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.

[mark]

caddy will be ok and u haters will regret the noise u are making....he thrives on negative feedback...so watch out...............

[cory]

Unless the info I'm looking at is wrong, warrick dunn will make more money next year than cadillac. So you people are telling me we need to cut him because he costs too much and is a waste, but there is no problem with 33 year old dunn getting paid more and staying? You people are out of your minds.

[cory]

Opposing teams only game planned against cadillac also because he was the ONLY offensive threat. He had 8 people in the box every play with a terrible offensive line. How did frank gore do last year being the only threat on his team?

[Kurt]

How does you not knowing anything about football make that a chauvenistic comment? Our O-line is what needed improvement and that's exactly what has happened over the past 3 years. Haven't you been paying attention? It's really no fun having a battle of witts with someone so unarmed. You're just hate-mongering and not seeing the reality of the situation Amy. The guy is pretty good. He has had "some" injury issues, but so has every QB we've had behind that horrendous line. It has become much improved and the running game has followed suit. Besides, if he's so terrible and you are right, then what kind of trade value would he have? I bet he would be picked up the second we cut him; so where would that leave your theory on his value? I'm just saying...

[Skylar]

Amy, you should call DR and the two of you can go out! Good points Cory, Kurt and Oliver. It's nice to see some people with quality insights on here. It's usually just a site for bashing the bucs. Godspeed Caddy!

[Kurt]

No. Va.? No I'm a Tampa native, but I live in Charlotte, NC now. I have season tickets and migrate down for all the home games (at least most of them.) I also get to see them play in Atlanta and Charlotte, of course. Panter fans suck bad. There are always tix way under value. At least I get face value for mine when I can't make it. Why you ask?

[Duane]

Wow Amy, am I glad I'm not your boyfreind or husband. The Bucs line, unti last year, has been average at best. Last year it was average and very young. Hope you never become my boss, either. I've had women for bosses. Always overcompensating.

[John P]

No matter what gets said here in the blog or the article, the odds are against Cadillac having a long NFL career. He seems like a really good guy, a decent enough person. But he's suffered an injury that is a very likely sign that he is both prone to this, and likely will suffer another of the same severity.

McAllister from the Saints has the exact same problem - Billy Sims as well for those who remember him. You can't count on Caddy being healthy for a season, ever again. I root for the guy, definitely. But I'll cringe every time I see him land at an angle or plant his foot to cut against the grain. It's only a matter of time before it happens again - and the Bucs absolutely know this.

It'd make a nice feel good story to see the guy succeed, but there's a darn good reason why they've re-signed Bennett, gotten Dunn back and will extend Graham. They lose little for keeping Williams for another season (his base salary is still acceptable). And miracles, while rare - do occasionally happen.

[Justin M]

I CANNOT STAND to see people write that Cadillac was a waste of money. This guy plays the game hard. I will bet all my money that at the end of 2005 you were all singing his praises. Bunch of phoneys you guys are.

Truth is you all hold that miserable 2006 season against him. Our whole team stunk from top to bottom. He was running behind a line with two rookies and collection of mediocre journeymen. Remember this was the same O-line that nearly got our QB killed.
Then he had to play with that weak O-line and a QB (Gradkowski) who couldnt throw the ball over 20 yards. There was nowhere to run last year and as a RB his season was set up for disappointment.

Cadillac Williams has his shortcomings like most players. He is a weak receiver and route runner, but he is by far (when healthy) the best pure runner on this team.

[ryan callahan]

I definately think he will be back next year, but it may not be untill after week 6. Now wheter he comes back and was the caddy that he was in 05 is still to be determined.

[The Man]

You're all a bunch of uneducated tools!!! Half of you can't spell, the other half are just stupid. Makes me proud to be a Bucs fan!

[Bucs4ever]

Half of the comments some of these people are putting up show how cold-hearted and ruthless they really are. Cadillac is a professional football player and I guarantee you he's putting in a 100 percent right now in rehab to get back on the field. Look at Cedric Benson in Chicago he was taken before Cadillac in the draft and so far he's a bust but the Bears are still comitted to him someway. Sometimes you have to wait and see how these players pan out in their careers. Many of you are saying football is a business. Well when you invest in a product sometimes you ave to let the product develop and see it's full potential or the whole thing goes to waste. Cadillac is a 3 year pro, hes been in the league for only 3 years. Give him time people and plus we got other great running backs in his place and a lot of cap space for the time being. Another thing i would like to say is, if everyone says its a business then why did you guys have a problem when John Lynch got released. Don't get me wrong i love Lynch but at the time he was hurt too, and we were having cap problems. Denver took a chance on him and they did the right thing because he played like his old self. The same thing applies to Cadillac. This past year was a very special one even if we didn't get past the first round because the team achieved a lot with adversity. As with Gruden i think he is doing a good job. When he won the superbowl in 2002, people said that he did it with Tony Dundy's team. But he also inherited the cap-hell that Dungy and Mckay put the team under the previous years which lead to sub-par talent which eventually lead to the pathetic overall records. Now we're out of the cap-hell so let Gruden do his job. Enough of " get gruden out of town" chants he signed on an extension so deal with it. When Tampa traded for him he didnt have a choice but ot come down here, but if he did he probably would have never came because of all the ignorant people that have a grudge towards him for no reason. It wasn't his falut that Dungy got fired but some of you guys are not intelligent enough to comprehend that.

[Justin M]

Some of these comments about Williams are despicable and low. This same garbage went on when Simms was initially hurt. The roar of the crowd in 2006 at RJS against Carolina when Gradkowski entered for Simms made me want to puke.

Too many bandwagon fans who have bizarre agendas. They dont want Cadillac to come back because they have already labeled him a bust. There is an enjoyment out of saying, "I told you he was a bust." Its a sad and sorry way to speak about a player on your so called team.

Now if Williams comes back in 2008 and starts scoring TDs, these hyprocrites will cheer and proclaim him to be back and better than ever, forgetting they left him for dead not long ago.

I hope Cadillac comes back and mows down opposing defenders and doubters alike.

[Jez]

you guys are so emotional about caddy get of his jock "oh caddy" "oh caddy" dont worry itll be ok poor baby.

it aint ok if EG puts up a big season consider your backside out of hear buuuudy

[Jez]

Here*

[NC Buc Fan]

No offense to Cadillac or his injury, I hope he eventually comes back and has his full career and lives out his dreams, I just hope it isn't with the Bucs. This guy to me is the biggest dissappointment of the last few years in the 1st round. Even when healthy (hes always hurt tho) he doesnt perform. Earnest Graham is 50 times the back Cadillac is. I remember my mother (knows nothing of football) glanced at the tv screen once and saw Cadillac running and was like "Man, he's slow to be a football player". She is totally right. He has no game speed. This guy will never be a good NFL rb (just like Reggie Bush, star in NCAA, nothing in the NFL).

[Nate Dogg]

Listen people, the simple truth is this: we all wish Carnell the best and that he recover to live a happy and healthy life. Who the hell wouldn't?

However, do I want to see him play another down in a bucs uniform? No. I'm sorry if that comes accross as cold hearted, but his unneccessary dancing/"juking" and consistant inability to catch a ball have all gotten old. Yes I understand how unbelievably bad our quarterbacks and offensive line have been the last two years, but do you really think if he hadn't gotten hurt, he'd be a 1,400+ yard back with this year's offensive line? Doubt it. All of the reasons I listed above, as well as his inability to break tackles and use his "speed" to avoid tackles, have been well documented the previous two seasons (before he got hurt this last season).

In some form of "kindness", I do hope he can get a fresh start on a new team when he's healthy and can prove that he's still worth being taken as the #4 overall pick.

He and Simms.

I wish them all the best and hope they get healthy, but in terms of the lack of production and wasted cap space they bring to the table, they both need to go.

A full off season going into next season will really help our current stable of running backs. Graham, Dunn, and Bennett will do a fine job of making the plays they'll need to make when their number is called.

Nate Dogg

[Nate Dogg]

Here, here!...well said, "NC Buc Fan"!

[NC Buc Fan]

You so called do-gooder Buc fans trying to make everyone feel ashamed for not liking Cadillac. Are you watching games? We want to see our teams win, if that means playing the best player and getting rid of others to make room for real proven rbs like Pittman and Dunn, so be it. I think if you really really want to see Cadillac back in a Buc uniform than you are the one thats not a fan, you are a fairweather fan who probably bought his jersey because of his name from college.

[Timothy]

they paid like 60 million for a beat up caddy. I don't know how anyone thought he would be worth that money with a name like cadillac. of course he's trying to come back. he doesn't get paid otherwise. cut him.

[Trevor]

I remember watching Caddy play that first year. When he was getting tons of carries and doing pretty well. But When you give a running back that kind of carries in that short period of time.. "Driving your running back in to the ground"

[cory]

$60 million??? He made 1.4 mil last year, but ok. LMAO at graham is 50x better. He is a good back, but how come he has NEVER played at all before last year? I remember last year reading an interview with Art Valero last offseason and he was talking about how to help cadillac improve. He showed him a compilation of all the best 1 and 2 yard gains he had in 06. I know that sounds silly, but thats the point on how bad the rest of that offense was. He would break 2 or 3 tackles and end up with a 1 yard gain. Regardless of who you think is better, saying he should be cut is just plain stupid. When has competition ever hurt? Look at what competition did for jermaine phillips last year. If he didn't have 2 rookies breathing down his neck all offseason, he wouldn't have been half the player he was.

[dv7401]

Though I love Caddy's heart and determination, Earnest Graham is 10 times better than he is. Williams is one dimensional, he's never been a recieving threat out of the backfield. Graham breaks tackles, is elusive, makes people miss, hardly ever gets taken down by the first defender, AND catches almost everything thrown to him. Graham worked hard to get to where he is, Williams got a great contract without earning it. So, tell me, why is Caddy better?

[Talon]

go bucs

[dv7401]

Oh, I forgot to mention the stiff arm. You know what I mean? Earnest Graham has a bad @$$ stiff arm move. What does Caddy have, besides his dive to the ground to avoid being hit move?

[Talon]

Caddy is coming back...I know it. If we trade him you know exactly what will happen...he'll be awesome somewhere else. He defiantly hasn't played behind the line we have now. Can you imagine what it could have been like last season had he and Petitgout not gotten hurt? People say he's crap but it sure will feel funny when he gets snatched up in 2 seconds by another team. Same goes for Gruden if he got canned. This is our season...

[dv7401]

Excuses, excuses. How is it that when Caddy or Simms gets hurt, it's because of the offensive lines' lack of protection? Graham played harder... didn't get hurt. I don't recall McCown running for his life either. Williams is a great kid, but you people are kidding yourselves if you think he has any chance of regaining what form he did have. The injury he sustained could have been avoided if he knew how and when to take a hit, period. It was well documented that the Panthers' playing field was in poor condition that day, especially along the sidelines. It's something that a good running back has to have a feel for, taking everything into account. He should have gone out of bounds before the hit, knowing the field was trash and that he would have horrible footing. It's sad, yes, but was definitely avoidable. Here's to hoping Graham is the starter on opening day and for years to come.

[McHenry]

Some of you all have good points, but the only reason Graham did well was because of the O-line. If I am correct, Caddy got injured on what was the longest run til that point. If he had played, there is no doubt that he would have done as well as Graham. Why trade him? Both would be complimentary to each other. Hope Caddy comes back 100 percent healthy. That would be nice...Caddy and Graham.

[otaibi]

Amy

Learn how to be optimistic and stop hating.

GO bucs

[Joe]

Caddy your gonnha be fine. Even if you have to miss a couple weeks in the start of the season,Earnest can carry the load while yuor gone

[dv7401]

Hmm... so Caddy didn't do well because of the O line, and Graham only did well because of the O line... interesting. Good backs make average lines look great. Average backs make average lines look horrible.

Sorry, the O line is not the ONLY reason Graham did well. He has a vicious stiff arm, escapability, burst, strength, good hands... none of which is a product of the O line. What games were you people watching last year? Graham reminds me of Emmitt Smith.

[The Man]

I heard Detroit is looking to trade for Caddy if they don't sign Pittman. They're also gonna pick up Dilfer since SanFran just cut him loose. Marinelli is looking to pick up Simeon Rice for his D line, as well as attempt to talk Warren Sapp out of retirement. Look for Millen to trade a 2nd rounder to Indy for Booger McFarland. There's also speculation that Shelton Quareles will come out of retirement and sign with the Lions. The Associated Press is reporting that the Detroit Lions will be moving their training camp to Disneyland in Anaheim California this season, as well. Rod Marinelli's little brother is also looking for a job as a head coach in the Arena League.

Marinelli has Gruden envy!

[Stephen Holder]

Hey everyone... Wanted to chime in on this Cadillac issue. I agree that people are being really harsh on the guy. I just want to say a couple of things because I think I have a unique perspective being around the team every day during the season. Gruden and Valero always talked up Cadillac for one reason: he has home-run potential. There are many reasons to like Earnest, but he does not possess that quality. Cadillac didn't do it often, but at any given time, he could gash you for a 20-yard run. In fact, the run on which he got hurt was one of those highlight type runs. He has the most explosion of any back on the roster (or had before his injury). I think the one thing we haven't taken into account is the offensive line he played behind. In short, during his first two years, it was horrible. The line the Bucs hope to line up with this fall will be entirely different. Who knows what he could do behind these guys. And let's not even begin to talk about what he might be able to do with a quarterback who is actually a threat. Remember, his sophomore slump came with BRUCE GRADKOWSKI under center. I will make no predictions. I think Caddy has flaws (his hands and the fact he sometimes is indecisive as a runner) and he'll have to first overcome this injury to be even worthy of much conversation. But when you're judging the guy, let's be fair. I feel like many here aren't doing that.

[dv7401]

Hey, we all love the kid, really do! But above all else, we are (most of us anyway) Bucs fans, and want whats best for the team. I wish Caddy well and hope he recovers, I'm just saying don't expect it. I also hope he doesn't feel pressured by the teams personnel moves, because if he rushes his recovery, it might end his carreer. He needs to take his time and heal, and let the team do what it does. As far as that's concerned, Graham, Bennett, and Dunn makes for a solid stable of RB's.

[The Man]

Some people look under their bed for the boogie man. The boogie man looks under his bed for Jeff Garcia.

[DR]

Jeff Garcias' tears cure cancer. Too bad he never cries.

[Oliver]

Stephen, thank goodness you are here.

dv7401: If you can't remember McCown running around (which I certainly can) then remember that Garcia spent a lot of time dodging the rush, which is due to the offensive line's struggles in pass-blocking at times. Tampa's run game, however, was one of the offense's major strengths last year, with a legitmate passing attack to open up the run, Sears and Jospeh as pulling guards helped make plays - Sears particularly came on very strongly in the second half of the season, as did Graham, and as would Cadillac have done.

Cadillac is just a vital a back as Graham is, as Williams has good pace in his running, wheras Graham has probably the better feet and stiff-arm. Last season, we saw Cadillac ploughing himself into 2 or 3 defenders before hitting the turf, not to mention that he actually has a better amount of receptions than most people think - I think it has improved each season, and he would have this season, if he hadn't suffered a horrific injury. The guy was already struggling with cracked ribs after the hit Tatupu put on him on opening day, yet he came back and was scoring TD's. One of the best all-round performances of the Bucs last year was at home to a poor Rams' side, with both Cadillac and Graham excelling.

To sum this long post, Cadillac and Graham can be a truly dominant backfield. It is truly irritaing to see people whining and moaning about players that give their all for the team (Chris Simms comes to mind) yet still get utterly slated by such fickle people. The Bucs organisation understand what they need. They know the player that Williams is, he will be back.

[DON]

amy,NC Bucs Fan, kim, eric, dr, and brandon all you guys are talking about caddy hashe dont have break away speed or how he cant catch or how he fumbles the ball, all the rest of the caddy fans and i would love for yall to put on a uni and see how well yall would do. CADDY is a good back he will come around with the catch and everything else. if it wasnt for him carrying the load his rookie season the bucs would have not made the playoffs he had a 1000yards something that pittman wasnt doing so you guys should stop hating and love the guy caddy if u read this everybody else besides the few i have named loves u here in tampa and cant wait to see what u and graham will do in the back field together GET WELL AND GO BUCS

caddy sucks

[Jenise]

Definitely excited to hear that Carnell is doing so well. I know that him being named a successful/productive back in the future(or the past for that matter) is questionable, but I feel that he's shown himself to be a great RB. This experience will definitely make him a lot better and a lot stronger!! There are still people out there that think you're great Mr. Williams.. Prove everyone else wrong. My prayers are definitely with you Cadillac... God Bless.

[Tony]

he is overated! too bad we didnt take adrian peterson in the draft although i do like graham and dunn should help out just not a big fan of caddy he stays hurt. wish we could trade him for a good receiver to help out galloway.

[DR]

Earnest Grahams' tears cure cancer. Too bad he never cries.

[Ho Chi Minh]

Jeff Garcia invented the bowflex, just so that his opponents would have a slightly greater chance of surviving his roundhouse kick.

[DR]

Spider Man wears Jeff Garcia pajamas.

[Dicky Lewis]

Earnest Graham rules

[Earnest Graham]

Earnest Graham rules