[Carnell "Cadillac" Williams being takled by CB Chris Johnson of the Oakland Raiders in Week 17 of the 2008 season. He suffered his second patellor-tendon tear on the play.]

         Carnell "Cadillac" Williams has been criticized in late years for injuries and fumbles. Most fans counted him out saying he will never play again, after he tore his first patellor tendon in his right knee. Then out of nowhere, he came back to give the Bucs a much needed spark in 2008. He came in Week 12 against Detroit only having 27 yrds on 16 carries [avg. 1.7]. Some might speculate that was a lot of work for just coming off a career threatening injury. Then in Week 13 against New Orleans, Caddy got it rolling on just 4 touches for 20 yrds and 1 TD with a 5.0 rush avg.  [His first rushing TD since the 2007 season]. He then over the next 3 weeks, had sub-par performances rushing for 22, 59 and 27 yards with only 1 TD. Many critics were saying that he just wasn't the same, and that he just couldn't get over the injury.  Then in a Week 17 a home game, where the playoffs were on the line...we saw flashes, we saw cuts, we saw Caddy. While having his best game since his injury and his longest run of the season of 28 yards, a run which was designed to go left. He busted through the hole, broke a takle, juked, cut right and was off toward the endzone with the entire crowd on their feet cheering. Chris Johnson [CB] of the Oakland Raiders was the last man to beat. Chris being one of the fastest DBs in the NFL ran Caddy down and in my opinion [horse-collard] him to the ground. While the crowd standing on their feet cheering because the Bucs were up 24-17 with Caddy showing life, teammates and coaches rushed to Cadillac as he lay in agony. Once again, he had torn his patellor tendon. Only THIS time....in his left knee. The Bucs seemed to lose momentum and went down hill from there, eventually losing to the Raiders and losing all hopes of playoffs, finishing 9-7 missing out by ONE game. 

       This injury proved to be less serious seeing as how the tendon had actually removed itself from the bone. Thus making it easier to recover and easier to fix. And here it came, once again all the criticism, once again fans who once cheered his name and once believed in him...had lost hope. Calling him names, saying things like "Busted Ride", "Used Cadillac for Sale" and "Caddy has no wheels". 

      This brings us to 2009. The Buccaneers are now 0-6 and yet again Caddy is on the field. In fact, he has been on the field all year. The same fans who once were thrilled to see the signing of Derrick Ward, the same fans that once said the gas was gone from our broken Caddy...are now cheering his name. Cadillac Williams is averaging a respectable 4.3 yards per carry [before the Eagles game it was actually 5.2], has 276 yards on just 64 carries with 2 rushing touchdowns, is second on the team with 15 receptions for 89 yards AND has his first ever NFL receiving TD. On top of that, Cadillac hasn't fumbled [knock on wood]. He has even been seen running THROUGH defenders, just ask Dallas Cowboys Safety [Sensabaugh #43] who was demolished by him TWICE, while also having to save a rushing TD by bringing him down from behind.  [See Week 1 highlights at NFL.com] Which might I add, he was takin down by a HORSE COLLAR AGAIN. [seems to be the only way to get him to the ground] Also, he got his TD on the drive anyway. ;]

      So I guess this brings me to my all important questions.....is Carnell "Cadillac" Williams back? Again? Can he be what we need in this demoralized Offense?? Should we re-sign him if he can prove to stay healthy throughout the year? If you're the Head Coach or Owner, don't you WANT a guy like this on your team to set an example? You tell me Bucs fans, is this Cadillac re-Built to last? Are these new set of wheels improved? Cadillac thinks so, stating in the off-season "I feel great. My knees [both of them] feel better than they ever have before". Hey maybe he borrowed this set of wheels from Goodyear which made drastic improvements in Nascar from last year to this year. Coincidence? Maybe not.