A quick Cadillac update

With all of Jeff Garcia's drama today, I failed to mention that we ran into Cadillac Williams who is still working toward returning to the lineup after last season's devastating patellar tendon tear.

Williams isn't backing off his stated goal of participating in training camp in some capacity, even though he remains a long way from gaining medical clearance to take the field.

"It's a matter of when I'm going to be back," he said. "I know I'm going to be playing on this field again. I know I'm going to be productive."

Now that he's further into his rehab, Williams can get a better sense for the pace of his recovery.

"It's a long progress, but I've come a long way," he said. "Earlier on, there were bumps in the road. But now, things are starting to smooth out. I'm starting to do things on the field, a little cutting here and there. I'm just taking it day by day, just continuing to work and seeing how the process goes. We're going to make a decision in July and take it from there."

That decision will be key. It's too early to know what Williams' status will be at that point, but the Bucs will have to decide prior to training camp whether to place Williams on the Physically Unable to Perform List. This is the most likely outcome because it will provide the team the flexibility to move Williams back to the active roster at some point if he shows improvement. If a player starts training camp on the PUP List, he can be activated at any time during camp. If he remains there after the start of the regular season, he must stay on PUP for at least the first six games and can be activated as late as Week 10.

Though it sounds ambitious, Williams offered this final bit before heading off the finish his rehab: "Me, personally, once training camp starts, I (think) I will be on the field and be able to do some things. I do. I feel like by July, I should be ready to play ball."

Comments

[Sam]

I like Cadillac's determination.

[Justin M]

Cadillac is a tough dude. Everyone is rooting hard for him to come back. We missed him last year.

[Brandon]

Lates Cadillac Update:

He still can't catch a ball, nor hit a hole, nor run north-south, nor stop fumbling, nor stay injury-free.

That is all.

[Lee]

Cadillac is a good runner and I hope he will come back. Last year, our running game was much better than the year before. Williams was getting better and better before the injury. He still has much to learn and experience to gain. The injury he sustained is severe (the worst you could get if I understand it right) which is why I doubt that he will play this year much, if even, at all. I think it will be tough for him to return to the lineup eventually anyway. But kudos to him for trying. If it doesn't work out we know that he gave it his best shot.

[Jim]

I hope he can return but at what level??? Its asking a lot for any athlete to return to his old form given the severity of his injury.

[Tom]

Neither can you Brandon

[Arun]

Hopes he does make it back... but activated mid season, then we can see how others are playing or injured. Then he can come back completely ready to battle for the starting spot in '09. Love Caddy, but please be realistic with this type of injury... it could also prolong his career.

[cory]

I really hope this guy proves all the doubters wrong.

[Cody]

If Cadillac was a third round pick nobody would give a damn if he came back. He was unproductive and inconsistent even when he was healthy. Brandon is absolutely right, and nobody missed him last year cause Graham can do everything for this offense that Caddy can't do such as catch, hit a hole, hold on to the ball, and stay healthy. The only reason why most people want him back is cause they all ran straight out and bought his jersey after his rookie year and don't wanna have to sell it for 10 bucks on ebay.

[cory]

No cody, I want him back because he is a home-run threat, which Graham is not. You can not even compare the two when cadillac was running behind the likes of Kenyatta Walker, with Bruce Gradkowski at qb, and 8-9 defenders in the box. Anyone would have trouble "hitting the hole" when it doesn't exist.

[Skylar]

Good point Cory. It's funny: here we have a good citizen and determined player who gives a 110% and we want to banter him like he's no good. Let's give him a chance to come back and be productive again. However, he should be practicing ball control skills during his absence from the field.

[Matt B]

Caddy daddy is our man hands down we he get back he starts, he is still our future, it will take time but this guy has heart and skill which he has already shown, with him starting and graham as the 3rd down back, and dunn giving us his speed we will have one of the best running back corps their is

[Chris]

If Caddy had a decent QB o get the defense out of the box and a decent line to run behind..no one would be questioning his ability. Auburn had great lines and a solid QB while he was there and he caught the ball and ran the ball like a champ. He didnt all of a sudden forget how to run between his rookie and 2nd year season. And tell Gruden if you want him to catch the ball..throw it to him.

[Chris]

Another point..
05 Rookie - decent line..average QB
1200 yds, 6td, 20 catches
06 - bad line, horrible QB
800yds, 1td (Alstott vulture), 30 catches
07 - injured after 3 games. Avg line, Better QB..but still not top tier..
200 yds, 3tds in 4 games. In 3 combined games only 30 carries. If he doesnt touch it..he cant break it.

Anyone who thinks Williams was not the best RB option Tampa has is nuts. Pttman and Graham? Yea..anyway...

Not to mention he is a top class person and teammate. Would you rather have someone like TO on the team?

[Oliver]

Cadillac is still the man down here in Tampa, especially with Graham's current situation.

[Kelan McLain]

Carnell is a Blue Devil...know what that means? He will be back and stronger than ever to silence all the doubters. Blue Devils don't quit. Ever.