Spiller and Jackson Have Little Upside Against Tampa Defense

Bills running backs CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson are both coming off of double digit fantasy performance during Week 13 against a terrible Falcons run defense. Week 14 could produce a very different set of results as the Bills travel to Tampa. The Buccaneers sport a very stingy run defense and both Spiller and Jackson could be in a very long afternoon.

Tampa has only given 6 rushing touchdowns this year and Spiller has struggled against the league’s better defenses.

Another problem for fantasy owners is that Spiller and Jackson get an equal number of carries. This limits any upside they might have against Tampa.

Fred Jackson has a slight edge over Spiller in this matchup, but both backs could leave fantasy owners shaking their heads.

E.J. Manuel in Line for Week 10 Start

Manuel returns for a tough Week 10 matchup in Pittsburgh

The Buffalo Bills, like all teams, have dealt with their share of injuries. Rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel was one of those players hurt earlier in the year, but is on track to start Week 10 on the road against the Steelers. Just five weeks after spraining his LCL, Manuel will likely face the Steelers 3rd ranked pass defense.

This is a tough setting for Manuel to make his return, but it’s great news for fantasy owners who own Stevie Johnson and even Robert Woods if he can healthy by the weekend.

This Bills have struggled without Manuel going 1-3 since he went down with the knee injury. His return is good news for Bills fans who just saw C.J. Spiller register his second 100-yard rushing effort of the season last week against Kansas City.

Past Time to Trade or Dump C.J. Spiller

Fantasy owners who spent their first round pick on C.J. Spiller have been extremely let down this season. The athletic running back has been battling injuries all season, more specifically his sore ankle.

An NFL source announced that the chances of Spiller playing this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints are “extremely slim.” The beleaguered running back has been questionable all week long and is now extremely unlikely to play.

So far this season, Spiller has rushed for only 362 yards and only one rushing touchdown. This lack of productivity has led to the revitalization of Fred Jackson, who told media he will play against New Orleans.

It’s probably to late to trade Spiller, but dumping may not be the right move either. If you drafted Spiller in the first round, you probably have to play the hand you were dealt.

 

Past Time to Trade or Dump C.J. Spiller

Fantasy owners who spent their first round pick on C.J. Spiller have been extremely let down this season. The athletic running back has been battling injuries all season, more specifically his sore ankle.

An NFL source announced that the chances of Spiller playing this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints are “extremely slim.” The beleaguered running back has been questionable all week long and is now extremely unlikely to play.

So far this season, Spiller has rushed for only 362 yards and only one rushing touchdown. This lack of productivity has led to the revitalization of Fred Jackson, who told media he will play against New Orleans.

It’s probably to late to trade Spiller, but dumping may not be the right move either. If you drafted Spiller in the first round, you probably have to play the hand you were dealt.

 

Bills Rookie E.J Manuel Named Week 1 Starter

E.J. Manuel will see his first live action agains the Patriots

Order was restored in Buffalo this morning when E. J. Manuel was named the starting quarterback for the team’s Week 1 home matchup against the Patriots. Just two weeks removed from minor knee surgery, Manuel has come back strong and is ready to manage the team’s run-heavy offense.

Head coach Doug Marrone made the announcement early Wednesday morning after putting Manuel through a gauntlet of tests on Monday and Tuesday to make sure that the rookie was really up to speed. The primary concern was to make sure that Manuel was mobile enough to escape the pocket to avoid any further injury.

Manuel said he pushed himself to get ready in time for Week 1. “I try to work hard at everything. I can control whatever I can control, and I can control trying to get my knee better, and that’s what I’ve done,” said Manuel. The former Florida State quarterback said he won’t give his injury a second thought when playing agains the Patriots on Sunday.

Even in two quarterback leagues, fantasy owners should steer clear of the rookie until he gets a real feel for his first live NFL action.

 

Bills, Jets Grapple With the Quarterback Blues

There are two really interesting quarterback situations going on just days before the start of the regular season. The more well known one is the debacle that has taken place in New York.

The Jets drafted Geno Smith to challenge Mark Sanchez for the starting job. The situation has only gone from bad to worse because Sanchez is injured and Smith doesn’t appear even close to ready to start for an NFL team.

The second quarterback controversy happens to be in the same division, up in Buffalo. The Bills drafted E.J. Manuel to replace Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was let go at the end of the season. Manuel was selected number 16 in the 2013 draft, even though the Bills probably could have taken him in a later round.

Nevertheless, they went forward with their plan and Manuel looked good in his short time behind center during the preseason. However, after their game against the Minnesota Vikings, his knee began to swell. A minor procedure was performed and he is currently sitting on the bench.

After Manuel went out, Kevin Kolb was expected to step in for the Bills until he suffered what might be a career-ending concussion against the Redskins on Saturday night. The Bills wasted no time signing former first round pick Matt Leinart. He spent last season as a backup in Oakland and wasn’t able to keep the starting job.

Leinart was drafted 10th overall by Arizona in 2006 before getting picked up by Houston and later by the Raiders. He’s played in 33 games in his career and has more than 4,000 yards passing. Leinart was a quarterback with a lot of potential coming out of USC, but was never able to find an offense or a system that worked for him.

Leinart might be the only real option the Bills have until E.J. Manuel can back under center.

Concussion Likely to End Kevin Kolb’s NFL Career

Kevin Kolb’s concussion may finally end his NFL career

Buffalo news outlets are reporting that quarterback Kevin Kolb’s NFL career may be over after suffering a concussion during Saturday night’s preseason game against the Washington Redskins. Kolb has endured several concussions during his NFL career and last night’s concussion could be the one that ends his career.

The Bills spent most of Sunday preparing for life without Kolb by immediately signing former Raiders quarterback Matt Leinart to the team’s roster.

The Bills have there fingers cross hoping that their first round draft pick, E.J. Manuel, can be ready in time for the team’s season opener at home against New England.

That seems like a long shot considering Manuel is still recovering from last Sunday’s (8/18) minor knee surgery after an injury he suffered during a preseason game.

Concussion Likely to End Kevin Kolb’s NFL Career

Kevin Kolb’s concussion may finally end his NFL career

Buffalo news outlets are reporting that quarterback Kevin Kolb’s NFL career may be over after suffering a concussion during Saturday night’s preseason game against the Washington Redskins. Kolb has endured several concussions during his NFL career and last night’s concussion could be the one that ends his career.

The Bills spent most of Sunday preparing for life without Kolb by immediately signing former Raiders quarterback Matt Leinart to the team’s roster.

The Bills have there fingers cross hoping that their first round draft pick, E.J. Manuel, can be ready in time for the team’s season opener at home against New England.

That seems like a long shot considering Manuel is still recovering from last Sunday’s (8/18) minor knee surgery after an injury he suffered during a preseason game.

Injury Ends Preseason for Bills Rookie Quarterback E.J. Manuel

Preseason ends early for E.J. Manuel

Just when it looked like Bills rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel had locked up the starting job, news broke that he would miss the remainder of the preseason because of knee issues.

An MRI on Saturday morning confirmed that Manuel would need to undergo minor knee surgery and would be lost for the remainder of the preseason. Until the surgery is completed, we won’t know how long Manuel will be out.

This is terrible news for the rookie who went out and killed it last night in a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. Manuel went out there and basically won the job Friday night completing 10 of 12 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.

This opens the door for the unreliable Kevin Kolb who looked terrible Friday night completing 13 of 21 passes for 111 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He will likely win the starting job by default until Manuel recovers from his knee issue.

Bills Defenseman Mario Williams Gets Good News on Injured Foot

It appears the Buffalo Bills can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to their $96 million man. Defensive end, Mario Williams had his injured foot reevaluated and the results revealed no serious damage.

On Monday, Williams left camp to have his sore foot looked at by team doctors. Head coach Doug Marrone was asked about the injury and replied “We’re going to make sure that everything is fine.” The injury appears to be minor and the former first overall pick isn’t expected to miss any time.

Williams is entering the second year of his monster deal and looks to improve on the numbers he put up last season. He lead the team in sacks, with 10 while fighting off a nagging injury to his left wrist.

With their offense in limbo, the Bills will need stellar play from their defense.