Buffalo Bills Training Camp 2013 "Bills New Defensive End Jerry Hughes"

After the scouting combine and NFL Draft was over the Buffalo Bills made one final roster transaction by sending their former third round pick, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, to the Indianapolis Colts for former first round pick defensive end Jerry Hughes. Some questioned why the Bills would make a move that would send a solid and productive linebacker in Sheppard for an underperforming tweener like Hughes. The answer is simple, pass rush talent.
Hughes was a first round pick because of his productivity and talent to sack the quarterback while in college at Texas Christian University. A finalist for the Bronko Nagurski award in his senior year, he lead the Horned Frogs in sacks and tackles for loss. His physical skills showed top tier talent and his game tape showed pass rush skills that few in his class had. He was considered one of the better rush linebackers for a 3-4 defense, or a slightly undersized defensive end for a 4-3. He came into the 2010 draft with over two years of noted college production. That, coupled with solid showings at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, helped make him the 31st overall selection by the Indianapolis Colts.
What went wrong for Hughes in Indianapolis can be explained a multitude of ways. In college, Hughes was a hand-on-the-ground 4-3 end, which the Colts used him as, to spell Pro Bowlers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis in his first two years. But it is hard to see snaps with two Pro Bowl players already in your way. That lack of playing time and his inability to hold the point of attack against the run hindered him on the field and his overall confidence.
When new coach Chuck Pagano came in, it looked to breathe life back into Hughes’ promise. Hughes could fit the speed rusher role that Pagano used Paul Kruger for in Baltimore in the new 3-4 defense Indianapolis was set to install, but again lack of playing time seemed to stunt him early. When Robert Mathis went down with an injury in week six, Hughes was then able to see the field; and with that increased playing time, he was able to total 41 tackles and four sacks to close out his most productive season in Indy.
Now Hughes looks to continue this upswing in defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s attacking 3-4 hybrid defense. The learning curve for Hughes shouldn’t be a steep one as both Pagano and Pettine were coordinators together with the Ravens under then-coordinator Rex Ryan. In all, both Indy’s and now Buffalo’s defensive playbook should carry similar verbiage and schemes which will give Hughes that much of a leg up on his competition. Furthermore, Pettine should understand from the game tape that Hughes possesses the versatility he craves in players as he can fill the role of weakside pass rusher when in a 3-4 alignment, as well as play a traditional hand-on-the-ground end in a 4-3 alignment in 3rd and long situations. Hughes has the natural physical skills and talent to be an eight plus sack performer in the NFL.
The Bills defense is a complete blank canvas with only a few positions locked down by players. Hughes can paint his own role with the team without the prejudice of poor performances from his time in Indianapolis. If he becomes the sack artist his talent shows he can be, then Hughes can start to chip away at the draft bust label he has been given thus far.

Buffalo Bills Training Camp 2013: Day1 Offense And Defense Look Good

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills opened training camp on Sunday evening, holding practice under the lights at Growney Stadium, on the campus of St. John Fisher College.

Following the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, players were in light shoulder pads. Full-padded practices can begin as soon as Tuesday.

Attendance report: Of the 87 players who have reported to training camp, 86 were in uniform for the session. Offensive lineman Chris Hairston, who is on the active/physically unable to perform list, was seen working out with the training staff on the sideline.

Mario Williams, Kyle Williams limited: The biggest news of the night was defensive end Mario Williams being held out of most drills with what head coach Doug Marrone called a sore foot. Marrone said after practice that Williams is being evaluated by the training staff. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who is recovering from Achilles surgery, did not take reps during 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills.

Chandler impressive in return: Tight end Scott Chandler, who underwent ACL surgery in January, was back on the practice field Sunday evening. Marrone said Chandler is still limited, but he drew cheers after beating his defender over the middle to make a catch during 11-on-11 work.

Kolb gets most first-team reps: Veteran Kevin Kolb saw the most action with the first-team unit at quarterback, although Marrone was quick to point out after practice that rookie EJ Manuel also took some snaps with the top unit.

As is to be expected, the results were mixed from both quarterbacks.

The good: During a drill early in practice where receivers matched up 1-on-1 against cornerbacks on deep patterns, Manuel showed good arm strength and touch, hitting receiver T.J. Graham in stride twice for would-be touchdowns. In 11-on-11's, Kolb matched Manuel with an impressive deep completion to wide receiver Marcus Easley.

The bad: Kolb was intercepted by safety Aaron Williams over the middle on his first pass of an 11-on-11 drill, while Manuel was picked off by safety Mana Silva later in the session. In 7-on-7's, safety Da'Norris Searcy snagged a tipped pass from Kolb, while in 11-on-11's, Manuel was part of a botched snap. In the 1-on-1 deep pattern drill, Manuel underthrew wide receiver DeMarco Sampson and was intercepted by cornerback Jumal Rolle.

Mixing and matching along D-line: With both Mario Williams and Kyle Williams held out of team drills, the Bills used a number of different personnel groups on their defensive line. The biggest takeaway was that Marcell Dareus saw limited action, especially with the top unit. It's unclear if he was nursing any type of injury. In his place, Alex Carrington and Jay Ross saw significant reps with top groups at linebacker and defensive back behind them. Meanwhile, Torell Troup and Alan Branch appeared to rotate at nose tackle during most drills.

Justin Rogers sees first-team action: Third-year cornerback Justin Rogers, who started just one game last season, lined up across from Stephon Gilmore with the top defensive unit during full-team drills. Ron Brooks manned the slot in sub packages, while Aaron Williams stepped in for Jairus Byrd at safety.

Brown gets nod at left guard: Despite facing competition from Doug Legursky and now Antoine Caldwell, veteran Colin Brown stepped in at left guard on Sunday evening, in place of the departed Andy Levitre. At right tackle, Erik Pears took Hairston's potential spot at right tackle, with Sam Young manning the second team. Thomas Welch took second-team reps at left tackle.

Marrone gets hands-on with O-line: It's been eight seasons since Marrone was last an offensive line coach, but he went back to his roots on Sunday evening. The Bills head coach spent significant time working hands-on with the offensive line in positional drills, coaching the unit on technique.

GOOD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR: The safeties. Even with Byrd out, this group reeled in three interceptions.

BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR: WR Robert Woods. The second-round pick dropped a well-thrown pass from Manuel during 1-on-1 drills, and had another from Kolb bounce off his hands in 11-on-11's.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Bills will be back on the practice field on Monday afternoon, from 2 to 5:10 p.m. ET.

Buffalo Bills Rookie WR Da'Rick Rogers A Favorite To Make The Bills Roster

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By Josh Sanchez - Jul 27th, 2013 at 10:28 am

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Da’Rick Rogers was a very talented wide receiver prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft class, but he fell undrafted due to some serious character issues. After the seven rounds wrapped up, the Bills and head coach Doug Marrone reached out to the 22-year-old receiver to give him one shot at showing what he can offer.
So far, so good.
According to WGR 550 Buffalo, Rogers is a “clear cut favorite” to land on the team’s 53-man roster.
That could be bad news for veteran Brad Smith and others like Chris Hogan and Marcus Easley who will be competing for the final two wide receiver spots on the roster along with Rogers.
If you had to guess who would land the final spot, you would have to give the advantage to Smith.
It is unlikely that Easley will find a home with Buffalo once the regular season rolls around, but Hogan is a candidate to make the practice squad if he were to clear waivers.
This is all part of the fun of camp battles and football being back, so let’s all relax and enjoy the competition.

Buffalo Bills 2013 Training Camp Preview

After plenty of changes in the offseason, the Buffalo Bills will take the field for the first time in training camp on Sunday. The Bills are the last team to practice this year in the AFC East.

Buffalo is a major team in transition in 2013. The Bills have a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, a new defensive coordinator and a new quarterback. Therefore, there is plenty of work to be done.

Here are three things to watch in camp:

No. 1: QBs Kevin Kolb vs. EJ Manuel

Analysis: All eyes will be on the quarterbacks in Buffalo. The Bills are entering training camp with a high-profile competition between veteran quarterback Kevin Kolb and rookie first-round pick EJ Manuel. Kolb has been a bust in his two previous stops with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. This third opportunity in Buffalo is probably Kolb’s final chance to prove that he can be a franchise starter. Manuel was a surprise first-round pick but has a lot of tools, such as size, a good arm and mobility. But Manuel remains raw and will have to make immediate strides in order to win the starting job in Week 1.

No. 2: Mike Pettine’s defense

Analysis: Buffalo's defense had talent last year but grossly underperformed. Former defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt got most of the blame, and he was fired after the season. Enter former New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. He was hired new Bills head coach Doug Marrone to liven up Buffalo's defense. Pettine usually got the most out of his defensive players in New York, and that will be the goal in Buffalo. Players like Mario Williams, Stephon Gilmore, Kyle Williams and Jairus Byrd (whenever he signs his franchise tag) provides a good foundation on defense. But it's Pettine’s job in training camp to get everyone on the same page.

No. 3: Competition at WR

Analysis: For years, the Bills have been looking for another legit receiving threat opposite Steve Johnson. That search continues this season with an entirely new cast of receivers, many of which are rookies. The Bills drafted second-round pick Robert Woods, third-round pick Marquise Goodwin and signed top rookie free agent Da'Rick Rogers in an effort to boost depth behind Johnson. Woods, a former USC star, has been the most polished receiver thus far. He's the favorite to win the No. 2 job but must earn it in training camp. Goodwin has plenty of speed and could add a deep element to Buffalo, and Rogers also has potential to contribute if he stays out of trouble. Rogers was passed over by every team in the draft due to various off-the-field concerns

Buffalo Bills Mario Williams Talked To Holdout Safety Jairus Byrd

Mario Williams talked to Holdout Jairus Byrd

Posted by Chris Brown on July 26, 2013 – 3:09 pm

Bills DE Mario Williams checked in voluntarily at training camp today and commented on the anticipated absence of Jairus Byrd.
“He’s a great player and we definitely want to have him back as soon as possible,” said Williams. “Hopefully it works out. We still keep in touch and have communication and hopefully he comes back sooner than later.”
When asked what he discussed with Byrd, Williams said it’s Byrd’s preference to play with the Bills.
“He definitely wants to be here with us,” said Williams. “That’s a given. But as far as matters and how things are structured we don’t bring that up.”
Williams also believes that Byrd has some insight on the defense having talked to teammates this offsea

Buffalo Bills 13 Year Playoff Drought Has Destroyed Enthusiasm Of Bills Fans. Bills Will Make The Palyoffs

Corning, N.Y. —

The inner optimist in me yearns to be genuinely stoked about the 2013 NFL season.
Although it is still July, when the pigskin isn’t yet on everyone’s radar, I do recall a time when the start of training camp was reason enough to ramp up excitement for the upcoming season.
No doubt countless number of fans still do get geeked up during the dog days of July as teams prepare to open training camp.
I used to be one of them.
But as a longtime follower of the Buffalo Bills, 13 seasons of playoff-less football and one winning season during that same span has greatly sapped my enthusiasm as a fan.
Add a few significant life changes in that time (wife, two kids, house) to the mix and new responsibilities that come with, and as you may expect, my passion for everything One Bills Drive has certainly been tempered in recent years.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not, nor would I ever jump ship as a fan, at least for as long as the team remains in Western New York.
Instead, I remain a relatively despondent fan, numb to the organization’s many failures and conditioned to expect the worst, no matter how promising things may appear.
This Sunday, the Bills open training camp at St. John Fisher College, just outside of Rochester.
And yet another new chapter for the team is about to commence with new faces eager to take over in numerous key roles throughout the organization.
Russ Brandon is hardly a new face, serving as the team’s CEO since 2008 and in his 16th season overall with the organization. But Brandon will try on a notable new hat as the Bills’ president, a title that owner Ralph Wilson relinquished in January.
Although Brandon’s efforts to better expand the Bills’ regional appeal in both Rochester and Toronto have proven quite successful, how he fares as both the team’s president and CEO remains anyone’s guess. Considering Wilson didn’t exactly set the bar high as president (or owner), Brandon appears to be an improvement, if only by default. But that’s not to suggest things will change for the significantly better any time soon, if at all, under Brandon.
After Buddy Nix stepped down as general manager in the spring, Doug Whaley was appointed the new GM after serving as the Bills assistant GM/director of pro personnel since 2010. Prior to joining the Bills, Whaley worked for the Pittsburgh Steelers as the team’s pro scouting coordinator from 1999-2009.
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During that time, Whaley helped build a Pittsburgh team that won two Super Bowls. While Whaley was not calling the shots with the Steelers, you’d like to think he benefited spending a decade with one of the top organizations in pro football. But as much as I’d like to be optimistic about Whaley, Tom Donahoe’s stint in Buffalo – much ballyhooed at the time – provides a cautionary tale.
At head coach, former Syracuse boss Doug Marrone and an entire new staff will try to break the cycle – for the better – of a new coach every three years in Buffalo. Although Marrone was a surprise pick as head coach, his track record turning around a moribund program at Syracuse sold the Bills’ brain trust on the idea he could do the same in Buffalo. If nothing else, Marrone’s hire was at least a refreshing think-outside-the-box approach not seen with uninspiring retread hires like Dick Jauron and Chan Gailey. Conversely, though, the Bills also once thought they had diamonds in the rough in Mike Mularkey and Gregg Williams, but both proved to be duds like so many others.
Perhaps most fatiguing is starting anew once again at quarterback. Free-agent Kevin Kolb and first-round pick EJ Manuel will battle to become the Bills’ next starting quarterback. Obviously, the hope is that Manuel develops into the Bills’ first true franchise QB since Jim Kelly, while Kolb remains as a dependable, veteran backup. But even with some underappreciated talent at the skill positions – C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson – Buffalo’s quarterbacking situation in 2013 figures to be an exercise in patience.
Even in my perpetual overall pessimism to everything Bills, it’s probably safe to assume I’m among a super-majority who expects Buffalo’s streak of playoff futility to extend at least one more season.
There’s simply too much newness and inexperience in key spots throughout the operation – among other shortcomings – to expect an instant turnaround.
And while the hope is that the Whaley-Marrone-Manuel regime will turn things around over the long haul or at the very least, end the NFL’s longest current playoff drought, the organization has done little to inspire such blind optimism.

Buffalo Bills Training Camp 2013 "Plenty Of Starting Defensive Jobs Open For Rookies"

Jay Skurski - Buffalo Bills rookie Kiko Alonso (50) has a chance to be an every-down linebacker in the team's new defensive scheme. 

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There will be ample opportunities for young players to make a name for themselves on defense for the Buffalo Bills in the 2013 season.
When the team jettisoned veterans Nick Barnett, Kelvin Sheppard, George Wilson and Terrence McGee in the offseason, it lost its three leading tacklers from last season, along with 385 combined games of NFL experience.
If the inexperience of those taking their place is a concern among the team’s fans, it doesn’t seem to be one shared by new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. At least not publicly.
“It is a lot, and that was on purpose,” Pettine said of the workload he gave his players in spring practices. “I think as a coaching staff, we’re very optimistic with how this group learns. We’ve been able to handle a lot.
“What proves it even more is the up tempo. When an offense goes no-huddle, you don’t have those 15, 20 seconds in between plays to process and recall ‘what’s my job? What are my main coaching points here?’ You’ve got to know it, and I think our guys have really taken that to heart. I’m very pleased with where we are mentally.”
Rookie second-round draft pick Kiko Alonso has the inside track heading into training camp on replacing Barnett, who led the Bills with 112 tackles last season and played about 92 percent of the defensive snaps. Both Pettine and coach Doug Marrone have been pleased with Alonso’s development.
“I think Kiko has done an outstanding job, he really has,” Marrone said. “There’s been a little bit of ups and downs, but that’s not a knock on him. That’s what happens with young players. I’m extremely excited to see him perform when the pads come on.”
Assuming Alonso fills the role of an every-down linebacker, the question will be who joins him when the Bills go to a nickel (five defensive backs) formation, which Pettine has hinted could essentially serve as the Bills’ base defense.
The two favorites are second-year man Nigel Bradham and veteran Bryan Scott.
“Nigel can run. That’s the one thing we’re going to take advantage of,” Pettine said. “He’s explosive, so there are times if he’s a little slow to diagnose, he can make up for it with his speed. We’ve been real pleased with that. He’s been real coachable. It’s not often he makes the same mistake a second time.”
Scott, 32, is on a one-year contract. His playing time last season – about 54 percent of the snaps – illustrates why Pettine expects the Bills to be in nickel quite a bit.
Two players to watch in camp who could push Bradham and Scott for playing time are Marcus Dowtin – who has experience in Pettine’s system from his time spent with the Jets last season – and Keith Pough, an undrafted free agent out of Howard University who is a tackling machine.
“I feel good. That’s a solid room,” Pettine said of his linebacker depth. “We’re pleased with where that group is.”
At outside linebacker, the Bills added veteran Manny Lawson as a free agent. He missed most of the voluntary spring practices after his wife gave birth, but is expected to challenge for a starting role opposite Mario Williams. The biggest question behind those two is how the staff uses veteran Mark Anderson – who’s returning from a knee injury – and former Colts first-round draft pick Jerry Hughes, who was acquired in a trade for Sheppard.
Free agent Jamie Blatnick, who spent time last season on Denver’s practice squad, will push both Anderson and Hughes for practice reps.
Behind the linebackers, there are several positions up for grabs at camp. The biggest unknown is the status of Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd. If he reports on time, he can be written into the starting lineup in pen. But if Byrd, who has yet to sign his franchise tag tender, stays away, that means both safety jobs will be contested.
Wilson’s departure opens a spot in the lineup for Da’Norris Searcy, who split time at strong safety last season, playing about 25 percent of the defensive snaps. Searcy, though, figures to be pushed by fourth-round draft pick Duke Williams. True to their word when they drafted him, the Bills used Williams in a number of different roles in the spring, including at both safety spots and cornerback.
Without Byrd, the starting free safety spot would likely come down to converted cornerback Aaron Williams, a third-year player, or rookie Jonathan Meeks.
“I’d say he’s ahead of schedule. It’s a lot to take in,” Pettine said of Williams. “It is apples and oranges. Being a safety is such a different world from being a corner. There are a lot of plays where he ends up locked on a guy where his corner instincts can take over, but for the most part, it is a lot of learning and a lot of communication. He’s ahead of schedule of where we thought he would be.”
Also in the secondary, the battle for the nickel cornerback job should be close. The three primary candidates are second-year man Ron Brooks, third-year player Justin Rogers and undrafted free agent sleeper Nickell Robey out of Southern California.
Robey, who has the right name for the job, was impressive in spring practices, but will have to answer questions about his size (5-foot-8, 165 pounds) with the pads on. It’s clear, however, that he’s made an early impression, as General Manager Doug Whaley brought him up as a candidate for the job in an interview with the team’s official website.
Rogers, 5-11, 185, held the nickel job in the first half of 2012, but was eventually replaced in the lineup when Brooks returned from a broken foot.
Brooks is the biggest and fastest of the players competing for the spot, listed at 5-11, 188 pounds and timed in the 40-yard dash at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine in 4.37 seconds. In his rookie season, he played in nine games, making two starts and finishing with four passes defensed.
Up front, the Bills added Alan Branch to a defensive line mix that includes Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus and Alex Carrington in traditional 3-4 looks.
The Bills rotated Dareus with Jay Ross at times during spring practices. That’s a move that has all the signs of a motivational ploy for the former third overall pick in the 2011 draft.
The list of players looking to make a favorable impression on the new coaching staff starts with Torell Troup, a former second-round draft pick who missed all of last season on injured reserve after back surgery. This is likely his last chance to make it with the Bills.
Ross will compete with Jarron Gilbert and Corbin Bryant for reserve roles along the line. Bryant, a 330-pounder, got plenty of second-team practice reps in the spring.

How Long Will Bills Safety Jarius Byrd Holdout Last?

The big question on the Jairus Byrd front - now that he and the Buffalo Bills have missed a deadline to sign a long-term contract extension this season - is whether or not he'll continue to miss team practices into training camp. Right now, the predominant theory is that agent Eugene Parker will indeed advise Byrd to skip training camp in an effort to leverage the Bills - who would clearly like Byrd in camp as soon as possible - into offering a one-year deal with a no-tag clause (or perhaps even just more money).

Tim Graham of The Buffalo News sums up the most popular guess as to how long Byrd might sit out. Long story short: this could look an awful lot like what Jason Peters did (on Parker's advice) in 2008, with the obvious difference being that Peters was under contract, while Byrd currently is not.

Buffalo Bills Should Start E.J. Maneul Over Kevin Kolb?

It's getting harder for NFL teams to sit rookie quarterbacks. It's also unreasonable for teams to expect the rookie QB results that last season's brilliant class yielded.

EJ Manuel, left, should step ahead of Kevin Kolb on the Bills depth chart. (AP Photo)

That's the biggest question the Bills face in training camp: whether it's in their best short-term interest to start first-round pick Manuel, or to sit him behind veteran newcomer Kevin Kolb.
MORE: Eagles' Vick | Cowboys' defense | Dolphins' Tannehill | Camp sites, dates

Bills camp preview | Jairus Byrd contract | Mario Williams' gaffe | Bills schedule
Manuel is an intriguing prospect because of his size, arm and athleticism. There's no doubt the raw Florida State product was taken so high because of the potential to put all that together and ride the wave of successful young athletic QBs.
In the best-case scenario, Manuel becomes a player in the mold of Colin Kaepernick. The San Francisco 49ers gave the Bills a good blueprint by spending a good season and a half grooming Kaepernick before letting him loose as the quarterback who took them to the Super Bowl.
There is a big difference: Kaepernick inherited a strong supporting cast. In addition to a powerful running game and an elite offensive line, he also benefited from a diverse, innovative passing attack.
The Bills hope new coach Doug Marrone will install such an offense to help them catch up with the NFL's better teams. But with a philosophical change, needed line adjustments and a remixed receiving corps it will be a while before a schematic transition can be successful.
Until some of those other parts are settled, the offense will revolve around running back C.J. Spiller, its best skill player and most dynamic threat. Any starting quarterback is will take his lumps when the ball isn't in Spiller's hands.
Kolb was acquired to be a serviceable veteran. What's kept him from being more is his lack of great feel for handling the pass rush and the inability to stay healthy. Because of those durability issues, there's a good chance even if Kolb is the initial starter, Manuel would be called to action.
Marrone would like to name a starter early in camp, and that's important if he's leaning toward Manuel to give his young passer valuable live-game opportunities in the preseason. The Bills should stop thinking about the remote possibilities they will contend for anything with Kolb and turn to rolling with the rookie now.
The key is being fair to Manuel, keeping him comfortable as a caretaker while at the same time helping him progress as a playmaker. There's no point grooming behind him Kolb, who contrary to what the veteran thinks, was a makeshift option.
The Bills, also unlike the 49ers, don't return a Super Bowl-caliber team, rather one that's chasing the playoffs. The faster the Bills can work to get Manuel up to speed, the better.

Buffalo Bills 2013 RB C.J. Spiller Statistical Preview

By Cory Wagner on July 16, 2013 [Updated: July 16, 2013]

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It seems as if every year about this time, hopes have reached their highest point of the season for the Buffalo Bills, and this season is no different.  Ever since the legendary Jim Kelly retired there have always been question marks at quarterback.  Names like Todd Collins, Rob Johnson, J.P. Losman, Trent Edwards, and Ryan Fitzpatrick never panned out.  The running back position is another story with the Bills, starting with Thurman Thomas, Travis Henry, Willis McGahee, Fred Jackson, and now the future star CJ Spiller.
Entering his 4th season out of Clemson, Spiller has shown sparkles of greatness since being the first running back taken in the 2010 draft (9th overall).  Up until the end of the 2012 season he played backup to an ellusive Fred Jackson.  But Spiller's game could open up even more this season with what should be an upgrade at the receiver position, and 16th overall draft pick EJ Manuel will get every opportunity to be the starting quarterback over veteran Kevin Kolb.  Manuel could be the next star dual threat quarterback...opening up the rushing game even further.
It’s no secret among the Fanstasy Football crowd that Spiller is primed to have a big year and in all likelihood will be a first round pick in every FF draft.  If he can stay healthy a lot of experts have him rated as the best running back in football this year.  On that note we decided to compare his 3 year statistics, in particular his 2012 season, to some of the current and past greats.

It's way too early to say that CJ Spiller is in Adrian Peterson company, but with over 200 attempts there was no one better on a per carry basis than these two (except for Robert Griffin III).
Let's take it a step further and look at the most elite rushing seasons on a per attempt basis since 1990:

Top 5 Yards per Carry since 1990 (min. 200 rush attempts)

Rank	Player	Team	Season	Rushing Attempts	Rushing Yards Per Attempt
1	Jamaal Charles	KC	2010	230	6.38
2	Barry Sanders	Det	1997	335	6.13
3	Adrian Peterson	Min	2012	348	6.03
4	C.J. Spiller	Buf	2012	207	6.01
5	Barry Sanders	Det	1994	331	5.69

That is some elite company to say the least. What is equally as impressive to Spiller's rushing numbers is his threat in the receiving game.  Below are the top Yards after the Catch on a per reception basis since the 1990 season.

Top 10 Runningback YAC per Reception (min. 30 catches)

Rank	Player	Team	Season	Receptions	Avg YAC per Rec
1	Lorenzo White	Hou	1992	57	13.1
2	Fred Jackson	Buf	2011	39	12.8
3	Darren Sproles	SD	2009	45	12.5
4	Craig Heyward	Atl	1994	32	12.3
5	C.J. Spiller	Buf	2012	43	12.1
6	Priest Holmes	KC	2001	62	12.1
7	Arian Foster	Hou	2011	53	12.1
8	Darren McFadden	Oak	2010	47	11.9
9	Felix Jones	Dal	2010	48	11.8
10	Craig Heyward	Atl	1995	37	11.6

At the end of the day, it's a long season and staying healthy at the runningback position is nearly impossible in the current NFL.  But no matter how the Bills' season shakes down, most of us can all agree to expect big things from CJ Spiller in 2013.

Buffalo Bills 2013 Training Camp Preview

REPORT DATES: July 22 (rookies), July 27 (veterans)
SITE: St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, NY
CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: With Ryan Fitzpatrick now in Tennessee, new Bills coach Doug Marrone's first order of business is finding a long term answer at quarterback because newcomer Kevin Kolb isn't the answer. In the end, all the Ryan Nassib talk prior to the draft was just that but Marrone had a signal- caller in mind -- Florida State's E.J. Manuel, a very raw prospect, who will be asked to hit the ground running after being selected No. 16 overall. Buffalo was able to prop up the weapons around the QB position by drafting receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin in an effort to find a complement to Stevie Johnson. Woods, a USC product, was probably the best route-runner available and a player who has been in a pro-style offense for years. On the other side of the ball, Mario Williams needs to step it up and become a dominant player again while rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso, a pretty instinctive guy, will be

Buffalo Bills Project Starting Line-Up

Pro Football Focus came out with what they think the Buffalo Bills will have as their starting line-up come the start of the season.  They did not really take any major leaps on their analysis of where the Bills will be come early September. In fact, after looking at it they really played it safe.
We will start with the Offense and make our own selections and compare to PFF.  PFF said that the Bills would be in a 3 WR set and this would be their key package.  I can agree with that.  They have Kolb and Spiller in the backfield.  I agree with 50% of that.  I believe that E.J. Manuel will be accompanying Spiller in the backfield at the start of the season.

Looking at the WR, I agree with who PFF put their starters on the field, I am not completely sure I agree with where they put them.  Johnson, Woods, and Graham are the three.  They have Woods and Graham on the outside with Johnson in the slot.  I would move either Woods or Graham to the slot and move Johnson outside.  I believe that Graham or Woods have equal ability to play the slot at this point.
On the line, starting from LT to TE, PFF put Cordy Glenn, Legursky, Wood, Urbik, Hairston, and Chandler.  With limited knowledge and view on some of the o-line and most of them being on the younger side with limited experience, this is a safe play and I would agree with them as to the starting line.
Moving onto the defense.  PFF has the Bills playing a nickel as their key defense for most the year.  I don’t agree with this.  I believe that at this point the Bills are the weakest at the CB spot.  A 4-3 defense is going to be their bread and butter package at the start of the season.

PFF put Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Marcel Dareus, and Mark Anderson as the starting line-up.  I agree with three of the four.  Mark Anderson is the only one that I am on the fence with.  Alan Branch and the rookie, Izaan Cross, I think might be competing for the job.  I believe that Cross will be a standout in camp and will start him over Anderson here.
At LB, PFF put Kiko Alonso and Nigel Bradham as the two that would start.  I like Alonso starting, but am not sure about Bradham.  Manny Lawson will be one of the OLBs as well Alonso.  Jerry Hughes will make an impact with his new team and take the MLB spot to go with the 4-3 defense they will play.

Finishing out the Defense and starting line-ups, the CBs and Safeties.  PFF is playing them in a nickel and has McKelvin, Rogers, and Gilmore as the starting CBs.  I am removing 1 CB and I believe that McKelvin is the best at this point to take the #2 spot opposite Gilmore.  At safety, PFF is playing Byrd and Searcy.  Really?!  Byrd yes, if he signs.  Look for Aaron Williams to take the other Safety spot.  If Byrd is not signed then it will be Williams and Searcy at Safety.
Where do you stand with your line-ups?