Cadillac is questionable

Cadillac Williams is questionable with bruised ribs for Sunday's home game against the New Orleans Saints, but realistically the Bucs tailback is doubtful.

In the wake of Tampa Bay's 20-6 season-opening loss in Seattle, Coach Jon Gruden said at his Monday morning press conference that Williams will be evaluated through the week and hopes that he'll be ready to face the Saints.

"If we don't have Cadillac, we'll have to use (Michael) Pittman and Ernest Graham at tailback and you'll see a lot more of B.J. Askew, who played pretty well at fullback,'' Gruden said. "Again, we'll update you as to (Williams') status in the next day or so. At this point in time he's questionable for the game and there's a chance he plays."

Defensive back Brian Kelly is also questionable for the game with a groin injury, wide receiver David Boston is probable with a foot injury sustained during pre-game warmups and Patrick Chukwurah continues to be listed as out with a knee injury.

As for the Saints, Gruden said, "They're a very good team. They won 12 games last season...It's a great measuring stick for us. I do see improvement. I think whole football team sees improvement. We're a hell of a lot better football team on opening day this year than last year. The first quarter and really 75-80 percent of that game shows that. We've got to continue to improve in all areas. We've got to pass protect in critical situations better. We've got to eliminate the big plays on defense. That's the thing we've done well here for years...And we need to score touchdowns on offense. That's what we need to improve upon. And we need to quit getting guys hurt."

-- DAVE SCHEIBER, Times Staff Writer

Cadillac's good, but Brian Kelly?

Cadillac Williams returned to practice Friday and said if the game were today, he'd play.

Brian Kelly, on the other hand, missed practice for the second consecutive day. He has a foot injury -- bad news for a cornerback -- and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Atlanta.

If Kelly can't go, Juran Bolden starts at cornerback and Alan Zemaitis, a rookie, becomes the fifth defensive back in nickel coverages.

-- Stephen Holder

Bill Serne photo of Kelly ; click to enlarge.

Caddy's back problems are back

Running back Cadillac Williams was held out of Thursday's practice with back spasms, and is listed as probable for Sunday's game at Atlanta. While players listed as probable usually play, the fact that the back spasms have returned is a concern for the Bucs.

Williams experienced back spasms in last Sunday's loss to the Ravens, something that contributed to his lack of carries (he carried eight times). Williams is coming off a brilliant rookie season that was marred by a persistent foot injury that sidelined him for two games and limited him significantly in portions of other games.

He's one of the toughest guys who I've met and, obviously, this is not something that's just gone away here overnight like we had hoped," coach Jon Gruden said Thursday. "Hopefully he gets a good night's sleep and a day's rest helps him."

Also added to the injury list Thursday: cornerback Brian Kelly, who is probable with a sore foot.

Times photo; click to enlarge.

Bucs Camp: Day 5

Tuesday morning's practice was dominated by the defense, and that left offensive-minded coach Jon Gruden frustrated. He was as animated as ever during the workout, imploring his offense to make plays.

The defense made some plays in the goal-line period, with the offense being stuffed on 4 out of 7 attempts to score. Running back Cadillac Williams scored on one of his two attempts, but the highlight was when safety Jermaine Phillips tattooed running back Derek Watson.

"We had some good, strong hits," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "(The defense) was better today. This was the best day we've had."

Also this morning, running back Michael Pittman sat out because of a condition you don't see every day on an injury report: he had a wisdom tooth pulled. Rookie defensive lineman Charles Bennett missed practice, as expected, with a hamstring injury. And cornerback Juran Bolden sat out but said it was a scheduled day off for him.

Lastly, cornerback Ronde Barber said he hasn't yet signed his contract extension but expects to any time now, maybe even later today. He said the document is being drafted by general manager Bruce Allen as of this writing. Hopefully he's a quick typist!

New wheels for Caddy

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- Cadillac Williams will try out some new wheels this season.

Williams, who was sidelined for two games last season with a foot injury, flew to Nike headquarters in Portland, Ore., during the off-season in order to have his football shoes customized.

"Basically, they measured my foot and had me do some computer running and things like that where they're going to customize the shoes for my feet,'' Williams said. "For my arch and everything. Actually, they just came in today so I'm looking forward to practicing with them.''

Saturday morning at Disney

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- A couple highlights (or lowlights) from Day 2 at Disney.

Center John Wade, who started all 16 games in 2005, was carted off the field with severe cramping late in the morning practice. He eventually was treated and was seen walking around under his own power looking rejuvenated. We'll see if he shows up for the afternoon workout.

In a positive development, running back Cadillac Williams was back in action after sitting out the first day with back spasms. And Williams looked like he didn't miss a beat, darting through holes with lightning quickness. He looked like a guy in midseason form.

Cornerback Brian Kelly limped off and briefly rested a sore ankle he tweaked while defending Michael Clayton on a sideline route. He said later he would be okay and indeed returned to action.

And rookie tight end Tim Massaquoi, who suffered a back injury on Friday, was held out of the morning workout.

Cadillac sits out with spasms

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- Running back Cadillac Williams was held out out of the morning practice after complaining of back spasms. The injury is not considered serious and he may participate in the afternoon workout.

"'My neck just tightened up a bit out there and they sat me out,'' Williams said. ""It's really nothing.''

Running backs coach Art Valero said Williams had a heavy lifting day Thursday that might have contributed to the spasms.

In other news, tackle Chris Colmer will miss the season with a non-football related illness.

A third-round pick by the Bucs in 2005, Colmer apparently has a recurrence of Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, a nerve condition that forced him to miss the 2003 season at North Carolina State.

"We're really concerned about this because we never really heard of it to start with,''' said Bucs coach Jon Gruden. ""We were under the understanding that this was over. Hopefully he can come back and continue playing again.''

Photo: Getty Images; click to enlarge