Would Saints be wise to cut C.J. Spiller?
The New Orleans Saints didn’t get what they wanted from C.J. Spiller in the first season of a four-year deal worth $16 million in 2015.
AROUND COVER32
Fantasy Football: Top five sleepers for the 2016 season
Fantasy Football: DFS picks for Preseason Week 2
Injuries: Big stars return from PUP lists
Bold Predictions: What to expect for Preseason Week 2
In his first season in New Orleans, Spiller had just 112 rushing yards, 239 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. For a guy who was supposed to challenge Mark Ingram for the top spot in the backfield, Spiller’s first season was a disaster. In fact, Tim Hightower, who hadn’t played since 2011, became the number two back, behind Ingram.
With teams slowly trimming down their rosters, would it be a good idea to move on from the Spiller experiment?
Chris Roling from Bleacher Report outlined his projected biggest roster cuts before the regular season begins, and he listed Spiller on there. Will the Saints do it? Here’s what he had to say:
“Spiller seemed like a dream fit on the Saints’ pass-happy offense led by Drew Brees. Spiller, though, received only 36 handoffs over 13 games and caught only 34 passes for 239 yards and a pair of scores…Spiller just didn’t look like himself in 2015 while coming back from a knee injury.”
Rolings makes some very solid points that can’t be ignored. The Saints ground game is also in good position with Ingram and Hightower, so Spiller’s unlikely to jump the top of the depth charts there. As for his pass-catching role? Ingram is just as dangerous catching in the backfield, and we know that Drew Brees has more than enough weapons to throw to in the passing game.
Spiller’s contract is the main problem here. The Saints have no reason to commit $4 million to a guy who may essentially be a third-string running back. Maybe they decide to give Spiller one more chance, but barring a strong preseason finish, don’t be surprised if the team cuts its ties with him.
The post Would Saints be wise to cut C.J. Spiller? appeared first on Cover32.
