Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olson wants to commit to RB Cadillac Williams as the 'full-time guy.'

Cadillac Williams has proven he is a complete running back and offensive coordinator Greg Olson said Wednesday it's time the Bucs commit to him as an every down player.

Williams, who had 99 total yards from scrimmage in the Bucs' 16-13 loss to the Washington Redskins Sunday, was not on the field during the team's final two-minute drive. Instead, the Bucs went to second-year pro Clifton Smith, who had only one previous rushing attempt this season before losing a fumble to end the comeback bid.

Olson said Williams has improved his protection, pass-catching and route running abilities enough to be reliable on third down.

"We're going to get him more involved,'' Olson said of Williams. "And really, that's on me.

"Clifton has been our guy because he's a threat as a wide receiver and often times in those situations, a back gets out and gets involved in that. He's been our guy going back to last year. But Cadillac has proven that he understands protections and he's a real solid pass protector and really, he's developed as a receiver. 

"We went into the season kind of with the mentality of let's work Cadillac in. Maybe we can rotate him with the other backs. But as good as he's looked here early on in the season, I think it's time we become more committed to Cadillac Williams as a full-time guy.''

    

Comments

[Drew]

I hope he physically holds up in this new N-0-0. The 2-2-1 absolutely needed to go. Move EG to fullback and Ward to short yardage and 2 back situations. It's apparent Raheem no longer wants to be like the Giants. Instead of a 3 headed monster, they're going with the one-headed Cadillac Monster.

[bucsblow]

hahaha.....another change with the sucaneers.hahahahahah. Does this mean derrick ward will not reveal the nickname he had for the 3 running back tandem they started with???......remember that story from about a month ago...??..i do..i also remember all the high hopes all of you loser fans had at the start of the season....how could you have ever thought you would have been competitive???....really?....BUCKWHEAT was hired as your coach and your team was essentially talentless. so enjoy the rest of the season, losers..well on your way to 0 and 16 and you are lying if you say you have a winnable game on the schedule......(Caddy is fragile and will not finish)

[blackmagic00]

I wonder how many @ss clowns from other teams would visit this site if we all of a sudden had a 12 game winning streak. Get a life loser.

[Dspkable]

That last comment is why I stopped commenting on these articles. Because Tampabay.com doesn't monitor their own commentors violating their policy.

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[blackmagic00]

I think Drew hit this one on the money. Ward needs to stay a big part of this and EG can be an almost every down guy at full back. EG could possibly fill some of the void of not having A-Train and with Caddy and Ward out there this could be a rediculous run game. Caddy does need some breaks so we don't run the wheels off of him, but yes the 2-2-1 did need to go(though we did'nt see alot of it).

[Tom]

Hopefully, this will take Clifton Smith out of the offense and focus on special teams. We have three very good backs so there's absolutely no reason Smith should be on the offense. I wonder who the genius was that decided to put a puny RB that really is a return guy, in the two minute drill. The ability to pick up blitz protection is vital in that situation.

It would be a mistake to phase EG and Ward out of this offense. Ward is a home run hitter and EG can do it all. Bucs fans haven't seen what Ward can do but just put on Giants film of last year and you're see. Of course, you're going to get the guys on here that say it was a mistake to pick him up which is absurd.

EG's current situation reminds me of how Gruden had an inability to utilize Mike Alstott properly. This OC seems like he doesn't have a clear cut plan to utilize the talents of these three great backs.

[blackmagic00]

Dspkable, sorry if I offended you or anyone else. I just get sooo tired of people coming in and bashing our team and fans. I will try and refrain from doing that from now on. Anyone who was offended please except my apology.

[Tom]

The problem with putting EG at fullback is that you take away BJ Askew. He is one of the most underrated players on this team. Watch the film, Askew is a freakin hammer.

But putting EG at fullback isn't the worst idea in the world. He needs to get on the field more too.

[TriplePlay]

I bet dspkable was typing while you were
blackmagic. Bucsblow wasted an entire 40 minutes of his life thumbing this post together.

Unfortunately, 0-16 is very reachable for this team but that is what the Glazers had planned.

[blackmagic00]

Never thought I would say it, but I think we may have too many good backs. We also have Huggins on the practice squad. Too bad we can't have more ways to involve all of the backs.Seems we always have lopsided depth.

[Robert]

I love this move. We drafted Caddy in the 1st rd to be OUR guy! He has been hampered by some injuries, but this year looks like the Caddy we drafted! I love the fact that we do have Eg and Ward back there to pick up the slack, but Caddy has been our best offensive player this year and needs his touches. In the 1st game EG told Rah to let Caddy stay out and have his series bcuz of the way caddy was running the ball! For all that is wrong with this team Caddy is an inspiring guy. He has had the odds stacked against him and he has kept fighting for this team and I love that. Some of the guys on this team should c about trying to get lockers next to Caddy. 1 being a guy they call Gaines! To win in this league u need your best guys and on the offensive side of the ball Caddy has been ours! Great move Oly, but we r still going 2 b lucky to win 2 or 3 games this year!

[aaron]

D Ward needs to stay very involved in the offense. I think caddy can be the feature much like adrian peterson in Minny. And wards could spell him like Chester Taylor does. EG can do goal line and split time/askew.

[Valrico Rick]

You guys know that 'bucsblow' was 'bucssuc' until they blocked him for his obvious racial slurs much like this one. He also happens to be a regular blogger on here using a different name. I recognize some of the statement points, but since it's only a hunch, I'm not saying! Anyway, I am down with Williams, he and Ward have been the productive backs so far, and although I love the heart and willingness in EG we can't take Askew off the field. I'm beginning to wonder if Clifton Smith was a one hit wonder like Wayne Haddix!

[GiG-Buc Fan]

Caddi is a threat to rekon with, why Raheem didnt have him in the last of the 4th quarter is beyond me, chances are, if Caddi had been in there, THAT FUMBLE would not be in the record books,he looked very strong in the Skins game, i hope he stay's 100%, welcome back Caddi....

[CNB]

JJ is not the answer, caddy is not the answer, we need a better staff starting with head coach. I hope your team wins the superbowl, bucsblow, really what does it say about a person who attacks wounded fans.

[GiG-Buc Fan]

CNB: what planet are you from? obviously you are not a TB fan, thus why are you even commenting on the future of this franchise?? If you look at the the topic of the post, it is about CADDILAC!!!, he has returned to be a very huge part of this team, and so far is doing awsome, so get with the program CNB, and go to your teams's blogs and post there please............

[BucFandango]

Well you know, as frustrating as it gets, I still hope they win in Phili. I think our coaches are sucking wind, but I really like Raheem. I don't think he is a good coach, but I think he is great guy and an eternal optimist, and that's a good thing. So it's Wednesday now, and I just want to say GO BUCKING BUCS !!!!!!. Yea Baby, let's win one in Phili. C'mon Waterboy, you can do it.

[Brandon]

Tom.

Askew may be a good FB, but he is hurt way too frequently. That being said, all three RBs need to stay on hand and ready to go.

Williams has been extremely fragile throughout his entire college and pro career and whether he gets dinged or damaged, we are going to need other runners.

EG should not be moved to FB, he is not an earth moving FB but he can be very good when fed enough carries at HB. We would be limiting his effectiveness when we need him at HB if we shove him to FB.

[CNB]

GiG-Buc Fan I own a caddy jeresy, have many autographs by caddy. I've said when heathy he is is top 3 in the league but there is no I in team or caddy in team, I'm afraid. There is no magic player to fixed poor staff decisions, football is won in the preseason, most important being training camp.My point is, Gig-Buc Fan, if I study correctly for a test prepare to take it properly more than likely I'm going to pass that test. So far we or Raheem have been schooled.

[Tom]

Brandon,
You're right, Askew does get hurt quite a bit. It's probably a result of his intense play. EG is also a pretty devastating blocker. He filled in admirably at FB in the past. But, I agree with you that his true talent is when he has the ball.

I'm afraid that EG will be pushed aside, much like how Alstott was slowly faded out. EG has such a unique talent, but no one seems to know how to utilize his talents. Like Alstott, if EG was on a downhill and physical running team (like Bettis' Steelers), they could be easy 1200 yard rushers.

[Vincent]

I don't care what Olsen says, until Caddy shows that he can last an entire season, it would be high treason to make him the featured back! The strength of this team is the offensive line and the running backs. They need to start a wildcat or whatever, but start trying to get all 3 of those backs on the field at the same time! Teach some of them to actually throw the football, gadget plays, whatever! The Dolphins have plays where they take the QB off the field and snap the ball to either Williams, or Brown directly. I believe this differs from the traditional single wing attack because there is no QB on the field. Believe it or not, I think the Bucs looked good in the spread 4WR and 5WR offense. It creates natural running lanes for JJ, and also opens a quick passing game, while balancing out the power run game.

Pay no heed to the churlish comments of non-Bucs fans. Acknowledgement is all they seek. We disagree enough with each others comments, but at least we know we're all Bucs fans!

[Joe Simmons (Slow Joe)]

Caddy is the best RB on the team, by far, but we gotta keep him on a pitch count. He has NOT been durable.

Let's keep it a two-headed monster with him and Derrick Ward, who is very talented as well.

[D Block]

I'm probably going to catch a little flack for this but who cares. Caddy is by far the better back, Ward can make the big run here and there but most of those runs where in the 2nd half and yes he is a good back. Graham is a very good back with more of a bruising style and hard to bring down in the secondary. BJ Askew is a very good FB that we all missed last yr and has been hurt in the past, but right now he is healthy and benefits Caddy.

Overall we need them all and No there isn't any easy plan to use them all. You could use Caddy and Ward in the backfield at the same time in some situations. But if i had to list them in order when healthy it would be. Caddy at 1, Graham at 2, Ward at 3, Askew at 4 & Peanut at 5th. Some of you will put Ward at 2 but i can't Graham is a bruiser that filled in for most of the season and earned his contract. Ward hasn't ever been a full time starter not that he couldn't but Graham runs with authority every touch and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Caddy has always ran angry with a point to prove, Graham has always wanted to prove the doubters wrong, Ward is strong and explosive and is a good complimentary back to any team. Askew is one of the better FB's in the league and makes good blocks he also was a Bruiser at Michigan something like Graham but a bigger version.

[D Block]

I would also make Caddy the featured back as well, spelling him with Ward from time to time just to keep in the fresh guy like Minnesota does. Graham i would also use from time to time but remember he is coming off an injury himself. Askew should remain as the starting FB and open the wholes for Caddy. I don't believe in using a specific back in short yardage especially when you have Caddy, he can do it all and shouldn't be taken out unless he is tired. Graham can come in on certain packages or as the back up FB when Askew needs a break.

[D Block]

Hey Stroud could you possibly bring up if the Bucs look to make any moves before the trade deadline?

Just a question no specifics but the Browns and other teams with no wins come to mind as they may look to off load some of those heavy contracts. That's what some teams do when they realize how bad things are and look towards the future of the team.

[notsosmart]

Greg Olson wants to commit to RB Cadillac Williams as the 'full-time guy...Looks to me like "He has no choice".

[D Block]

Hey I really have a question for all of you fans who does more on the field Ryann Simms or Chris Hovan? I mean i'm going to look at the game again but i'm really wondering why Hovan is still in the game. This Defense doesn't get any push up the middle and i know Simms has got to be in the game to slow down the run, so what is Hovan doing so great? Miller should be starting on the D line!

[Itch]

The Bucs coaching staff just does not get it.

Instead of focusing on the single biggest factor that could change the effectiveness of this offense, they want to tweak the edges.

Limiting the role of backs is a stupid move. Why?

Because the backs are NOT the issue. The LINE IS the issue. Our line, once heralded as great has proven anything but. Unless we get the zone blocking down. Unless we start providing a sense of pass protection. Unless we challenge defenses. No tweaks will work.

Caddy has proven to be the best back. But overloading him is only going to affect him later in the year and make Ward and Graham worse.

Fixing the line and improving the play calling are the real issues. But that would require too much self-reflection by the coaches.

[Steven]

Given our depth at RB there's no harm at making Williams the feature back. He may be fragile but he's been the most productive back and we have ample depth at the position. What they need to be sure they don't do is stay married to him if he shows inconsistency. Of course all of this is contingent on how the rest of the season goes as well. A few 2nd quarter wins and everything would need to be reevaluated.

[Daisy]

Last Sunday, CCC Clayton dropped passes and Peanut fumbled. Rah Rah and Olson should never put either of them in during a must have 3rd and short or a goal line situation! They should always use their BEST in these situations!

[Robert]

Obviously EG and Ward r still going 2 get touches, but Oly is just letting Caddy know he has earned the role of being OUR guy and he is going to be on the field as much as his body will let him. I like the comment on comparing the situation to Min. with AP and Taylor. I think Ward will b great to come in when Caddy is winded and needs a break or if we neeed a change of pace. I dont think putting EG at FB is smart bcuz it's Askew's job and he is doing pretty darn well with it. I def. do not think Clifton needs to b lining up in the backfield EVER! He just needs to b focusing on his job returning kicks in which he hasnt had that great of a year at. He's looked like he has been trying to make a few to moves out there and it has cost him some yards. The coaches need to stop giving him rb touches in practice and just have him improving in his role!

[Itch]

It sounds to me like the coaches see none of their strategies working so they are changing them. Which leads you to believe they have no confidence in themselves or the team to perfect what they say they will do.