The camp is for 5-8 grade students focusing not only on football fundamentals but off the field facts as well.

“I always wanted to give back to the communities where I grew up,” said Spiller. “I want the students to learn about nutrition, how to handle themselves off the field, academics and respect.”

Spiller is excited to return to his alma mater, and expects a large turnout.

“It’s nice to go back to Clemson,” said Spiller. “I always receive a warm reception. Everyone always congratulates me on my career. It’s like a home away from home.”

After seeing Jairus Byrd (25th) and Kyle Williams (22nd) crack the Top 25, Spiller followed with a ranking of 18th overall in the NFL. Here’s what the PFF folks wrote about Spiller’s season.

18. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills (Unranked)

The only reason Spiller isn’t higher is because he didn’t get enough carries in 2012. When he did, he was something to behold. As explosive a player as there was in the league during the 2012 season, he made his blocking seem better by turning nothing into something, frequently. His 6.0 yards per carry average is amazing, while forcing 53 missed tackles on 207 rushes is astonishing. A real game-changer.

Best Performance: Week 10 at New England, +5.0

Key Stat: The most elusive back in all of football with a 94.6 Elusive Rating (22.6 points better than the next best).

Spiller, Byrd and Williams were the only three Bills to appear on the PFF Top 100 list for 2012.

Spiller will be a guest on the NFL AM program at 7:45 am ET. Spiller and his teammates begin a voluntary veteran minicamp Tuesday, which runs through Thursday and will include tryout players.

Stay close to Buffalobills.com for all the details this week.

The word was Byrd yesterday as he toppled Scott Chandler’s jump ball TD for the win in Bills Bracketology. Byrd came away with a healthy 76% of the vote.

In a battle of literal equals today, C.J. Spiller challenges himself. Though one top play is a catch for a touchdown, and one is a traditional run, sources say this is the first time Spiller has ever competed against himself in a fan vote. Barring a no vote – which at press time is no longer a potential outcome – we’re calling this a win-win situation for Spiller.

Upset about Harvard busting your bracket last night? Head to Bills Bracketology, where you can VOTE to control the outcome. It’s the last day of the 2nd round of action, Bills fans, so vote early and vote often!

With yesterday’s win over the 15th seeded Bryan Scott pick-and-roll to the endzone, C.J. Spiller’s dynamic 3rd seeded touchdown run against the New York Jets becomes the last team to move into the 2nd round of Bills Bracketology. Spiller won handily with 86% of the vote.

Today’s first quarterfinal battle between the No. 1 and No. 9 seeds reads like an easy win for Stevie Johnson, but it’s March, and there’s always potential for a sprinkle of madness!

“As the coach of the overall number one seed in the NCAA tournament I understand the pressure Stevie feels to perform, but we’re both ballers, so I’m confident we’ve got this,” Louisville Coach Rick Pitino might have said about this matchup. (Read which current Bills player is supporting Pitino and his Cardinals in their tournament run.)

While you’re filling out your brackets in the next few days, make sure you stay tuned to buffalobills.com for close battles between some of the best plays of the 2012 season. VOTE NOW for your first quarterfinal favorite!

It was all offense all weekend in Bills Bracketology as Scott Chandler’s endzone jump ball and C.J.’s long run for the TD beat out defensive plays by Kyle Williams and Mario Williams.

As expected, the 7 vs. 10 seed game came down to the wire. The 7th seeded Chandler TD eked out the win with 57% of the vote to Mario Williams’ 43%. Chandler will go on to play the perennially tough Jairus Byrd and his primetime pick in the 2nd round of Bills Bracketology, which starts tomorrow.

The C.J. Spiller win was an upset as his 11th seeded 66-yard touchdown run beat Kyle Williams’ 6th seeded sack over Kansas City. C.J. will advance and play the winner of today’s No. 3 vs. No. 14 seed game: a C.J. TD run against the Jets vs. a Bryan Scott interception for a touchdown. Will we see a C.J. vs. C.J. battle in the 2nd round? VOTE NOW!

Bills Bracketology took a trip to Upset City yesterday when the 9^th seeded Leodis McKelvin kick return came away with a clean victory over a highly touted C.J. Spiller 8^th seed.

McKelvin surged early, perhaps due to his recent contract extension with the Bills, and finished with 77% of the vote, leaving C.J.’s impressive cross of the Cardinals defense with 23%.

With that win, the coast-to-coast return will move on to next week’s second round and will face the No. 1 overall seed and can’t-miss play of the year, Stevie Johnson’s alley-oop catch vs. Seattle.

Today’s matchup pits the 5^th seeded Donald Jones TD catch against  Chris Kelsay’s  12^th seeded game-changing safety in Arizona. Will newly-retired Kelsay have the juice to beat Jones? Watch the plays and cast your vote now!

1 - Dear Chris,

Many so-called experts are calling for a new middle linebacker to replace Kelvin Sheppard.  He seems to be an NFL talent.  If a new MLB is brought in, do you see Sheppard playing the weak side linebacker position or a second inside linebacker position if the Bills are in a 3-4 defense?  Thanks.

Neil from Jamestown, NY
CB: I would anticipate Sheppard to be a primary candidate to be one of the two inside backers in any 3-4 looks the Bills defense figures to employ. As for how things work in any 4-3 looks remains to be seen. I’m not sure Sheppard would stay on the field in nickel situations. He didn’t last year when it was Nick Barnett and Bryan Scott serving as the nickel LBs.

Linebackers with coverage ability are more coveted than ever in a league that leans more and more to the passing game. Buffalo will be looking for more of them both inside and outside at linebacker.

2 – Chris,

I was wondering what are the chances the Bills go after recently released Receiver Titus Young? I know usually we don’t take chances on players that may cause issues despite their talent, but Titus Young is still a young and very talented receiver with allot of upside. I think taking a chance is worth it, especially because it seems as if Doug Marrone is a player’s coach. We desperately need talent in our receiving core alongside Stevie. I personally don’t believe Donald Jones would make the roster of more than 3/4′s the NFL’s teams, let alone be the second option. Titus could really help as the number 2 man and fill a void that has needed to be filled. What do you think? Thanks,

Anthony Marasco

CB: Young is too much of a personality headache. For a new head coach trying to establish a program and approach to success, Doug Marrone doesn’t need a problem player like Young no matter how talented he is. Marrone and his staff are going to be presented enough challenges as a first-year staff, they don’t need to add to the pile with a player that bought himself a ticket off the Lions roster by being a horrible teammate.

3 – Chris,

Is Glennon or Wilson worth the 8th pick or do you see them taking a much needed LB and maybe one of the Top 5 QBs in the draft might be there in round two. Or do the Bills use the first 3 rounds to better the Defense and get a QB in free agency?

CB: I think it’s safe to say that the pickings are slim in free agency at QB so either their first or second round pick will need to address quarterback. I don’t see Glennon or Wilson as a top 10 pick, but I’m no scout. I believe both will be heavier considerations in round 2 or 3. I think if there’s a QB the Bills like at 8 they’ll take one, otherwise they’ll take the best defensive player available. If there isn’t a top defensive talent they believe is fitting of the eighth pick and the QB they like is gone I think they look to move back.

Improving the defense will be a focus, but I think they might try to reduce those needs in free agency to reduce the to-do list in the draft knowing they have just six picks.

4 – Chris,

I would like your perspective if Buddy should draft a WR or LB with the first pick and then trade back into the late Rd 1 to get a QB still on the board before teams like ARI, KC, PHI, NYJ can grab one. Also assuming that there might even be a possibility that R. Nassib could still be there.? Nix did say that what the Bengals did to get A.J Green and Dalton changed their franchise… Mainly would he be willing to trade back into Rd 1? 

Secondly, I think we need to lock up C.J. Spiller before he hits free agency and so we don’t have to use a franchise tag. Couldn’t the Bills be doing that already this offseason? Why do we need to wait another year when he is only going to get better and we are going to have to pay him more?
 
Thanks Chris!
Dan in CA

CB: I’m a little reluctant to take a WR in round one at 8, primarily because I think there are only a couple of first round worthy receivers in the entire draft, and one of them is a risk in Patterson due to a lack of a college resume (one year of production). If you’re picking a receiver eighth overall he should be able to help right away. I’m not sure Patterson is an immediate impact guy, which is what Buffalo needs.

Second, wide receiver has the highest miss rate in terms of position in round one. That according to ESPN NFL analyst Bill Polian who has done studies on it.

Buddy Nix only has a short draft history here in Buffalo, but he likes to let the draft board come to him rather than seek out trades and be active in moving up and down the board. However, this year I think one of two things could happen.

The Bills either move down from 8 (as I stated above) if a QB they like or a defensive player fitting of value at eight isn’t there anymore or they try to move into the bottom of round one from round two.

As for Nassib I think he’s going to be a late riser and find his way into the bottom of round one.

Finally Spiller still has two years left on his rookie deal. They can wait until this time next year to address an extension.

5 -  Chris, 

What is the bigger need inside or outside LB? How will the positions be used in the new hybrid system? Could prospects like Te’o and Ogletree play inside or outside?

CB: I’d tend to think the two spots are equally in need of additional talent. Sheppard is capable of playing one of the inside linebacker spots in a 3-4 front. Nigel Bradham is one of the few viable OLB candidates on the roster.

I think we’ve got to wait and see what defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has in mind with respect to the multiple scheme he plans to employ.

Te’o is strictly an inside linebacker. Ogletree is capable of playing both inside and outside.

1 – Hi Chris,

My question is about the Bills pick in the first round. Do you see the Bills taking T’eo, I think that T’eo would fit in with the Bills defense next season? Because we got a healthy Mark Anderson coming back, plus, Mario Williams if not do you think that the bills might go after Ryan Nassib from Syracuse? If not one of them then who do you think the bills might take in the first round?

Thanks for all the work you guys do
Chris
CB: I think a lot of the direction the Bills choose to take in the first round of the draft will hinge on what acquisitions are made in free agency. Te’o is an interesting case. He was a playmaker in college, but so was Paul Posluszny. That production and playmaking ability did not carry over to the NFL game. I’m no scout, but I wonder if Te’o is not the same kind of linebacker. Obviously how he times at the Combine will say a lot about whether he’d be a true sideline to sideline player at the NFL level. His lack of playmaking against Alabama was eye opening against top college talent. Knowing that he’ll be facing comparable and better talent in the league makes me wonder about his long range potential. And if there’s that kind of doubt among scouts I think he goes late first round, not top 10.

2 – Chris,

As free agency approaches it’s clear the Bills will want to retain Byrd and Levitre.  However, isn’t Spiller going to demand more if he stays the course, and wouldn’t it be in the Bills best interest to extend him now rather than later?  In addition, has Marrone made any indication on the status of Ryan Fitzpatrick, as I’m one of the few that would rather have him while prepping another quarterback.

Thanks,
Dave Faber

CB: Spiller still has two years left on his contract. I think in due time the Bills will make sure he’s extended to ensure his future with the club, but players like Byrd and Levitre are far more pressing in nature with them set to hit the market in just over a month if they’re not re-signed. So at the earliest I would expect Spiller to possibly be addressed next offseason.

3 – Good Day Chris,

I have not heard much from the Bills this season about the Tarvaris Jackson trade / signing.  Has anyone at One Bills Drive talked about his addition to the team in 2012 and what progress he might have made during the season?  If I understand correctly, he is a free agent soon and I wonder if the Bills have any plans to extend his contract?  Especially given the draft pick they needed to give up getting him.  It would be a shame to let him walk now with 1 less pick come the draft this year.  

Best Regards,
Brad
Fonthill, ON

CB: It’s hard to ascertain at this point whether there are plans to retain Jackson for 2013. You’re right he will be an unrestricted free agent. What is working in Jackson’s favor concerning the new coaching staff is prior to coming to the Bills this past season the only offensive system he knew was the West Coast offense, or some variation thereof.

Knowing Nathaniel Hackett’s offense is rooted with West Coast principles he is at least well versed in a lot of the concepts that Buffalo’s offense would presumably run.

Is that enough to interest Buffalo’s offensive staff in re-signing him to their roster? That remains to be seen.

4 - Chris,
Any news on how Torell Troup’s recovery is progressing?  I want to see him in our rotation next year.

John MacGaffick

CB: Hopefully you saw our write up on Troup’s Battle Back this week on Buffalobills.com. Troup is finally back to normal and two arduous years of back problems. He’s still rehabbing now, but expected to be ready to roll for OTAs in the spring.

5 – Hi Chris,

Thank you for answering our questions. It’s very helpful. Can you please explain players who are signed as reserve/future players?

Bob Hammond

CB: Typically they’re players that served the previous season on the team’s practice squad. In order to retain those players NFL clubs have a week to sign them to a future free agent contract. Teams can also sign players from other practice squad units if they’re not re-signed by their former club, or a player that joined the team as a signee in the second half of the season (after 10^th regular season game) with one accrued NFL season of credit or less can be signed as a future free agents.

It’s essentially a category for rookie or first-year players that clubs want to retain and see how they develop from their practice squads.

“It was a fun and enjoyable week,” Spiller told Buffalobills.com not long after Sunday’s game ended in Honolulu, 62-35 in favor of the NFC. “It was more laid back than a typical game week in the regular season. So my family and I tried to make sure we made the most of it.”

Spiller had just one carry in the game, but also contributed four catches for 25 yards for the AFC. Kyle Williams had a tackle while Jairus Byrd had three tackles and recovered a fumble for the AFC defense.

Always trying to improve his game, Spiller made sure to be part of the conversations where some NFL wisdom was passed around by veteran players as well.

“I learned some things while I was out here this week as well,” Spiller said. “How to get prepared for the season, prepared for games, different things like that. So it was a help that way too.”

Spiller and his family will be making the long flight home on Monday back to the east coast.

The last time Buffalo had three Pro Bowl players or more in the all-star game the same year was nine years ago in 2004. Buffalo’s second-ranked defense that season sent three in Sam Adams, Nate Clements and Takeo Spikes. Terrence McGee also went that year as a kick returner.

The 2000 (Ruben Brown, Sam Cowart, Eric Moulds, Ted Washington) and 2002 (Drew Bledsoe, Ruben Brown, Travis Henry, Eric Moulds) seasons are the only other instances since the turn of the century when the Bills have had three or more Pro Bowl representatives.

“I looked at the itinerary today and it looks like I’ll be taking off early in the morning (Tuesday),” he said. ”We have a team meeting at 7 pm so I have to make sure I’m there. So I’ll be taking off bright and early in the morning. I’m excited about it, it’s going to be a long flight so I’ll be sure that I’m hydrated and ready to go.”

Spiller is also glad he’s got a Bills teammate that’ll be out there with him that has been to the Pro Bowl before in Williams.

“It’s very special,” he said. ”Anytime you can get more than one guy from a team to go it speaks to the character of the man and the stuff that we commit to as a team to compete at a high level. Kyle has been there before so for me it’ll be good for me to be out there with a teammate that I know instead of just being alone out there. So I’m definitely glad I’ll be able to share this experience with him. So I’m definitely looking forward to seeing him.”

C.J. Spiller made some time to speak with Buffalo reporters via conference call this afternoon after he was named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad, with Baltimore’s Ray Rice unable to participate knowing his team will be playing in the Super Bowl. Suffice to say Spiller is ecstatic he’s headed to Hawaii.

Wanna thank my teammates, coaches, peers and fans for giving me the opportunity to go represent the best organization in NFL—
Cj Spiller (@CJSPILLER) January 21, 2013

“Well I’m very excited,” said Spiller. ”It’s something that’s well deserved not just by me, but by my teammates. So all the opposing coaches and my peers that voted for me that had this opportunity to go and represent the greatest organization in the NFL, I’m very excited to go over there and kind of have a little mini-vacation for me and my family.”

We’ll have much more on Spiller’s reaction to going to his first Pro Bowl on buffalobills.com this afternoon.

1998 – San Francisco – #1 in rushing – 159 yds/gm
Leading rusher – Garrison Hearst – 310 carries, 1,570 yards, 5.1 avg., 98.1 yards/gm, 7 rushing TDs

1999 - San Francisco – #1 in rushing – 130.9 yds/gm
Leading rusher – Charlie Garner – 241 carries, 1,229 yards, 5.1 avg., 76.8 yards/gm, 4 rushing TDs

2007 – Minnesota – #1 in rushing – 164.6 yds/gm
Leading rusher – Adrian Peterson – 238 carries, 1,341 yards, 5.6 avg., 95.8 yards/gm, 12 rushing TDs

2012 – Buffalo – #6 in rushing – 138.6 yds/gm
Leading rusher – C.J. Spiller – 207 carries, 1,244 yards, 6.0 avg., 77.8 yards/gm, 6 rushing TDs

Knowing the Bills have an offensive line that’s largely been together for the better part of the last three years, provided Andy Levitre can be re-signed, it’s not unreasonable to think that Morris and Buffalo’s linemen can challenge for the rushing title in 2013, after a sixth place finish this past season.

1 - Hi Chris,
Just wondering if you could address the Pro Bowl alternates rules and procedure. I know many players end up “making” the Pro Bowl as injured players bow out, but is there also a roster spot that the head coach gets to fill with whomever he chooses? (If so, wouldn’t you choose Byrd or Spiller with that? I would!)

Thanks,
Go Bills!
Greg Campbell

CB: To my knowledge alternates are selected based on who got the next most votes from players and coaches. So team coaches do not get to choose. For example, Calvin Johnson pulled out of the Pro Bowl and replacing him was 1st alternate Vincent Jackson. Jackson was next up because he got the next most votes.

FYI C.J. Spiller confirmed he’s a 1st alternate for the AFC on the John Murphy Show last week.
2 – Chris,

What are the early scouting reports saying about Tyler Wilson and E.J.Manuel? I think the Bills need an accurate quarterback above all else and these two might fit that mold. They may not have the biggest ceilings, but I like what I saw from them this season. Can they fit in any scheme?

Thanks,
Josh

CB: I think it’s safe to say that Wilson has the arm strength to fit in any scheme, and he has shown the ability to make good decisions on the fly in terms of manipulating the pocket to buy time, throwing a receiver open, etc. But only the guys that scout these QBs for a living know for sure.

With respect to Manuel there is no debating his physical tools, but his decision making is what pops up as a criticism among NFL scouts. Against the better defenses he faced Manuel struggled with his decision making.

Fortunately for Manuel he’ll be able to go against some of the best college competition next week at the Senior Bowl along with Wilson and you can draw your own conclusions.

3 – Chris, 

Thanks for all the latest info, I look forward to fan Friday every week.  My question has to do with our upcoming pick in the NFL draft. 

Have you had any indication that we are seriously considering Mike Glennon with the first round pick?  This guy is the real deal!  I might be jumping the gun a bit, but this guy looks like he has Tom Brady/Aaron Rodgers type potential.  Most draft scouts have him rated as a 2-3 round pick… But I really doubt any die hard bills fan will regret “reaching” and taking a chance on a potential franchise QB.  The time is now!

He doesn’t have Geno Smith type stats; however, he rarely got to experience much time in the pocket and when he did, the receivers would drop a large amount of catchable passes.  Even when they were perfect throws.

I’m hoping the Bills have been scouting this guy since last year and that is one of the reasons buddy was so comfortable taking TJ Graham so high in last year’s draft.

I’ve heard all the buddy nix interviews and he has expressed interest in getting a QB if he is there… I want to know what you think they will do? As you can tell, I’m pumped about this offseason.  Unfortunately, the offseason has been the best part of being a Bills fan for a long time.

Thanks again and keep up the great work.

Bills fan in Dallas TX,
-Bill O

CB: First of all if you think that Buddy Nix or any member of his personnel staff reveals their true leanings with respect to prospects in the draft you’re crazy. It’s full lockdown mode with the personnel department this time of year and you can understand why.

Glennon is highly touted in what is considered a down year for quarterbacks. He’s got a great arm and yes you’re right his offensive line was not great. Mobility is an issue, but he’s got experience in a pro system. Buddy Nix at the end of the season on his radio show didn’t deny he was a guy they’ve looked at.

Truthfully though they’ve looked at all the quarterback prospects that are worth their salt. So read into it what you want. The bottom line is Nix has said they’d like to draft a future franchise QB. The question is will the draft fall or the Bills make a move to ensure that happens?

4 –  Hey Chris,

I know it’s early I’m looking at the top end of the draft I’m not liking the quarterbacks or the idea of drafting another defensive lineman, would they draft another tackle and maybe put Cordy Glenn on the right side or is there a wide receiver worth taking?

I’m assuming Jarvis Jones won’t be around at 8 do you think Manti Te’o would be a good fit with the Bills? I know free agency will influence what direction they go in the draft, Buddy mentioned possibly a quarterback in free agency I looked at the list and unless Mike Vick is added to it I’m not convinced there is anybody available that is any better than Fitzpatrick I’m kind of hoping they either trade for someone or stay the course, what do you think of the quarterback situation and the top of the draft? Thanks for all you do!

Alexander Albanese
Toronto

CB: There have been a couple of wide receivers that are viewed as first round picks, but not true top 10 selections. I don’t see Buddy Nix as the type that would take a receiver that high.

Tennesee’s Cordarelle Patterson is an intriguing physical specimen, but there’s not much of a college track record there with just one year of FBS competition. I’d much prefer a guy with more of a resume of production like Baylor’s Terrance Williams or Cal’s Keenan Allen. All three though should come off the board in round one or early second round.

You’re probably right on Jarvis Jones. Most see him as a top 5, but his spinal stenosis might concern some and he could slip.

Te’o is a LB that has been projected to the Bills in mock drafts (see: Mel Kiper), but I want to see how he tests at the Combine in the drills. The whole Notre Dame defense played poorly in the National Championship game, but I’d imagine that Te’o’s performance might necessitate a good showing at the Combine to re-assure scouts. Still, he’s widely seen as a mid-first rounder at worst.

I think Alex Smith will be there in light of his contract situation, knowing his $7.5M salary is guaranteed if he’s still on the 49ers roster April 1^st. I don’t know at this time whether the Bills see him as a viable option, mainly because they can’t comment on players still under contract with other clubs.

Nix has said they would like to draft one and get one in free agency, so there’s a good chance they add more than one.

The draft prospects aren’t top flight, elite talents like the ones that were in the draft pool last season, arguably the best QB draft since 1983. But guys like Geno Smith, Mike Glennon and Ryan Nassib could sneak into the first round knowing the premium placed on the position, provided a team needing a QB (KC, AZ, Buf) decides to make the move back into the first.

5 – Hi Chris, just wondering what you thought of the Buffalo Bills decision to hire Doug Marrone as their new head coach. Based on his record (25-25) at Syracuse, it seems to me that he may not do well in the pros. I saw that he does have some NFL coaching experience, but mainly as an offensive coordinator. What are your thoughts? I’m worried about him bringing his coaching staff from Syracuse as well. Now, if his understudies have little pro coaching experience, this could be a painful rebuilding process, one that may take years. I believe the Buffalo Bills do have talent right now, but will Marrone be able to coax wins out of this squad? Your thoughts,

Tony, Ormond Beach, Fl

CB: I think if you used Marrone’s record at Syracuse as a barometer to measure his future success in the NFL you’re making a big mistake. Syracuse was a wayward program when Marrone took over. They won just 10 games in the previous four years before Marrone took over. He won 12 in his first two seasons including an 8-5 campaign in 2010.

Marrone made very solid choices for his coordinators. Hopefully you saw our story on the website about their expertise. His understudies from Syracuse largely include assistants that have either coached or played in the NFL.

I think Marrone will quickly establish a rapport with the players and get more out of the talent that exists on this roster. There won’t be any rebuilding. This is a regrouping effort, and Marrone I think could prove to be one of the better hires for head coach for this franchise in quite some time.

Bills RB C.J. Spiller is hoping one or the other, Baltimore or Houston, wins the AFC and makes it to Super Bowl XLVII. That’s because Spiller is the first Pro Bowl alternate at running back. Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles is going to the game, but if Baltimore’s Ray Rice or Houston’s Arian Foster get to the Super Bowl, Spiller would get the call to Hawaii as the first alternate.

The Bills running back appeared on The John Murphy Show Thursday night, and said he’ll be rooting for the Texans and the Ravens.

“I’m a big fan of the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens right now,” Spiller said. “At least one of those guys can make it.”

“If those guys are listening, please one of you make it to the Super Bowl,” Spiller said on the radio show.

With 1244 yards rushing, and a 6.0 yards per carry average, Spiller has a compelling case to be added to the Pro Bowl roster for the AFC. But he says if he does not get the call, he’ll be even more determined next season.

“It’s not going to take away the year that I had,” Spiller told host John Murphy. “I had a tremendous year from an individual standpoint, but not from a team standpoint . It won’t take away anything if I don’t go out there to Hawaii. It will give me something to shoot for again. It will be added motivation when I start back training.”

“You’ll definitely see a more determined player, a focused guy, come next year.”

The John Murphy Show airs weeknights from 7pm-9pm on the flagship station of the Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.

Their choices were the ones most would expect. Here’s who appeared on their squad and what PFF wrote about them.

Running Back: C.J. Spiller (BUF)
It wasn’t his fault he received only 207 carries. However, he can take full responsibility for making the most of those carries, ending the year with a league leading 94.6 Elusive Rating after forcing 66 missed tackles from his 250 touches of the ball.

Wide Receivers: Wes Welker (NE), Brian Hartline (MIA) and Stevie Johnson (BUF)
We wanted to put a fullback in here, but there really wasn’t one in this division that either played enough, or played well enough. That made life a lot easier for us, going with Hartline and Johnson, with Welker working from the slot. All three ranked in our Top 30 for receiving grades by wide outs, and each of them put in a 1,000 yard season.

Guards: Andy Levitre (BUF) and Brandon Moore (NYJ)
There was a legitimate case for both Richie Incognito and Logan Mankins here. As good as Levitre was in pass protection (and he was very good), he really failed to consistently get much movement in the run game. In the end though, his competition just didn’t do enough to oust him. At right guard, Moore finished the season playing as well as any lineman, ending the year our third ranked right guard.

Defensive Tackle: Kyle Williams (BUF) and Muhammed Wilkerson (NYJ)
A controversial decision here with Vince Wilfork missing out. While he was dominant at times, there weren’t many games Williams or Wilkerson didn’t have their way with interior linemen. The more complete player of the two is the Bill, whose relentless play results in plenty of pressure (45 quarterback disruptions, ranking third among all defensive tackles). Wilkerson plays as a defensive end for the Jets in their 3-4 alignment, but the way he can get off interior blocks is something to behold. He had 46 defensive stops in the run game, second among all defensive linemen.

Safeties: Jairus Byrd (BUF) and Reshad Jones (MIA)
Byrd is going to be paid a lot of money, and very soon. There aren’t many ballhawking safeties like the Bill, who has the kind of range that should scare quarterbacks for years to come. He had our highest coverage grade of all safeties and was ranked second overall this year. That’s one spot above Jones, who missed too many tackles in the second half of the year, but became a real playmaker for Miami.

Returner: Leodis McKelvin (BUF)
It could very easily have been Marcus Thigpen, with the two men one and two in our returner rankings.

The Dan Patrick Show
C.J. Spiller – 10:20 am — Listen live

King listed Spiller as one of his two most underappreciated players of the year. Here’s what he wrote, which included a comment from C.J..

C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo. After seeing him rush for 1,244 yards in just 207 attempts (13 touches a game leaves ‘em wanting LOTS more), a 6.0-yard clip, I had to ask Spiller for myself: Don’t you think you ought to get the ball more in the future? “Everybody in the league wants to carry it more,” Spiller said as he headed into his offseason in Florida. “Of course I’d love to carry it more, but I understand the business aspect of it. We need two good backs. You’ve got to have two fresh guys to win. I’ve never been one to get caught up in the numbers. Plus, I’ll always remember something Emmitt Smith told me: ‘Walk away from the game on your terms, not someone else’s.’ ”

Spiller got better in 2012, he said, because he learned how to be more of a scientific runner. He said he learned how to set up the defense, rather than have them dictate where he would run. “I used to always take the first option, the first little hole,” he said. “This year, I learned to be more patient. You can’t believe how much that helps you as a back, to let your hole and the blocking develop.” He thinks his 62-yard run in Week 16 against Miami might have been a very short one had he not waited for his blocks to develop. Moral of the story: “You can definitely learn to be a better back, and I’m not done learning.”

Jairus Byrd earned 1st team free safety honors, while Leodis McKelvin earned a second team nod as a return man and C.J. Spiller earned a second team naming at RB. Here’s what was written about all three Bills players.

Free Safety: Jairus Byrd (BUF)
There isn’t a better deep safety in football than Byrd who picked up five interceptions and only allowed 16 catches all year into his coverage. Byrd has rare range and ability and it’s always on display.

Returner: Second team – Leodis McKelvin (BUF)
While he was just picked over Marcus Thigpen here, before missing time, McKelvin had a very real shot at first team honors.

Running back: Second Team - C.J. Spiller (BUF)
In the end Spiller received the nod over Marshawn Lynch and Alfred Morris with the only negative being in how poorly he was used.