Team Overhaul: Saints Sign C.J. Spiller, trade Kenny Stills
Credit: CBS Sports & Getty Images Sports
The Saints gained an offensive weapon as well as losing one today as they continue to reshape their roster for next season. Earlier today the Saints signed former Buffalo Bills running-back C.J. Spiller, then went on to trade up-and-coming wide-out Kenny Stills to the Miami Dolphins for Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round draft pick. This comes just days after New Orleans traded what some people consider the best tight end in the league in Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks. The Saints now do not have two main targets that Drew Brees utilized last season and seem to focusing on strengthening their defense.
After rushing for 964 yards and nine touchdowns last season, New Orleans locked up running back Mark Ingram to a four-year deal but after releasing long-time Saint Pierre Thomas, they needed to bolster up the backfield. The Saints were most successful when Pierre Thomas and former Saint Darren Sproles were making an assortment of unique plays from the backfield and the Saints may possibly look for Spiller to fill that role. The terms of the deal were not disclosed as Spiller is ready to move on after five seasons in Buffalo sharing carries with Fred Jackson. Drafted out of Clemson with the 9th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Spiller was expected to become the next great speed back in the game.
Multiple injuries ensued as well as never performed well enough to take the lead role from Fred Jackson. Spiller, now 27, will try to put the previous season where he only ran for 300 yards with no touchdowns in another injury-riddle season, he did have one receiving touchdown last season. Spiller now joins a backfield with Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson, who occasionally gets some carries in the Saints offense.
As for Stills it is unclear why New Orleans would move Stills, especially after a respectable season where he caught 63 passes for 931 yards. Stills joins a Miami receiving core that just signed former Browns tide-end Jordan Cameron.
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