ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — C.J. Spiller is the first to admit his transition from star college running back to NFL rookie was much more difficult than he had imagined. But two years later, the former first round pick is rounding into form.
Spiller, the ninth overall pick out of Clemson in the 2010 draft, will once again be thrust into the starting role in Buffalo’s backfield when the Bills (0-1) host Kansas City (0-1) Sunday. With starter Fred Jackson out with a knee injury sustained in last week’s loss to the Jets, the rushing load will be squarely on Spiller’s shoulders for at least the next month.
It’ll be the second straight season in which Spiller has been plugged in as the main man following a Jackson injury. In relief, Spiller began showing signs of breaking out after Jackson broke his leg in a game against Miami in Week 11.
“It definitely gives you confidence to know that you can do it,” said Spiller, who averaged nearly 90 yards rushing in each of the final three games last season. “But the quote that I am going to stick by for the whole year is ‘past success doesn’t guarantee future success.’ I can’t just bank on what I did the last six weeks to say I’m capable.”
