C.J. Spiller was supposed to be an X-factor in the Saints' offense this season. So why does it feel like the running back's best fit through three weeks is on the side of a milk carton?
Spiller had just one carry and two receptions in Sunday's 27-22 loss to the Panthers. He never even saw the ball in the game's middle two quarters.
A knee scope cost Spiller time earlier this month, but he was not limited by the knee on Sunday. Instead, it was the game plan that rendered Spiller a spectator.
"I got to get him more opportunities," Saints coach Sean Payton acknowledged, according to The Times-Picayune. "He's healthy, and shoot, he needs more than anybody to stay actively warm as opposed to one play every 12 or 14 plays."
Spiller played 17 snaps against the Panthers, up from seven snaps in his season debut in Week 2. He missed the opener while recovering from the knee procedure.
"The first half flew by, so our snap totals were a little lower than normal," Payton said. "I got to keep finding opportunities for his touches."
At 0-3 and with Drew Brees a big black and gold question mark, the Saints are in desperation mode. Spiller has the type of playmaking ability this offense needs, and his skill-set is ideally suited to the type of offense Payton likes to run.
So, yeah, give him the ball. This feels like a recurring C.J. Spiller theme.
