No Caddy -- for now

Jon Gruden said this morning the team does not plan to insert RB Cadillac Williams in full-squad practices this week, although he is eligible to practice this week based on the guidelines of the Physically Unable to Perform List.

Williams can be evaluated in practice during a three-week period, after which the Bucs must decide whether to activate him or place him on injured reserve. They have until Week 9 to begin practicing with Williams, and the three-week evaluation period does not start until that point.

"We're going to keep looking at him," Gruden said. "He's getting better and better and better. We're going to continue to work with him privately. . . It won't be this week that he's activated."

The fact that the team is choosing not to have Williams practice at this point is an indication it perhaps isn't seriously considering activating him now that he is a year removed from tearing his patellar tendon. But don't expect the Bucs to announce a final decision on this matter. The evaluation window allows them to maximize this opportunity and keep Williams on standby in the event one of the team's backs is injured.

Based on the rules of PUP, Williams could potentially be activated as late as 12 weeks into the season.

Comments

[DMS]

We do not need Cadillac. At all. He is damaged goods. Move on. Cut him and his salary.

[Larry]

We're three-deep at the RB slot, no sense bringing him back too soon. Give it another week or two and if nobody gets hurt IR him so he can be in top form next season.

Move Alex Smith to TE for the week if Askew can't go -- and probably if he can since Askew won't be 100%. If I'm Dunn and Graham I won't mind having a 260 pound fullback in front of me for a game or two!

[Peter Puffer]

DMS=idiot can i suck you're ding dong fella?

[Ray "The HoMo" Artz]

i wouldnt mind having a 260 pound fullback in back of me either! grrrrrrrr !!!!!!! : )

[Jameel Cook]

I am available, give me a look, I did not inhale.

[DONTAE]

DMS= YOU ARE STUPID WHY WOULD U CUT THE FIFTH OVERALL PICK? OUTSIDE OF BEING HURT CADILLAC HAS SHOWN PROMISE AND BROUGHT LIFE TO A ONCE NON EXSISTING RUNNING GAME, NO KNOCK ON PITTMAN BUT AT THE TIME HE WAS NOT GETTING IT DONE

[Bruce Allen]

I'm trading Caddy straight up for Tony Gonzales and don't want him to get hurt.

[ToddsBucs1]

Caddy will come back fine,if not this year next!!!

[RJ]

Relax, this is a tough injury to come back from, if at all. I saw Nate Webster (former Buc from the U) making plays 2 weeks ago against us in Denver. He suffered the same injury and it took him a few years to come back strong and he is not making as many cuts as a RB. I am hopeful that Caddy can come back, but I would not count on it. If anyone can, though, I bet he can based on what I hear about his rehab and work ethic.

[DMS]

Dontae McBrainiac - One of the runningbacks drafted before Cadillac that year has already been cut by his team for being ineffective. It's not unprecedented...

Even greater, who would you take carries away to give to Caddy? Would you seriously take him over any of the 3 runningbacks we already have??

Also, don't abuse 'caps lock', it's not very becoming. It makes you look even less intelligent than you already are. Just sayin'...

[Yoshi]

DMS you must be stupid if you think cadillac is not better than bennet or dunn. The only reason you are knocking him is because he hasnt played in such a long time but he was running like crazy last year before he got hurt. He is definately an upgrade at the tailback position. If you think graham and dunn is a potent running attack then cadillac and graham will be even better. I cant wait to see him with some pads on again. Hes worked hard and deserves to come back and show all the critics what hes got

[dylan]

caddy played well with a bad offensive line. just wait till next year when he has a great offensive line in front of him. he used to have to deal with having a defender in the backfield when he was handed the ball and now with a great oline it could be promising... this is assuming he makes a full recovery.

[Bob]

Why not hold on to him? The Bucs do not have a salary cap problem, and if the Glazers are willing to shell out the cash, who are we to say otherwise. Dunn is running surprisingly (to me anyway) well, but he is getting old. Gruden likes to look at as many people as possible in training camp. Why not keep him around another year and see what he does in training camp? If he doesn't have it anymore, cut him. If he comes back strong, keep him. I mean, what's the problem?

[DMS]

Yoshi - I must be stupid? No sir, try pragmatic. Dude has been the walking injured since the fourth game of his pro career. If Caddy ever gains 1,000 in a season again, I'll eat your computer...or mine.

[Brandon]

DMS, NO NO NO! Carnell would fill a huge void in our lineup, we really NEED a RB that can come in run sideways and lose yards on a consistent basis, drop half the balls that hit him in the hands, tries to bounce EVERYTHING outside, puts the ball on the carpet frequently, and gets carted off the field once every 3-4 weeks. A good RB stable is based on RBs having different qualities... and you have to admit, none of the other RBs possess those qualities. Never mind the fact that all 3 other RBs are stronger, faster, more versatile, tougher and catch the ball better than Williams.

I think because Williams had a fantastic first 3 games to his career and because he was a 1st round pick, we should give him a big fat contract extension, cut Graham, Dunn and Bennett. Who's with me?!?!

[DMS]

Hahahahaha, thanks Brandon. Your lucidity brought the laugh I needed here. Good job, sir.

[conradbuff]

grahm is the starting fb now caddy gets activated next week when askew trips over a shoelace and breaks his leg and yes he is the best back the bucs have how well he plays depends on how well hes recovered buc he will lay this year they have untill week 12

[STIXX]

CADDY injuries are because he`s flying around and running hard at FULL-SPEED all the time. He has more heart and skill than 90% of the running backs in the NFL.I would`nt trade him for anyone and he will return and make the PRO-BOWL people. Thats right you heard it here first PRO-BOWL and the comeback player of the year.

[Drew]

They'll make a trade to bring in a decent fullback or pull one off waivers.

[Josh]

Brandon and DMS please post more. Your idiotic insight towards one of the best RBs we've ever had is enlightening. Good thing Caddy had so many other weapons on offense the past 3 years or he might not have had 100yd games with such a powerhouse OL. Maybe you two should be in charge of draft picks, free agents, etc. You've got my vote, I'll call Gruden and Bruce and let them know you guys are taking over...

[Joey Boots]

I want Caddy playing fullback in the wishbone offense!

[Slyvester Deigodonni]

Yo, DMS and Peter Puffer, why dont you two get a room!

[Yoshi]

And the award for idiot of the article goes to... brbrbrbrbrbrbrbr SHHHH. LADYS AND GENTELMEN WE HAVE A TWO WAY TIE BETWEEN DMS AND BRANDON!!!!! You two must be retarted if you actually think that Cadillac is the worst back we have. Cadillac ran behind the lamest o-line and still managed to win rookie of the year. Which by the way doesnt just happen in three games for those of you who think that those were his only good games. Like i said before Cadillac was running wild before he got injured. I dont know what the hell brandon is talking about that Cadillac always tries to bounce every thing to the outside when plenty of his runs were between the tackles. You two must have been watching different games because Cadillac is as talented as they come. I cant wait to see everyone, including these two idiots, jump on his band wagon when he comes back and balls with this new o-line.