NFL Rumors: Buffalo Bills to give C.J. Spiller ‘bigger role’?
By Bryan Rose
Although Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller played nearly 400 snaps during the 2013 season, his workload is expected to increase this coming year. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett seemed to struggle to put Spiller in a position of success last season, but according to WGR 550, Hackett seems to have a better knowledge of Spiller’s ability and understands the type of situations he thrives in.
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“Now that he’s fully healthy, that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett understands where he works best and that Spiller is motivated not only by doubters, but by an expiring contract at the end of the year, it’s fair to expect a bigger output from both a snap count and yardage perspective in 2014. He won’t be that workhorse back that they hoped for, but he’ll likely have a more defined and bigger role with the type of athleticism he possesses.”
Spiller still produced last season, though, understandably his numbers were down as he dealt with what was seemingly a season-long high ankle sprain.
Add in the already lofty expectations placed upon him before the season began and it wasn’t a dream year for he or the Bills, but the hope is that 2014 will be a reversal in the right direction.
WGR also believes that by the time the Bills realized how to effectively use Spiller, they were in the gut of the season and couldn’t make a change, especially with Spiller dealing with injury.
All that said, Spiller put up over 4.6 yards per carry and caught 33 passes out of the backfield with a questionable quarterback situation.