IAGNN: CJ Spiller
by IAmGross on Feb 20, 2010 4:06 PM EST
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PrintAs many of you know, quite well perhaps, I am an advocate for the Lions picking up CJ Spiller. How we get him is of no concern of me I would just love to see him on our roster. Please note, I am aware we have more pressing needs than running back, but it is my seldom opinion that CJ Spiller will be a premier back, a game changing back, in the league, no matter what team he is on.
This Video is evidence of the college career I watched and the unbelievable speed and skill he brings to the game, please watch the whole thing, if you would like to see where I am coming from.
Now I have heard people compare him to the "Poor Man's Reggie Bush" or claim that he is not RB#1 material, and that we already have Aaron Brown, but I would like to provide some stats and comparisons to hopefully sway your opinion. And maybe you too will join me on the CJ Spiller Band Wagon.
CJ Spiller
Height 5-11
Weight 195lbs
Speed 4.26 40yd dash
College Career Stats
Attempts - 606
Yards - 3547
TD - 32
And now for the sake of my argument I would like to compare him to a similar back already in the league who I will reveal after the stats.
Unknown
Height 5-11
Weight 198lbs
Speed 4.24 40yd dash
College Career Stats
Attempts - 624
Yards - 2982
Touchdowns - 32
This unknown back, East Carolina Alumn, 2,000 yard rusher for the Tennessee Titans, Chris Johnson.
Johnson and Spiller have very similar physical builds, show the same break away speed and are very similar in running style, toughness, and durability. In fact, in college, Spiller has shown more lateral speed and agility than Johnson did in his college days.
When compared to other backs in the system I think a lot of you are underestimating the raw ability and skill set of Spiller and hopefully this comparison will show you that he is not a dime-a-dozen back. He is not an Aaron Brown, or even a Reggie Bush, he is a more talented back than the two of them, he really is a special player.
and for Statistics sake, the proof is in the pudding....numbers....whatever
Reggie Bush
Height 6-0
Weight 205 lbs
Speed 4.33 40yd dash
College Stats
Attempts - 243
Yards - 2648
Touchdowns - 22
Aaron Brown
Height 6-1
Weight 196 lbs
Speed 4.57
College Stats
Attempts - 487
Yards - 2596
Touchdowns - 20
I understand that these differences are small, but I hope this highlights how rare the body-type, speed, and talent that CJ & CJ really have, they are a different type of back.
(All statistical information provided by SI.com)
###
IAGNN
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.
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We will see after combine...
but i still dont think he will be at top of the big board. He could possibly be the greatest back ever but he just doesnt fit what we need to do. We have had the best running back in NFL history. Lets try to build a complete team and be competitive for once. Lets try doing something we havent done ever like going to a superbowl. Which i believe we will be closer to doing if we take Suh, Berry, or McCoy.
two things
my point wasnt to say that he would be the BEST pick for our team, just to say if we did for whatever reason land spiller it would be FAR from a detriment.
Please note, I am aware we have more pressing needs than running back, but it is my seldom opinion that CJ Spiller will be a premier back, a game changing back, in the league, no matter what team he is on.
Also, best player available means best player available.
I understand you dont think he is the best pick for our team...
but it seems like you have been petitioning for him as of late. If its just fanboyism thats cool and understandable. It almost sounds like to me that you want the lions to go out of there way to swing a deal for him. Lets pretend for sake of arguement Seahawks want QB they give us both of their firsts for our first and fourth. We then would have pick 6 and 14. I would still think we would go after E. Berry, J. Haden, D. Morgan, B. Campbell, A. Davis, B. Bulaga, J. Peirre-Paul, just to name a few.
Who would be the change of pace back
Usually Little speed deamons like him have a bigger RB in front of him, who is ours?
Im ok with it
i don’t want too spend our first pick on him like you said, just somehow land him. perhaps trade down from 32?…i know we need all the picks we can get, however he CAN be one of the best backs ever with his speed vision and agility!!!!
I see where you're coming from
we are ALOT closer on offense. The Lions could fix most of the glaring offensive holes in the draft (ie Spiller, WR Demaryius Thomas, LG) and be explosive very quickly.
Me personally, I’d like to get some semblence of a defense. I’m sick of seeing crappy/mediocre RBs and QBs look like HOFers every single time they play the Lions. Lets get a defense put together and start beating the shit out of teams.
Somewhat of a trend I’ve noticed about coaches and their background point to how they draft. A defensive coach often drafts offense high, thinking he can coach up lower round defensive picks to be adequate and vice-versa.
"Lets get a defense put together and start beating the shit out of teams."
Thankyou…
Bas Rutten: He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Stephen Quadros: Yes, well many of the fighters
have a black belt.
Bas Rutten: Yes, but in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you cant
buy your belt like in say, Tae Kwon Do.
Stephen Quadros: Do you have any belts?
Bas Rutten: I have a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.
by DrewMoney$$$ on Feb 21, 2010 3:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
If we could trade down from the #2 spot i’d be ok with taking him and picking up a defensive player or OL, but i’m not ok with taking him at 2. Most people don’t realize that CJ played pretty much his entire senior season fight turf toe and was still amazing. Just because we pick CJ doesn’t mean we’d be ignoring our defense and CJ would help keep our defense off the field. Not to mention him returning kicks and punts could give us drastically better field position.
Not with the #2
If he somehow traded down, like BenderCU said and the coaching staff really likes him then yeah, go for it.
The Bringers of Hope: Stafford - Delmas - C. Johnson - Pettigrew - Levy - Hill - Schwartz
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
Good post, IAG
I like Spiller… probably more than most, but also probably a little less than you. I wouldn’t be at all upset if the Lions take him if he really blazes at the combine. I know what an elite running back would mean to our offense. Personally, I like the idea of stacking the offense and having at least one half of our team competitive. Of course, I like the idea of finally getting some quality defenders as well… so it’s going to be a win-win type of draft for me.
As for Spiller… I too see the comparisons to Chris Johnson. Will he “be” the next Chris Johnson… only God knows for sure, but I like him. Do I like him at #2… no. Would I be pissed if we traded down to #6 or further and took him while adding another 2nd rounder…. hell no. I’d be very, very pleased with adding Spiller to our offense in that scenario. I’m eager to see how fast he runs at the combine. Because of what Chris Johnson has done in the NFL so far, Spiller’s stock will REALLY rise if he posts a sub-4.3 time.
nice homework
Still not buying into the spiller pick though
The best there is, The best there was, and the best there ever will be - Bret the Hitman hart
I would love it if we pick Spiller at #2
Because if we do, then that means Schwartz and company have him graded that high and he must be an amazing pro prospect.
by HoorayForEverything on Feb 20, 2010 8:15 PM EST reply actions
I don't think you are really reading my post carefully.....
And the name comes from a Simpson’s episode 20 years ago
Goto 5:40 of the clip
http://www.watchcartoononline.com/the-simpsons-episode-207-bart-vs-thanksgiving
by HoorayForEverything on Feb 20, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
Dude comparing Spiller to Johnson isn't fair
There have been several backs with that build and similar stats in college that haven’t panned out in the NFL
I realize it isn’t an exact science but comparing a guy who hasn’t seen an NFL field to a 2nd year player who won the MVP is loafty.
JJ Arrington
Ryan Moats
Tatum Bell
Quinton Griffen
Michael Bennett (Who CJ Reminds me of GREATLY)
Trung Canidate
ECT…….These scat backs all had good to great College Careers, ran very good 40’s and smashed in the NFL.
Small back succeeding is the exception not the rule
http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/
I just want to say again...
Michael Bennett anyone? How has his little ass held up in the NFL?
I like CJ, and I think he has more Warrick Dunn in him than Tatum Bell, but lets not compare him to Chris Johnson..not yet.
http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/
by CapitolLions on Feb 21, 2010 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
I dont get it
I am not comparing them based on Chris Johnson’s performance in NFL and CJ’s in college. I am comparing two college players who played in the same conference in college, with similar running styles, builds, and break-away speed, and making a correlation between the two.
Warrick Dunn is undersized compared to the two of them and Tatum Bell is slower.
I didnt want to do the he reminds me of him, so I took stats and I looked at running styles. The two are definitely similar if not the same.
CJ and CJ happen to be scat backs that can run in between the tackles as well. Many of the people you listed had difficult time doing the same thing. Especially Michael Bennett. Plus he had hamstring problems.
Clemson and ECU are not in the same conference
CJ Spiller also has some injury concerns that you should worry about. In the NFL the defenses just get bigger and stronger.
Also, saying that they have a similar build and body of college work is not a good way to make a conclusion. You would also need to look at all the college RBs that had similar builds and stats and see how they faired to make a good conclusion. It could be that Chris Johnson is the outlier, not the norm. If all you had to do to be great is match a great player on some levels, then we could just draft someone named Sanders and we would be set.
PS- I actually like Spiller. I think he is a great player and I hope we grab him… in the 3rd. I think he will be a great player, but that injuries will keep him to 10 games a season.
PPS- I recall saying the same thing about Percy Harvin and you can see how that turned out.
with all this talk about little speedsters
Not one of you have mentioned Sproles? hm that’s interesting. Let’s see how he holds up now that LT isn’t going to be in there taking all the beatings between the tackles. But we still need to get D first then D second and then D again and did I mention we needed some D in this draft. Maybe if this guy is all that and he is there in the second round we go get him, I meen did any of us see our front office taking Delmas or Grew last year?
Something to think about
JJ Arington
ATTEMPTS YARDS TOUCHDOWNS
289 2,018 15
Birth Date January 23, 1983
Hometown Newhall, CA
Height 5-11
Weight 210 lbs.
This was the only one icould find solid college stats on.
But the guys you listed are all taller, heavier, slower, or had significantly less impressive stats than CJ and CJ
my overall point was thet Spiller isn't Chris Johnson
http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/
by CapitolLions on Feb 21, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
exactly
Just like Eli Manning he’s a great QB but he isn’t Peyton he is someone else.
The best there is, The best there was, and the best there ever will be - Bret the Hitman hart
by The Profiler on Feb 21, 2010 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
Eli's a great QB?????????
Did I miss a career here or something?? I personnally think he’s overrated, what do you think SD fans??? Oh that’s right they traded the great QB for a better one.
Is CJ Spiller the next Marshall Faulk??
He is one inch taller and 16 pounds lighter……but when I watched the highlights, he reminded me of Marshall Faulk…..big time. Marshall Faulk had 4 good seasons where he had over 2000 yards from scrimmage (total). Never did he RUSH for over 1500 yards in a single season (closest he came was 1382 in 2001 with the Rams (14 games)). I think that Marshall Faulk was a very versatile back, and I would say he was a good back. However, he too was drafted 2nd overall by the Colts in 1994…..and he never truly lived up to that draft position. I would call both Marshall Faulk AND CJ Spiller MID first rounders. Keep in mind, even Chris Johnson was not drafted until the LATE first round (24th pick). Why? Because even though he was LIGHTNING fast and he could catch a pass out of the backfield, his size brought about concerns in reference to durability. The same should have been a factor for Marshall Faulk (and wasn’t), and should be a factor when considering where to draft CJ Spiller.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
Yep... agree completely.
But… if we were to drop down and he grades out as a fast, durable back… let’s get him.
I'm down with that.....
If we move down and he is the BPA.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
I am tired of hearing the CJ Spiller and Aaron Brown comparisons..........
I am happy you pointed out that the two are very different players. Brown runs a high 4.5 and Spiller runs a high 4.2, HUGE difference! Spiller is a LOT like Chris Johnson, but I don’t think he will be as good, but then again, who will be? I think Johnson will end up being one of the best backs this league has ever seen when its all said and done. Spiller will be one of the best backs in this league some day, but whether he will be one of the best ever, that’s a different story, we’ll just have to wait and see. Comparing him and Chris coming out of college is an awesome comparison, but comparing Spiller and Chris Johnson right now, isn’t too fair. I like this post though…..
Hey, where's the Darren McFadden stats?
How quickly they forget his brilliance, lol.
Honorary Driver of the Kyle Wilson Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
The 313 Missile Squadron: Delmas, Berry, Wilson......seek and destroy!
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
McFadden is a different story too GRLion
You have to remember that he came from a zone blocking scheme in Arkansas, where Houston Nutt ran the wildcat a majority of the time with Darren McFadden as their Ronnie Brown (in reality it is the other way around, as Houston Nutt is credited with popularizing the Wildcat as it is used in Miami). Once McFadden was drafted, he was forced to play in an offense that he was unfamiliar with, along with a completely different blocking scheme in front of him. He could turn out to be good in a few years…..only time will tell in that aspect. However, as it stands, McFadden has not yet lived up to his draft position……and it is possible that he never will.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
wow a Raider draft pick not living up to the hype....who would have thought...
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
HUGE difference.
McFadden played in an offense where it was all misdirection and illusions. The old Houston Nutt Wild-Hog trick play offense. CJ Spiller played in a pro style offense and ran between the tackles. He also played receiver quite a bit and is one of the most complete backs to ever come out.
By the way Spiller’s fastest 40 time was 4.12 in April, 2009.
If you want to read about how amazing Spiller is here is everything you need to know
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spiller_c.j.02.html
So you are saying he is as fast as Bo Jackson was??
This is an old article, but interesting nonetheless…..and relevant too.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-02-22-40-yard-dash_N.htm
I have my serious doubts that CJ Spiller ran a 4.12 second 40 yard dash…….even if it is possible that he could match Bo Jackson’s unofficial 40 time (at the combine no less), that would make him pretty damn close (if not actually) to the fastest man in the world. “Unofficially”, it has been calculated that Usian Bolt (the current world record holder in the 100m dash, and arguably the fastest man in the world) would run around a 4.22 40 YARD dash……maybe CJ Spiller should go for gold at the Olympics…….
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
Usain Bolt isn't really quick off the line as well
His pace is in the 30-80m range.
The Bringers of Hope: Stafford - Delmas - C. Johnson - Pettigrew - Levy - Hill - Schwartz
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
by Hyperion Ecta on Feb 21, 2010 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
My point is this......there are NO starting blocks at the combine.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
40 meters is a little over 11 feet > than 40 yards.......
Usian Bolt was timed at the Olympics (as “official” as it gets) as running 30 meters (32.8 yards) in 3.78 seconds. He ran 40 meters (43.74 yards) in 4.65 seconds…..and those times were AFTER coming out of the starting blocks!
I guess the only way to know for sure would be to line Spiller. Johnson, and Bolt up and see who is the fastest.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
lol
Bo ran his alleged 4.12 inside of the Superdome……idk about Spiller’s alleged time. If he runs a 4.12 at the combine, I will eat dead grass for breakfast for a week.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
No way in hell it will happen......
And if it does, I will keep my word…..lol. However, if it is < 4.12 or > 4.12, and not EXACTLY 4.12, I am good…..:oD
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
NO ONE will ever run a legit machine timed sub 4.2 ever at the combine.
Book it.
http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/
by CapitolLions on Feb 22, 2010 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
Stupid comment...
I should say not for a long time…in 20 years guys will be even bigger and even faster…so…
NO ONE before I am shitting in adult diapers will run a legit sub 4.2 machine timed non-wind aided at the combine.
http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/
by CapitolLions on Feb 22, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
So CJ knows diddily??????
Sorry there will never be another Bo Jackson! That man was as rare as Barry and the rest of the Elite’s of all time! Chris Johnson wont have a 10 year run in the league running like he does now, I’d give it 2 or 3 more years then watch his knees go bye bye and with the speed goes the dream.
Nice Remake of the theme to
The Good, The bad, And the Ugly…..
About 3:20 in to that video…. check it out.
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