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Gruden: Cadillac Will Make It Back

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2007

TAMPA - With LT Luke Petitgout preparing for knee surgery later this week, Coach Jon Gruden said he expects RB Cadillac Williams to recover fully from a 'grueling rehab procedure,' following the knee operation he underwent Tuesday.

Williams and Petitgout both suffered season-ending knee injuries in Sunday's 20-7 victory at Carolina. While Petitgout remains vague about the nature of Friday's scheduled surgery, Williams tore his patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone.

'It's part of the game,' said Petitgout, who suffered a fractured fibula in November with the Giants. 'This is the second time in two years someone fell on my leg. I'll be back next season - I plan to be back in time for the OTAs.'

Petitgout, 31, denied reports he tore his ACL and MCL against the Panthers. When pressed for details, Petitgout said, 'I'm not at liberty to say.'

Donald Penn is slated to replace Petitgout as the starter Sunday at Indianapolis, facing Pro Bowl DE Dwight Freeney. Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham figure to share the running load in the absence of Williams, whose freakish injury could jeopardize his NFL career.

'Anytime you have a serious injury, there are going to be people who question how serious it was and if you can come back from it,' Gruden said. 'Carnell's going to come back from this. He had surgery last night in Alabama and it was a success. Now, it's a matter of the injury healing properly and then beginning what will be a grueling rehab procedure. Knowing him, he'll be back full strength ready to roll here before long.'

CB Brian Kelly, who missed last week's game with a groin strain, returned to practice Wednesday, while DE Greg Spires was limited by an ankle injury. The Colts said 10 players did not practice Wednesday, including WR Marvin Harrison (knee), RB Joseph Addai (chest), S Bob Sanders (chest) and LT Tony Ugoh (ankle).

BUSINESS AS USUAL: Unless the NFL tells him differently, Bucs TE Jerramy Stevens plans to sharpen his focus on football and start contributing more to Tampa Bay victories.

Stevens is appealing Tuesday's sentence of 30 days in jail and a $3,160 fine for a drunk-driving conviction last month in Arizona. He faces the possibility of disciplinary action by the league for violating the NFL's player-conduct policy.

'I don't have a clue what's going to happen with the NFL,' said Stevens, who played sparingly in the first four games and is still looking for his first regular-season catch as a Buccaneer. 'Whatever they hand down, I'll deal with it. With a new commissioner, I don't know what's going to happen.'

RUUD AWAKENING: MLB Barrett Ruud is the first Buccaneer in almost five years to be named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Month.

According to the NFL, Ruud tops all NFC players with 40 tackles. In his first year as Tampa Bay's starter, the former Nebraska standout has also registered an interception, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries to fuel a 3-1 getaway.

'We're proud of Barrett,' said Gruden. 'He's had a really good start to the season. He's one of the reasons why we've picked it up here defensively.'

Ruud's honor marks the seventh time in franchise history a Buccaneer has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month. Former DE Simeon Rice was the last Tampa Bay player to win the award, in November 2002.

UPS AND DOWNS: The Bucs signed RB Kenneth Darby and T Dennis Roland to the active roster from the practice squad and placed Petitgout and Williams on the injured reserve list, officially ending their 2007 seasons.

Tampa Bay also signed T Ryan Gibbons, WR Chad Lucas and RB DonTrell Moore to the practice squad and released CB Marcus Hamilton from the practice squad.

Darby, a seventh-round pick out of Alabama, spent the first four weeks on Tampa Bay's practice squad after leading the club with 135 rushing yards in the preseason.

BUC BITS: The Colts have won 11 consecutive home games as they seek a fifth straight AFC South title. ... Outscored 82-30 in the opening quarter last season, the Bucs boast a 27-0 scoring advantage through the first period in 2007. ... Indy has committed an NFL-low two giveaways this year en route to a plus-7 turnover ratio that is tied with Dallas for the NFL's best mark.

Ira Kaufman

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