Cadillac believes he will play in '08

Injured Bucs running back Cadillac Williams says he expects to play in 2008.

"Oh yeah, no doubt,'' Williams said. "I definitely have a great shot. I feel good about it.''

Williams, sporting a nine-inch scar on his right knee from surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon, took a break from rehab Friday to discuss his future.

He admitted that shortly after the injury occurred in a game at Carolina last Sept. 30, he doubted whether he would ever play football again.

"You're laying in bed, you're doing rehab and you can't move your leg,'' Williams said. "So you start to think that even though the doctor is telling you, 'Whoa, they're just speculating, be patient.' But we're human. You get to thinking like, 'Man, maybe it is (career threatening).

"But at the same time, I bounced back, did a lot of praying and I feel like I'm going to be okay.''

Williams said he working on building up his right quad muscles. He is able to do some light squats, run stairs at Raymond James Stadium, jog and do full-speed running in the pool.

"I'm actually starting to get active on this thing and put some pressure on it,'' Williams said. "Yesterday, I got where I was able to do some quick ladders and little drills, pushing the sled. I'm actually getting where I can put some pressure on this thing and see where it goes.''

Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery, told Williams it is a 9-12 month injury. But his goal is to be ready for training camp -- and at the very least -- play during the 2008 season.

"Everybody knows it's a patellar tear,'' Williams said. "But it's something that I don't feel is a career-ending injury. I'm showing up every day with my hard hat on and looking to get better and better.

"It's been an uphill battle.

"Me personally, I'd love to be ready for training camp. Ready for opening day. Of course, that's my goal. But at the same time, we've got to be smart with it.''

The Bucs do not appear to be counting on Williams next season -- even if they're not ready to count him out.

Earnest Graham, who rushed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns in Williams' absence, is expecting a contract extension. The Bucs re-signed Michael Bennett prior to the start of the free agent signing period and signed former Falcons running back Warrick Dunn on Monday.

Andrews told Williams that other players, including Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter and Denver Broncos linebacker Nate Webster have returned from torn patellar injuries.

"There's been a couple guys who had this same injury who came back and have done well,'' Williams said.

Comments

[Caleb]

I have doubted Caddy would come back all along, but now I'm starting to think there's actually hope after reading this. Seems like it's less severe then the one CB Gary Baxter from the Browns suffered.

[Oliver]

Best of luck, Cadillac...but make sure your knee is at full strength before trying to come back to play.

[Tony]

Definately sounds more promising than I originally thought. I would be nice to see him come back mid-season.

[Dwayne]

My boy caddy has to come back, but i do hope he doesnt rush things, and i just heard bryant johnson signed with the niners so we have to get hackett now.

[bo]

that is terrific news, glad the paper shed some light on one of the bucs most promising young players, it should be a updated story every month, he's to valuable a piece too this team to not know how he's doing, he's the Caddy for Heaven's sake, we gotta know how he's doing, best of luck Caddy

[Doug S.]

We are hoping for the best Caddy.
Take it slow and easy.

[derek]

great to hear hes doing well and on the comeback path for whenever the time is right.. people are so about "right now" and rushing things that people forget how good he was and still can be.. talk about graham,bennett,dunn,etc... but none of them is cadillac williams stature... thanks for the update sptimes you are showing you have better bucs insight then some other local papers

[Robert]

He has no choice but to come back. His career is in jepardy, especially with the current backs the Bucs have now. I have always like Cadillac but he needs to show that he can make it a whole season. He was on fire at the beginning when we drafted him but he has been going in reverse ever since. I understand it is tough to have longevity in the NFL but many othe running backs have done (Dunn) it!

[Amy]

Cadillac has been a waste of money since day one.

[bucs4ever]

Amy that comment you made shows how ignorant you really are. Think about what this kid went through this year but he still has the heart to come back and play for this team. while everyone is rooting for him you insult him? shame on you!

[Jb]

if he is really healthy,then trade him before the bucs end up paying him to warm the bench the rest of his career,lets face it everytime he plays he gets hurt,(he's made of glass),cut your losses

[Amy]

Again, Cadillac has been a waste of money from day one. Football is a business.

[DR]

Gotta disagree Derek. EG seemed to better the backfield when he got the starting role. He runs harder and has better hands than Caddy.

[Brandon]

Bucs4ever,
Ignorance is believing in a RB that can't catch a pass, fumbles too much, runs East-West and bounces EVERYTHING outside, doesn't run with any power, doesn't have the breakaway speed he is rumored to have and can't stay healthy.

Even before Williams got hurt his career with the Bucs was in jeopardy. Aside from his amazing 3 game start to his career he has done very little in a Buc uni other than drop passes, tip toe to the hole and get hurt. Williams is overrated and even before the injury his days were numbered.

[DR]

bucs4ever, it is great that Caddy is getting healthier but it is a business. You don't pay a guy because you want to root for him. It's an ugly business, but right now, you have to say that Caddy is the most overpayed player on the team. Most rookies are because they don't live up to expectations. Simms is a waste as well. I still can't believe they gave him a 2 year contract even though he couldn't throw a football.

[Chet]

Amy,

You have go to be kidding, the first 4 games of his rookie season were record setting (no other RB put up the numbers he did). The reason the Bucs went to the playoffs that year was due to his start of the season. I can't say that he's the most durable back in the game, but when he touches the ball, anytime things can happen.

Your comment is so dumb you had to post it twice.

[steve]

Amy, how has he been a waste of money? I am not a huge Cadillac fan but I will admit he was the only highlight of the Bucs team his rookie season.

[derek]

the only highlight of 2005? that team was 11-5 and solid enough all over... now 2006 was a different story

[Jb]

Amy,hang in ther girl,some people let there personal feelings get in the way,I'm sure everyone wants the best for Cadillac,but reallity is,what have you done since your rookie year,nothing

[cory]

You people are so disrespectful. We have never seen cadillac behind this revamped o-line, so it's not fair to say what he will or won't do. Can people not remember in 06 when this guy had to shake 3 guys to get back to the line? He ran behind a T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E o-line in 05 and 06 and didn't get a chance to get going in 07. Brandon, I'm sure you might fumble the ball once or twice if you played with nearly broken ribs as he did. I hope this guy proves everyone wrong. Best of luck to you Cadillac and I'll pray for you.

[Amy]

Lets check his stats:

Rushing Stats
YEAR TEAM G ATT YDS AVG LNG TD FD FUM LOST
2005 TAM 14 290 1178 4.1 71 6 54 3 2
2006 TAM 14 225 798 3.5 38 1 32 2 2
2007 TAM 4 54 208 3.9 20 3 12 1 1
Career 32 569 2184 3.8 71 10 98 6 5

Receiving Stats
YEAR TEAM G REC YDS AVG LNG TD FD FUM LOST
2005 TAM 14 20 81 4.1 15 0 4 0 0
2006 TAM 14 30 196 6.5 21 0 4 1 1
2007 TAM 4 3 17 5.7 8 0 0 1 1
Career 32 53 294 5.5 21 0 8 2 2

Passing Stats
YEAR TEAM G CMP ATT PCT YDS AVG TD LNG INT RAT
2005 TAM 14 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
2006 TAM 14 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
2007 TAM 4 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
Career 32 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0

Defense Stats
YEAR TEAM G TOT SOLO AST PD SACK FF REC INT YDS TD
2005 TAM 14 1 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2006 TAM 14 2 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 28 3 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

Scoring Stats
YEAR TEAM G RushTD RecTD RetTD TotTD 2PT PAT FG TotPT
2005 TAM 14 6 0 0 6 0 0 0 36
2006 TAM 14 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 6
2007 TAM 4 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 18
Career 32 10 0 0 10 0 0 0 60

Stats provided by STATS LLC

Trade him!

[Krutch]

At least he's not as much of a bum as Cedric Benson. Don't you think he'll make a nice complement to EG? A bruiser and a scatback. I just hope Gruden uses all of them. Also, if Caddy comes back in full force, will Dunn ever see the field?

[epbucs16]

amy u say its a business, but to this kid its far more than that its his passion so i suggest u hush it up. I always feel for players that have injuries like his so best of luck to caddy and screw all the haters. Hope he comes back and shut u ppl up thats be real nice.

[Oliver]

I sure as hell want Cadillac to play here, he's a good back. Him and Graham can be a great combination.

[shane]

watch what you haters say remember all you people like DR and amy said the bucs were goning to be garbage last year and not get into the playoffs and gruden was going to be fired. Look what happened bucs make playoffs and gruden gets extension. I hope caddy comes back and becomes the first buc ever to rush for 1600 yds just to give you haters a reality check.

[Dwayne]

Wat the!!! to say caddy runs with no power is dumb i rememeber the second game of his career he ran right threw nate clements and then lawyer milloy and drug him for a couple of extra yards on the same play. he does have good accleration, and hes gonna be back, i like cadillac alot and i cant wait till he comes back and shuts all you up, but youll be the same people who will cheer when he scores a touchdown, i love the way he plays with emottion and starts to get it going after every play, this guy loves football, for all you fans that want him gone or routing against him are all dumb and dont desereve to diss any buc player with the potential that he has, go be a raiders fan or sumthin.. I'll see you ehen you get back caddy and i be wearin that red authentic jersey wit your name on the back. Lets go bucs!!!

[Kurt]

3.8 YPC will get you a first down every three rushes Amy. Why would you trade that? I think the injury may make him a more North and South runner; which will make him more productive. I also believe the O-line did have a lot to do with his downfall, but he looked good last year, especially in the game he got hurt in (I believe it was a 20 yard run he hurt himself on.) In the end, he's another needed body to share the load in a two-back NFL game. I actually agree with DR for once in a long time; there's no doubt (and I never had any - ask DR) EG is better than Caddy. However, Caddy is definitely worth keeping.

[steve]

The Bucs won their weak division last season but they weren't a great team. That was obvious in the first round of the playoffs. The NFC South was the weakest division in the NFL last year. Gruden was lucky to be in that division or else he would have been fired.

[Darren]

Caddy, if you read this, ignore those negative comments. Buccaneer fans are rooting for your triumphant return.

Side note:
I'm from St. Pete, but live in Northern Virginia. The people up here don't know how to root for a real team. That said, it was the first gameday of your rookie season and a local Cadillac dealer was sponsoring a wine festival outside of Richmond, VA. Rather that hooting and hollering in support for you and the Bucs at a sports bar, I decided to do it at the festival. The wine snobs were aghast, but I had a blast cheering for you. You kicked butt that day and will continue to do it again in the future.

[Amy]

shane | March 14, 2008 at 03:35 PM

I love the BUCS too. But you are way off base. Look at who we played last year. The rest of the wimpy teams in the NFL. No competition there. Gruden should have been fired. Let's see how this pans out in 2008/09.

HOME
Dallas
NY Giants
New England
NY Jets
NFC North
AWAY
Philadelphia
Washington
Buffalo
Miami
NFC West

Much tougher schedule (with the exception of Miami) then we will see if Gruden and Cadillac are still here.

[steve]

Darren, the Washington Redskins aren't a real team? How many Super Bowls do they have? How many years has their stadium been sold out? And you call yourself a real fan? Anyone who goes to a wine festival on opening day of the NFL should not even comment on sports.

[Nick]

Next year for sure Caddy, sit tight and get a custom fix. Graham can get another good year and he'll be shopped around next year if he doesn't get a contract this year. It's the business.

[Tony G]

As a Buc fan I am very proud of this young man. People in this area complain about the players with questionable character, this player is one this area should be VERY proud of. This isn't about stats, it's not about winning, this is about a young man persevering through pain and long odds and through it all maintaining his quality of character.

[Amy]

To: Posted by: Tony G | March 14, 2008 at 03:47 PM

Nobody questioned his character or heart but football is a business of winning. If the player can't cut it...cut the player

[al]

Bucs 4 ever, you ignorant idiot, amy is correct. Get your head out of the sand. Cadillac has never been effective.

[kyle]

For Sale: 2005 Cadillac, good engine (blows so smoke though), low miles, needs body work, and lots of tlc. Garage kept and keys remained on shelf. 1 owner. Was originally purchased by ego-driven individual. Can no longer afford. No test drives. This caddy must be purchased as is. Call (813) 875-2582.

[devin]

amy amy amy look what if that was you what would you do he won rookie of the year so u must be on some kind of drug your not at all a buc fan at all banwagon fan

[devin]

and one more thing al u r retaaaaaaaaaaard stupid human being just go walk the plank

BUCC EM

[Kurt]

Amy, you put the stats up yourself. 3.8 YPC. Those are good career numbers. What's the argument? Sounds like you just don't like him. I agree that EG is a more consistent and durable back, but he lacks the big play ability Caddy has. They'd make a fierce tandom.

As for having a posh schedule last year; that's why we won our division with three games left. We also played well enough to beat the Lions and Jaguars before that, so it should have been over even before that. Enough said. You'll be wrong about your uninsightful prognostications just like DR was last year; no biggie. Not like it would be the first time would it Steve and Amy?

[Oliver]

Jon Gruden, how dare your Buccaneers win their easy schedule, and have the nerve to replace aging guys with youth, and lose players to Injured Reserve and still make the play-offs. I, a true Buc fan, would much rather the Bucs had lost all the games in their "easy" schedule and be cutting players just to get under the cap. Then we would have really had a sense of accomplishment.

[Darren]

Steve, I was referring to the fans up here. They are boring. I will go to the Bucs game when they play the Skins in DC, but going to a game up here is... pathetic!

I went to that wine festival specifically to get wine glasses with Cadillac and the date on them. In addition, I got to shake the place up in a Bucs jersey cheering for Caddy and the Bucs. That my friend is fun and something a real fan would do if he was too far away to go to the actual game. (Not all Buccaneer fans are in Flordia.)

[Amy]

To: Posted by: Kurt | March 14, 2008 at 04:10 PM

Those are not good stats.

[steve]

Just giving you a hard time Darren about the wine festival. Being a Skins fan in Tampa I can relate to being annoyed by ignorant band wagon fans that don't know anything about the game. I remember most of the Bucs fans were screaming to bench Brad Johnson and play Shaun King. Was that you Devin?

[Eric]

CADDY SUCK. HOpe you get well, But seriously people. Amy is 100% right. He is a waste of money, he had 3-4 good games, every since, he has been garbage. EG is a beast at running back. Has always been.

[Kurt]

Amy, you are not worth discussing this over. The best ever YPC for an individual career is Jim Brown at 5.2. That's the best ever! Like I said, at 3.8 YPC, you will get a first down every three times you hand Caddy the ball. Given that you are allowed 4 downs per cycle, he will carry you to the end-zone all day long. That is what you base a good runner on. Granted, he hasn't turned out to be what he was in the first 4 games he played for us (which were the best a Buc had ever done,) but he still should not be considered even close to being a lost cause.

Our team fell on hard times 2 years ago as did Caddy. He was looking very good last year when he had his injury. Be a good samaritan and stop acting like you know anything about football.

[Jb]

looks like you guys are out for blood,seems like the bucs do actually have some true blue fans,peace

[Amy]

"Be a good samaritan and stop acting like you know anything about football."? That is a rather chauvenistic comment. Usually when a team falls on "hard times" the team reevaluates what works and what doesn't. You are basing your information on data provided 3 seasons ago. He can only carry us into the end-zone if he is healthy enough to play. Tampa Bay has not seen one complete season from Cadillac yet. Trade him!

[Kim]

LEAVE THE CADI PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND KEEP GRAHAM ON THE FIELD PERMENANTLY!!!!!

[Jb]

Kurt,did you relocate from No.Va.?just a question

[Oliver]

Cadillac + Graham would be a quality backfield.