“They Know Where We Stand”
August 1st, 2011
Cadillac Williams fans can keep holding their breath.
Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik didn’t shed much light on the Bucs’ desire to keep the blocking icon but didn’t rule it out during an interview today.
“Cadillac Williams is a guy, with Ben Dogra as an agent, they know where we stand,” Dominik said on the Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620 today. “And right now our focus is kind of like seeing these young players on this football team, see what they can do, give them the opportunity, and stay in contact with Cadillac and stay in contact with his agent.”
As Joe has written many times before, and the St. Pete Times touched on in a story yesterday with quotes from Greg Olson, the Bucs have Cadillac’s able — and more versatile — replacement on the roster: Earnest Graham.
Dominik talked about Erik Lorig’s development as a big reason why Graham could be available to fill the third-down role.
Cadillac’s only a third-down back at this point. But he would help the Bucs with what could be critical depth. Joe’s not about to discount that, especially when it goes to protecting No. 5.
August 1st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Protect Freeman at all cost. Keep Caddy.
August 1st, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Glazers – Protect the Money at all cost.
Maybe the Glazers should hold cash in their open hand, if any player can grab it, it means they are on the team.
August 1st, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I would like to see Caddy stick around, but the back field, just like our receiving corps, are a little packed with some young talent. His blocking ability is great, but so is Graham. If Lorig can really turn into the monster fullback he could be, I don’t know if we need Caddy as a third down guy.
Look out for Armando Allen though. Kid can play. So much young talent, got to wonder what will actually stick and what is going to get picked off before the season starts.
August 1st, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Rock Star? ABBA, maybe…
August 1st, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Graham is a better blocker than Caddy. Caddy is a better runner than Graham. Graham can play fullback and is more skilled and varied at ST than Caddy.
Graham has the edge.
August 1st, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Sounds like the Bucs have made Caddy an offer at X dollars and are sticking firm to it. Caddy is playing the field to see if he can get a better offer from someone else. Of course, he’s probably not doing to find much out there.
Remember, Caddy can’t play until the 4th anyway, so there’s little incentive for him to sign now. My guess is that he comes back around the 4th when he can finally start playing.
August 1st, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Caddy can take a hike. You aren’t going to tell me that between Blount, Bradford, Graham, Lumpkin and the undrafted free agents they brought that there isn’t one of those guys that can be a third down back. Its a waste of a roster spot keeping a back who can’t actually run the ball.
August 1st, 2011 at 3:24 pm
If yall are Bucs fans how can you possibly want to get rid of Cadillac? Hes been a warrior for this team, fighting through injuries to come back and play his ass of every season. Obviously his 1st and 2nd down numbers are garbage, but hes an incredible receiving back and and excellent blocker (and look how well freeman did last year). Why fix it if it aint broke? He is one of the best 3rd down backs in the league.
Not to mention he did bust a couple big runs last year, so I would love to see him get one more good shot at proving himself. Ronde and Freeman are the face of the franchise, but if i could put another guy right up there it would be Caddy.
August 1st, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Caddie proved invaluable in protecting Freeman last year on crucial third downs and he’s excellent at catching the ball out of the backfield. I like Graham’s versatility but I think Caddie’s the better blocker, based on last years performance. Keeping Freeman upright should be the #1 objective of the team. Imagine life without Freeman! Keep Caddie.
August 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Sounds to me like Caddy is done. They really like Bradford and really want to see what Lumpkin can do. Bradford is big, but fast as well. Graham just happens to be insurance at this point.
That is what I get from reading between the lines.
Plus they signed the kid from ND that is supposed to be very quick and a good burst, just not the best at breaking it all the way
August 1st, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Please don’t refer to Cadi as Blocking Icon. That moniker should be reserved for waste of roster space Michael Clayton.
August 1st, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Espo, I totally agree. Disrespectful to Caddy. Caddy is expendable with Insurance Graham on the squad but let’s not undermine what he brought to the team and the heart he showed.
August 1st, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Caddy was a great compliment to Blount and had a great average after mid-season .. and caught a game winning TD. I havent seen Lumpkin or Bradford do squat yet …
Lets not forget the main reason we got Lumpkin as he was oft injured.
Caddy has been overall healthy with exception of 2 knee surgeries
August 1st, 2011 at 4:11 pm
After watching caddys carreer unfold here and how he responded I remain steadfastly awestruck by his determination to succeed and his strong positive mental attitude. What an inspiration he is, and I believe there is alot of value in his mental state regardless of his physical “handicaps”. Caddy is one of the few players I have witnessed in this franchise history that I want to see retire as a Buc. Maybe I am overly optimistic in relation to him and his abilities, but I feel that the value he provides on a roster is far more than just on the field or “3rd downs”. Hey Mark Domminik, if you read this, caddy doesnt have a ton of years left. We the fans LOVE him, and so do his teamates and coaches. He has given US alot to cheer for and served as an inspiration to at least 2 high school athletes I know personally. I would implore you Mr. Domminik to make him a Buc for the rest of his career. He is our hometown hero, bring him back! Let him know he is wanted here and that this is where he belongs to finish his career!
August 1st, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Well said fwn.
August 1st, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Sounds like Lumpkin dropped about 4 passes in practice the other day. If that keeps up, I could see Graham AND Caddy on the roster. Maybe Caddy will be “insurance” in case “Insurance Graham” gets dinged up again this year…
August 1st, 2011 at 6:01 pm
fwn- couldnt have said it better myself.
August 1st, 2011 at 6:24 pm
I thought Graham would be out and Cadi would be in, but I missed that one. It’s all good either way and hope they find a place to keep the Cadi. Yeah, I don’t know about Lumpkin yet, just his name gives me the willies.
August 1st, 2011 at 7:07 pm
What fwn said.
August 1st, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Cadillac deserves the finish his career a Buc, he was my favorite player when he broke records his first four games as a pro. I know it is a business and roster spots are limited, but if there would be one exception it is Cadillac. Look how he helped groom Blount into a professional, plus Caddy deserves to get to watch Blount dress up in his Auburn gear for a practice! (They bet on the national title game)
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:30 am
I for one am very pleased to hear other Bucs fans agreeing that Cadillac has tremendous value on this team. The way I see it is, in all reality two seasons ago under this management, he virtually was the face of the franchise, being we knew little to nothing about most of the players being filtered in. Caddy and Rhonde are some of the last few players we know to be loyal to this organization as well as local community. Where is the media outrage though? Hasnt Carnell given you enough inspirational and compelling material to meet your deadlines on? I would like to know what the team is doing to retain his services. Understandably this is a business, however like in all business, ethics and the human factor often make for good business. I went to the practice today for the last half hour. If you were there you probably saw alot of Kregg Lumpkin taking carries and catching passes out of the backfield. He looked capable enough for the most part. Are we really trading in our Caddy for a Lumpkin? That doesnt even sound right guys…