Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams to practice Wednesday (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Texican
- Start date
Osaurus
Footballguy
Been hearing about this for a couple of weeks. It's a Bucs teaser. Stick a fork in him.
I've heard from several people that think he's all but done for 2008.His career seems to be the Q
Neil Beaufort Zod
Footballguy
zamboni
Footballguy
Even though he's practicing, the team doesn't have to activate him from the PUP list. They have a few weeks or so to decide whether to do so. I would guess they shut him down for the year to give him more time to rehab for next year, and given how well Graham and Dunn are playing.Regarding Dunn, keep an eye out - he's got a back issue and may be iffy for Sunday.
Ruffrodys05
IBL Representative
zamboni
Footballguy
True, but you have to remember that Gruden is always chock full of hyperbole. I'm sure he'd love to see Caddy out there, but time will tell if he's truly ready for game action.
Neil Beaufort Zod
Footballguy
He said the sanme stuff about Williams in the preseason. There was even speculation that he might be on the active roster in week 1. He's doing so well, he's coming along so fast...blah blah blah. I don't expect him to take a roster spot. The running game is doing fine without him.
fatness
Footballguy
3 weeks, I believe.
Thats just coach speak.
boy could we use him!
What is he trying to say, that his running game has been a hinderance in winning games?!? They are running the hell out of the ball, he isn't going to improve them that much more. If Dunn is out for any period of time, they could probably use caddy back. But I think he gets IRd in the next 2 weeks...
boy could we use him!
What is he trying to say, that his running game has been a hinderance in winning games?!? They are running the hell out of the ball, he isn't going to improve them that much more. If Dunn is out for any period of time, they could probably use caddy back. But I think he gets IRd in the next 2 weeks...
WiDDoW_MaKeR
Footballguy
I grabbed him today... don't listen to all of the people saying that he is finished this year. They are the types of people who wait until the last second to grab someone... and they are already gone.
If Caddy was finished this year, they wouldn't bother having him practice. He has been working out like crazy, and from what I heard.... he looks good running. It has been well over a year since he injured his knee. Plenty of time.
If Caddy was finished this year, they wouldn't bother having him practice. He has been working out like crazy, and from what I heard.... he looks good running. It has been well over a year since he injured his knee. Plenty of time.
WiDDoW_MaKeR
Footballguy
I am sure that if LT was out, that SD's running game would be going just fine with Sproles. However, that wouldn't stop SD from activating LT when he was healthy enough to return. If your running game is doing good with guys like Dunn and Graham... imagine how amazing it would be with Caddy running the ball.Their best bet is to have Caddy at starting HB, Graham at starting FB... and Dunn for 3rd downs.
Sabertooth
Footballguy
renesauz
IBL Representative
I don't think Gruden is just spouting crap. The running game has been at it's best when Graham lines up at FB. The guy is like Alstott re-incarnated. He's a decent HB, but a great FB.
Dunn is old, and smallish to start with, a much better cop back then feature back at this point in his career. He won't be able to sustain a 20 carry plus pace.
As good as the Bucs running gam has been, if Caddy is back and even close to 100%, their running game will be even better.
Dunn is old, and smallish to start with, a much better cop back then feature back at this point in his career. He won't be able to sustain a 20 carry plus pace.
As good as the Bucs running gam has been, if Caddy is back and even close to 100%, their running game will be even better.
SleeperPix
Footballguy
Gruden has mad man-love for Caddy. I would not be surprised if he gets a shot this year.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
While Williams may be the more "talented" runner some players are just able to get things done when they are in the game. Graham is not a very dynamic runner, but has great balance and runs hard on every play. He has intangibles that I just didn't see from Caddy.Last season Graham looked a hell of alot better than Caddy ever has - minus his first couple of NFL games. The running game flourished under him and was stagnant under Caddy so I'm not sure what you said (in bold) is necessarily accurate.
WiDDoW_MaKeR
Footballguy
Graham has been very good. However, the Bucs as a team started playing better... Graham isn't a better HB than Caddy.However, I do think that Graham would make one hell of a FB on that team. Not only a great blocker, but he can catch and is always a threat to carry the ball as well. It would make the most sense to make their offense as explosive as possible.
This guy knows things.There is an underlying theme with the Bucs, and it is Gruden has "his guys"Caddy- his guyDunn- his guyGraham- not his guyBryant- his guyGalloway was his guy, but I think Gruden has gotten frustrated with him for not playing so much, hence Bryant still being #1.
A healthy Caddy hasn't existed since game 6 or so of his rookie year.His knees arent' the major issue, it's his back which will likely never be 100%.At this stage Graham is better then Caddy (Caddy's injuries are the type that will last his career, if he ever has a career in the NFL again).
AnonymousBob
Footballguy
I'm going to use this news in an attempt to buy Graham. Imo that's the shark move.
zamboni
Footballguy
I have to disagree here - Caddy may be better in terms of measurables - ones that Graham can only dream of - but that doesn't make Caddy a better NFL RB than Graham. Graham has been more effective than Caddy ever was, and the team has been better in no small part due to Graham taking over.
Last edited by a moderator:
SleeperPix
Footballguy
"As expected, Cadillac Williams participated in Wednesday's practice with the Buccaneers, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View: Williams would only hold fantasy value if Warrick Dunn was to miss significant time with his pinched nerve in his back. Earnest Graham will remain the primary ball-carrier, and will also likely stay in the game in short-yardage and goal-line situations. "
Our View: Williams would only hold fantasy value if Warrick Dunn was to miss significant time with his pinched nerve in his back. Earnest Graham will remain the primary ball-carrier, and will also likely stay in the game in short-yardage and goal-line situations. "
SleeperPix
Footballguy
"Warrick Dunn missed Wednesday's practice while dealing with a pinched nerve in his upper back, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View: It remains uncertain if he will practice or play this week. Earnest Graham would get more carries if Dunn is out against Dallas, who was steamrolled by Steven Jackson last weekend. "
Our View: It remains uncertain if he will practice or play this week. Earnest Graham would get more carries if Dunn is out against Dallas, who was steamrolled by Steven Jackson last weekend. "
My take FWIW: The Bucs have two weeks after week 6 to decide whether to activate Caddy from the PUP or send him to IR. Assuming he looks close to 100%, they add Caddy to the roster, but limit his snaps or deactivate him for the week 9 game. Tampa's bye is week 10, so they will give Caddy another 2 weeks to rehab and practice before putting him on IR or giving him any meaningful playing time in week 11.
We have an injured reserve in our league where we can stash up to 2 players whose status is either “out” or “IR”. Figured I’d pick up Caddy and stash him on my IR for a few weeks until all this gets settled out. Sure as #### they have his status as Questionable. This league is with MFL by the way who apparently figured it was better to get their injury status’ from Rotowire this year as opposed to actual NFL injury reports.
Where do people keep getting this from? He had some back spasms, which could indicate some disc spine problems, but this has never been acknowledged. It's all just speculation.Dodds posting some info about his back before the season.Caddy's a good guy, but he'll never have a significant role as a running back in the NFL again.He could possibly be of some use as a special teams/3rd string RB i guess.Where do people keep getting this from? He had some back spasms, which could indicate some disc spine problems, but this has never been acknowledged. It's all just speculation.
Englishteacher
Footballguy
Some good rational thought here. Gives a good timeline for a possible return. The rest of the thread is pure speculation at this point. I guess it's the $64,000 question trying to figure out where he is with the injury. We have guesses ranging here from "his career is over" to him regaining the starting tailback job and succeeding. This was only his first day back at practice, might be awhile before we get enough info to get a feel.If anyone has read any of my post in the Tampa thread you will recall me blabbing about the O-line. Listen guys, I love Graham & Dunn just as much as the next guy, but are they really elite backs? The success of Graham last year, and the duo this year is because of the O-line. I forgot which commentator it was on Sunday night, but they said you could have Tampa's 2 guards, and C on the NFC Pro-Bowl team, and they would fare well. This is the nastiest O-line to ever take the field in Tampa, and one of the best in the league.
IF the Caddy does come back with the explosiveness he had when he was injured, he will dominate behind this line. His ceiling would easily be a top 5 back.
If he shows any signs of the injury nagging him in practice they wont hesitate to place him on the IR. Tampa currently has that luxury with 2 possibly 3 capable backs.
Nobody knows how he is going to come back. All I have heard out of the organization has been positive, and Gruden sounds enthusiastic. Remember they actually thought he could make it back by the first few games at one point.
Now, they may be sugar coating the heck out of it, but what if they aren't?
*ETA* Tomorrow, and the next few days will be very important. If Gruden says "rust" thats not good. If he impresses JG you will be able to tell with his enthusiasm.
IF the Caddy does come back with the explosiveness he had when he was injured, he will dominate behind this line. His ceiling would easily be a top 5 back.
If he shows any signs of the injury nagging him in practice they wont hesitate to place him on the IR. Tampa currently has that luxury with 2 possibly 3 capable backs.
Nobody knows how he is going to come back. All I have heard out of the organization has been positive, and Gruden sounds enthusiastic. Remember they actually thought he could make it back by the first few games at one point.
Now, they may be sugar coating the heck out of it, but what if they aren't?
*ETA* Tomorrow, and the next few days will be very important. If Gruden says "rust" thats not good. If he impresses JG you will be able to tell with his enthusiasm.
Last edited by a moderator:
Englishteacher
Footballguy
Hey, you're a Bucs homer, we want more of an inside scoop than the current one. Get to work!
I'm not at work. I am usually far much more active on FBGs during work hoursHey, you're a Bucs homer, we want more of an inside scoop than the current one. Get to work!
Here is what JG said today, so far only the stamina and playing strengths are the question marks. Good news so far imo.
Last edited by a moderator:
Sabertooth
Footballguy
Scooped him off the waiver wire in a dynasty league thanks to this thread.
I haven't seen any reports to substantiate the claims that Caddy's career is over. I think the current reports look promising. I have him stashed on my dynasty roster. I think he can come back and make a big impact. If not this year, which I still hope, then for sure next year.
SleeperPix
Footballguy
Though the Buccaneers have three weeks to decide if Cadillac Williams will be activated this season, he is confident he will play, according to the St. Petersburg Times. "I said way back I definitely felt like I was going to play. It's here. Now it's just a matter of me going out and doing it," Williams remarked.
Tanner9919
Footballguy
Tanner9919
Footballguy
great stuff, but when has Gruden EVER shown to use a featured back and not a RBBC?he used a RBBC in Oaktown when he was HC there..hasn't he been using a RBBC since arriving in Tampa?QUEZILLA said:
The only time he had one was in Philly. He has never had a back capable of being a full time guy that's why he drafted Caddy. He referred to him as a "Robo-back." He ideally would like to have a feature back, but I guess he has been playing the cards he was dealt.
Last edited by a moderator:
TommyGilmore
Footballguy
Warrick Dunn has played 12 seasons and has rushed for almost 11,000 yards with a 4.1 YPC. He's in the top-20 all-time for rushing yards and yards from scrimmage and will probably crack the top-10 in the latter category by the end of the year.So, I'm not sure if I'd call him "elite", but there aren't many RBs who have accomplished what he's accomplished.QUEZILLA said:
I wont argue with that, but Caddy's expectations as a #5 draft pick have always been higher than Warrick Dunn's ever were. He still has to prove whether or not he is a bust, but on paper his size and speed should indicate a much higher ceiling than Dunn. My point is, what if Caddy can live up to the expectations? If he comes back healthy, can run as fast, and cut like the guy TB drafted, then he could be a top 5 RB. This line can make an average back look good, and good back look great.
If a "Robo-back" is one who breaks down 6 games into his rookie season then that setting a pretty low bar for "Robo-backs".I guess Curtis Enis, Robert Edwards, etc were also "Robo-backs" in Gruden's eyes.
zamboni
Footballguy
I thought it was Pittman he referred to as a Robo-Back when he first signed him away from Arizona. He may have eventually had the same designs for Caddy, but when Caddy was the starter, he was taken out repeatedly on 3rd down (Pittman) and short-yardage/goalline situations (Alstott).
He wanted a "Robo-back" when he drafted him. That's what he thought he could be.
gump
Footballguy
I agree for the most part with Q (not sure about "dominate").The difference between Carnell and EG is simple. Gruden can establish the run in the 1st quarter with Carnell...something he hasn't been able to do with Graham. Graham is money in the 4th with a lead...otherwise he has a very difficult time getting anything.
Jim Flynn of PR asked JG about Caddy in the press conference following the Dallas game. He said something about, "will you roster 5 RBs when/if Caddy returns." JG of course avoided the question, but said "Caddy will be back." Whether it's this season or next, there is no doubt in his mind Caddy will be back. then he said something about a few more weeks to evaluate... Pretty much a bunch of I still was unable to get a read on the reality of him returning this season. The good news is that JG has been noticing his work ethic, and truly believes he will one day return.
I still was unable to get a read on the reality of him returning this season. The good news is that JG has been noticing his work ethic, and truly believes he will one day return.
Last edited by a moderator:
