C.J. Spiller Fantasy News

Monday, January 16, 2012, 1:47pm

Bills HC Chan Gailey on RBs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller: It’s a great situation we have at running back. We have two very good players. Hopefully we’ll end up with a two-headed monster which will be pretty strong.

Monday, January 9, 2012, 2:35pm

Bills GM Buddy Nix on RB C.J. Spiller: "Everyone's been surprised, I guess, about C.J. [Spiller] except us. We always knew what we had. The opportunity is what he needed and he got it when Fred got hurt. I'm one of the few who thinks C.J. can run inside and be a workhorse kind of back. I think he can run inside the tackles. He's stronger than you think he is."

Stevan Ridley impresses in his rookie season
Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 2:01pm

It would be easy to overlook the contributions of Stevan Ridley this season in an offense featuring names like Brady, Gronkowski and Welker. After all, 53 running backs had more rushes than Ridley’s 87 carries, and Ridley only scored one touchdown on the season. However, evidence is mounting that the Patriots found a pretty solid player with the 73rd overall pick in last year’s draft. Ridley’s 5.1 yards per rush is 10th among the 56 running backs with at least 85 rushes. Ridley has been among the league’s most powerful runners, averaging 2.6 yards after contact per rush. That trails only Ben Tate, Isaac Redman and Donald Brown among running backs with at least 85 carries. However, Ridley was far more than just a niche power rusher, averaging a 20+ yard run once every 17.4 carries. That was the seventh-best average among backs with at least 85 carries, trailing Darren Sproles, DeAngelo Williams, Darren McFadden, C.J. Spiller, Matt Forte and Fred Jackson.

Thursday, December 8, 2011, 10:59am

Though Fred Jackson's injury has derailed the Bills' postseason chances, it allows the team to get a lengthy look at what C.J. Spiller can do.

"He's really shown us something," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. "We're expecting a lot of big things out of him. And hopefully, we've just seen the tip of the iceberg in terms of his production and his explosiveness."

It helps that Spiller finally has a set role. A rash of injuries had Spiller splitting time at receiver, where the Bills lacked a bona fide deep threat. He struggled making the adjustment and has 21 catches for 116 yards.

Spiller's been far more comfortable lining up in the backfield.

"We're trying to find ways to improve our team. We're trying to find ways to propel us into next season," receiver David Nelson said. "Having C.J. and Fred back there, that one-two punch is going to add some things to our offense."

Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 10:47am

Bills HC Chan Gailey offered the following critique of C.J. Spiller after watching film: "I thought that C.J. did OK. It was his first time in there. He made some plays on third down and he made some plays late in the game running the football. He saw things a lot better late in the game than he did early in the game. We blocked a little better late in the game than we did early in the game. I'm anxious to see how he does this week here with the football. One thing that really was improved was his pass protection. He did a much better job of taking on a couple guys and chipping at a couple guys and he secured the ball the whole day. Those were the two big things in the offseason that he needed to improve on and he did better at that."

Bills place Fred Jackson on IR
Wednesday, November 23, 2011, 6:15pm

According to Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News, Fred Jackson has been put on IR. Season over. He has a fracture to fibula bone.

Fred Jackson may be out for the year
Wednesday, November 23, 2011, 12:51pm

The Buffalo Bills' season took a major turn for the worse today with the news that star running back Fred Jackson may be out for the year with an injury to his lower right leg.

Bills coach Chan Gailey said Jackson is out for Sunday's key AFC East game against the New York Jets. And Gailey said Jackson might be done for the year.

"Fred's not good, and I know he'll miss this one," Gailey said. "Then we'll have to decide what happens from there."

Asked if there was a chance Jackson could be back before the end of the season, Gailey said: "I don't know about that. We'll have to wait and see."

Jackson could be placed on injured reserve due to the injury, which came late in the third quarter in Miami Sunday when the running back was hit hard from behind on his calf.

Fred Jackson ruled out against the Jets
Wednesday, November 23, 2011, 12:30pm

Bills HC Chan Gailey just confirmed Fred Jackson is OUT this week.

Saturday, October 22, 2011, 10:47am

Buffalo Bills running back/wide receiver C.J. Spiller had a season-high in last week's game against the New York Giants. Not in yards, but plays.

Spiller was on the field for 35 snaps, by unofficial count, by far his most this season. He figures to get that many or more snaps at least the next several weeks as he fills in at wideout due to injuries.

Spiller's move to receiver was precipitated by the injury to starting receiver Donald Jones, out four to six weeks with an ankle sprain. Jones said he's healing fast. The Bills figure to need Spiller to see extended action at receiver at least the next two games and maybe more.

Monday, October 17, 2011, 12:35pm

Running back C.J. Spiller started at wide receiver and tied Fred Jackson and Stevie Johnson for team-high honors in receptions with five. Spiller also had 39 yards, which tied Johnson for fourth on the team.

Saturday, October 8, 2011, 10:17am

Despite the fact that his rookie season was generally regarded as a bust, and the first quarter of his second year in the NFL hasn't been much better, C.J. Spiller's confidence hasn't taken a hit.

"I know I can play in this league," the Buffalo Bills' running back said the other day. "I'm not for one second thinking that I can't play running back in the NFL, so whenever I get my opportunity I'm going to take advantage of it."

The question remains for Spiller, when is that opportunity going to come? And if and when it does come, can Spiller back up his bravado and prove he can be a reliable, durable NFL back?

Spiller has struggled to learn how to run effectively against NFL defenses, he really hasn't figured out how to operate as a receiver from the slot, and his pass protection and blitz pick-up is well below average - especially compared to the man who's in front of him on the depth chart, Fred Jackson.