Bills running back C.J. Spiller is having quite a coming-out party for Buffalo. The ninth overall pick in the 2010 draft is averaging more than 10 yards per carry.
That’s right. Through two games, Spiller has 292 yards rushing. On only 29 carries.
His 123 yards on 15 attempts propelled the Bills to a 35-17 win over the Chiefs, a team the Bills beat 41-7 in Kansas City last September.
So what’s causing this change in Spiller’s play? “Great weeks of preparation,” Spiller told me after the game by phone.
He said he’s doing the same things in practice that he’s doing in the games, including being “more decisive” and, perhaps most importantly, “getting more sleep.” (He laughed when he said that one.)
Spiller demonstrated veteran savvy, giving credit to the offensive line. He also said he’s doing a better job of not getting impatient when he’s not breaking a big run.
He added that the team wanted to get the “bad taste” out of its mouth after last week’s ugly loss to the Jets, which included a knee injury to running back Fred Jackson.
So what happens when Jackson comes back? Spiller said they’ll be one of the best tandems in the league, with Jackson being more of a complete back and Spiller using his speed, as he continues to learn the game. And he said he’s not concerned about who the starter will be once Jackson is back.
“The coaches will have a game plan,” Spiller said.
Having a guy who is averaging 10 yards per carry will make it easier to draw that plan up.