Cadillac Williams - Unquestionable Talent (1 Viewer)

[Bob Magaw]

he seemed to be hurt a lot at auburn, & then a fairly significant part of his rookie year was lost to various injuries (though he played enough to flash the talent that won him ROY)...

i realize it is hard to predict injuries, but are others worried that he will seemingly always be dinged, somewhat like the injury-prone tag RBs robert smith & fred taylor had trouble shirking for much of their career...

he played in college at 205, than his rookie year at a pumped up 215... he does have an aggressive, hard charging style that doesn't shy from contact for a RB that isn't big... which makes me wonder if he almost plays "too big" for his size...

or am i reading too much into multiple injuries at auburn, in conjunction with more down time his very first year in the pros, just a confluence of bad luck, & otherwise random & flukey...

sometimes when others have looked at the question of patterns of habitual injuries, it seemed instructive to look at the TYPES of injuries... are the the same, or different?

in 2001, he broke his collarbone (i think), but in 2002 it was his fibula... a history of leg injuries would be more troubling to me... that seemed to be the problem last year...

to phrase the question in another way... would you have the slightest hesitation of acquiring him in a dynasty league ( he would obviously cost a lot & it would represent a significant investment) over concern that he is "injury-prone"?

 

[gman8343]

Not yet. If he's dinged up a lot this season then I'll be forced to reconsider, but right now I'll still give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[V1LL]

I would only count on him playing 13 games or so and HOPE the couple he missed weren't in the FF playoff's. His penchant for missing time is the reason I took Ronnie Brown in front of him in one of my leagues rookie drafts last year

 

[fruity pebbles]

I think he's being overrated for many of the same reasons Kevin Jones and Julius Jones were overrated last year.

 

[Bob Magaw]

I think he's being overrated for many of the same reasons Kevin Jones and Julius Jones were overrated last year.

interesting that you brought up KJ... good observation... i should expand the question to any young RBs that are potentially great but may be "injury-prone"... which ones worry you?JJ naturally will have questions... i like steven jackson & ronnie brown as big backs with the size & power to run inside & speed to get outside... they have missed some time or been dinged up, but i don't think as much or as often as those mentioned above...

 

[Pots]

I think he's being overrated for many of the same reasons Kevin Jones and Julius Jones were overrated last year.

Someone actually isn't buying into the hype!

 

[Bloom]

Here's a quick review of his first pro year re: injuries -

Williams first problem last year was a foot strain (week 2), and all the reports I read were that he didn't tell the staff the full extent of the injury and that he regretted that later on and learned his lesson. after spending all week in a boot, he still got the ball 37 times vs. the packers (week 3 - produced 158 yds). Then the next week vs. Detroit (week 4), he was bottled up before straining his hammy and leaving the game. Who knows if favoring the foot caused the hammy? Either way, he was then listed as probable here and there, only to get downgraded as the week went on, and ended up missing 2 games, and returning 4 weeks (week 8) after the detroit game with the bye week added in. While his foot and hammy were better when he returned, he didn't hit his stride again until week 11. At least some of this is chalked up to one of williams' biggest edges being his conditioning (just look at how he finished games). Since williams couldnt practice at all while hurt, it took him a few weeks of full practices to get back to form.

My take: Like Foster, Williams has always had trouble carrying a full load and making it healthy through an entire year. Missing practice takes his edge away, as opposed to a steve mcnair-type that can play hurt. Williams still has to prove that he can make it through a 300-350 touch year. Definitely some reason to be skeptical. That being said, I am convinced of him being a true feature back in a week-to-week sense. He knows how to wear down a defense and really put them in the chokehold in the 4th. He just might end up being that kind of RB that gives you 10-12 great games a year, and you just have hope that you have him for the playoffs, and he misses his games early. I am sure that caddy at 100% is clearly a top 10 back for fantasy, so his 2005 performance is his bottom - what you will get if injuries nag him for his whole career. Williams is a dedicated player year-round and if there is any way to minimize the injuries, he will find it.

I would still seek him in trades, with cautious optimism that he can avoid the injuries, because he doesnt seem like a "play through it" kind of RB.

 

[J-Money]

I'm hopin he plays all year and does great...I'm starting to get worried about my rb's and they are the strong point on my squad:

Portis-massive carries last year IIRC

S-Jax-Occasionally dinged up and is he gonna have to learn a new offense?

Caddy-See S-Jax

Ricky "I didn't fail for weed this time" Williams...'nuff said

 

[Bob Magaw]

thanx for the trenchant analysis, bloom...

you make william f buckley sound like an acidhead...

* are you buying the hype of KJ being faulk east in the martz-ized DET defense...

frank coyle tempered his enthusiasm for his phenomenal athleticism (10.2 100 m as prep... 41"+ vertical at va tech), with concerns about his ability to carry the load (he & kiper also had questions about ability to run tough inside & break tackles)...

which makes you wonder if he split the load with pinner & bryson due to mooch bungling his RB stable & being poor judge of talent... or did he have same concerns... he was injured both of his first two seasons... should we expect more of the same?

 

[Bloom]

I would only count on him playing 13 games or so and HOPE the couple he missed weren't in the FF playoff's. His penchant for missing time is the reason I took Ronnie Brown in front of him in one of my leagues rookie drafts last year

- that's the most realistic future for him imo.

 

[FTRWRTR]

I agree with what most ppl have said....he's a talented rb but u won't get a full year from him

 

[Bloom]

he played in college at 205, than his rookie year at a pumped up 215... he does have an aggressive, hard charging style that doesn't shy from contact for a RB that isn't big... which makes me wonder if he almost plays "too big" for his size...

I've also often heard that Caddy "plays heavier" than his weight - some comments that he hits like an RB 20 LBs heavier. The physics here would indicate that he's pushing his body to the limit. Still, that tenacity makes his a true boa constrictor in the running game, the kind of RB that is almost a lock for a top 5 week when his team is playing with the lead. His killer instinct against tired defenses in the 4th last year was a beautiful thing to watch.

I'll also toss out there that tampa's line and QB play from last year is sure to improve, which only mitigates his future.

 

[Bloom]

thanx for the trenchant analysis, bloom...

you make william f buckley sound like an acidhead...

* are you buying the hype of KJ being faulk east in the martz-ized DET defense...

frank coyle tempered his enthusiasm for his phenomenal athleticism (10.2 100 m as prep... 41"+ vertical at va tech), with concerns about his ability to carry the load (he & kiper also had questions about ability to run tough inside & break tackles)...

which makes you wonder if he split the load with pinner & bryson due to mooch bungling his RB stable & being poor judge of talent... or did he have same concerns... he was injured both of his first two seasons... should we expect more of the same?

faulk east simply won't happen for KJ because he's not even an average receiving back out of the backfield, and certainly not approaching the kind of polished receiving RB in that Faulk was in that offense. Jones was barely asked to catch out of the backfield at all at Va Tech, and Bryson is such an accomplished receiver that he got all the 3rd down duty in detroit. Pinner isn't too shabby himself- Jones just hasn't developed as a receiver (so far).Jones also seems like too much of a dancer to me, and while he's the kind that can break off long runs with a clean hole, he's not a bread and butter running game kind of guy. All that being said, Detroit has been a black hole of a franchise, sending talented skill players into tailspins. Who knows what can happen if the offense gets in a positive mindset once Martz gives them a new identity? The Martz passing game does open up mack truck sized running lanes when its working, so Jones's skills could be perfect for the running plays in that offense. I still have my doubts about the number of sets he would be in if Bryson returns, because Bryson is much better suited to be the receiving half of the faulk role than Jones is.

 

[DrJ]

I would only count on him playing 13 games or so and HOPE the couple he missed weren't in the FF playoff's. His penchant for missing time is the reason I took Ronnie Brown in front of him in one of my leagues rookie drafts last year

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ronnie had questions on his durability coming out due to some nagging injuries at Auburn in part time duty and got hurt last season in part time duty as well, right?

 

[Bob Magaw]

I would only count on him playing 13 games or so and HOPE the couple he missed weren't in the FF playoff's. His penchant for missing time is the reason I took Ronnie Brown in front of him in one of my leagues rookie drafts last year

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ronnie had questions on his durability coming out due to some nagging injuries at Auburn in part time duty and got hurt last season in part time duty as well, right?

you are correct, sir... :insert ed mcmahon chortle:

 

[V1LL]

I would only count on him playing 13 games or so and HOPE the couple he missed weren't in the FF playoff's. His penchant for missing time is the reason I took Ronnie Brown in front of him in one of my leagues rookie drafts last year

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ronnie had questions on his durability coming out due to some nagging injuries at Auburn in part time duty and got hurt last season in part time duty as well, right?

absolutely correct. I didn't say brown wasn't an injury risk. I just thought then and still think now that with the bigger frame he's able to take more punishment than the slim caddy.

 

[zamboni]

I would only count on him playing 13 games or so and HOPE the couple he missed weren't in the FF playoff's. His penchant for missing time is the reason I took Ronnie Brown in front of him in one of my leagues rookie drafts last year

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ronnie had questions on his durability coming out due to some nagging injuries at Auburn in part time duty and got hurt last season in part time duty as well, right?

LT also had durability concerns when he came into the pros.In no way am I comparing Caddy or Brown to LT, but injuries are obviously a difficult thing to predict. I would rather just go for the guy who has the best talent/situation.

 

[V1LL]

I would only count on him playing 13 games or so and HOPE the couple he missed weren't in the FF playoff's. His penchant for missing time is the reason I took Ronnie Brown in front of him in one of my leagues rookie drafts last year

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ronnie had questions on his durability coming out due to some nagging injuries at Auburn in part time duty and got hurt last season in part time duty as well, right?

LT also had durability concerns when he came into the pros.In no way am I comparing Caddy or Brown to LT, but injuries are obviously a difficult thing to predict. I would rather just go for the guy who has the best talent/situation.

to each his own. I'm happy with Ronnie Brown as I believe he has MORE talent and and equally good situation

 

[zamboni]

I would only count on him playing 13 games or so and HOPE the couple he missed weren't in the FF playoff's. His penchant for missing time is the reason I took Ronnie Brown in front of him in one of my leagues rookie drafts last year

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ronnie had questions on his durability coming out due to some nagging injuries at Auburn in part time duty and got hurt last season in part time duty as well, right?

LT also had durability concerns when he came into the pros.In no way am I comparing Caddy or Brown to LT, but injuries are obviously a difficult thing to predict. I would rather just go for the guy who has the best talent/situation.

to each his own. I'm happy with Ronnie Brown as I believe he has MORE talent and and equally good situation

I don't disagree. I have Caddy, but given the choice between him and Brown (with Ricky probably out of the equation), I think I'd rather have Ronnie.