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Williams Back, But Not Quite Ready

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By ROY CUMMINGS rcummings@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2008

TAMPA - Cadillac Williams is back on the Bucs' roster, and he is ready and willing to play again after nearly 14 months of inactivity. It might be a while, though, before Williams feels like he is part of the team again.

As he has since he started practicing with the Bucs three weeks ago, Williams spent Wednesday working mostly with the scout team, emulating Adrian Peterson, the running back the Bucs will face on Sunday against the Vikings. His role isn't likely to change soon.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden reiterated Wednesday that Williams is not ready to assume a regular role, and he acknowledged that Williams' first game-day action could be weeks away.

"I don't know about game-day activations at this point," Gruden said. "This is a process, and right now I want to see if he can carry the ball 30 times again tomorrow.

"I just want to make sure everything is working like we think it is. We need to get his playing strength and stamina back. It's one thing to work out on your own, but he didn't have training camp, and so we're trying to simulate as much real football activity as we can for him."

Williams has responded well to his first real challenge. Had he not, Gruden said, the Bucs would not have activated him and released seldom-used but healthy Michael Bennett, who was claimed by San Diego.

"We've got a pretty good idea of what we're doing, in spite of what some people may think," said Gruden, whose team has been hit hard in recent week by injuries, particularly at running back.

Warrick Dunn missed the Bucs' last game against Kansas City because of a sore back, and Earnest Graham was limited Wednesday by a sore knee. Both are expected to play Sunday.

If one of them can't go, the Bucs will probably give more work to Clifton Smith, the undrafted free agent out of Fresno State who has taken over as their kick and punt returner.

Williams seems to be fine with that. He said he is physically sound and eager to get back on the field, but he admitted he still has a mental hurdle to clear before he'll be at his best.

"Having guys flying at you, going at your legs and things like that, it's more me beating the mental part of that and knowing that my knee is OK and that I'm strong enough," Williams said. "As far as playing, I am totally leaving that up to the coaches."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

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