Cadillac is questionable

Cadillac Williams is questionable with bruised ribs for Sunday's home game against the New Orleans Saints, but realistically the Bucs tailback is doubtful.

In the wake of Tampa Bay's 20-6 season-opening loss in Seattle, Coach Jon Gruden said at his Monday morning press conference that Williams will be evaluated through the week and hopes that he'll be ready to face the Saints.

"If we don't have Cadillac, we'll have to use (Michael) Pittman and Ernest Graham at tailback and you'll see a lot more of B.J. Askew, who played pretty well at fullback,'' Gruden said. "Again, we'll update you as to (Williams') status in the next day or so. At this point in time he's questionable for the game and there's a chance he plays."

Defensive back Brian Kelly is also questionable for the game with a groin injury, wide receiver David Boston is probable with a foot injury sustained during pre-game warmups and Patrick Chukwurah continues to be listed as out with a knee injury.

As for the Saints, Gruden said, "They're a very good team. They won 12 games last season...It's a great measuring stick for us. I do see improvement. I think whole football team sees improvement. We're a hell of a lot better football team on opening day this year than last year. The first quarter and really 75-80 percent of that game shows that. We've got to continue to improve in all areas. We've got to pass protect in critical situations better. We've got to eliminate the big plays on defense. That's the thing we've done well here for years...And we need to score touchdowns on offense. That's what we need to improve upon. And we need to quit getting guys hurt."

-- DAVE SCHEIBER, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[DR]

We need to score more points than the opposing team to win the game...Any more obvious statements from Gruden?
Cadillac has been questionable every game ever since his hot start his rookie season.
If they're going to keep Simms on the team, can't they at least put him the kickoff team, that would be amusing. Maybe he would get injured for real.

[Scott Martin]

"We've got to pass protect in critical situations better. We've got to eliminate the big plays on defense. That's the thing we've done well here for years..."

What?

Which team is Gruden watching? We haven't been able to pass protect ever. And we haven't eliminated big plays since '02 when Gruden took over Dungy's team.

I swear, Gruden must have a comedian write his material.

[aaron]

losing a spleen is getting injured for real. wouldnt you say. and dont you think we need him on the roster after watching garcia get pounded. that was our 1st game and we already saw our #2! we have to keep 4 qb's with that o-line

[Scott B. Reed]

Hmmm....Was Emmitt Smith or some of the other current or future Hall of Fame running backs not play after sustaining rib or foot injuries the week prior to the next game? Maybe we don't have a HOF running back in Carnell.

[agatha]

I wish those guys were healthy. Then you would see how really bad the Bucs are Sunday against the Saints. This team is terrible, coaching horrific, front office, an abomination, ownership, absent.

[Tony]

Gruden is a crappy coach. The sucs will continue there downward spiral until you get rid of the plague known as gruden.

[Dan Mcnew]

Two words for the Glazers, Marty schottenheimer

[Derek]

Buc fans SUCK! Most of you probably have "Got Chucky" shirts somewhere around your house from when you thought he was the greatest coach ever! You probably cheered when Dungy got run out of town. Quit being stupid.

[DR]

I got 2 words for the Glazers also, Lloyd Carr! haha Nah, really, Barry Switzer! Just kidding...Buddy Ryan! Ah, who cares, get somebody, anybody to replace Grudumb!

[Fla61]

Fire Gruden.

Hire Cowher.

[Mark]

Cowher. Now there FINALLY is a good idea. I've been a Bucs fan since 79 and have been there when it was really painful. I'm experiencing deja vu with this team again. Arrgh!!!!

[Biff]

Gruden acts so tough..........but when Keyshawn and Sapp called him out...

The "Boy Blunder"...errrrrr I mean "Offensive Genius"...

Pee'd his pants and lost all respect from the players....Cower would have grabbed them by the throat and asserted REAL authority.

[Mack]

My earlier forecast was Garcia would not survive 3 games. Looking grim.

[Mike]

I want to know if it's Gruden's fault when players fumble? I want to know if it's Gruden's fault when multiple year veterans don't know how to get their head across when attempting a tackle? I want to know if it's Gruden's fault when Luke Petigout - a veteran left tackle in the NFL - STOPS DURING THE MIDDLE OF A PLAY and allows a defensive end to fall to his knees, bear crawl back to his feet, and sack the quarterback? Did Gruden commit two penalties which negated two HUGE returns?

I have a feeling that this will fall on blind eyes. Y'all seem to know the game, yet none of the fundamentals, position responsibilities, or rules.

We did used to eliminate the big play. The Bucs thrived on the "bend but don't break" defense for years.

Jesus.

I have my problems with Gruden as well. I wish he would at least be honest. I wish he would call players out. And although it seems like I'm pretending to, I don't know everything about the game.

But those of you how scream for Gruden's head are - I would imagine - big time Dungy fans. Or you were after the luxury of being Super Bowl champs wore off. So you, for years, heard Coach Dungy preach "execution." He could never coach a bad game...the players just played poorly.

Why has that changed?

And for those who question my Buccaneer blood, my first game was in 1986. I was five. So I remember the Vinny days. I remember James Wilder sitting on the bench for Lars Tate. I remember the horrible offensive linemen, save for Bubba Grimes and Paul Gruber.

In an attempt to get back to the subject at hand, however; Williams is a wuss and needs to tape up his ribs and play.

Players being soft. I miss Alstott already.

[Biff]

Mike:
PS:

I was 16 when the Bucs were awarded their franchise in 1976......

And have seen them from the start....CreamSicle Colors from the start.....

And when a franchise first starts to form.....heavy losses are more than expected.....

Look at the stats from when Dungy started to -2001........ALL ON THE UPSWING

Then loos at that puss's record from 2002 and on.....

Won the SB with Dungy's team........then ran it into the ground..

[TomS]

Im a Seahawk fan that went to the game on Sunday ,I think the Bucs played well and with pride dont feel bad Buc fans u have a good team

[Chris Slattery]

Players still have to execute, so don't execute Gruden. Three fumbles on the road (one called back), and two great punt returns negated are tough to overcome in Seattle. Spread the credit and the criticism evenly or you aren't really thinking right. The best teams are great at that.

[stan]

TomS, did you see the 3/4/5th quarters?

Yeah right, you flew to Seattle. What a die-hard hi-roller.
Or am I to beleive your blogging from the great state of Washington, reading the Buccanners headlines to pass the time.

Or is this that guy mike whi I see bored us with the long disertation in defense of gruden?

[Sharon Turk]

Why are the Bucs so apologetic for losing yesterday? I don't anyone who expected them to win. Besides that we have another team to watch.

GO COLTS!

[Sharon Turk]

Why are the Bucs so apologetic for losing yesterday? I don't anyone who expected them to win. Besides that we have another team to watch.

GO COLTS!

[Kathy, A Bucs Fan in Tampa]

are the gruden supporters living in grudens athletic supporter?
if so, come out for air.

[Rick]

Derek, you read my mind.

[kevink868]

In answer to your Q, Mike, yes, it IS Gruden's fault when players don't execute. He is responsible for the product he puts on the field. Period. Penalties and turnovers are the hallmarks of a poorly coached team.

The players coughing up fumbles, dropping passes and holding on kick returns were brought here by Gruden and his yes man, Bruce Allen.

I'll use your example, Luke Petitgout, as Exhibit A. No, he can't block anyone anymore. That's because he's been crippled with a bad back for years. He probably ought to be in a wheelchair. But one coach, Gruden, somehow kidded himself into thinking Petitgout was still an NFL starting LT. A guy who can't even put his own cleats on, protecting our 37 year-old QB's blind side? Whose fault is that? Petitgout's? Was he supposed to say no to the paycheck? Please, dude.

What about Jerramy Stephens, Mike? He wasn't a drunk with a chronic case of The Drops in SEA? Of course he was. He should be dropping passes somehwere else. He dropping them HERE because Gruden wanted him.

I don't care if you built the old Sombrero with your bare hands, Mike. No one is challenging your cred as a fan. It's your analysis that is being questioned. And rightly so.

[Daniel]

Kevin, you and Mike are both right on this one. Whle Gruden coaches the team and is responsible for players like Boston and Stevens, he does not coach the O-line or the Defense. Those coaches were in place before Gruden got here. It's easy to blame Jon for all of the teams woes and he certainly deserves alot of the blame, but not all. While most fans think he and Bruce Allen are joined at the hip, Allen takes orders from the Glazers first, not Gruden. Exhibit A: Chris Simms Exhibit B: a defensive player taken in every round of the draft. Do you really think that was Gruden's idea? If he had his way they would have traded up to take Calvin Johnson or taken Adrian Peterson with the fourth pick, he needs to win now and needs that impact player. A defensive lineman is long range impact and Gruden knows that. Listen to talk radio sometimes, both Big Dog and Ian Beckles think Gruden and Allen are not one mind as most fans think. When do players start taking some of the responsibility for performing? They are the ones making the big bucks. Our seat lisence and ticket purchases pay for their salery as well as Grudens. I don't care who picked them, Mckay, Allen or Joel Glazer, I expect them to concentrate and perform on Sunday. When Kenyatta Walker would hold, who was booed? Whoose fault was that? Were they booing Rich McKay who traded up? No they booed Yatta because he was the one making the big bucks and failing to concentrate. Gruden doesn't teach Brooks to tackle, Kiffen does, yet it is Brooks responsibility to wrap up a player and not bounce off like a beach ball. I'm no Gruden fan and I could'nt care less who coaches the team, but the players have to step up like men and do their jobs and stop making dumb mistakes.

[Kurt]

Gruden has his faults no doubt. Nonetheless, I think the team looked pretty good yesterday and had a chance going into the 4th quarter. That's how I envisioned the game going into it and I'm just upset we had some more injuries. BTW Biff - it's the trainer's job to keep people healthy and Toriscelli should have been replaced years ago (which is the head coach's job.)

Our team - and I say that loosely - as most of you offer no real support; just viper spray from unsubstatiated analysis - is very young and thin in veteran reserves. We had 2 rookie starters on the opening day roster. We've had multiple rookie starters each opening day the past couple of years. That's what happens when you have to rebuild a franchise team that's run its course and is in cap-hell. That isn't Gruden's fault. Picking busts (Clayton) is. The jury is still out on Caddy and although Joseph had a bad series yesterday, his positives outweigh his negatives.

Some things that I saw which gave me hope were the play of Q Black, T Jackson and Garcia. The offense was fairly productive on the road and we were moving the ball pretty well before Caddy got hurt. I disagreed with McCown coming in at backup as he only seems to get sacked and not make plays. I think Grad is ready to be a good back-up and probably would have got some points on the board. Defense looks very stoudt and if they hadn't been on the field the entire second half, I don't think the Seahawks would have scored again. Nonetheless, a couple of missed opportunities and the game slipped away.

You people really should get some exercise to get your excessive energy out. Posting unsubstantiated hatred on the internet is verily useless on mulitple levels.

[Daniel]

Kurt, good post. I agree with your analysis of both the team and our fans. No one expected the team to win yesterday, yet most fans have written of the team for the year after the loss. I thought we were in it most of the game, but some key mental mistakes by rookies and veterans cost us the win. The team hasn't scored a TD in a while and that needs to change. Regardless of TD's or who coaches the team, I'm on the bandwagon win or lose the rest if the year, I hope I'm not alone.

[Skylar Zalamut]

Kevin...I thought Rhonde Barber - guilty of the illegal block infraction on the first return to be called back - was brought here by Dungy, not Gruden. You wrote such a nice, long eloquent piece too, I'm sorry to take the steam out of your argument with facts.

I'm not sure what the fuss is all about; I agree with Kurt. I thought the team looked markedly better than last year's opening day debacle at home against the Ravens. Remember that? Away at Seattle with no injuries: I didn't expect to walk away with a victory. I'll say this though: I felt like we had a chance going into the fourth quarter. That's mostly what it is about...being in the game and having a chance to win.

We're on our way to winning more than we lose, we just have to give the ownership a little more time to rebuild this franchise. Let's be honest, we're not getting ripped off like when that ahole Culverhouse was here. These people are trying (and succeeding) at getting better. We're very young, out of cap hell, competitive and on the upswing. That's just my educated opinion.

[DR]

Kurt, wrong again. You all keep crying about cap hell and thats a huge lie. ESPN reported that the Bucs are $17.1M under the cap. Gruden would rather pick up losers like Boston and Stevens rather than go out and get guys like Stokley, Bennett, and Curtis who were all available in the off season. Maybe if they had a criminal wrap sheet they would be here.
Yeah, i'm a blatant Gruden hater but really, how many coaches are still coaching with the same team after losing 3 out of 4 seasons? I can't name another coach. Its time to move on.

I am so sick of hearing people say we should fire Gruden. They are the same damn people who said we should fire Dungy. Now EVERYONE in Tampa LOVES Dungy....It's amazing how that works. Now eveyone is calling for Gruden's head...He'll get fired then go and win the super bowl with someone else. and Tampa will say "I loved Gruden, we never should have let him go"...If we fire Gruden who the hell do we hire? Dont say Bill Cowher, bc that damn guy has never said he is going back.....its speculation at best!Gruden is a hell of a football coach, who was handed a terrible saly cap situation in 2003. The Bucs go 9-7 this year and if they keep him 12-4 in 08.

DR, I have read you negative posts since BEFORE training camp started. The Bucs didn't even snap the first ball in a preseason game and you were bad mouthing the team, the coach, the GM, the players. I'm waiting for you to say the cheerleaders are ugly. You remind me of a guy who doesn't drink yet goes to happy hour every day, then complains about drunks. Don't you have better things to do with your time than troll on the blog of a team you obviously hate? You have some serious problems dude and need some help. Get a hobby, go to the gym, get a life!

[butt hole]

dr are you Are you afraid to put your name on the board? butt hole. There talking about when Gruden inherited the team and not this off season. Also I would rather have Boston and Stevens at half a mill than pay Stokley, Bennett, and Curtis there premium salaries.

[DR]

butthole, (), and Jon Gruden, you guys are the reason I dislike the Bucs. You are pathetic optimists. The Bucs will be 0-8 and you will still say Gruden is doing good and believe they will make the playoffs. There is nothing wrong with that if there is a sign of hope, improvement, but here in lala land, i mean Tampa, you guys think Garcia is Jesus resurrected. You guys welcome self serving players from drug clinics and exile great guys like John Lynch, a role model for athletes and everyone else. You support a jackass like Gruden who is now shoveling dirt onto a once respected organization.

[aaron]

butthole(*). how dare you say we support gruden! that is just not cool DR. i want gruden gone! fire gruden and lets hire sam wyche as our interim HC! if we are going to lose let us have fun watching it for gods sake!

[spanky]

All right ladies quit your crying specially you butt hole(*) DR or DR butt hole(*)… whatever your name is and support your Bucs because if they beat the Saints this week you will all be saying what a great team we have and how much you love Gruden

[chuck]

DR: if you dislike the Bucs so much why are you bogging? I for one would rather now have to read though your incoherent rants about the team and coaching staff. Sure the Bucs had a few missed assignments but just one game and against a very good opponent.

I'm still laughing. A guy that signs his name "butt hole" calling someone out for just posting his initials. They ought to submit bh's comments to the Bloggers Hall of Shame.