National Football League

Preparing for life after Cadillac?

Published Oct. 18, 2010 10:14 p.m. ET

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Blount, Huggins to get more carries while Bucs give starter Williams a needed "break."

By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams has been a sentimental favorite of players, coaches and fans for his accomplishments.

Few believed he could overcome two serious knee injuries to play in the NFL again. Most thought his career was in jeopardy after the first surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in 2007. Williams' career seemed just about over after his second season-ending knee injury in 2008.

Although Williams returned and was productive last season, Tampa Bay is seemingly laying the groundwork to find his replacement.

Tampa Bay (2-1) plans to incorporate rookie running back LeGarrette Blount and Kareem Huggins into its running attack against Cincinnati (2-2) on Sunday. Williams is in no immediate danger of losing his starting position, but his reps could decrease if Blount and Huggins flourish.

"We've got Cadillac Williams, who had two major knee surgeries and has rehabbed and done a tremendous job coming back, but at this point in his career he's at a point where he probably needs a rest," offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. "He needs a break."

Coaches want Williams, 28, to take a break from the constant pounding he receives on Sunday.

Williams, an unrestricted free agent after this season, is known as a hard runner not afraid of contact. As a result, Williams takes a lot of hits from opponents throughout the season, which is not ideal considering he is playing on two surgically repaired knees.

In addition, Williams has not been a consistent threat in the running game since his rookie season. Williams rushed for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie in 2005, but had 798 yards and one touchdown in 2006, was plagued with injuries in 2007 and 2008, and had 823 rushing yards and four touchdowns last season. His longest run from scrimmage since his rookie year was 38 yards in 2006.

"I think the younger the player, the easier it is to just hand him the ball and give (him) the carries," Olson said. "And on our part, too, there's a tremendous amount of trust in Cadillac Williams to get lined up correctly, to know the blitz checks, to know his protection assignment.

"So there is a trust factor there as well, and Kareem Huggins and LeGarrette Blount are still earning that. We need to get Cadillac a rest. We need to make sure he's fresh when he is in the game."

Williams could receive more rest than he anticipates if his successors play well.

Blount averaged 4.5 yards per carry in Tampa Bay's 38-13 loss to Pittsburgh, finishing with 27 yards on six carries. Huggins provides Tampa Bay with a speedy option, which is a change of pace from Blount's bruising style.

"We will be fired up to go out there and get them their touches and their runs," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "These guys are sort of forming themselves into roles so to speak, whether it is short yardage, whether it is goal line, whether it is first down, whether it is protection, whether it is third-down backs and all those situations that are going to come up.

"We know Kareem showed some dynamic speed that we have not seen yet, which is going to be fun. We'll put those guys out there and let them go. You don't want to kind of dictate what they are going to do. Kind of let the game come to those guys."

Tampa Bay desperately needs an energy shot in its running game.

The Bucs are averaging 96.3 rushing yards per game, which is ranked 20th in the NFL. Williams has rushed 55 times for 139 yards and no touchdowns this season, while quarterback Josh Freeman is Tampa Bay's second-leading carrier with 12 rushes for 92 yards.

Williams might be a sentimental favorite, but will need more than emotional support to fight off Blount and Huggins.

"Usually somebody steps outside of the box and becomes the hot guy and we'll just have to see what's going on with the game, with the tempo, with the pace and what we want to do," Morris said. "Those are two young players we're talking about with Blount and Kareem Huggins. Neither one of them has played, really, in a full-time aspect for us in a game.

"Two young players, two different roles, going out there to help your team win."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

Photo Credit: Staff photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Photo: Cadillac Williams has 55 carries for 139 yards and no touchdowns this season.

Copyright ? 2010, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail library@tampatrib.com

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