C.J. Spiller: Why Buffalo Bills Star RB Is a NFL Rookie of the Year Lock

So, the Buffalo Bills have named rookie running back C.J. Spiller as their starter. Big whoop, right? Wrong. With that move, the Bills have guaranteed Spiller will win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award this season. Here are 10 reasons the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft will run away with the award.

10. The Bills' Offensive System

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 27: Chauncey Davis #92 of the Atlanta Falcons tackles Fred Jackson #22 of the Buffalo Bills at Georgia Dome on December 27, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills still think it's 1977. They play a tough, grind it out style of football. That's why they have three running backs on the roster. They run it down your throat, and throw it to keep the defense honest. Is it effective? Not particularly. But is it beneficial to a rookie running back? You better believe it. 

9. Marshawn Lynch

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TORONTO - DECEMBER 3: Running back Marshawn Lynch #23 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball for yardage during their NFL game against the New York Jets on December 3, 2009 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Bills 19-13

Lynch is a former first round pick of the Bills, who is still making first round pick money. That means he's going to get a couple more shots at a job in Buffalo than he deserves. 

Here's the thing, though: Lynch isn't a starter anymore. He's not running with the same explosiveness he did two years ago, which has cost him a lot of his value. Can he still produce? I don't know. But with two other younger, more dynamic backs on roster, expect Lynch to stay third on the depth chart. 

8. Fred Jackson

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - JANUARY 3: Kelvin Hayden #22 of the Indianapolis Colts tackles running back Fred Jackson #22 of the Buffalo Bills during their NFL game at Ralph Wilson Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the Colts

Fred Jackson is a former undrafted free agent who has been a revelation for the Bills in the backfield. He's been explosive, quick, and strong, and is a good pass catcher out of the backfield. So, why isn't he starting? 

He can't stay healthy, for one. He had various minor injuries last season that ensured Lynch would see playing time, and is still recovering from a broken bone in his hand this season. Plus the Bills are paying Spiller top-10 pick money, and Jackson isn't as big of a threat to Spiller's job as has been speculated. 

7. Chan Gailey

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DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 02: Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey watches the action during the fouth quarter of the preseason game at Ford Field on September 2, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Bills 28-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

Let's get one thing straight right away: Chan Gailey is not a good NFL head coach. He was a pretty good college coach, and a decent assistant NFL coach, but NFL head coach? He's all kinds of trouble. 

But Gailey's also not an idiot. He knows Spiller has more upside than Lynch or Jackson, by a mile and a half. He also knows that when a kid has this much potential, you need to turn him loose and see what he can do. So he's going to do that with Spiller, and it will pay dividends. 

6. Trent Edwards

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TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 19: Trent Edwards #5 of the Buffalo Bills looks towards the sidelines during a break in game action against the Indianapolis Colts on August 19, 2010 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Brad White/Getty Ima

Edwards is the latest Bills quarterback to fail in living up to any and all expectations for him. He's got an OK arm, and good accuracy, but he's gotten hit too much and has happy feet in the pocket. Let me put it this way: If you had a choice between giving Edwards 10 more throws per game, or Spiller 10 more carries, which would you pick? That's what I thought. 

5. Sam Bradford

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 2: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL preseason game at the Edward Jones Dome on September 2, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Could very well be the OROY. If his best wide receiver hadn't gotten hurt in the preseason. And if he had a decent offensive line. And if he didn't play in St. Louis. 

4. Ryan Mathews

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 14: Running back Ryan Mathews #24 of the San Diego Chargers carries for a first down on fourth and one before being tackled by safety Major Wright #27 of the Chicago Bears on August 14, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California

If Norv Turner lives up to his promise to give Mathews 250 carries and 40 receptions, he will be Rookie of the Year. But if you believe Turner, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn you might be interested in purchasing. Also, did you know that gullible is written on your forehead? Seriously, go look. 

3. Dez Bryant

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Make no mistake: if Dez Bryant stays healthy, he'll be a fantastic wide receiver. I think the alleged character issues were crap, and he's going to prove to everyone that he was well worth a first round pick. 

Here's the issue: The poor kid can't stay healthy. Every time he's worked out, practiced, or played since joining the league, he's gotten hurt. He will get hurt during the regular season. And that will cost him the trophy. 

2. Jahvid Best

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DENVER - AUGUST 21: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions rushes the ball as Renaldo Hill #23 of the Denver Broncos defends during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 21, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Lions defeated the Broncos 25

Best is Spiller's biggest competition for the Rookie of the Year award. He's a dynamic runner who has been evoking comparisons to another legendary Lions running back you may have heard of (his name rhymes with schmarry blanders). But Spiller has an advantage over Best because the Lions have a passing game, and it's going to be a good one this year. That's going to take carries out of Best's hands. The Bills don't have much of a passing game, so Spiller's going to get a ton of carries. 

1. The Bills Stink

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DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 02: Turk McBride #75 of the Detroit Lions sacks Brian Brohm #4 of the Buffalo Bills during the preseason game at Ford Field on September 2, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Ah, yes. The big reason. Why will Spiller win Rookie of the Year? Because the Bills are awful. Rookie quarterbacks on bad teams (Bradford in St. Louis) never do well. Rookie running backs on good teams (Best) might do well, but have the potential to be overlooked because of an unstoppable passing attack. But a good back on a bad team? They're going to give Spiller the ball a lot this year, and he's going to wow people week in and week out with his ability to make big plays.

Will Jahvid Best give him a run for his money? You bet. But when it comes down to it, Spiller's going to get more chances to excel, because the Bills want to see what they have in him. That means he'll win Rookie of the Year.