Saturday notes: Caddy's Return and Potential Roster Moves
Well, it's the bye week. Things have been pretty quiet over at One Buc Place. No word on Caddy's practice. He had individual workouts with scout team players at the team facility as the team rested up this week, so there's nothing to report on his status. Should he be activated, the Bucs will have to trim the 53-man roster to accomodate him, which is always a difficult thing to do in the middle of the season when you have injuries at key positions and backups are vital. The Times offers some suggestions, including dropping Josh Johnson, which I disagree with, and placing B.J. Askew on IR, which I strongly disagree with. Jameel Cook is a load, but he's no Askew. When healthy, Askew's a mangler and a hell of a lead blocker. I think you keep him active and hope to get him back by the last quarter of the season. Askew's return would greatly boost the running game, which this team needs to get going to beat the Panthers, Saints, Falcons, and Chargers down the stretch.
It looks like the Bucs see Johnson having a future with the team, so it seems unnecessarily risky to waive him and hope he'll clear waivers and make it to the practice squad. Also, since the Bucs have stuck with him through 10 weeks so far on the 53 man without being active for a single game, it seems like they're willing to stick with him absent dire circumstances, which I don't think they're in yet.
If you're looking for a player to cut, it's likely to come from the RB/WR positions. My candidates to cut would be Michael Bennett first, then Brian Clark, and then, even though I like the guy, Dexter Jackson. You can't go less than 2 deep at any position on defense. The offensive line is already thin and can't shed any depth. TE John Gilmore is 3rd on the depth chart, but hell, he's been productive this year with 120 rec yds and a score. If you've got a healthy and active Cadillac, Graham, Dunn, and Clifton Smith, Bennett becomes expendible. He had the perfect opportunity to show off his stuff last week and should've been the go to guy last week with Graham dinged up, but Clifton Smith got more touches while Bennett only gained a measly yard on two carries before getting the hook. That spoke volumes. Also, if they release him, they could probably bring him back later if needed. Brian Clark is at the bottom of the depth chart this year and only has one catch for 12 yards this year. However, he's bigger, a better blocker, and more of an actual receiver than Dexter Jackson, so that, coupled with attrition at the WR position due to injury to Stovall and Galloway's nagging foot injury, could keep him around. DJax has struggled terribly to learn Gruden's system and has fizzled in the return game and been replaced by Clifton Smith. Hopefully the clock's not ticking on his time with the team because he's got the potential to be good in the return game.... if his psyche isn't shattered already.
What would you guys do?
...UPDATE...
The Bucs ended up dropping WR Brian Clark, Signing S Donte Nicholson, and signing Clark to the Practice Squad (after he passed through waivers unclaimed), what'd-i-tell-ya? Adding Caddy would still require another move.
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Comments
Well...
…even though performance would say D-Jax could be shown the door, his draft status says he won’t be cut anytime soon. Well at least this year. I don’t think the Bucs would be willing to admit they made a mistake this early. Being that he was a 2nd round pick, I think he gets more time. We never know, he could be a 2-3 year project, which is fine, but if that’s the case then he was still drafted way too high. Either way, he can’t be cut during his first season I don’t think.
I don’t want them to take the chance releasing Johnson, but there’s actually a good chance it could work out. No one is really sure what he can do, so there’s a good chance the Bucs could safely release him. However, I still don’t know if I would take that chance.
So…
It has to be Bennett. I know a lot of people around here like him and want to see him get the ball, but there has to be a reason that he hasn’t gotten a really good shot and I’m guessing it’s because he just doesn’t have the flash anymore. If he did, he would be getting more carries. Let’s be honest here. It’s been a long time since he was impressive on the field. It was 2002 when he had that good season for the Vikings. That’s a long time in terms of running backs. If he can’t earn carries at this point, then he just doesn’t have it anymore.
So if I had to pick if Caddy were coming back this year, I’d take Bennett.
by The Bull Gator on Nov 8, 2008 9:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you and the Times on DJax's status due to the draft pick, even though I don't think he's totally safe.
I put him ahead of Clark in the pecking/safety order, even though Clark is really more of a WR than DJax and the Bucs have other options in the return game.
Cannons... fire them.
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by Craig T on Nov 8, 2008 10:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
release Clark
nobody would pick him up and if they did, we didnt use him anyhow. the same could be said for Bennett but at least he is a very reliable back should the Bucs have a freak of injuries at the position ala the Broncos
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by JScott on Nov 9, 2008 11:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bennett has to go.
Gruden clearly has no plans for this guy. If we can go three deep at RB without him, there is no reason to keep him around. As much as DJax has been dissapointing, I would like to see him get more time to learn the system and league.
by kurby on Nov 10, 2008 10:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I am just happy to see the Caddy finally come out of the garage. It's been a long time coming...
I’ve always been a huge fan of Cadillac Williams and I prey to the football gods that he comes back and does well. It will take him some time to adjust to live action, but I think he’ll excell. Obviously I’m a bit optimistic, so I say give the guy a chance. Interesting thing is to how to distribute the ball with Caddy/Dunn/Graham/Bennett.
As for the roster spot, I would suggest the Bucs cutting either OT James Lee or recently signed S Donte Nicholson. I know both provide depth, but those are my guesses beside Bennett and DJax.
by TheUltimateBucFan on Nov 11, 2008 11:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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