Sunday, December 9, 2012

Spiller 'won't pout' despite getting 8 touches in loss

BY NICK ST. DENIS

C.J. Spiller leads all NFL running backs in yards per carry, but he's certainly no threat to lead the league in carries.

Spiller, the Buffalo Bills' most explosive player (and probably their best player, too) was given just seven rushes and one reception to work with Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. That wasn't enough for him, or for the team, as Buffalo (5-8) lost 15-12 and all but officially fell completely out of the playoff race.

"I really cannot control how many times I touch the ball, guys," Spiller told reporters after the game, via BuffaloBills.com. "... Of course I want to touch the ball more. But there is no need for me to sit around, mope and groan and do all that because that is high school. That is childish.

"... Is the frustration there? Yeah. Deep down in your gut as a competitor, yeah it is there. But there is nothing I can do about it so I am not going to sit around and pout and be a little baby or a little girl or something."

Honestly, who could blame Spiller if he did pout? His ridiculously small amount of touches has been a regular thing all season, as Bills coach Chan Gailey instead favors the legs of Fred Jackson and the questionable arm of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Jackson attempted just nine rushes himself, but he had five receptions, which means Buffalo is at least making an attempt to get him the ball in space. Spiller, on the other hand, was targeted just one time through the air, gaining 15 yards on the play. Jackson picked up 16 total.

Spiller picked up 37 yards on seven carries, while Jackson gained 14 yards on nine carries. Aside from a five minute span in the third quarter, the Bills didn't trail the Rams until the last 48 seconds of the game but still opted to attempt 33 passes to 20 rushes.

Note: Jackson acquired a leg injury that Gailey said "did not look good."

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