When running back C.J. Spiller was with the Bills, there would occasionally be stretches when people would wonder why he wasn’t getting the ball on offense more often.
Even during those stretches, his workload was robust compared to what he’s done for the Saints in the last two weeks. After getting four touches in the team’s Week Two loss to Tampa, Spiller got three while the team was going down to the Panthers last Sunday. He played 23 snaps across the two games, which isn’t what was envisioned for a player who was guaranteed $9 million as a free agent in the offseason.
Coach Sean Payton said Monday that the tempo of the game in the first half contributed to Spiller’s low usage in Week Three, but that he needs to find chances for the running back under any circumstances.
“I got to get him more opportunities,” Payton said, via the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “He’s healthy, and shoot, he needs more than anybody to stay actively warm as opposed to one play every 12 of 14 plays.”
Spiller set up a touchdown with a 19-yard catch against Carolina and has the kind of playmaking ability that can help New Orleans whether Drew Brees or Luke McCown is running the offense. Making it a bigger part of the plans won’t fix all that ails the Saints, but every little bit helps when you’re 0-3.