Fantasy Impact: Cadillac Williams

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.

Experts Draft: Witten Is First TE Taken

Yesterday, we left you with Roddy White being selected towards the end of round three of the most recent experts draft, a shocking surprise to us here at No-Offseason.com. Today, we analyze round four and one thing that really caught our eye - Dallas’ Jason Witten being the top tight end taken. Check out the rest of round four and what we think of Witten being snagged prior to Antonio Gates and Kellen Winslow. Read more

Earnest Graham To Attend Mandatory Work…

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham, who has been absent from all Buccaneers off-season activities thus far due to his contract situation, will reportedly not miss any upcoming mandatory mini-camps or training camp, according to KFFL. Rotoworld also reports that Graham is confident that a new deal will be done soon, and that he will not be holding out.

This is great news for keeper and dynasty owners of the 28 year old. If he gets his butt to camp and earns the same amount of touches he had last season, he’ll be a great fantasy value. But, if he dilly dallies at all and leaves the door open, 34 year old Warrick Dunn will steal away many touches.

The starting job is Graham’s to lose, but I guess what we’re saying is, unless he works his butt off again, he will lose it.

For now, he’s a very, very solid RB3/flex in PPR (points per reception) leagues.

Earnest Graham, Jeff Garcia Disgruntled…

The Buccaneers OTAs have rolled right along without last year’s starting RB Earnest Graham and starting QB Jeff Garcia. Both players are unhappy with their current contract situations, and while Graham has not showed up to practice, Garcia has attended but is likely to skip out at some point.

We expect both situations to be ironed out by training camp.

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.

Urlacher, Winslow & Graham Miss Practice…

Bears LB Brian Urlacher, Browns TE Kellen Winslow and Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham are all missing mini-camp practices for their respective teams due to contract demands.

Urlacher insists that’s not why he’s a no-show, but he also claims he’s in tip-top shape, so why else wouldn’t he at least be present?

Winslow wants more money, and will likely get it. Graham wants more money, and probably won’t get it.

We’re not worried about the fantasy value of these guys being affected due to their decisions to miss mini-camp workouts.

Boley, Rhodes Rising; FWP, Huff, Graham Falling…

The post-free agency, pre-NFL Draft Stock Market Report is a little slow, due to the fact that we’ve already talked about where we stand on many players up until this point. Don’t worry though, after the NFL Draft, and during mini-camps and mandatory team workouts, there will be plenty more to discuss. At this point though, there are at least a few guys who are moving around a bit, and we’d like to also introduce a third category to our Stock Market Report. We’ve always traditionally done “rising” and “falling,” but now we’d like to also introduce “steady.” Read more

Bucs’ Graham To Hold Out?

Word is that 28 year old Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham will potentially hold out for a deal similar to that of Frank Gore. The 49ers RB received a five year $28 million contract, but is about four years younger than Graham.

No wonder there’s a huge camp backing Warrick Dunn in Tampa right now. Caddy Williams isn’t likely to be ready to start the season, so there’s a slight chance the Bucs will give into Graham’s demands, then again, this year’s NFL Draft is chalk full of talented RBs. Don’t be surprised if Tampa goes for one in the late rounds.

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.