Fantasy Impact: Cadillac Williams

Caddy Makes He-Man-like Comeback Attempt…

Buccaneers RB Cadillac Williams ran full speed 100 yard sprints at Buccaneers practice yesterday, his latest personal victory in his road back to the playing field after suffering a career-threatening torn patellar tendon last season.

CBS Sports reports Bucs coach Jon Gruden said - “It’s one of the most amazing comebacks that I’ve seen. He hasn’t come back yet, but he’s banging on the door. He’s putting himself through an unbelievable workout routine. I’ve never seen anything like it. It rivals some of the great Rocky Balboa movies you see on TV.”

When asked if he’d play in 2008, Caddy said - “Oh, no doubt. Hands down. I’m playing this season.”

If he makes it back to the field in a game this season, we still don’t think he’s very fantasy worthy in 2008. Still, this He-Man is worth following, especially in dynasty formats.

Graham Practices, But Still Waivering…

Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham reportedly attended mini-camp practices today, splitting reps with Warrick Dunn and Michael Bennett, but stated that he’s still not sure he’d attend training camp if a deal wasn’t done by then.

The 28 year old Graham obviously wants more money after lighting up the stat column for more than 1,200 total yards, 10 TDs and 49 catches in 10 starts last season. With Dunn lurking and Cadillac Williams potentially coming back, Graham will see less work this season. Still, we think a deal will get done, and Graham will be the opening day starter. He’s a solid RB3/flex option in PPR leagues.

Bucs GM: “Putting A Governor On The Cadillac”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen recently told the St. Petersburg Times that he’d have to “put a governor on the Cadillac” when referring to his young RB Cadillac Williams, who is rehabbing from a torn patellar tendon that he suffered early last season.

Caddy has made serious strides in his recovery process but is not ready to return to the field yet. Allen’s comments were made in reference to Williams’ comments about considering taking the field full tilt in the Buccaneers three-day mini-camp. We’ll continue to have injury reports on Caddy throughout the off-season.

Clearing Up The PUP

A term that gets thrown around very loosely without explanation these days is the “PUP.” In short, the Physically Unable To Perform list is used as a middle ground of sorts for players who aren’t healthy enough to be on the active roster, yet not unhealthy enough to be on injured reserve. As it relates to fantasy owners, guys like Cadillac Williams and Deion Branch could begin 2008 on the PUP list. But what does that really mean? Read more

Cadillac Williams To Get Cut?

Despite recent favorable comments by Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden and GM Bruce Allen regarding the rehabilitation process of RB Cadillac Williams from a torn patellar tendon, rumors are swirling around Tampa Bay that Williams could be released this off-season.

Caddy is confident that he’ll be ready to comeback and play again sometime in 2008, but that confidence and hard work might not be enough to convince the coaches that he’s worthy of waiting on. Warrick Dunn is primed to play a big role this season, and even though Earnest Graham is semi-holding out right now, he’ll eventually get to camp and compete to be the team’s primary back at the start of the season.

If Williams is cut, we expect him to eventually return to the NFL and give it a shot as a back-up somewhere. His career isn’t over. We would also expect Tampa to then pursue another experienced runner. Not Kevin Jones - as he’s also returning from a knee injury - but perhaps Shaun Alexander.

Warrick Dunn To Start In 2008?

Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden recently told media that Warrick Dunn will play a large role in his offense in 2008. Gruden has even implied that Dunn may play a larger role than last year’s incumbent Earnest Graham.

We don’t really believe him at this point. Sorry, but we don’t. Dunn is nearly 34 years old and doesn’t have a lot left in the tank. Graham is holding out, so this could be meant to scare him. And, Gruden and GM Bruce Allen have talked positively about Cadillac Williams returning at some point this season.

Stay far away from the Bucs RB situation.

Buccaneers Jocking Dunn Hard…

He’s 33 years old, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are loving him already, and will potentially give him a chance to contribute on the field in 2008. Whether or not he can stay durable and healthy at his age is a huge factor, but it appears right now that the Buccaneers are going to give tailback Warrick Dunn a chance to play quite a bit.

Jon Gruden and Jeff Garcia have recently raved about him. Gruden recently called him a “War Daddy,” saying he can run, pick up a blitz and catch the ball out of the backfield. Look out owners of Earnest Graham and Caddy Williams, Warrick Dunn could be a threat to your guys in 2008.

Caddy Attends Bucs First Workout…

Dynasty owners of Bucs RB Cadillac Williams got some promising news today, when the RB with the blown up knee showed up at the team’s off-season workouts today. He spent most of the day working out by himself doing a plow-horse drill, pulling a team trainer behind him as he moved forward.

This drill is to supposedly strengthen the muscles around his injured knee. Once likely to start the season on the PUP list, it now looks like he could be back within the team’s first four games. Bucs coach Jon Gruden recently spoke regarding Caddy and had good things to say about a potential recovery.

It’s interesting to note that Earnest Graham was not at the workouts today.

Check out our “Rumor Mill” for more on Caddy’s status.

To Worry? Or Not To Worry?

In seasonal leagues, when a player goes down for a long period of time during the middle of the year, or finishes the season on injured reserve, owners must replace that player and almost forget he ever existed.  Dynasty and deep keeper owners are faced with a different dilemma, however.  Long term owners need to constantly pay attention to how their injured players and others bounce back during the NFL offseason. 

Read more