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Report: NY Jets want Bilal Powell over C.J. Spiller

By Will Osgood

Oct 19, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley (54) tries to tackle Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley (54) tries to tackle Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jets reportedly more interested in bringing back Bilal Powell than obtaining C.J. Spiller. 

The New York Jets have loads of cap space this offseason (more on that momentarily) and a giant hole in the ground to fill with dirt (yes, think season one of the now completed Parks and Recreation), in this case a significant dearth of offensive talent to upgrade.

Thus it only makes sense that the newly minted Jets regime would be harkening back to the past in hopes of retaining free agent-to be running back Bilal Powell instead of making a serious run at free agent running back C.J. Spiller.

ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini confirmed that Tuesday.

The Jets are about $115,000 shy of $50 million in cap space in 2015. If former general manager John Idzik deserves any credit for his work the past couple years in rebuilding the Jets, he deserves it for creating a situation the new regime should be able to capitalize on.

If the new regime wastes this opportunity, they are truly incompetent.

Passing on Spiller in favor of Powell makes zero sense on the surface. New Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey was the Bills head coach in 2012 when Spiller had his finest season as a pro, gaining almost 1,250 yards on the ground on 6.0 yards per carry and six touchdowns, while also earning over 450 yards as a receiver with two touchdowns.

It was Gailey’s pistol, spread offense which really favored Spiller’s skill set and got him out in space, something Doug Marrone and Nathaniel Hackett were never able to do well enough.

Spiller and fellow running Fred Jackson struggled through injury-riddled campaigns in 2014, which made it more difficult for the Bills to find any consistency in the running game. Spiller, though, had played in all but three games in his first four NFL seasons prior to this past campaign.

It should also be noted that Spiller would be an excellent fit next to bruising runner Chris Ivory in the Jets’ backfield.

Meanwhile, Powell played in just 22 percent of the Jets’ offensive snaps a season ago, gaining only 44 touches—33 rushes, 11 receptions—and scored one touchdown.

The numbers, as well as the film, indicate Powell is a solid three-down back and fits nicely in a complementary role for the Jets.

If the Jets do pass on Spiller, and any other free agent running back, it would likely indicate that they plan to address the position in the 2015 NFL draft, which features a bevy of talented running backs, who promise to make an impact in their rookie seasons.

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