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NFL Rumors: Patriots considering bringing in C.J. Spiller?

By Will Osgood

Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) makes a catch prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) makes a catch prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots are considering bringing in FA RB C.J. Spiller

Fresh off their fourth Super Bowl title under Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots are apparently considering bringing in free agent running back C.J. Spiller to add as a playmaker.

Such a move was made mandatory when another free agent running back, Shane Vereen, signed with the New York Giants on Tuesday.

The first indication of the Patriots’ interest was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

While Vereen only rushed for 391 yards in 2014, he was a key playmaker for the Patriots out of the backfield as he caught 52 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns.

That is likely the same kind of role that Bill Belichick envisions for Spiller, though the former ninth overall pick is more than capable of putting up bigger numbers overall.

In nine total games in 2014, Spiller rushed for just 300 yards, and only had 125 receiving yards. But that was in a season where he battled through nagging injuries. When healthy, Spiller is a dynamic playmaker.

In his best season as a professional in 2012, Spiller rushed for 1,244 yards and caught 43 passes for 459 yards. He had eight total touchdowns that season.

Despite winning the Super Bowl, the Patriots have been rumored as an aggressive team in free agency thus far, with rumors circulating Tuesday that the team pursued wide receiver Brian Hartline, formerly of the Miami Dolphins. Hartline ended up signing with his hometown Cleveland Browns.

They are apparently also interested in Percy Harvin, just released by the New York Jets.

All of the potential moves pale in importance compared to whether the team can re-sign cornerback Darrell Revis–a multiple time All-Pro–who has been rumored to be headed anywhere from the New York Jets, where he began his career, to the Cleveland Browns.

Throughout his career, Belichick has been known as the type who believed he could make due with just about anyone so long as that player bought into his system. As is the case with many of the NFL’s most successful franchises, many of the Patriots’ best players over his reign have been acquired as either late round draft picks or college free agents.

Thus it’s a bit surprising to see the Patriots as active on big-name free agents.

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