2010 Scouting Report: CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 17, 2010 6:36 PM EST
in 2010 Scouting Reports
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PrintNext up on our tour of potential future Jaguars is Clemson running back CJ Spiller. Depending on how the Jaguars have Spiller graded, this could be one of the first tests to Gene Smith's committment to BAP. Spiller was an explosive, All-Purpose back throughout his career at Clemson. However, he truly came into his own during his senior year, where he was mentioned as a possible Heisman contender.
You may be thinking, well why would the Jaguars go with a running back if they have Maurice Jones-Drew? Well, MJD's decline during the back half of the year weakened the argument that he can be a 16 game 25 carry a year back. However, paired with another elite talent like Spiller could give the Jaguars the most dangerous backfield in the NFL.
The first thing that pops out to anyone who studies Spiller is his versatility. Not only is he a danger out of the backfield, he is so good at catching the football, he could be a first round pick at wide receiver. Spiller was Clemson's big play threat, and when he wasn't lining up in the backfield, he was lined up as a wideout more often than not.
He uses his speed and vision to his advantage. Not since Reggie Bush has a player made such a career of making defensive players look silly. Regardless of his timed 40, Spiller has game speed. He hits it into high gear quickly and doesn't let off. Though he reportedly ran a 4.12 40 with his strength and conditioning coach.
The stat that jumps out to me the most is that CJ had just TWO fumbles in his entire four year career. Yes, two. In addition, Spiller was the unquestioned leader and team captian at Clemson, another characteristic Gene Smith values.
However, that versatility comes at a price. As I mentioned earlier, when he wasn't lined up in the backfield to carry the ball, he was usually lined up as a wideout. This mean's that he isn't near the pass blocker you would want to see in a running back. While that wouldn't be much of a problem if he is a change of pace back to start off, it'll be a major liability for any team that will make him their primary back.
In addition, he doesn't have any real physicality to his game. He is much more adept at running away from a defender than running through one. He never looked natural trying to plunge head on into a pile, and never moved it. In the NFL, it could potentially limit his game to being just a situational player.
Video Killed The Scouting Report
CJ Spiller: By The Numbers
| At A Glance | |||||
| Position 1: Running Back |
Height: 5'11 | ||||
| Position 2: Returner |
Weight:195 | ||||
| Class: Senior | Age: 22 | ||||
| Projected Round: Top 15 |
40time: 4.35-4.4 |
||||
1st Team All-American: 2009
All-ACC:2007,2008,2009
ACC Career Leader All Purpose Rushing Yards
Joins Reggie Bush as only two players to have 5,000 punt return, 2,500 rushing, 1,500 kick returning, and 1,000 receiving yards in a career.
| Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||||||
| YEAR | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| 2006 | 129 | 938 | 7.3 | 80 | 10 | 19 | 210 | 11.1 | 82 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 145 | 768 | 5.3 | 83 | 3 | 34 | 271 | 8.0 | 68 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 116 | 629 | 5.4 | 57 | 7 | 34 | 436 | 12.8 | 83 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 216 | 1212 | 5.6 | 66 | 12 | 36 | 503 | 14.0 | 63 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
According to the Experts
New Era
Pro
Has elite explosion and reaches top speed very quickly. Creates separation in a blink and is often being chases from behind. Very difficult to get a clean hit on Spiller. Can explode through a lane the second it opens up and can change direction on a dime. Can make forty five degree cuts when running at full speed, a very rare trait. Feet are light on the ground.
Con
The power aspect of the position is not his forte. He eludes contact because of his quickness and agility, but not as a result of him being soft. He will put his head down when he has to, but he doesn’t push piles forward. If a tackler can get their hands on him with any strength and balance, he won’t break the tackle. Doesn’t have a thick base to run through arm tackles.
Walter Football
Pro
Extremely fast with gamebreaking ability, instinctive, breaks a good amount of tackles for his weight, very elusive
Con
Cuts outside too often, not assertive between the tackles, weak inside runner who won't do much around the goal line
Best Case/Worst Case
Best Case: Marshall Faulk. Faulk was one of the ring leaders in the Greatest Show on Turf in St.Louis. He could catch it out of the backfield, line up as a wideout, and could get the tough yards when needed.
Worst Case: Reggie Bush. While Bush hasn't been outright bad in New Orleans, he hasn't risen above being a very good role player.
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deangelo williams and Jonathan stewart
would no longer be the best combo in the league… the more i think about it the more i like it. however, i think it depends alot on who else is avaliable
I would love this pick
Nobody thought Chris Johnson would be anything more than a situational back or a change of pace, just saying. He would definitely be fun to watch in Jacksonville and would give the Jaguars offense a huge boost.
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I remember I read a draft magazine that year, and they had CJ ranked as a receiver, not even in the running back top 50. 2,000 “2009” yards later…
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Including
The ability to go into beast mode.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
perfect compliment
to MJDs power running and the jags well as there are few true playmakers on O. Plus i think that pass blocking can be learned and wth some added bulk without losing speed, he can run harder. Plus I think Reggie Bush would put up more #s but the Saints have so many playmakers on offense that they can only distribute the ball so much and Thomas is no slouch in front of him at RB. I personally would love Spiller in Teal
Tight work, John
Spiller sounds awesome. It seems a dynamic 2-back system is the way to go these days.
Vae Victis!
i didnt like this at first
but im begining to REALLY like this pickk. could u imagine the pressure coming off Garrard. and we can pickup a G or S in later rounds or in FA
Spiller graduated at my high school!
Yeah, Spiller graduated from Union County High School in Lake Butler, FL in 2006 with my brother. He was amazing. I graduated there in 2008. The football team hasn’t been good since he left. lol.
If he's there and BAP then abso-freakin-lutely!
Would be great compliment to MJD!!!!
I've been doing the Fonda workout: the Peter Fonda workout. That's where I wake up, take a hit of acid, smoke a joint, and run to my sister's house and ask her for money.
-- Kevin Meaney(1950's Comedian)
How tall is Spiller (not that it matters)
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
Driver of the "Cut Reggie Nelson" Bandwagon.
even if hes bush
kick return ability is incredible… and he looks a bit thicker then Bush did. im really liking this BAP or no BAP could u imagine Spiller and MJD? goodbye indy and houston… teams that typically cant stop the run will be dying
He's not as big
as Reggie. Nor do I think he is as good as Reggie. I think we are underrating Reggie here at this site. He’s not a true RB, but he’s as good if not better than Spiller at everything Spiller is good at.
Including
The ability to go into beast mode
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Sounds like
the secret dark horse pick is everyone’s favourite…
Well done John!!!!!
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Jan 17, 2010 11:03 PM EST reply actions
I'm in the minority, but I would not take Spiller in the top 15.
And it’s not that I don’t believe that he isn’t a good player, but you can find running backs anywhere. There is not a huge drop-off from the top of the board to the bottom. The Jaguars found MJD in the 2nd, Brian Westbrook was drafted in the 3rd, Marion Barber went in the 4th round, and Willie Parker and Pierre Thomas were undrafted. Combine that with the fact that the NFL gets farther and farther away from its running game roots every season, and I definitely believe that a DB, QB, or lineman should and will find his way to the top of the draft board.
In Gene We Trust.
by MoveThoseChains on Jan 18, 2010 12:47 AM EST reply actions
Im in agreement
I hate to the see the running game go away like it has. But if the Jags want to be “Elite” then they need to go after the best big guys first. Dont get me wrong though, if he’s BAP then get him.
Also Agree
We have to fix this defense. No coverage or rush. Hopefully that is the BAP or trade down to where we get BAP and aquire extra picks. Unless of course a gem falls to #11
like the pick but first round
Naw not with all the other needs that we have. Get a good DT such as Terrence Cody a good DE such as Carlos Dunlap or an O lineman
by jesusjagfan2009 on Jan 18, 2010 6:44 PM EST reply actions
Doubt the Jags will go with either Cody or Dunlap, especially Dunlap
Christian Ponder in 2011! Bring him home Wayne, he can actually play QB in the NFL
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by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 18, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
I think part of the problem is
the draft isn’t very good in places where we need players. DE, C, QB(at least at the 10/11 pick).
There are a lot of players that will be starting material, but few will be star players at the next level.
For instance, many would agree Derrick Morgan is the best 43 DE in the draft, but I don’t see one facet of his game that is better than Harvey’s. How about CB? When I look at an CB other than Haden, I don’t see any CB’s that would start on our team. I look at LB, I don’t see anyone better than Durant.
I look at OT, I don’t see anyone better than Monroe. I look at 43 DT, I don’t see a anyone as versatile as Pot Roast. That includes Suh, who is a somewhat better Calais Campbell in a 3-4, but only slightly better than Jason Jones in our 43.
I think only Clausen and Pike are worth 1st round picks. Clausen will be gone and Pike might be reaching a bit. Only might be though. I actually wouldn’t hesitate too much to draft him at 11.
I don’t like drafting WR’s and RB’s that high either, but I’m having a hard time trying to find players to fit in the top ten that aren’t WR’s, 43LB’s,G, C, or change of pace RB’s. In other words it’s hard to find really good premium position players, minus a couple really good OT’s and 2 or so DT’s and 1 QB.
I think Okung is better than Monroe, but he'll be gone by pick 3 so that's a mute point
Agreed on QBs. Clausen and Pike are the only two I’m sold on. Who knows where Pike ends up.
Haden is the obvious pick if he’s there, key word being IF
What makes you not sold on Suh?
Christian Ponder in 2011! Bring him home Wayne, he can actually play QB in the NFL
Big Cat Country Radio, Every Wednesday Night at 10 PM EST
by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 18, 2010 8:21 PM EST up reply actions
I like Suh
a lot. But his biggest asset is his strength. He doesn’t have a great first step. However in the NFL his strength will be negated by the much stronger players found in the NFL. Remember how Glenn Dorsey used to throw around offensive linemen in college? He was supposed to be one of the best DT’s in years, however after his strength was negated in the NFL he kind of fell off the map. Another thing that worries me about Suh is a bit of an injury history.
Now don’t get me wrong, I still think he’s at least the 3rd best player in this draft.
Debating Okung and Monroe is like splitting hairs, so I’ll leave that alone.
Pike at 11?
We usually agree bro, but I really disagree with that. I wouldn’t take Pike until the third round.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Yup I know
but how many people thought Flacco was a 1st round pick before the Senior bowl or Combine?
Of all his supposed weaknesses that I keep hearing about, I only know one that seems completely legit; and that’s his ability to stay healthy. Otherwise I disagree with the critics. He has a Drew Brees like arm, not great arm strength(More than enough), but so accurate he can throw a covered receiver open better than any college QB I’ve ever seen. Not a great runner? He looks just as athletic as any 6’6" QB I’ve ever seen.
And I think his best asset, is his ability in the red zone. With his height, accuracy and intelligence he’s dangerous down there and we all know the best QB’s are best in the redzone.
My only qualms with his game pertain to his occasional dumb decisions that he knows not to make, but luckily they can be easily corrected in time.
Tis all a gamble. There is no sure pick. The combine and private workouts can only add to the whole package a player represents. The only thing the Jaguars organization can do is scout potential players and garner as much information as possible. One only needs to look at decades of sure picks and find plenty of busts. Are there players who just look freaking awesome in games and you think “Hell yeah!”? Sure there are. My lists over the years, for the Jaguars, have included some guys that have gone on and are great with their teams and some that have totally disappeared off the radar.
Basically, all I’m saying is… pick your favorites and hope for the best… Nit picking their strengths and weaknesses can drive a man insane!
Sean Jax Beach Bum
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