Cadillac Williams Not “A Top Priority”
July 19th, 2011
Bucs fans love Cadillac Williams, and for good reasons. Lesser men may have already been out of football after having one knee surgically rebuilt, much less two.
But Caddy has fought back from ugly injuries and sort of remade himself as a running back, certainly good enough to make an NFL roster.
But the beginning of last year showed Cadillac is no longer a go-to running back. The Bucs’ running attack was simply anemic until LeGarrette Blount burst upon the scene.
Settling into a third down/change-of-pace running back, Caddy excelled. It is for this reason that Caddy, now a free agent, is not “a top priority,” so says Super Bowl winning coach Brian Billick on FoxSports.com.
With the emergence of LeGarrette Blount, who was able to rush for a 5.0-yard average this season, the Buccaneers would be completely content with losing Williams via free agency. That’s not to say they wouldn’t like to have him back, but he definitely will not be a top priority once the signing period begins. The Rams need to add depth behind steady producer, Steven Jackson, and Williams will not demand a high price tag, which could make for the perfect storm in St. Louis.
In fact, teams in the NFL think so little of Caddy, that Billick believes there are only two teams interested in Caddy, the Bucs and the Rams.
If Caddy can be signed for the right price, Joe firmly believes Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik will re-sign him. But if Caddy’s agent tries to play Dominik in order to gain a payday from the Rams, well, let’s just say don’t be shocked if Caddy has already carried the ball for the last time with the Bucs.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Love the guy, but the bottom line is who just does not produce. He looks like h is going hard and strong and moving his legs… but he is running in quicksand. He goes nowhere and get the edge.
I do not want to keep him around because he “blocks great”….. we have been through that already with another guy I really liked, Clayton.
They can get someone else who will pick up the blocking. Blount will eventually learn it as will others.
I would rather see N. Devine, J. Rodgers, and/or D. Locke from college get an invite to camp to compete with huggins as the change of pace/ out of the backfield RB.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Just looked at Steven Jackson vs Caddy last year. 3/8 ypc versus 3.5 (Edge, Jackson). Receiving, 8.1 ypc versus 7.8 (Edge Jackson).
I am not sure you find a better lockerroom guy who:
1. Can protect #5 until Blount figures out how or Bradford steps up)
2. Can do anything on offense you ask (and will)
3. Can mentor young players
If he garners big money, god love him but in my mind, you keep Caddy around. The one who should be worried is EG. That is the debate here as I don’t think both stay (yea, I know. EG is listed as a FB but that experiment has not gone well IMO).
July 19th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Dave,
Jacquizz Rogers was drafted in the 5th round by the falcons. I thought he woulda been a great fit too.
I think at least one or both Locke and Devine are UFA’s, though. Would love to see Dominick take a chance on a young speed back.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:49 am
One of my favorite players who seemed re-energized in a reduced role, good in the locker room and I like having him out there protecting Freeman on passing plays, so I would be all for bringing him back for a reasonable price.
However, with Graham, Lumpkin, Bradford and Huggins all on the roster, I only see the team carrying three or four RB’s at most, and I don’t think the Bucs will be able to sneak Bradford on the practice squad.
As a fan, I want Caddy back. I like Graham, as well, always a classy guy and hard working player, and he should stick around as the starting FB, so that likely leaves Huggins out of the picture, unless we don’t resign Caddy.
j.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:52 am
Jampersand; I forgot about the UFA’s…I would like to see Devine brought in to camp, he might only have a couple years in him (728 carries in four years), but he could be intriguing.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:56 am
Mario Fannin’s also still out there.
I like Caddy, but I don’t really see how we can justify keeping both him and Graham on the team, with Blount and Bradford already taking up roster spots.
They’re both hitting the age wall, are good blockers and decent pass catchers, solid leaders, and cost too much for their complete and utter lack of upside.
July 19th, 2011 at 11:00 am
I’m on the fence with Caddy. Someone needs to protect #5, but Blount simply needs to learn how to do that. It doesn’t make sense to carry two running backs: one to run and one to block. I’ve had my fill of non O-lineman becoming blocking icons.
July 19th, 2011 at 11:05 am
I think the Bucs end up keeping Caddy or Graham, but not both, even though Graham was playing FB last season and Caddy was the change of pace guy and backfield protector of Freeman.
My question is this: Do the Bucs have their starting FB on the current roster? If Graham sticks around, then perhaps Caddy receives a low ball offer and leaves to sign with the Rams. That shoud leave the team with Blount, Bradford, Lumpkin, Graham, Lorig and maybe Huggins and an undrafted rookie to compete in camp. Are we confident in that group of guys heading into the season?
July 19th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Although Carnel Williams may no longer be a “top priority” he does, IMO, have a place on this team this season. He’s a guy I’d definitely like to see back.
July 19th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Agree with Joe’s comments in the post. They’ll take him back only if the price fits. They have replacements for him on the roster. NBD.
July 19th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
I like how comments here suggest that an UFA rookie will replace a vet.
That’s why I agreed with Joe last week when he suggested that Dominik MIGHT consider signing Jason Snelling.
We already have enough guys in the backfield with little to no NFL snaps.
You can’t depend on rookies week in and week out to tote the rock with any type of ball security or be able to protect Freeman.
July 19th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Wow…..again with the Divine/Locke comments. First Divine is all of 160 lbs at best. He was fun to watch in college, but his body would never hold up. As for Locke, his injuries remove him from my want list. I can’t pound the drum hard enough for Chad Spann or Nic Grigsby. Grigsby is the slasher you are looking for, but Spann is a fantastic all around back. His receptions weren’t high due to the offense he was in but watch him run and you’ll be on board with putting him on the PS. As for our current backfield….I just don’t see the need for Graham and Caddy. Huggy can sit on the PUP. The big question mark is Lumpkin, I am not sure I understand his role. Blount carries the load, Bradford for short yardage and safety net bruiser. Graham as insurance and FB, Caddy as 3rd down back. And then there is Lumpy
July 19th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Brian Billick commenting in reference to my team makes Espo angry. Espo smaassh!!
Seriously. Debate the issue, but lets not consider anything that comes out of this guy’s mouth. He replaced a super bowl winning QB with someone who’s mother named Elvis. Say all you want about that great defense, but you can’t argue that the Raven’s were ever the same.
July 19th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I didn’t mean to imply that a UFA would be better than a vet, but they do replace veterans all the time. But these are guys that cost next to nothing to bring in to training camp, or whatever is left of it. I’m just saying I’d like to see if they can beat out Lumpkin or Huggins, and that carrying around 2 relatively high-salary, blocking 3rd down backs with no upside doesn’t sound like the Bucs MO.
July 19th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Move on.
Look at it this way: Roster spaces are limited. The odds are good that the Bucs will be drafting at the position next year. If they sign Caddy to a multi-year deal, it will hit the cap.
Aside from that…even though he is a great story and great locker room guy, he does not produce. When Tampa fans consider 3.8 ypc good, there is something seriously wrong.
Move on. He’s aging and we’re going young. We have a “Blount” object to take up the slack. Graham should go too.
July 19th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Hire
I agree!
July 19th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
IF caddy is let go that would be a dumb move imo. He saved freemans ass so many times last season by picking up an unblocked man it wasnt even funny. Caddy went hard after blount was given the starting nod and aver 6 something yards a carry, caught passes for first downs, helped point out protections. How is he not a huge piece to the puzzle again? Graham can do these things but we all know from the past 3 years graham isnt the best at staying healthy. So if caddy leaves and graham gets hurt? Who plays third down? Do you keep blount in (Na hes not ready, especially with no offseason to practice these things) bradford (Uhm. see blount last year protecting freeman) Huggy (not sure when hes gonna play again) Some UFA ( to protect the franchise…GTF outta here). Best decision is to bring caddy back
July 19th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Joe….
Can you shed a little light on Lumpy? Strengths, weaknesses, predicted role in the backfield. Can he pass protect, 3rd down back, etc
He is the real dark horse here. Between Caddy and Graham I give the nod to Mr. August. His can do everything Carnell can do plus play FB.
July 19th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
I see a lot of speculation and very little credible information. Nobody, and I mean nobody knows what Raheem and Dominick will do when it comes to their FA’s or other team’s FA’s. I give those two a lot of credit for keeping their plans close to the vest. They’ll talk about a lot of things but they never ever tip their hand, and that is brilliant. SO basically none of you know jack $h!t, myself included, but we’ll all find out soon enough. I hope we get some surprises, and when the Bucs don’t even look at Smelling I’m going to be on HGO like Thomas is on a Raheem mistake or a Chucky Bone.
July 19th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Joe here,
@Capt. Stagger — “Lumpy?” Lumpkin is a dark horse. Dominik went out of his way to praise him on national radio this month and, obviously, he’s a hand-picked Dominik guy, which doesn’t hurt his chances.
Hard to imagine Cadillac not wanting to move on if he can get a shot at more carries and Earnest Graham can surely replace him. D’Angelo Williams certainly is an interesting option in free agency. He’s versatile and is used to sharing carries.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:29 am
Yes Joe, I’ve heard the praise, and I’m well aware he is a Dominick guy, but maybe “unknown” is a better word. This is what I know about Lumpkin: he was the number 2 back coming out of high school behind Reggie Bush, had injuries both sophomore and senior seasons at UGA. Went undrafted and was cut and resigned to the Packers practice squad. Had one carry with GB and was injured again and landed on the PUP. Picked up by Dom and currently sits 4th on the depth chart. He was only got one carry last year despite our running woes. He didn’t get short yardage carries or third down carries so I will assume pass protection and moving the pile aren’t his best attributes. Now I don’t want to assume, but with only a handful of grainy UGA clips online I have nothing to base an opinion on other than a very weak track record riddled with injury. Any UGA fans who can fill us in?