Meet the Tampa Bay Bucs revamped Four Horsemen
Remember that piece we did on the Four Horsemen (aka Kellen Winslow, Jerramy Stevens, John Gilmore, and Alex Smith)? Well they have since been dwindled to three. No fear, there is a new set of Four Horsemen in town:

Raheem Morris on the Four Horsemen:
"We are talking about the bash and bash with Earnest and D-Ward. You got the lightning with [Clifton Smith], and Cadillac. I like the Horsemen, whatever they want to call themselves." - Head Coach Raheem Morris per the Pewter ReportWhat a difference a year makes right? Last season we got banged up in the back field, so banged up in fact that Earnest was playing fullback at one point. This season we have two definite and potentially four starters in the backfield in Graham, Ward, Smith, and Williams. The Wildcard is Cadillac, can he bounce back? Raheem seems to think so:
"I'm riding with Cadillac. If Cadillac said training camp is when he will return then that is what I'm rolling with. Until he proves me wrong, and proves himself wrong, I'm going with Cadillac. I got my chips on Cadillac." - Head Coach Raheem Morris on Cadillac Williams per the Pewter Report
Caddy has yet to practice during OTA’s and is expected to skip them so he is 100% come Training Camp. It’s cool how it appears the entire fan base is behind this guy, essentially willing him back to the playing field. Hopefully he can stay on the field.
We have two bruisers in D-Ward and Earnest. A wildcard in Cadillac Williams, but the most intriguing piece to the puzzle for me is Clifton Smith. Clifton Smith, the man who Jags joked about walking under tables at One Buccaneer Place because he’s so short. Like Dunn, his versatility can really throw a defense for a loop. It will be interesting to see if he was able to add Warrick’s patented spin move to his arsenal. At this point it would be a shame not to have a QB who can get the ball in these guy’s hands.
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whats wrong with the QB?
“At this point it would be a shame not to have a QB who can get the ball in these guy’s hands.”
Luke McCown was capable of putting the ball in everyones hands he threw the ball to in 3 straight games. in 2007 at New Orleans, at Houston and Carolina, Luke did not throw a single incompletion in the first Qtr of any of those games.
15 in a row,
13 in a row, the first tied a record I believe with Steve Deberg.
Im telling you, no one is going to talk about Josh Freeman for YEARS… Luke McCown is the starter for several seasons. In 4 years Josh will be 25 and ready to take over.
Thats honestly the way I see it happening.
As for the 4 HM, Cadillac looked really good when he came back. Its obvious he has (had) a genetic weakness with his knees. I believe the one was a lot stronger with all of that rehab, and that the latest injured one will be stronger now too. I think weve seen the last of Cadillac on the ground. I wouldnt say that If I didnt see him actually start to make it last year.
Cllifton Smith should be used sparingly, as he is our best bet to break a long return a few times next year, punts and KOs.
Just think, last year if we would have gotten Brett Favre, maybe WE would have lost 4 of last 5 games of the season like the Jets.....DOH!!!
by Niko Houllis on May 29, 2009 7:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well I agree with you for the most part...
…I seriously doubt Freeman becomes the Bucs starter in 4 years. If he hasn’t been given the full chance by then, the odds of him being a Buc by then is slim to none. Drafting a first round QB to sit him for a year is understandable. Even maybe 2 if he really is a project. But there’s no way we pay him first round money to sit for 4.
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by The Bull Gator on May 29, 2009 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What if...
Luke takes this team to consecutive 11 win seasons and consistant semi deep trips to teh playoffs?
do you think they would make a change?
You could be right, but Im assuming Luke has success. If not, of course he wont sit that long.
I realize Im talking about Brett Favre, but look at how long Rogers sat behind a starter that was getting the job done.
Its all assuming hes turned into a succesful QB, at least ONE NFC championship appearance, 4 straight Playoff years, I dont think they will make a change to a new QB unless there is a big change.
Just think, last year if we would have gotten Brett Favre, maybe WE would have lost 4 of last 5 games of the season like the Jets.....DOH!!!
by Niko Houllis on May 29, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we get that deep it the playoffs it will be with the running game
And if McCown is that successful we’ll trade him a la Matt Cassel
by Tetris on May 29, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not the same...
Matt Cassel got traded because the Patriots had an already proven QB coming back off of injury. Freeman is not proven. If Luke takes this team the distance then the team would be absolutely stupied to trade him to take the chance on any other. The Bucs have never really had that franchise QB that started year after year after year and it would be a horrific Shame if they finally find that guy just to trade him a year or so later for any reason. If they would do that then the team would deserve the lack of respect that they already get.
by Tye on May 29, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He turns out to be that good...
…why would get rid of him to start a guy that’s been on the bench for 4 years though? Why wouldn’t we keep him inevitably?
That’s my point, if Luke is that good to carry us for that long, there’s no real point in Freeman anymore. It’s similar to if Freeman takes over and is that good for that long, there’s no point in drafting another QB in the first few rounds any time soon.
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by The Bull Gator on May 29, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Raheem has already said it
if McCown has great success like you mention he will be traded plain and simple. Just like Drew Brees was dealt with Philip Rivers waiting in the wings…. Here’s to hoping McCown lights it up like you say
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by JScott on May 29, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Raheem said Luke will be traded if he does well?
If he came out and said that, I just lost a lot of respect for our head coach.
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by The Bull Gator on May 30, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah he said that
it’s the discussion he had with McCown before the Draft took place and McCown was fine with it
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by JScott on May 31, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh!
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by The Bull Gator on May 31, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couple of points to make
You’re right on with Cadillac. Once those knees get repaired, they dont stand of chance of having the same type of injury again. Its a freak injury to begin with, but there isnt a chance he re-injures it. He’s gonna come back, just hope he’s the same old (non-injured Caddy)
If Freeman doesnt start this year, and McCown lights it up, look for that to extend McCown for one more year, until the end of his deal. Freeman will be our starter by his 3rd year. You can’t pay that kind of money and have a first rounder sitting on the bench. See Brees, Anderson/Quinn etc.
by Buc Wild on May 29, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Brees Comparison is another one..
who sat behind a QB that was getting it done, all the while being groomed for that day. Rivers then got his chance after a few years.
I dont think Quinn is the same thing, Anderson had one year of success. If the Browns go to the Playoffs 4 straight years, and look like they are oh so close to doing it all, I dont think they make the change to the rookie yet.
Just think, last year if we would have gotten Brett Favre, maybe WE would have lost 4 of last 5 games of the season like the Jets.....DOH!!!
by Niko Houllis on May 29, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like McCown to start...
Ever since I saw him play in his first preseason game for the Bucs I was impressed because he would tuck and run when the situation would need for him to and he was quick with his release. I remember thinking then that he should be our future starter and every season I had looked for him to. When He got his chance to start in those games in 2007 I thought he had a great showing and did things that even some of the great QBs have not like throwing completions 15 out of 15 in that game against the Saints before the incomplete pass. Just think if he were to start this season with the weapons that the Bucs have now. The season could possibly be salvaged.
With Leftwich, his throw is so slow that the Bucs would have to rely that much more on the run and the talented receivers they have now would not get utilized properly. The NFC south have some great defenses and they would jump at every opportunity to see Leftwich positioned to throw.
Freeman is to unexperienced.
by Tye on May 29, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
with McCown
it’s all confidence and pocket presence. For being the best athlete on the team he got sacked an awful lot, though the offensive line had a lot to do with that as well….
I’m intrigued to see who makes it out of this competition, because it’s wide open for the taking..
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by JScott on May 29, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think McCown
opens the season as the starter. Despite his ability to get the ball in players hands look at his win-loss record. I have huge doubts about the position. As should everybody as we just don’t know what we have.
As far as Caddy goes i wouldn’t say he is genetically susceptible to those injures, they just happened to be freak accidents.
I’m hoping that Stroughter can lessen the demands on Clifton to be our savior only returner. Oh and that DJax kid may contribute as well, i kid!
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by JScott on May 29, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the confidence...
…and there’s no reason to not think the running game will be much improved. But 4 potential starters is a little much. We all love Clifton Smith and he brings an interesting dimension to the offense, but he’s not an NFL starter. Plain and simple.
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by The Bull Gator on May 29, 2009 8:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree, but the other three...
I’m excited to see this running game this year.
In the few RB snaps Clifton got last year he was explosive…I hope he holds on to the ball better this year though.
by Tetris on May 29, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too...
Really, Not to put down Graham but I would like to see Cadillac return to his explosive self and see him and Ward rip up the defense. Graham could be moved to Full back to replace Storer and rotate with Askew. That probably would never happen but it looks good on paper.
by Tye on May 29, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's something that could very well happen
in this post alone we talk about our RB depth, but on the flip side our FB depth and starter are very shaky and have the chance to deplete our RB depth once again. Something to keep an eye on
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by JScott on May 29, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
....
he could absolutely be an NFL starter. he’ll never be the type to tote the rock 20+ times a game, but he could certainly fill the same role Dunn did when he and Alstott went rough shot on the opposition…
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by JScott on May 29, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Respectfully disagree...
…Smith can be a good contributor, but he’s not Warrick Dunn. Remember Dunn is one of the few backs in league history with 10,000 yards. That’s not Smith. I like the confidence, but no way.
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by The Bull Gator on May 30, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
With the offensive line being pretty darn good and our running game looking as if we could have 4 Stars and a WR/TE corps that is pretty physical I think if McCown is not up to snuff and Freeman has any kind of reasonable form he should start and let the team build and get better with the QB of the future. Trial by fire. McCown and Leftwich are not the future so the future is now. I’m not hot on Freeman but better to see now than later if he even has possibilities. Go for it Bucs!! Put your money where your mouth is Freeman you can’t complain about not having weapons like Testeverde did in 1987 and Dilfer in 1994(?), he has all the tools that those two other franchise QB’s never had.
by SGT MIKE on May 31, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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