Cadillac Williams Returns To The NFL
February 17th, 2024
Bucs fans and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams had a special relationship during his six seasons with the team.
Joe doesn’t hesitate to say Cadillac was a top-3 favorite Buccaneer in each of his Tampa Bay seasons.
He was beloved. It was obvious at training camp and in the cheap seats. And yeah, when Cadillac was drafted No. 5 overall in 2005, that’s exactly where Joe was — in the 300 level hanging out with the warm-beer-swilling masses and eating giant turkey legs.
Cadillac’s shoes are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, honoring his explosion into the NFL. Williams ran for 434 yards in his first three games, which was an NFL record. Sadly, Cadillac was well known for blowing out his knee early in the 2007 season. He made a heroic comeback in 2008, and then blew out his knee again midway through the 2009 campaign.
And then back came Cadillac in 2010, contributing 800 yards from scrimmage and 3 touchdowns during the Bucs’ surprise 10-6 season. He closed his career with the Rams in 2011.
College football fans know all about Cadillac’s rise in the coaching ranks at Auburn, and a report has emerged today that Cadillac is the Raiders’ new running backs coach.
Joe has little doubt that Cadillac is perfectly suited for his new gig. And Joe knows legions of Bucs fans are wishing him well.
For newer Bucs fans who think Rachaad White or Leonard Fournette are/were loved by fans, the adoration for Cadillac was at least twice as strong.
February 17th, 2024 at 6:41 pm
I will never forgive Gruden and Allen for picking Cadillac Williams over Aaron freaking Rodgers.
Williams already had two knee surgeries coming out of Auburn.
What an idiotic move that turned out to be…
February 17th, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Yea – exactly.
Selecting the 3rd RB off the board at #5 with Aaron Rodgers (who Gruden allegedly loved coming out) just sitting there – was criminal level negligence. Could’ve had DeMarcus Ware as well at that spot.
Gruden and his right hand lackey Bruce Allen couldn’t draft their way out of a paper bag and ruined the overall talent level of this team in short order after Chucky got Mckay ousted….
February 17th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
Caddy is a classy act. That one knee injury looked brutal.
He is the type of role model needed in locker rooms.
Jet fans aint to happy with AR…… lol
February 17th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
We still love ya Caddy!
February 17th, 2024 at 7:03 pm
I should clarify – I have nothing against Caddy. He played great when he had both knees attached.
It’s bonehead Gruden and doofus Allen I can’t stand…
February 17th, 2024 at 7:05 pm
I still have & wear his jersey 🤷🏻♂️…
My fave player back in the day…
That dude ran so freaken hard when he got the ball…
His first 3 games of his rookie year, teams had no idea how to bring him down, haha….Monster runner…
I think I shed tears on his first knee injury….
February 17th, 2024 at 7:39 pm
I remember being a grown man almost crying after hurt his knee the second time.
February 17th, 2024 at 8:00 pm
I cried when crossing the bayside bridge when he blew out his knee a second time.
I graduated from Auburn in 2006.
I crossed paths with Caddy 3 times.
He had the aura and eyes of a saint.
I kid you not.
February 17th, 2024 at 8:06 pm
Auburn alum and Bucs fans here.
Go Carnell,..best of luck to you as you will do well.
February 17th, 2024 at 8:13 pm
What’s his new gig? How do you write this whole article and not mention it!?
February 17th, 2024 at 8:47 pm
What team? This is so odd…
February 17th, 2024 at 8:55 pm
What joy it was to watch him run.
February 17th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Love Caddy and have his signed jersey, framed and hanging in my Bucs room. New gig is with the Raiders. Wish it would have been with Tampa.
February 17th, 2024 at 9:41 pm
Yes, as beloved as Caddy was, I too think of how ARod was foolishly passed over by our Bucs. Gru didn’t like young QBs which, is probably why they passed him over. The 2nd Auburn RB taken, even after the knee injuries!?
February 17th, 2024 at 9:43 pm
Cadillac Williams = Class Act.
February 17th, 2024 at 10:14 pm
Raiders RBs Coach☠️‼️
February 17th, 2024 at 10:43 pm
Good for Carnell.
Easy to like guy.
February 17th, 2024 at 10:45 pm
If not for injuries, Cadillac would probably be in the HOF by now.
February 17th, 2024 at 11:00 pm
Cadillac was SPECIAL! If his knees wouldn’t have betrayed him, I have no doubt he was HOF bound. I have his signed helmet and it’s proudly displayed in my Buccaneers room. Obviously, I have his jersey as well and sport it often with a few other heroes of Buccaneer fame. And they are Not all in the HOF.
Rather, in my heart their glory lives on as well as on my back on occasion so they are not forgotten as the years slip by and used to shock the memory glands into action and “Shine a light” on the super human feats they aspired to.
It’s the perfect reminder that it’s the greatest “Team Sport” there has ever been and probably will ever be. Our Bucs have truly had Glorious moments that Stand Out even through some very dark times! (LVD is definitely one of my favorites with digital clock numbers)
Maybe under dogs at times but DOGS NONE THE LESS!
GO BUCS!
February 17th, 2024 at 11:46 pm
Thanks Joe for the update on Cadillac Williams.
Regardless of draft status etc.
His running was much better seen in person he was awesome!
Unfortunately … the injuries …
February 17th, 2024 at 11:46 pm
Still have my custom made Williams creamcicle jersey. He was one of my favorite Bucs in the post-SB downslide. A quality person all around. I hope he does well in LV.
February 17th, 2024 at 11:47 pm
Loved Caddy, so excited the Bucs had a franchise running back. Felt so bad for him with the knee blowouts.
Glad he’s doing well but it’s one of those moves that makes me think… Where are the Buccaneers in all this? Why is Warren Sapp and John Lynch and Cadillac Williams all working for different organizations?
Bring your stars home, it matters
February 18th, 2024 at 12:05 am
Cadillac was dynamic coming out in his first season. I remember the 2nd time he blew his knee out he was running hard that game, when ut happened the stadium went quiet, and everyone heard the cry from caddy. I just remember Gruden’s face after that moment, my heart sank. Glad he made it back one more time to finish his career on his terms.
February 18th, 2024 at 12:29 am
Trudatasitis.
February 18th, 2024 at 1:02 am
My wife graduated from Auburn in 05.
She rode the transit bus with him.
His buddies knocked her books out of her hands and he yelled at them and picked them up for her. Became close friends after that.
I was sick when he blew out his knee too.
I do remember how long it had been since we had a long TD run and he busted a 75 yarder in his 1st game.
February 18th, 2024 at 2:39 am
The STUPIDEST thing Mark Dumfuknik ever did was to think we could let Caddy go when he was the one who knew the audible calls and line checks for Failman. Instead, Dumundik rolled with Craig Lumplestiltskin.
Cant believe people listen to his NFL network drooling show . He’s less horrible at that than as a GM but still bad.
February 18th, 2024 at 2:49 am
And he’s too much of an energized for Slowzo. Todd would feel too much internal competition if he hired a guy like Caddy. Who still has more heart and brains than most in the league.
Naa let’s stay with our guys who specialize in the worst run game in the NFL, ever.
February 18th, 2024 at 3:06 am
Uhh , I believe 20 other teams passed on Aaron “crybaby” Rodgers, too ! Cadillac was a great pick . Injuries happen, look at Aaron “crybaby” Rodgers this past season for example.
I think the real dummy thing was letting LaGaritt Blount walk as a free agent after finding him like a bag of money in the garbage, and didn’t lock him up for the next 5 years. He went on to win a Super Bowl or 2 with our greatest QB Tom Brady.
You can look back at ANY & ALL past drafts and say we should have taken that guy instead of this guy. That is asinine to think otherwise. Go Bucs
February 18th, 2024 at 7:31 am
This once again highlights the pure ineptitude of this franchise…….. picking Cadillac over AARON FREAKING RODGERS!!!!!!!
February 18th, 2024 at 7:55 am
^^^^^Lots of teams passed on Aaron Rodgers and that was a different regime idiot.
February 18th, 2024 at 7:56 am
TheBusAhole makes herself look stupid…….again
February 18th, 2024 at 8:57 am
Whem mentioning beloved Bucs backs don’t leave out Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn!!
February 18th, 2024 at 9:14 am
Always liked Cadillac, but the Rodgers debacle shows what a horrible eye for talent Gruden had in the NFL draft. I mean some of the selections he made with the Raiders would make your mouth drop.
February 18th, 2024 at 9:24 am
I disagree. Pick People First…Players Second. Rodgers is a shytbag. He tasted greatness twice. The Greats Mahomes, and Brady, have more than 2 “licks” they “eat” until they are stuffed. I have no doubt that had he not blown out his Knee…he would have ultimately been a BETTER version of MARSHALL Faulk. And AN ADORED ONE. Id Ttake him AND HIS injuries 10 times out of 10 times over a GUY who has worn out his WELCOME in a TOWN He won 2(?) SuperBowls. ELI Manning has 2 SB…Id take HIM of D’bag Rodgers…what TEAM is he gonna Retire AS…Not a Packer and he wont ADORN Thier Ring of Honor ANYTIME soon. I wish CADDY was OUR RB Coach…hes got HEART AND FIRE!!! JL Buy HIM OUT!!!
February 18th, 2024 at 9:30 am
Good luck Cadillac. Hindsight is 20/20. Nobody knew that Aaron Rodgers would be so dam good. Plus he didn’t contribute to GB for 5 years. I’m pretty sure
Gruden and Allen knew that Cadillac could contribute right away and didn’t think he’d get hurt and ruin his career so fast.
February 18th, 2024 at 10:39 am
There was one Halloween where my three kids dressed in Cadillac, Simms, and Alstott jerseys. Great memory!
February 18th, 2024 at 10:48 am
Man #24 was my dude. He had some wheels on him.
February 18th, 2024 at 11:38 am
Exciting times for Buc fans when Caddy was pounding the rock…
February 18th, 2024 at 11:47 am
Ben- I was there in the cheap seats, experienced and heard same.
Ooof that was rough.
Wishing Caddy and his family the best
February 18th, 2024 at 12:05 pm
I also still wear my Williams jersey. It is autographed by Antonio Bryant. Antonio didn’t really want to sign Cadillac’s jersey but I got him to do it anyways at training camp
February 18th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Think they talk about John Gruden around the water cooler?
February 18th, 2024 at 2:18 pm
What is Cadillac’s new gig? The post doesn’t seem to say what it is?
February 18th, 2024 at 5:55 pm
He was beloved to some… and a tippy toed light in the pants non-speed back that couldn’t catch a cold his first few seasons and peaked when he had THREE of his NINE career 100 yard games in his first three games. Nice guy..m probably. But far from a great back and just average from week FOUR in 2005 thru the rest of his career.
February 18th, 2024 at 7:42 pm
Pickgrin Says:
February 17th, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Yea – exactly.
Selecting the 3rd RB off the board at #5 with Aaron Rodgers (who Gruden allegedly loved coming out) just sitting there – was criminal level negligence
—————————
WHY?? The Bucs have just as many Lombardis as Rodgers since he was drafted, with a lot less drama!!
February 19th, 2024 at 8:39 am
Some of y’all are just sad sacks. What a great player he was. Great article Joe
February 19th, 2024 at 10:08 pm
Caddy was maybe the best Blitz pick up RB I ever saw. Nobody got by that guy, nobody! That first season was magic. I’m rooting for his success 100%