Cadillac Williams (1 Viewer)

[Crimson King]

I'm curious what those around the shark pool think of Caddy's role and value next year and beyond. Coming off of an injury of that magnitude, it's not surprising that his ypc is low as he attempts to shake the rust off, but the two td's are encouraging. It also seems fairly apparent that Gruden still has the mancrush on the guy (He was jumping around pumping his fist like a giddy school girl when Caddy scored the touchdwon) and wants to get him back involved in the offense.

After a full offseason of conditioning and practice, does he have a chance to regain a significant role on the offense? I fully understand that even when starting he often left a great deal to be desired aside from the beginning of his rookie year, but with an improving team and o-line, a starting Bucs RB could be productive. What is the consensus?

 

[Sweetness_34]

As a Caddy dynasty owner who also has Earnest Graham, I am really hoping that there is a clear starter and not a 3 headed monster between Dunn/Caddy/Graham like the Baltimore issue this year.

 

[travdogg]

No confidence he'll be a starter. Graham will be back next year and Dunn may still be around. I could see this becoming a situation not unlike New England where its no set starter and production almost comes randomly.

Personally I wouldn't have any of Tampa's backs in my top-40 in a dynasty league.

If everything goes right and Caddy beats out Graham and Dunn, and stays healthy ,and gets back to previous form, then maybe he could be a RB2 but none of those maybe's have even a 50-50 chance of happening.

I'm glad to see him back and playing, but I don't expect him to be a very valuable running back again and like you said, he wasn't really all that before the injury.

 

[Sweetness_34]

No confidence he'll be a starter. Graham will be back next year and Dunn may still be around. I could see this becoming a situation not unlike New England where its no set starter and production almost comes randomly.

Worst case scenario.....hoping that is not how it goes down.

 

[Da Guru]

I would not be surprised for the Bucs to draft a RB next year.

1. Graham is coming off an injury.

2. Dunn has to retire soon.

3. If Caddy does not show more than he has so far how can he stay on the field?

 

[renesauz]

The YPC isn't much of a concern at this point as most of his work has come in fairly obvious running situations and several short-yardage/goal line carries.

Dunn is obviously NOT the answer going forward. To be truthful, I was never completely sold on Graham as the answer either.

I think Cadilac is at the very least given a solid opportunity to be the main man in '09, since that's exactly what he was drafted for. They can keep Graham as a FB/reserve RB and Dunn as a COP/3rd down option.

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

The YPC isn't much of a concern at this point as most of his work has come in fairly obvious running situations and several short-yardage/goal line carries. Dunn is obviously NOT the answer going forward. To be truthful, I was never completely sold on Graham as the answer either. I think Cadilac is at the very least given a solid opportunity to be the main man in '09, since that's exactly what he was drafted for. They can keep Graham as a FB/reserve RB and Dunn as a COP/3rd down option.

 

[finito]

I think Caddy is the starter next season if healthy, though they may hedge their bets and draft a RB in the 3rd round or lower, or sign a FA RB ala Kevin Jones. I do think it will be a two or three man platoon, though, with Caddy seeing a bit more of the work.

 

[Cheesedawg]

I think Caddy is the starter next season if healthy, though they may hedge their bets and draft a RB in the 3rd round or lower, or sign a FA RB ala Kevin Jones. I do think it will be a two or three man platoon, though, with Caddy seeing a bit more of the work.

 

[JamesTheScot]

The YPC isn't much of a concern at this point as most of his work has come in fairly obvious running situations and several short-yardage/goal line carries. Dunn is obviously NOT the answer going forward. To be truthful, I was never completely sold on Graham as the answer either. I think Cadilac is at the very least given a solid opportunity to be the main man in '09, since that's exactly what he was drafted for. They can keep Graham as a FB/reserve RB and Dunn as a COP/3rd down option.

What was E.Graham's YPC as his workload was coming on obvious running situations and short yardage carries? 4.3What is C.Williams's? 2.4. Caddy is slow, it's not just rust.That said, any RB on the Bucs is going to be given the opportunity to be the main man in '09...because they don't have an entrenched stud RB returning from '08. So that means Graham will also have a solid opportunity, as will Dunn, as will whoever they draft this Spring.Another year of rehab and recovery will probably help Caddy regain some of his speed, but I think his days of being a feature back are over. But I think Graham, due to the nature of his injury, can come back at 100%. So I don't think Caddy brings anything exceptional to the table and brings nothing that the Bucs can't get with someone else, maybe for cheaper. Unless the Bucs snatch a good RB in the draft or come up with one in trade or free agency who can beat out Graham/Dunn/Caddy in training camp, I think we see a full on RBBC in '09. Graham and Caddy aren't special so neither one will relegate the other to the bench and Dunn will have his niche as well. Whatever loyalty and personal affection Gruden may have for Caddy, he isn't going to hurt the team (or his own chances of hanging onto a job) by favoring him over a better player he likes less. But at this point I'm actually putting my money on another injury for Caddy which keeps him from playing in more than 50% of the '09 games. I like my odds on this one. The only shark move associated with Caddy would be to correctly divine which of the other RB's on the roster, if any, will have much fantasy impact in '09. I'm staying away from the situation altogether unless I see something happen with the roster via the draft, free agency or trade.

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

The YPC isn't much of a concern at this point as most of his work has come in fairly obvious running situations and several short-yardage/goal line carries.

Dunn is obviously NOT the answer going forward. To be truthful, I was never completely sold on Graham as the answer either.

I think Cadilac is at the very least given a solid opportunity to be the main man in '09, since that's exactly what he was drafted for. They can keep Graham as a FB/reserve RB and Dunn as a COP/3rd down option.

What was E.Graham's YPC as his workload was coming on obvious running situations and short yardage carries? 4.3

What is C.Williams's? 2.4. Caddy is slow, it's not just rust.

That said, any RB on the Bucs is going to be given the opportunity to be the main man in '09...because they don't have an entrenched stud RB returning from '08. So that means Graham will also have a solid opportunity, as will Dunn, as will whoever they draft this Spring.

Another year of rehab and recovery will probably help Caddy regain some of his speed, but I think his days of being a feature back are over. But I think Graham, due to the nature of his injury, can come back at 100%. So I don't think Caddy brings anything exceptional to the table and brings nothing that the Bucs can't get with someone else, maybe for cheaper.

Unless the Bucs snatch a good RB in the draft or come up with one in trade or free agency who can beat out Graham/Dunn/Caddy in training camp, I think we see a full on RBBC in '09. Graham and Caddy aren't special so neither one will relegate the other to the bench and Dunn will have his niche as well. Whatever loyalty and personal affection Gruden may have for Caddy, he isn't going to hurt the team (or his own chances of hanging onto a job) by favoring him over a better player he likes less.

But at this point I'm actually putting my money on another injury for Caddy which keeps him from playing in more than 50% of the '09 games. I like my odds on this one. The only shark move associated with Caddy would be to correctly divine which of the other RB's on the roster, if any, will have much fantasy impact in '09. I'm staying away from the situation altogether unless I see something happen with the roster via the draft, free agency or trade.

Your basing your statement on stats that were gained in completely different situations. Graham's sample size of short yard carries is much larger than the few times Caddy has carried the ball. Did you watch the Detroit Lions game? Those were extremely obvious running situations, and the Bucs haven't had a game all season that they were able to consistently get 1st downs while running the clock out like that. I'm sure his average would be much closer to EG's if he had as many games.And your crazy if you think EG is faster than Caddy.

 

[big dawgs]

They can keep Graham as a FB/reserve RB and Dunn as a COP/3rd down option.

I agree, Graham showed he was an amazing, unselfish FB in that role, and I think that's where Gruden will keep him.

 

[Da Guru]

The YPC isn't much of a concern at this point as most of his work has come in fairly obvious running situations and several short-yardage/goal line carries.

Dunn is obviously NOT the answer going forward. To be truthful, I was never completely sold on Graham as the answer either.

I think Cadilac is at the very least given a solid opportunity to be the main man in '09, since that's exactly what he was drafted for. They can keep Graham as a FB/reserve RB and Dunn as a COP/3rd down option.

What was E.Graham's YPC as his workload was coming on obvious running situations and short yardage carries? 4.3

What is C.Williams's? 2.4. Caddy is slow, it's not just rust.

That said, any RB on the Bucs is going to be given the opportunity to be the main man in '09...because they don't have an entrenched stud RB returning from '08. So that means Graham will also have a solid opportunity, as will Dunn, as will whoever they draft this Spring.

Another year of rehab and recovery will probably help Caddy regain some of his speed, but I think his days of being a feature back are over. But I think Graham, due to the nature of his injury, can come back at 100%. So I don't think Caddy brings anything exceptional to the table and brings nothing that the Bucs can't get with someone else, maybe for cheaper.

Unless the Bucs snatch a good RB in the draft or come up with one in trade or free agency who can beat out Graham/Dunn/Caddy in training camp, I think we see a full on RBBC in '09. Graham and Caddy aren't special so neither one will relegate the other to the bench and Dunn will have his niche as well. Whatever loyalty and personal affection Gruden may have for Caddy, he isn't going to hurt the team (or his own chances of hanging onto a job) by favoring him over a better player he likes less.

But at this point I'm actually putting my money on another injury for Caddy which keeps him from playing in more than 50% of the '09 games. I like my odds on this one. The only shark move associated with Caddy would be to correctly divine which of the other RB's on the roster, if any, will have much fantasy impact in '09. I'm staying away from the situation altogether unless I see something happen with the roster via the draft, free agency or trade.

Your basing your statement on stats that were gained in completely different situations. Graham's sample size of short yard carries is much larger than the few times Caddy has carried the ball. Did you watch the Detroit Lions game? Those were extremely obvious running situations, and the Bucs haven't had a game all season that they were able to consistently get 1st downs while running the clock out like that. I'm sure his average would be much closer to EG's if he had as many games.And your crazy if you think EG is faster than Caddy.

Again, if Caddy does not show more than he has the last three games how can he stay on the field? Graham would have to have the edge going into next year.Plud the way Gruden uses RBs it could be a complete mess next year. Dunn will probably be gone so a new RB will also be in the mix.

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

The YPC isn't much of a concern at this point as most of his work has come in fairly obvious running situations and several short-yardage/goal line carries.

Dunn is obviously NOT the answer going forward. To be truthful, I was never completely sold on Graham as the answer either.

I think Cadilac is at the very least given a solid opportunity to be the main man in '09, since that's exactly what he was drafted for. They can keep Graham as a FB/reserve RB and Dunn as a COP/3rd down option.

What was E.Graham's YPC as his workload was coming on obvious running situations and short yardage carries? 4.3

What is C.Williams's? 2.4. Caddy is slow, it's not just rust.

That said, any RB on the Bucs is going to be given the opportunity to be the main man in '09...because they don't have an entrenched stud RB returning from '08. So that means Graham will also have a solid opportunity, as will Dunn, as will whoever they draft this Spring.

Another year of rehab and recovery will probably help Caddy regain some of his speed, but I think his days of being a feature back are over. But I think Graham, due to the nature of his injury, can come back at 100%. So I don't think Caddy brings anything exceptional to the table and brings nothing that the Bucs can't get with someone else, maybe for cheaper.

Unless the Bucs snatch a good RB in the draft or come up with one in trade or free agency who can beat out Graham/Dunn/Caddy in training camp, I think we see a full on RBBC in '09. Graham and Caddy aren't special so neither one will relegate the other to the bench and Dunn will have his niche as well. Whatever loyalty and personal affection Gruden may have for Caddy, he isn't going to hurt the team (or his own chances of hanging onto a job) by favoring him over a better player he likes less.

But at this point I'm actually putting my money on another injury for Caddy which keeps him from playing in more than 50% of the '09 games. I like my odds on this one. The only shark move associated with Caddy would be to correctly divine which of the other RB's on the roster, if any, will have much fantasy impact in '09. I'm staying away from the situation altogether unless I see something happen with the roster via the draft, free agency or trade.

Your basing your statement on stats that were gained in completely different situations. Graham's sample size of short yard carries is much larger than the few times Caddy has carried the ball. Did you watch the Detroit Lions game? Those were extremely obvious running situations, and the Bucs haven't had a game all season that they were able to consistently get 1st downs while running the clock out like that. I'm sure his average would be much closer to EG's if he had as many games.And your crazy if you think EG is faster than Caddy.

Again, if Caddy does not show more than he has the last three games how can he stay on the field? Graham would have to have the edge going into next year.Plud the way Gruden uses RBs it could be a complete mess next year. Dunn will probably be gone so a new RB will also be in the mix.

Dunn is only 1 year into a 2 year deal, so i doubt he goes anywhere unless they win a SB and he retires. What exactly were you looking for Caddy to show in the last 3 games? Have you missed all the news about them bringing him back slow? Or, Gruden saying he needs to get the ball in Caddy's hands more? Carolina game they were down, so he didn't have the opportunities. The other two games it's pretty much been consensus that he looked good. You can't expect him to get 30 carries his first game back.Caddy has the edge because he is healthy right now, and Graham isn't.