ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Ever since he was drafted ninth overall, running back C.J. Spiller has been unafraid to discuss how much he wants to play a role in turning around a Buffalo Bills franchise that's been an afterthought for much of the past decade.
He's getting a chance to start proving it.
Coach Chan Gailey on Wednesday named Spiller his starter this weekend, when the Bills open the season by hosting Miami. Gailey based his decision on the dynamic spark Spiller showed through much of the preseason by leading the team in scoring with three touchdowns rushing.
Gailey says Spiller would have gotten the nod as starter even if Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch, who split the starting duties last year, had not missed much of the past month with injuries.