Spiller would get the call over Jackson?

Jackson was stuffed twice on 1st and 2nd down to lead them to that pass play on 3rd. He really didn't even come close.

I'm just taking a guess that they will give Spiller a look down there next time in that situation. The coaches are taking a full on ####-storm about that pass call in the media and from fans. People are calling it one of the worst play calls in the recent memory and that's tough to pull off with Chan Gailey and **** Jauron as your last 2 coaches. It pretty much lost them the game and took all the wind out of their sails. They had the undefeated Chiefs on the ropes at that point; could've gone up 2 scores; instead that made it a tie game and gave KC all the momentum. It was a truly terrible call.

I also think he'll get a crack next time because the coaches really haven't given him a chance down there in quite awhile. He appears to be close to healthy so why not give your best offensive player a chance down there? Just throw him a toss and let him out run everyone to the edge. He's done it before numerous times so let him do it again. I also think he has the strength to take it straight up the middle; he isn't some delicate flower. He can stiff arm LB's and break plenty of tackles but that line of thinking seems to be absurd. He just "can't" do that apparently.

 

[humpback]

What's amazing is that Spiller is still averaging 4.8ypc this year and over 6.0ypc in 3 games.

I think he's an excellent buy low in keeper and dynasty leagues.

He has all the talent in the world. If you can get him in dynasty, I'd go for it. He isn't going anywhere and the 1st half of this season is going to be the exception; I'd expect more 2012's then first half's of 2013. At the end of the day, he still their best offensive play maker by a pretty significant margin. FJax is 32 and isn't getting any younger. Stevie is good but nowhere near the athlete and potential game breaker Spiller is.

Manuel's return should help the RB's. Tuel was pretty bad last week. Lewis is getting a lot of praise but he wasn't anything special when you compare him to your average starting NFL QB. Manuel will make them a lot less one dimensional and should back the defenses off the line.

155 yards. He should have had a TD as well but the coaches decided to let their UDFA throw from the 1 yard line on 3rd down instead of letting Spiller finish it off after he broke off a 61 yarder to put them in that position.

My only concern at this point with this staff is his lack of touches inside the 10. They won't even give the opportunity to take a crack at it and prove he can't do it. I have a feeling that will change next week against PIT. The coaches have taken a bunch of flack over that 99 yard INT on the goalline so I can see them letting Spiller go after it next time around.

It makes sense that they'd be more likely to run the ball in that situation now, but why would you assume Spiller would get the call over Jackson?

Jackson was stuffed twice on 1st and 2nd down to lead them to that pass play on 3rd. He really didn't even come close.

I'm just taking a guess that they will give Spiller a look down there next time in that situation. The coaches are taking a full on ####-storm about that pass call in the media and from fans. People are calling it one of the worst play calls in the recent memory and that's tough to pull off with Chan Gailey and **** Jauron as your last 2 coaches. It pretty much lost them the game and took all the wind out of their sails. They had the undefeated Chiefs on the ropes at that point; could've gone up 2 scores; instead that made it a tie game and gave KC all the momentum. It was a truly terrible call.

I also think he'll get a crack next time because the coaches really haven't given him a chance down there in quite awhile. He appears to be close to healthy so why not give your best offensive player a chance down there? Just throw him a toss and let him out run everyone to the edge. He's done it before numerous times so let him do it again. I also think he has the strength to take it straight up the middle; he isn't some delicate flower. He can stiff arm LB's and break plenty of tackles but that line of thinking seems to be absurd. He just "can't" do that apparently.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with most of this, I was just curious if there was something they said or did that would lead you to to think this. Not giving him a chance down there in quite a while doesn't strike me as a reason to believe they will all of the sudden start doing so.

 

[andyk803]

On the first long run, I think he was either ther 29 yard run or the 61yarder. After he went out of bounds he was limping really bad and stopped for a sec and just stood there and then started to limp back to the field, but he continued to play

 

[smapdi]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with most of this, I was just curious if there was something they said or did that would lead you to to think this. Not giving him a chance down there in quite a while doesn't strike me as a reason to believe they will all of the sudden start doing so.

Ohh I don't blame you one bit. The coaches haven't stated specifically they will. I'm just taking an educated guess as a Bills fan.

1st - Not exaggerating one bit the amount of flack the coaches are taking for that pass call on the 1 yard line

2nd - That leads me to believe they will stick with running it in that situation next time around

3rd - FJax got stuffed on 1st and 2nd there/ didn't come close to punching it in

4th - Spiller appears to be the healthiest he's been since taking that ankle injury; broke off multiple big plays last week and set them up in that spot with his 61 yard scamper.

I just have a feeling he will get a crack at it next week if they're in that situation again

 

[GroveDiesel]

I think the opposite. Seems to me that the Bills clearly see Jackson as their goaline back. I don't see any evidence that that will change and I highly doubt that a couple of stuffs are going to change their mind.

 

[smapdi]

I think the opposite. Seems to me that the Bills clearly see Jackson as their goaline back. I don't see any evidence that that will change and I highly doubt that a couple of stuffs are going to change their mind.

I'm not saying Spiller is taking over the goal line duties. They obviously like FJax in that role. I just think Spiller will get some looks there as well instead of being benched whenever its goal to go. I seriously cannot remember the last time he had look down there.

 

[humpback]

I think the opposite. Seems to me that the Bills clearly see Jackson as their goaline back. I don't see any evidence that that will change and I highly doubt that a couple of stuffs are going to change their mind.

I'm not saying Spiller is taking over the goal line duties. They obviously like FJax in that role. I just think Spiller will get some looks there as well instead of being benched whenever its goal to go. I seriously cannot remember the last time he had look down there.

You keep saying this, but it seems to me that it's clearly evidence against him getting them all of the sudden (not that it couldn't happen, just doesn't seem likely).

 

[Isotopes]

Spiller ran with such determination and heart last week. The ankle was still an issue, as he was limping after several runs.

With reports out of Buffalo indicating he didn't suffer any setback, I think Spilller has turned the corner on his injury. He could very well become the player we all drafted him to become, down the stretch. It seems nearly laughable when you consider his ff value a week ago....but I view Spiller as a 'must start' right now.

 

[smapdi]

I think the opposite. Seems to me that the Bills clearly see Jackson as their goaline back. I don't see any evidence that that will change and I highly doubt that a couple of stuffs are going to change their mind.

I'm not saying Spiller is taking over the goal line duties. They obviously like FJax in that role. I just think Spiller will get some looks there as well instead of being benched whenever its goal to go. I seriously cannot remember the last time he had look down there.

You keep saying this, but it seems to me that it's clearly evidence against him getting them all of the sudden (not that it couldn't happen, just doesn't seem likely).

My point is, the current situation hasn't been working too well the last few weeks. Might be time to switch things up and try a different approach. Spiller hasn't exactly been healthy in that time span so now that it appears he has turned the corner, he should get some looks.

 

[LargeMouthBass]

Let's be real. Spiller won't see any goal line carries this year.

 

[djjosee]

Coach Doug Marrone said he's excited to get C.J. Spiller more touches after he was removed from the injury report Wednesday.
Spiller's ankle injury is "behind him," and the Bills appear ready to unleash him. Marrone says Spiller's usage is still a "matter of game plan," but look for him to improve on his 11.6 touches-per-game average from the past three games. Spiller averaged 18.75 touches per game the first four weeks before going down in Week 5. He's squarely back on the high-end RB2 radar. Nov 6 - 2:03 PM
Source: Joe Buscaglia on Twitter

He's been firmly on my bench for several weeks now. Could be time to add him in this week.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Coach Doug Marrone said he's excited to get C.J. Spiller more touches after he was removed from the injury report Wednesday.
Spiller's ankle injury is "behind him," and the Bills appear ready to unleash him. Marrone says Spiller's usage is still a "matter of game plan," but look for him to improve on his 11.6 touches-per-game average from the past three games. Spiller averaged 18.75 touches per game the first four weeks before going down in Week 5. He's squarely back on the high-end RB2 radar. Nov 6 - 2:03 PM
Source: Joe Buscaglia on Twitter

He's been firmly on my bench for several weeks now. Could be time to add him in this week.

im leavin him on the bench until i see 2 weeks in a row of solid production

 

[chinawildman]

Coach Doug Marrone said he's excited to get C.J. Spiller more touches after he was removed from the injury report Wednesday.
Spiller's ankle injury is "behind him," and the Bills appear ready to unleash him. Marrone says Spiller's usage is still a "matter of game plan," but look for him to improve on his 11.6 touches-per-game average from the past three games. Spiller averaged 18.75 touches per game the first four weeks before going down in Week 5. He's squarely back on the high-end RB2 radar. Nov 6 - 2:03 PM
Source: Joe Buscaglia on Twitter

He's been firmly on my bench for several weeks now. Could be time to add him in this week.

I gotta ask the Bills fans here... was Spiller a liability on passing downs as a blocker during the Chan Gailey years? It feels like Marrone and company are frightened to have him in there on passing downs (like he's so bad that his open field running skills don't even matter)

The coaches there talk about him like he's some superstar, but their usage of him resembles how you'd treat a rookie RB.

 

[andyk803]

New CJ owner here. Just traded for him. Does he get a lot of dump off passes from the qb?

 

[coachbobbyfinstock]

Hi Everyone,

As you know for the past few years I have been the foremost expert on all things NY Giants...Good news, Im now dipping my toes into the world of Buffal lo Bills Football!

CJ looked great, but it did seem like he was favoring the ankle a bit (missed that extra gear on a few runs and you could see him liming after a few plays). My insider(s) tell me this is a fluid situation, they think the ankle will get better and better even though he is going to keep playing.
Buffalo has n absolutley juicy schedule form here on out (look at those playoff match ups!) so get him, get him, get him!

And dont forget guys, feel free to reach out for any Giants questions! And NOW BILLS TOO!

 

[VaTerp]

Coach Doug Marrone said he's excited to get C.J. Spiller more touches after he was removed from the injury report Wednesday.
Spiller's ankle injury is "behind him," and the Bills appear ready to unleash him. Marrone says Spiller's usage is still a "matter of game plan," but look for him to improve on his 11.6 touches-per-game average from the past three games. Spiller averaged 18.75 touches per game the first four weeks before going down in Week 5. He's squarely back on the high-end RB2 radar. Nov 6 - 2:03 PM
Source: Joe Buscaglia on Twitter

He's been firmly on my bench for several weeks now. Could be time to add him in this week.

I gotta ask the Bills fans here... was Spiller a liability on passing downs as a blocker during the Chan Gailey years? It feels like Marrone and company are frightened to have him in there on passing downs (like he's so bad that his open field running skills don't even matter)

The coaches there talk about him like he's some superstar, but their usage of him resembles how you'd treat a rookie RB.

Amen to that.

 

[LargeMouthBass]

I'm still patiently waiting for this...

"It's real simple: We're going to give him the ball until he throws up," Hackett told The Howard Simon Show on WGR 550 in Buffalo. "So he's either got to tap out or throw up on the field. Let's just put it that way."

 

[msommer]

I'm still patiently waiting for this...

"It's real simple: We're going to give him the ball until he throws up," Hackett told The Howard Simon Show on WGR 550 in Buffalo. "So he's either got to tap out or throw up on the field. Let's just put it that way."

Maybe he tapped out?

 

[ahartig]

I'm still patiently waiting for this...

"It's real simple: We're going to give him the ball until he throws up," Hackett told The Howard Simon Show on WGR 550 in Buffalo. "So he's either got to tap out or throw up on the field. Let's just put it that way."

Maybe he tapped out?

^^^^ This. I have watched every game, and Spiller almost always takes himself out of the game after a "long" or "tough" run. Motioning to the sidelines to be subbed.... I think the kid wants to be at 100% gas every touch so that he can potentially take it to the house every touch, fine by me!

 

[LargeMouthBass]

I want to see him throw up...

 

[ahartig]

I want to see him throw up...

Agreed

 

[humpback]

^^^^ This. I have watched every game, and Spiller almost always takes himself out of the game after a "long" or "tough" run. Motioning to the sidelines to be subbed.... I think the kid wants to be at 100% gas every touch so that he can potentially take it to the house every touch, fine by me!

FJax owner?

 

[TeeDub]

Hasn't he been going to the sideline after every run because he's been injured?

 

[ahartig]

^^^^ This. I have watched every game, and Spiller almost always takes himself out of the game after a "long" or "tough" run. Motioning to the sidelines to be subbed.... I think the kid wants to be at 100% gas every touch so that he can potentially take it to the house every touch, fine by me!

FJax owner?

Fjax and spiller. Starting both from here on out.

 

[zed2283]

^^^^ This. I have watched every game, and Spiller almost always takes himself out of the game after a "long" or "tough" run. Motioning to the sidelines to be subbed.... I think the kid wants to be at 100% gas every touch so that he can potentially take it to the house every touch, fine by me!

FJax owner?

Fjax and spiller. Starting both from here on out.

Yep, I think I'm going to as well.

 

[LargeMouthBass]

Now that CJ is fully healthy, is he a must start this week over Freddy?

Yeah I doubt CJ will get any goal line carries but he might break a long one for a TD no?