A few eyebrows in Western New York were raised Monday night when Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller debuted atop the Bills' depth chart in their Week 1 press release. Chan Gailey confirmed Wednesday that Spiller will, indeed, start at tailback this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Part of the rationale, says Gailey, is that Spiller has seen the most reps and is therefore most game-ready. Fred Jackson logged just two preseason carries before succumbing to a hand injury that will, at the very least, hamper him this weekend. Marshawn Lynch didn't log a carry until the preseason finale against Detroit.
Gailey also says that Spiller earned the opportunity to start, and that's hard to argue. Spiller averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns in just three preseason appearances, and is clearly the most explosive offensive threat the team employs.
Jackson and Lynch are still locks to get significant playing time, but it seems clear that Spiller is now officially the focal point of Gailey's offensive system.