ORCHARD PARK, NY – Buffalo Bills RB C.J. Spiller and DT Kyle Williams are headed to Hawaii after all.
The NFL announced Monday that the Bills duo have been added to the 2013 AFC Pro Bowl roster in place of Ravens RB Ray Rice and DT Haloti Ngata, who earned a trip to the Super Bowl with their win over New England in the AFC Championship game at Foxboro.
"It's always an honor to represent your team and the city of Buffalo in the Pro Bowl," said Williams. "To be recognized by the fans, your peers and the coaches you play against means a lot. Our goal next year, as it is every season, is to still be competing at this time. It would be great for us, the fans and the city of Buffalo if we'd be able to watch the Pro Bowl next year as we're continuing our journey for a Super Bowl."
Spiller rushed for a career-high 1,244 yards on 207 carries and six touchdowns in 2012 - the first 1,000 yard season of his NFL career. He tied for the NFL-lead among running backs in 2012 with a 6.0 yards per carry average. Spiller eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage in 11 games in 2012 - the first such season by a Bill since 1993 (Thurman Thomas - 13) and the third player to do so (O.J. Simpson).
A 5-11, 200-pound Clemson product, Spiller entered the NFL as Buffalo's first-round (10th overall) draft choice in 2010. In his three-year career, Spiller has totaled 2,088 rushing yards on 388 carries with 10 touchdowns and added 106 catches for 885 yards and five scores.
Williams recorded 5.0 sacks and 46 tackles (27 solo) in the 2012. In Week Two vs. Kansas City, Williams matched a career-best with 2.0 sacks and added three tackles.
A 6-1, 303-pound Louisiana State product, Williams entered the NFL as the first of Buffalo's two fifth-round (134th overall) draft picks in 2006. In his seven-year career, Williams has registered 346 tackles (224 solo) and 18.5 sacks in 99 games played with 94 starts. His 346 total tackles since entering the NFL in 2006 are tied for fifth-most among defensive tackles. This will mark Williams' second Pro Bowl appearance (2010).
