OK, so it was only rookie minicamp and the players he was surrounded by were fellow draft picks, rookie free agents and players with two years of NFL experience or less.

And oh yes, nobody was tackling.

Still, running back C.J. Spiller, the Bills first-round pick out of Clemson, looked as good as advertised when he practiced for the first time at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Some players have the ability to impress whether in pads or out, whether contact is real or not. That was Spiller, who looked quick, explosive, smooth—pick the adjective—as he ran plays with his new teammates.

Spiller showed a rare ability to change direction on a dime and hit the holes between the tackles decisively.

"It was great," Spiller told reporters.