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The Buffalo Bills made game-changing, franchise-altering moves when they hired GM Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey. They further altered the face of the team when Gailey hired defensive coordinator George Edwards, who will transition the Bills back to a 3-4 defense.
No bigger name comes into Buffalo as a new face, however, than rookie running back C.J. Spiller.
Very few fans saw his addition coming. Laden with holes across virtually the entire roster, and with two very capable running backs in Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch already well-established, most believed that Buffalo would target a quarterback, a lineman or a pass rusher early in the 2010 NFL Draft. Instead, the Bills selected Spiller, one of college football's most explosive playmakers, to help bolster an offensive attack that has produced just 17.7 points per game over the past five seasons.
No one's quite sure yet exactly how Gailey will use his new running back, but he's got options. Spiller was obviously a terrific runner at Clemson, averaging 5.9 yards per rush throughout his four-year career and scoring 32 rushing touchdowns. He was also an outstanding receiving option, averaging 41 receptions per year at Clemson while adding an additional 11 touchdowns through the air. To ice to proverbial cake, Spiller was a phenomenal kick and punt returner in college, proving himself capable of scoring from that capacity, as well.
There's little question that Spiller's addition was about scoring points. If the rookie helps Buffalo's offense become more explosive and score a few more points per game, they'll have an easier time winning football games. (Rocket science, right?) Time might prove this selection unwise from a franchise-building standpoint, but there's little question that the team has added a potentially outstanding pro back with game-changing ability - and he's a great kid to boot. Spiller's going to be fun to watch in 2010 and beyond.