Spiller V. Jackson Season 2

by NDbuffalo on Aug 23, 2011 12:59 PM EDT

Does anyone else remember this from last year? Although Fred was hurt before game 1, CJ was named the number 1 back, which gave way to the showcasing/trade bait of Marshawn Lynch, and then Fred Jackson became the number 1 back again. (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/455843-cj-spiller-shockingly-named-starting-running-back-over-two-veterans)

Here we are a year later and it's the same thing all over again, but this time Fred is healthy. I have always felt Fred Jackson is one of the most complete backs in the NFL. He catches, runs, and blocks well, all at the NFL level of competition. While he lacks that breakaway speed that seems to be the "in" thing around the NFL the guy can flat out play football.

I have never been a fan of the Spiller pick. He reminds me far too much of Reggie Bush for me to ever jump on board that wagon. I've tried. I really have. I just can't do it. He was electric in college because he could simply out run everyone else. If the Reggie Bush-Saints experience has taught us anything it should be that just because a guy can return kicks, catch passes, and run around the end in college, it doesn't mean he can do it in the NFL. Until Spiller shows me he can gain more than 2 yards on your average carry (not the occasional breakaway), I'll pass on him.

Right now it seems like the coaching staff has gotten tired of watching the sports car sit on the sideline, and has decided to try to tow a boat with it instead of using the old reliable pickup truck. (bad analogy i know but it's kinda how i feel)

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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I hear what you’re saying, but there is a place for a reggie bush type guy on every team – the Saints don’t win a super bowl without him on that roster… he just may not be a prototypical running back that you’re used to, but there is always room for a guy with top end speed and plus agility

by JustAskTheAxis on Aug 23, 2011 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

Great Analogy!

What are you talking about in your last sentence?

This:

Right now it seems like the coaching staff has gotten tired of watching the sports car sit on the sideline, and has decided to try to tow a boat with it instead of using the old reliable pickup truck. (bad analogy i know but it’s kinda how i feel)

is a GREAT analogy! Quite apt to the Jackson situation. Rec’d to all!

by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 23, 2011 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

Spiller vs. Jackson

People need to get off of this, including the Bills players and moderators of this site. These guys are on the same team!! They don’t play against each other!!! We should be happy to have as many skilled players around the football as we can get. It seems non-sensical to argue about this or pit them against each other.

Why can’t they be like Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus?? Do we argue who is better amongst them? NO. Kyle himself says that Marcell does some things better than he does but that he does other things better than Marcell. And they both contribute to a team defense that is vastly improved over last year.

We should be looking at Fred and CJ in the same way. Not number one and number two backs – Gailey is right. We have two great weapons and with Evans being traded and no clear second receiver there will be more than enough touches for each of them. Sometimes one will be hot and the other won’t be. Sometimes one will present a better matchup and the other won’t. Fred provides more power, better blocking and general consistency where CJ is a better receiving threat, has more speed – the guy could absolutely devastate the screen game if our linemen learn to block.

The vitriol that has come out of this past preseason game (MEANINGLESS preseason loss to a team we will see later this season!!!), particularly relating to spiller, is just absurd and I’m really fed up with it.

by dav630 on Aug 23, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs

The difference is...

Williams and Dareus don’t play the same position and are not in competition for reps. The Bills can squash this anytime they want by making Spiller earn the #1 RB role instead of trying to give it to him…AGAIN.

QB SMASHER KING KONG JASPER
Dareus will put you on you Dar-e-ass

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

by Joe P. on Aug 23, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

well they could put FJ and CJ in the backfield at the same time more often

I like it when CJ is back there w/ FJ but it seems when they do that he always swings out into the slot or goes in motion. I hope we see more variation with that this year.
We have some runners who can contribute and FJ can help the team do that, I don’t really like that he went to the press to express himself. Fitz aint crying about Smith, speaking of which.
I would put Smith and the 2 of them in there together and do a wishbone thing and at least see how that goes, too.

by zoomer02 on Aug 23, 2011 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree they can both be on the field at the same time, but

there can be only one #1 RB.

QB SMASHER KING KONG JASPER
Dareus will put you on you Dar-e-ass

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

by Joe P. on Aug 23, 2011 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

“There can be only one.”

I had a drink the other day
Opinions were like kittens
I was giving them away
-Modest Mouse

by oompaloompa on Aug 24, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

OFF WITH SPILLER'S HEAD

QB SMASHER KING KONG JASPER
Dareus will put you on you Dar-e-ass

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

by Joe P. on Aug 24, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

in the end, one will be the #1 back because he gets more carries

the debate is who gets those carries

by bloppy_ploppy on Aug 23, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with everything you said.

But, IMO at this point in their careers, I would say that Freddy is still the better receiving threat. Remember those beautiful screens passes last year verse the Steelers and Ravens? (if i remember correctly). I think Spiller will be a solid receiving threat, but now, Freddy is the more vauable weapon all-around. Things may change though.

"I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself." - D.H. Lawrence

by SouthBuffaloNDgrad on Aug 23, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

my thought is spiller needs all the reps he could get

Jackson in my mind is the starter game 1 spiller is just getting game reps jackson dont need preseason game reps spiller does

Calling anybody a "career Redskin" when Dan Snyder is the owner is laughable. That dude make moves like he's some kid trading football cards. -greenwood1921

by Gpluehri on Aug 23, 2011 5:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

thats my thought also

Spiller could be #1 RB in the future, but right now Freddie is way ahead.

"Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard" -Norm Nixon
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius

by ChewyFL on Aug 23, 2011 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope that is the case

I like CJ , but I hope that they don’t run Freddie out of town because Chan and Buddy need to justify taking CJ ninth overall. Freddie should be getting abulk of the work when the season starts.

by loupiccone on Aug 23, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Rec’d! My feelings exactly. Preseason games = practice… why freak out? I’ll reserve judgment for what actually happens on game day.

by BuffCrunch on Aug 23, 2011 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Jackson

every day i tune into the the Rumbling i get more and more frustrated. I really think buddy nix should step down. He is killing this team. And Ralph needs to sell the team now.

by billsboyz on Aug 23, 2011 5:39 PM EDT reply actions

Let em gameplan for Spiller

Then give em a healthy dose of Freddy.

Harooo

by Robot Nixon on Aug 23, 2011 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

Rec'd

Well said my fellow ND fan. Your avatar is by far and away the most beautiful one that I’ve seen. Man, I can’t wait to be back in South Bend on Sept. 3rd to see all those great things on the campus. I’ll light my usual candle at the Grotto for my family and friends, and also for the success of the seasons of beloved Bills and Irish (hasn’t worked out well the past few seasons, on the ND side; very optimistic about this team, most talent of that defense since the early 90’s). Go Irish!!!! Beat South Florida!!!! Go Bills!!! just play well verse the Jags, please, I can’t handle this negativity from everyone I know after the last game.

Again, great post about the state of the Bills backfield.

"I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself." - D.H. Lawrence

by SouthBuffaloNDgrad on Aug 23, 2011 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

Glad to hear it

Don’t think i will be making it back out for a game this year. Might make the trip out for the USC game just to see friends. Always nice to hear from a fellow Domer.

by NDbuffalo on Aug 24, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions