Cadillac Williams (1 Viewer)

[SproutDaddy]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Kevin Jones.

 

[ratbast]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

What makes you so sure? Look at the stats and tell me they don't plan on featuring him. All the power to Caddy but I'll believe it when i see it. He was injury prone for most of his short career.I do think they will add a vet.

 

[NorrisB]

Kevin Jones.

 

[loose circuits]

Do not discount Cory Boyd for the future. He's a decent sized back that has good hands and decent wiggle. I think he could be effective in Gruden's offense.

As for Graham, I'd pretty much expect him to be the bell cow

 

[BigSteelThrill]

It was more about the faith they have in Ernest Graham.

 

[SproutDaddy]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

What makes you so sure? Look at the stats and tell me they don't plan on featuring him. All the power to Caddy but I'll believe it when i see it. He was injury prone for most of his short career.I do think they will add a vet.

Caddy has not been injury prone. Graham will never start over Caddy. They'd find someone else to replace him. While I think they will add another vet, how can you justify adding the obvious "injury prone" backs out there, KJ case in point. It would have made much more since to draft another back.

 

[Chadstroma]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

What makes you so sure? Look at the stats and tell me they don't plan on featuring him. All the power to Caddy but I'll believe it when i see it. He was injury prone for most of his short career.I do think they will add a vet.

I saw a couple of games with Graham and I was impressed. I could not find fault in his game as far as running and catching out of the backfield goes (to be fair... I do not remember his blocking ability- I do not think I was paying attention). He fought for yards and had good combo of speed and power. I am not so sure the fact they did not draft a RB is so much faith on Caddy as it is in Graham. Beyond that- they did bring in Dunn and if need be they can bring in one of the many veterans that are available or soon to be available.

 

[SproutDaddy]

Do not discount Cory Boyd for the future. He's a decent sized back that has good hands and decent wiggle. I think he could be effective in Gruden's offense. As for Graham, I'd pretty much expect him to be the bell cow

I'm not counting on Boyd to be much of a threat. He's just a flyer to add depth.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

What makes you so sure? Look at the stats and tell me they don't plan on featuring him. All the power to Caddy but I'll believe it when i see it. He was injury prone for most of his short career.I do think they will add a vet.

Caddy has not been injury prone. Graham will never start over Caddy. They'd find someone else to replace him. While I think they will add another vet, how can you justify adding the obvious "injury prone" backs out there, KJ case in point. It would have made much more since to draft another back.

I hate when people say these things, but you really do sound like a Caddy owner who doesn't want to face the truth. Gruden was even talking about how it sometimes takes him a while to figure out what he has in a player, and mentioned Graham specifically. I expect Caddy to go on IR or get cut outright (if they can do that with his injury). Gruden like Charlie Garner-type players. Graham can catch; Caddy can't.

No, I don't own either. But it's pretty clear to me.

 

[Biabreakable]

Carnell Williams has recovered from his injury allready and is running. He has a long way to go to fully recover and be able to participate fully in mini-camps or training camp. He has stated that his goal is to be ready by training camp but that he is not going to rush his recovery to the point of risking re-injury. Gruden has been optimistic.

So Tampa Bay not drafting another RB indicates to me that they will keep Carnell Williams on their roster. It does not tell me that Caddy will be ready to play or to take the starting role back from Grahm. While that is possible we will just have to wait and see what happens.

I do think that Tampa Bay not drafting a RB means that they are comfortable with the RBs they have to be able to get them through the season. Surely some more RB will be brought in for camp fodder and compitition (and Gruden will sing praises of them as well no doubt). The only thing Tampa not drafting a RB really tells me here is that they do intend to keep Carnell Williams on the active roster as long as he continues to make progress with his recovery. Otherwise I think they would have drafted another RB.

So that is a far ways away from Carnell Williams becoming the starter again. But also a far ways away from the suggestion that Carnell Williams will go on IR, PUP or be cut.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Carnell Williams has recovered from his injury allready and is running. He has a long way to go to fully recover and be able to participate fully in mini-camps or training camp. He has stated that his goal is to be ready by training camp but that he is not going to rush his recovery to the point of risking re-injury. Gruden has been optimistic.

So Tampa Bay not drafting another RB indicates to me that they will keep Carnell Williams on their roster. It does not tell me that Caddy will be ready to play or to take the starting role back from Grahm. While that is possible we will just have to wait and see what happens.

I do think that Tampa Bay not drafting a RB means that they are comfortable with the RBs they have to be able to get them through the season. Surely some more RB will be brought in for camp fodder and compitition (and Gruden will sing praises of them as well no doubt). The only thing Tampa not drafting a RB really tells me here is that they do intend to keep Carnell Williams on the active roster as long as he continues to make progress with his recovery. Otherwise I think they would have drafted another RB.

So that is a far ways away from Carnell Williams becoming the starter again. But also a far ways away from the suggestion that Carnell Williams will go on IR, PUP or be cut.

That was simply my expectation, but I believe it makes sense considering the Dunn signing and re-signing Michael Bennett. I haven't heard of Bennett playing special teams, and if he doesn't that means none of their backs play that role. Keeping Graham, Dunn and Bennett means they just need a fourth-stringer to round out the roster. That doesn't mean Caddy is definitely gone, of course. But I think it means they're ready to go without him.

 

[wolfie]

What it means is that Gruden loves caddy and his speed, going to give him 2008 to show him he can get all the way back. Graham is an FA at the end of year, Dunn 1 yr stop gap change of pace to Graham, Bennett and Boyd fighting backup spots. If Caddy doesn't return close to what he was, they will use a 1st or 2nd in 2009 on an rb.

 

[Restricted]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

What makes you so sure? Look at the stats and tell me they don't plan on featuring him. All the power to Caddy but I'll believe it when i see it. He was injury prone for most of his short career.I do think they will add a vet.

Caddy has not been injury prone. Graham will never start over Caddy. They'd find someone else to replace him. While I think they will add another vet, how can you justify adding the obvious "injury prone" backs out there, KJ case in point. It would have made much more since to draft another back.

Denial seems it had to come,Relied on me to say it all,

Denial has LEFT YOU ALL ALONE.

Sin,

Sevendust

 

[JPeso]

While Graham was not flashy, he was very productive in the starting role. He showed he could carry the load, and Gruden took notice. Gruden has always been enamored with Caddy and his level of talent, even so much so that he didn't give Graham credit until about 5 weeks after he took over the job.

As Chaos mentioned earlier in the thread, I would expect the Bucs to bring in Jones, or even a guy like Jordan or Alexander for some work. I don't see Warrick Dunn being a major factor.

 

[switz]

Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

I think you are misinterpreting things.#1 - I don't think their draft was influenced by Caddy's situation at all#2 - I think they feel rather confident they can feature Graham, as they did last season and he was successful#3 - there are still some FA RBs that can be brought in if neededWith those three points in mind, if you are holding out hope for Caddy, best wishes, but don't think for a second your wishes will come true, the kid is done, d-o-n-e. And, do some research on Graham, because you must not know much about him if you think he can't be featured this season.

 

[wolfie]

Like Graham this year, but he want's a big payday, don't think Tampa wants to give it to him. Took him a long time to get a chance because he doesn't have the speed Gruden loves. Graham solid back in 2008, 2009 ?

Caddy?, leaning towards he won't make it back, but you never know. Pulling for him, but that's a very tough injury to come back from. Don't think he gives it a try on the field til week 10 or 11 at best, who knows.

 

[zamboni]

I've owned Caddy since his rookie season, and have long moved on that he'll ever be a fantasy factor again. I suggest you do the same.

 

[KoolKat]

If only Earnest Graham could have kept up that production for one more week, I'd have been the champion instead of picking 11th.

I am one of the few who still holds out hope for Caddy. He was actually having a pretty good year until he was hurt. I think it also bodes well that Gruden has been in love with him since day one. Plus, if anybodody has the work-ethic to bounce back from an injury like this it is Cadillac Williams. The kid loves the game of football, and I think he will do everything in his power and everything he is told to do in order to return to the NFL. Only time will tell, and he probably will never be more than a RBBC guy in his career, but I am still holding on to that last little bit of hope that he can come back from this.

 

[TheFanatic]

Kevin Jones.

You mean when he's finally healthy sometime in October they are going to bring in Kevin Jones to be the RB in Tampa? I guess the Bucs are just going to write off the first half of the season till Jones is healthy? If Jones was the answer they would have him on the roster and have the TB medical staff working with him to get back to 100%.The fact that Jones is not on any roster speaks volumes about his health. No one wants to pay the guy to rehab for the next few months without knowing if he can even return to form...

 

[sholditch]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

What makes you so sure? Look at the stats and tell me they don't plan on featuring him. All the power to Caddy but I'll believe it when i see it. He was injury prone for most of his short career.I do think they will add a vet.

Caddy has not been injury prone. Graham will never start over Caddy. They'd find someone else to replace him. While I think they will add another vet, how can you justify adding the obvious "injury prone" backs out there, KJ case in point. It would have made much more since to draft another back.

Are you serious?

2002: Broke left fibula

2005: Injuries to foot and ankle caused ghim to miss two games, was used sparingly the rest of the year

2006: terrible play attributed to nagging injury

2007: Torn patellar tendon, played 4 games, and this kicker: Doctors are doubtful he can ever come back to full strength after this devastating injury.

That doesn't meet your definition of injury-prone?

 

[Sabertooth]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

What makes you so sure? Look at the stats and tell me they don't plan on featuring him. All the power to Caddy but I'll believe it when i see it. He was injury prone for most of his short career.I do think they will add a vet.

Caddy has not been injury prone. Graham will never start over Caddy. They'd find someone else to replace him. While I think they will add another vet, how can you justify adding the obvious "injury prone" backs out there, KJ case in point. It would have made much more since to draft another back.

Annnnnnd you lost me.

 

[travdogg]

For the record I'm a Tampa homer.

They are a lot of Caddy haters here, I don't get all the hate.

Graham is the starter, Dunn is the backup.

Caddy may or may not be PUP, he certainly won't be cut. Bennett's roster spot depends on Caddy I think, if Caddy is ready to contribute by week 1 than Bennett will either have to return kicks or be cut. Boyd means nothing, he'll be fortunate to make the team and if he does he'll only be a special teamer.

Caddy's upside(if healthy) is a committee with Graham his downside is being strictly a backup to him.

There is no way Alexander or K.Jones or Jordan will be a Buc next year. They all ready have Dunn, they don't have any interest in another RB.

The draft was a good sign for Caddy, but it means just as much if not more about Graham.

Bottom line: It's foolish to write Caddy off, but its even more foolish to depend on him.

 

[KoolKat]

For the record I'm a Tampa homer.They are a lot of Caddy haters here, I don't get all the hate.Graham is the starter, Dunn is the backup. Caddy may or may not be PUP, he certainly won't be cut. Bennett's roster spot depends on Caddy I think, if Caddy is ready to contribute by week 1 than Bennett will either have to return kicks or be cut. Boyd means nothing, he'll be fortunate to make the team and if he does he'll only be a special teamer.Caddy's upside(if healthy) is a committee with Graham his downside is being strictly a backup to him.There is no way Alexander or K.Jones or Jordan will be a Buc next year. They all ready have Dunn, they don't have any interest in another RB.The draft was a good sign for Caddy, but it means just as much if not more about Graham.Bottom line: It's foolish to write Caddy off, but its even more foolish to depend on him.

Couldn't have said it any better. I think there is a lot of animosity, because FBG had Cadillac as a Top 5 Dynasty Back coming off his rookie season. Most people probably resent the fact that they invested high initial dynasty draft or redraft picks in Caddy and got no return on their investment. It is simialr to when people used to pick Mike Vick in the 1st or 2nd round, and then complain he was a bum. I would always think, "no, you just drafted him too high."

 

[gump]

One major thing IMO to consider in regard to CW...

Gruden fired his RB coach this offseason...Art Valero...and it was ugly. Replaced him with his ST coach of 7 years, Richard Bisaccia. You don't have to be an NFL Insider to figure out that Gruden blamed Valero for Carnell's regression from his rookie season.

This tells me that Gruden believes CW can be his starting RB if healthy and coached properly.

And to that point...think about it. NFL analysts were salivating over CW a month into his NFL career...I recall ESPN breaking down his running style specifically frame-by-frame...pointing out his vision, aggressiveness, quickness, etc. Gruden must be thinking..."What happened to that guy?"

 

[Banger]

For the record I'm a Tampa homer.They are a lot of Caddy haters here, I don't get all the hate.Graham is the starter, Dunn is the backup. Caddy may or may not be PUP, he certainly won't be cut. Bennett's roster spot depends on Caddy I think, if Caddy is ready to contribute by week 1 than Bennett will either have to return kicks or be cut. Boyd means nothing, he'll be fortunate to make the team and if he does he'll only be a special teamer.Caddy's upside(if healthy) is a committee with Graham his downside is being strictly a backup to him.There is no way Alexander or K.Jones or Jordan will be a Buc next year. They all ready have Dunn, they don't have any interest in another RB.The draft was a good sign for Caddy, but it means just as much if not more about Graham.Bottom line: It's foolish to write Caddy off, but its even more foolish to depend on him.

Isn't this the same team that traded for/signed Plummer when they had Gradkowski, Simms, Garcia? I don't think anything is written in stone with regard to their RB situation. At least it shouldn't be. Graham = L. Betts.

 

[sholditch]

I think Gruden wears his heart on his sleeve a little too much. HE's been in love with Caddy since he came outta college. He needs to look at things a little more objectively: Caddy could have been great, but his injuries prevented it. And I think it was his lack of objectivity/love for Caddy that blinded him to the fact that the kid was majorly injury-prone. Still, if they were intent on taking a RB there, they were screwed anyway cause Cedric Benson would have been the other obvious choice. This also makes me feel better about the Bears drafting Benson, because the other guy they would have taken there was Caddy.

Looking at that draft, it might just be the most busted draft in recent memory:

1. Alex Smith

4. Cedric Benson

5. Caddy

6. Pacman

7. Troy Williamson

10. Mike Williams

14. Thomas Davis

17. David Pollack

21. Matt Jones

22. Mark Clayton

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft...mp;round=round1

 

[cstu]

If only Earnest Graham could have kept up that production for one more week, I'd have been the champion instead of picking 11th.

I am one of the few who still holds out hope for Caddy. He was actually having a pretty good year until he was hurt. I think it also bodes well that Gruden has been in love with him since day one. Plus, if anybodody has the work-ethic to bounce back from an injury like this it is Cadillac Williams. The kid loves the game of football, and I think he will do everything in his power and everything he is told to do in order to return to the NFL. Only time will tell, and he probably will never be more than a RBBC guy in his career, but I am still holding on to that last little bit of hope that he can come back from this.

This is why I have a hard time giving up on him. There are a lot of guys who rely on their talent but don't really love the game. I think Cadillac's chances of becoming a fantasy factor are pretty low (maybe 50%) but if a guy wants it bad enough then it's certainly possible.

 

[SproutDaddy]

For the record I'm a Tampa homer.They are a lot of Caddy haters here, I don't get all the hate.Graham is the starter, Dunn is the backup. Caddy may or may not be PUP, he certainly won't be cut. Bennett's roster spot depends on Caddy I think, if Caddy is ready to contribute by week 1 than Bennett will either have to return kicks or be cut. Boyd means nothing, he'll be fortunate to make the team and if he does he'll only be a special teamer.Caddy's upside(if healthy) is a committee with Graham his downside is being strictly a backup to him.There is no way Alexander or K.Jones or Jordan will be a Buc next year. They all ready have Dunn, they don't have any interest in another RB.The draft was a good sign for Caddy, but it means just as much if not more about Graham.Bottom line: It's foolish to write Caddy off, but its even more foolish to depend on him.

Couldn't have said it any better. I think there is a lot of animosity, because FBG had Cadillac as a Top 5 Dynasty Back coming off his rookie season. Most people probably resent the fact that they invested high initial dynasty draft or redraft picks in Caddy and got no return on their investment. It is simialr to when people used to pick Mike Vick in the 1st or 2nd round, and then complain he was a bum. I would always think, "no, you just drafted him too high."

This is the quality insight I've been looking for. Thanks guys. I'm not willing to trade him for the garbage people have offered. I'm optimistic his career isn't over.

 

[QUEZILLA]

If only Earnest Graham could have kept up that production for one more week, I'd have been the champion instead of picking 11th. I am one of the few who still holds out hope for Caddy. He was actually having a pretty good year until he was hurt. I think it also bodes well that Gruden has been in love with him since day one. Plus, if anybodody has the work-ethic to bounce back from an injury like this it is Cadillac Williams. The kid loves the game of football, and I think he will do everything in his power and everything he is told to do in order to return to the NFL. Only time will tell, and he probably will never be more than a RBBC guy in his career, but I am still holding on to that last little bit of hope that he can come back from this.

That was Gruden holding him out.

 

[Tanner9919]

Do they have total faith that he can return? I've seen many on here who believe his career is over. I don't know at this point. He has all of the ability to be a top back. I still consider him better than Ronnie, and the Buccs keep improving that line. Graham will not be featured in Tampa, and Dunn is tailing off. I think this says alot about the faith they have in this guy.

What makes you so sure? Look at the stats and tell me they don't plan on featuring him. All the power to Caddy but I'll believe it when i see it. He was injury prone for most of his short career.I do think they will add a vet.

Caddy has not been injury prone. Graham will never start over Caddy. They'd find someone else to replace him. While I think they will add another vet, how can you justify adding the obvious "injury prone" backs out there, KJ case in point. It would have made much more since to draft another back.

I hate when people say these things, but you really do sound like a Caddy owner who doesn't want to face the truth. Gruden was even talking about how it sometimes takes him a while to figure out what he has in a player, and mentioned Graham specifically. I expect Caddy to go on IR or get cut outright (if they can do that with his injury). Gruden like Charlie Garner-type players. Graham can catch; Caddy can't.

No, I don't own either. But it's pretty clear to me.

Caddy's is going the way of Robert Edwards. Lots of 'promise', lots of talent, but one serious injury put an end to it all.

 

[Sabertooth]

Serious question. If the Packers right now offered James Jones to the Bucs for Caddy, would you guys take it?

 

[kremenull]

And some teams simply blow it.......The Bucs should have drafted Mendenhall as he fell right into their lap. They could have gotten a CB to play Cover-2 in the 2nd or 3rd Rd.......Graham is 29, Dunn is 33, maybe, and Caddy will never be the same.....Mendenhall should have been the pick!

 

[gump]

And some teams simply blow it.......The Bucs should have drafted Mendenhall as he fell right into their lap. They could have gotten a CB to play Cover-2 in the 2nd or 3rd Rd.......Graham is 29, Dunn is 33, maybe, and Caddy will never be the same.....Mendenhall should have been the pick!

This is a common thought among the fans. But there was a strong vibe in Tampa that the FO wanted a corner in the 1st. And Monte is drolling over this guy and what it can free him up to do...he's never had a true shut-down corner...that's enough for me to be excited about the pick.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

And some teams simply blow it.......The Bucs should have drafted Mendenhall as he fell right into their lap. They could have gotten a CB to play Cover-2 in the 2nd or 3rd Rd.......Graham is 29, Dunn is 33, maybe, and Caddy will never be the same.....Mendenhall should have been the pick!

And some fans just don't realize that the NFL isn't based upon fantasy football.

 

[chet]

I just traded for him in dynasty. Low level pick. He's apparantly running with a parachute and might be back mid-season.

 

[mozzy84]

I just traded for him in dynasty. Low level pick. He's apparantly running with a parachute and might be back mid-season.

hey chet what pick was it? just curious because he got cut in my dynasty and was thinking about drafting him.

 

[Texican]

Is anyone expecting anything out of him THIS year?

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Is anyone expecting anything out of him THIS year?

By the end of the year he will be the back up to Ernest.He will have had enough carries to make 2009 hold good potential for Caddy.

 

[Stealthycat]

By the end of the year he will the back up to Ernest.

or get hurt first game he's back ....... its about a 70-30 chance he'll get hurt

 

[burd]

idk ... i dont see anything other than spot duty toward the end of the year. i mean, were 2 weeks away from September and he hasn't even been cleared for contact yet.

 

[cstu]

Still headed to PUP, but it's always good to hear some good news.

(KFFL) Charlie Campbell and Scott Reynolds, of PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden said RB Cadillac Williams (knee) is rehabbing and getting close to returning to practice. "He's getting really close. I can't tell you how excited we are about how far he's come in such a short period of time. I have to keep it in perspective, but we're going to be very smart here and I'm not going to do anything until the trainers give the green light. Right now we're still on yellow and we're still working hard. There's a little bit of caution but boy, he's looking good and we're excited and happy for him," Gruden said.

 

[Floyd The Barber]

Is anyone expecting anything out of him THIS year?

By the end of the year he will be the back up to Ernest.He will have had enough carries to make 2009 hold good potential for Caddy.

Yessir, that's the move. Buy Caddy at rock bottom prices and stash away at the end of your bench for 2009. And if he busts then, cut bait.

 

[Buckeyedawgs]

I just got him around round 20 or after. He's finally at fair value and it first time I ever owned him I think! There are certain players you learn fast to avoid. Reggie Bush is another one I have never owned because of all the overhype even before he became a pro. Same as Caddy until now!

I'd give Bush a shot when he falls to round 4 or 5 value. He's getting close. Took you guys 3 years to figure out what I knew from day 1 but he's finally droping unless that nice TD run last night shoots him back up. I still see him shooting off board top 10 pick here and there. More power to me!