Jackson, Spiller Lead Bills' Kick, Punt Return Units

by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2010 8:46 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

When the Buffalo Bills pushed out their first unofficial depth chart of the season for last week's pre-season opener against Washington, the team did not provide a listing for the kick and punt returner positions. That has changed this week.

Chad Jackson is listed as the first-team kick returner. He returned one kick for 26 yards last week against Washington, and returned 14 kicks for New England and Denver between 2006 and 2008 (at a meager 19.1 yards per return). Donald Jones, C.J. Spiller and Joique Bell follow with the second, third and fourth teams, respectively.

Spiller, meanwhile, is listed as the first-team punt returner. While he was not especially prolific as a punt returner during his college career, Spiller is certainly capable in that area; he fielded the first punt against Washington, returning it for no gain. Spiller is backed up by Ellis Lankster, Naaman Roosevelt and Jones. Lankster muffed a punt in D.C., while Roosevelt had a nice 23-yard return in the fourth quarter.

The fact that Buffalo's two most established return men - Leodis McKelvin and Roscoe Parrish - don't show up on the depth chart indicates how experimental the position is at the moment. This is not what the depth chart will look like once the season starts; rather, it reflects merely which players the coaches want to see return some kicks in an effort to be as thorough as possible in their player evaluations.

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I'm actually suprised

That they haven’t gave Simpson any of the Kick return duties.

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Aug 18, 2010 8:02 AM EDT reply actions

He returns them in practice. He’s REALLY fast, but to me he looks like a cartoon while running. His little legs move so fast, they’re like a blur.

"Give back some of that money you ain't [expletive] earned!" - Eric Wood

Song recommendation of the week: Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Spiller

I really dont like the fact he is at Punt Return. We dont need to hurt him I would love to see him at Kick Return but Gailey is the coach so I support him.

A man must except his fate or be destroyed by it

by BillsStampede34 on Aug 18, 2010 8:07 AM EDT reply actions

Like I said to close the article – this isn’t indicative of a long-term plan, just a “let’s see what this guy can do here” plan.

@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2010 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope he does at punt returner because lets face it when you have a dangerous man at punt returner it can change a game real quickly

A man must except his fate or be destroyed by it

by BillsStampede34 on Aug 18, 2010 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Like Roscoe Parrish?

"Give back some of that money you ain't [expletive] earned!" - Eric Wood

Song recommendation of the week: Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Parrish

changed many games for us in Buffalo, give him another year back there I wouldnt mind that

A man must except his fate or be destroyed by it

by BillsStampede34 on Aug 18, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

i was confused by your comment, interpreting it to mean you actually DID want Gailey to use Spiller as a PR, when your initial response was that you DIDN’T want that to happen.

So you don’t want Spiller to have the job, and you want Parrish to keep it?

"Give back some of that money you ain't [expletive] earned!" - Eric Wood

Song recommendation of the week: Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I would rather

Spiller be KR and Parrish be PR. However if spiller proves himself at PR than give it to him. I just dont want to see him get hurt on some stupid hit on PR.

A man must except his fate or be destroyed by it

by BillsStampede34 on Aug 18, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Remember that Kevin Everett was severely injured making a tackle on a KR. I know Spiller wouldn’t be in that role. I think it doesn’t matter where they play him, each position is equally dangerous.

"Give back some of that money you ain't [expletive] earned!" - Eric Wood

Song recommendation of the week: Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with you there

I just would hate to have him wave off a punt and someone completely lay him out. But I guess Buffalo drafted him to make plays for us. He can play several positions. I say put him and Parrish on KR and do some trick lateral play that kinda speed how can you stop it (just a dream not realistic thought)

A man must except his fate or be destroyed by it

by BillsStampede34 on Aug 18, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Parrish turned games the other way too

vs. Cleveland last year, he gave them field goal position. You want someone with that ‘swag’, as Parrish called it, but for a team that needs to play field position and keep away as much as we do this year, I wouldn’t mind someone with less ‘swag’ and more discretion

by WV2Buffalo on Aug 18, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

it is also indicitave of

just how weak our team has been, as we feel the need to annoint a guy as necessary for the squad for these MAYBE 8 touches a game. Though i agree that you need to pay attention to these guys, it is far less of a concern then the other phases of the game.

I fell like that is one reason why these guys need to eventually prove themselves as capable all around players, as in Hester, or Cribbs’ cases… once they are a known commodity, the expectation goes up as well. They need to produce on the field in their other respective phase, whether offense or defense.

I feel like this means the role should be filled by a bubble player, not a guy who will likely be a long term starter, unless we are so bad at offense again, that we need to have every playmaker out there on every occasion humanly possible just to compete.

While I realize this is just as likely, I am holding out for the hope that the cinderella stories of old, are not just fairy tales, and that we can still come from behind (circle the wagons, if you will) and prove that we aren’t as far off as most think, and we are closer than even we Bill-ieved

Optimism is free. Too bad so many are "too good" for free stuff. If you have some, donate your optimism here. They may not accept it, but someday, if they need it, they can swallow their pride and appreciate it.

by Ren Diggity on Aug 18, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Spillers lone punt return.

Was received in wide open space, yet for no gain. I am sure he would like another chance. The speed coming at him has got to be a level he is unaccustomed too.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Aug 18, 2010 8:21 AM EDT reply actions

if will definately take time for all rookies to get accustomed to – it’s a pretty big jump

I'm not sure we have the tools or the talent....

by J2 on Aug 18, 2010 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Spiller - Great point!

Spiller I really dont like the fact he is at Punt Return. We dont need to hurt him I would love to see him at Kick Return but Gailey is the coach so I support him.
(((((((((((((((((
Why would they draft Spiller #1 to risk injury returning kicks? Secondly, even if it is just to see what Spiller an do returning kicks, then why even experiment? Makes no sense whatsoever – Parrish, McKelvin have all proven themselves as superior returners!

by BuffaloWhiner on Aug 18, 2010 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

I firmly believe that there’s more risk for injury on a kickoff return. Punt returns seem to set up more slowly, especially because players are engaged on the line. I think Spiller is safer returning punts.

"Give back some of that money you ain't [expletive] earned!" - Eric Wood

Song recommendation of the week: Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Not sure about that

How many players have you seen get hit hard waiting for that ball to drop into there arms on punt return. At least on kick return you have 10 other guys a head of you blocking (yes i know you have that on punt return) but on kick return i have not seen anyone get crushed waiting for the ball

A man must except his fate or be destroyed by it

by BillsStampede34 on Aug 18, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Just the ones not smart enough to call for a fair catch when the traffic is heavy.

"Give back some of that money you ain't [expletive] earned!" - Eric Wood

Song recommendation of the week: Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I have seen it happen to good ones too

Even though you wave your arms some players dont understand not to hit the guy. Just saying there is a better chance on Punt Return

A man must except his fate or be destroyed by it

by BillsStampede34 on Aug 18, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

regardless of which

there is risk of injury on every play. I still agree with minimizing the “unnatural” situations that returning can present, but for instinctive players, this is sometimes when they show their real talent. so, until he shows us one way or the other, we are likely to see him used in any way that we can use him, in order to see what we have. I am looking forward to the increased workload, because of injuries that are now simply the way it is, and to see more from Bell (and Simpson I suppose) and see whether the injuries are something to be considered when listing our final roster. If we are going to be running a lot, and we want to use 3 RBs, seems like we will need 4, at least at some point in the season, as the first weeks are in question already.

by Ren Diggity on Aug 18, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Have

Spiller do KR and keep Roosevelt for PR and Coverage teams!!!

That was not a laterall!!!

by brendar of the bills people on Aug 18, 2010 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

Brian, you forgot

Terence McGee, he is the most established KR on the Bills—pro bowl calliber.

I don’t see why we don’t use him. The cumulative improved yardage could reduce his defense workload.

by Ono on Aug 18, 2010 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

hahaa

one can hope:

The cumulative improved yardage could reduce his defense workload.

however, i think that running the starters more than necessary hurts your team. Let your depth guys step up on special teams, and when they are needed, and let your starters, START. Just let them fill your teams first need, where they hold the top position. This gives them the best chance for success, so it is likely better for your overall success. Especially when you think of guys who are dying to get out there, and veteran starters, who don’t mind a rest play when their job is to sprint back and forth down the field, anyway. : )

by Ren Diggity on Aug 18, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions