Perfectly positioned

Michael Pittman won't be pushed aside by Cadillac. He's joining him in the Bucs' new Rocket backfield.

By RICK STROUD
Published September 9, 2005

	[Times photo: Bill Serne]
	Introducing the Bucs Report Is the Bucs defense a veteran group that is still one of the league's best or are they getting old? Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud answers these questions and others. Click to listen | RSS feed

TAMPA - Turns out Carnell "Cadillac" Williams might not have pushed Michael Pittman out of the starting lineup after all.

He just forced him into playing three other positions.

Williams and Pittman are expected to share the backfield for much of Sunday's season opener at Minnesota.

It's called the "Rocket" backfield and Jon Gruden deliberately scrubbed its launch in the preseason to keep opponents from having the formations on film.

Gruden deployed the two-back system with the Raiders and Eagles but attempts in Tampa Bay were aborted after the suspension of Pittman the first three games of 2004 and Charlie Garner's season-ending knee injury.

But Pittman, who rushed for 926 yards and caught 41 passes for 391 yards and 10 touchdowns, is excited about the move.

His ability to block, run precise routes and catch passes will enable the Bucs to keep him on the field with Williams.

"Both us are going to be on the field at the same time, with me playing fullback, and tailback and receiver and tight end," Pittman said. "All kinds of stuff, man. I'll be able to line up everywhere.

"I can't give away too much. But I'm on the field, and catching the ball is just as good as running the ball to me."

Gruden is a master at creating mismatches, particularly in the passing game. But the two-back system isn't effective unless both are adequate receivers.

The idea is to get either Pittman or Williams or both isolated in coverage on a linebacker in a base defense when the opponent doesn't have the use of a third defensive back.

Put the linebacker or safety into coverage and there suddenly are more rushing lanes for the tailback.

"I love running receiver routes," the 6-foot 228-pound Pittman said. "I'm too big and too physical for a corner or a safety to cover me up and too fast for a linebacker. So it's a mismatch."

Although openly discussing the possibilities, Gruden was careful not to utilize the formation in the preseason except during practice. And both Williams and Pittman were used sparingly during preseason games, combining for just 19 carries.

But Bucs defensive coaches will say having two backs who can catch the football creates headaches.

"I think it creates a major problem," linebackers coach Joe Barry said. "What that equates to, just in basic coverage rules, when there's two backs in the backfield, you're thinking one of them is going to be a fullback and if that fullback motions out, heck, a linebacker should be able to cover a fullback. But when that fullback is a Michael Pittman or a Cadillac Williams, when you do that, it forces you as a defensive coach to be smart what you call because you don't want someone who can't cover that guy on him in space.

"I'm glad we've got them because we don't have to defend those two cats, whatever Jon calls them, the Rocket backs. It's a dangerous combination."

Of course, Gruden still is keeping details of the Rocket in his pocket.

"We'll see. We might not do it at all," Gruden said. "That might just be smokescreen because we do have other venues that we attack with. To have the emergence of Earnest Graham is big. We all know that Pittman can function in any formation and Carnell is a guy we think can be great, so yeah, we're really excited. It's been a while."

The scheme has made for a smooth transition for Williams, who could remain on the field in passing situations and let Pittman handle some of the blitz pickups.

"I definitely feel like we're a dynamic duo," Williams said. "You've got Michael Pittman, an excellent blocker, an excellent pass catcher. His ability to do that is going to allow both of us to be on the field at the same time. That's a double threat the defense has to worry about."

Thanks to Pittman, Williams didn't have to worry about encountering a veteran sour about losing his job. In fact, Pittman and fullback Mike Alstott, who also could have reduced playing time, embraced the Auburn rookie.

"That's my attitude," Pittman said. "Last year, I gave it all I could give. The fumbles, of course, was a disappointment. But, of course, I put up good numbers. I had 926 yards rushing and a 4.2-yard average. It seems like for all the lead backs, that's like normal around the NFL.

"Coach Gruden has the final decision and if the decision is to go with Carnell Williams, I'll take a step sideways and do whatever I've got to do. If it's catching the ball, playing fullback, whatever."

The countdown has begun.

[Last modified September 9, 2005, 01:19:15]