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Cadillac Works Off Preseason Rust

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2007

TAMPA - Bucs RB Cadillac Williams asked for it, and now Coach Jon Gruden is ready to deliver.

'I want to see him carry the ball a lot more. He needs to get himself ready to carry the ball a lot more,' Gruden said. 'He needs to get hit. He needs to play and work himself through some of his rust and inactivity I forced him through in the preseason.

'All I heard about him was about not carrying the ball in the preseason. Well, you're going to get it a lot in the coming weeks, my friend.'

Williams rushed 24 times for 61 yards and two touchdowns in Tampa Bay's 31-14 victory against New Orleans on Sunday, but, apparently, this is only the beginning of his workload.

Gruden said he never considered pulling Williams, who played with special padding around his sore ribs, late in the fourth quarter after Tampa Bay built a substantial lead. With the way Williams was used last season - he rushed for only one touchdown - it is no surprise he supported Gruden's decision to continue playing.

'I had 24 carries and I think every week I go to running backs coach Art Valero and say '25 touches now,'' Williams said. 'I'm one short, so hopefully next week I get that 25. Actually, I went to Coach Valero when we were up 21 and said, 'Coach don't try to pull me now. I need some work.' He said as long as you're good, you're going. I was glad to hear that.'

Gruden and Williams are unhappy about Tampa Bay's running productivity on first down.

The Bucs rushed 16 times on first down and gained 50 yards (3.1 average) against New Orleans. Only six of those 16 rushes were more than 4 yards.

Overall, Tampa Bay has rushed for 92 yards on 27 first-down attempts, which Williams believes has to improve.

'We need to be more in the 4- to 6-yard range. Second-and-6 and second-and-4 instead of second-and-8 and second-and-9,' Williams said. 'I feel like we could be a lot more productive, and maybe we need to mix in a pass with that. I think that is something we will concentrate on this week and get a lot better in.'

BUCS 'D' 2007: After Tampa Bay's dominating defensive performance, some were quick to say it looked like the Bucs defense of old.

Tampa Bay swarmed to the ball, made sound tackles and limited the production of an opposing star - see Reggie Bush's 27 yards on 10 carries.

However, Tampa Bay's veterans are leery about those comparisons.

'We always talk about getting the swagger again,' SS Jermaine Phillips said. 'I think if you look at the way we played Sunday, the hustling and hitting, you can't ask for much more than that.

'People look at Chicago and the way they play, and Indy and the way they built their defense, and it's like, 'Hold on, you're not talking about the Bucs?' We're who started this. We're the founders of everything. Maybe it's time for a new model and that's what we're bringing to the table right now.'

RAT PACKER FITS IN: CB Sammy Davis was part of the domino of players who had a chance to excel as Brian Kelly missed Sunday's game due to a groin injury. Phillip Buchanon started in place of Kelly, while Davis played in nickel situations. Davis, who typically receives limited playing time, finished with five tackles and broke up one pass.

'I think I did pretty good, but you really can't tell until you go back and watch film,' Davis said. 'You can see the good things you did and where you messed up at. I really won't be able to tell until I talk to the coaches and watch film. I've got to remember I am on the field with Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber and Jermaine Phillips. I have to go out there and hold up my end of the bargain. That's the way I take it. I'm going out there with other great players and I just have to do my job.'

Anwar S. Richardson

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