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Cadillac uncertain as injuries bite Bucs
A sore hamstring and a sprained foot spur frustration for the rookie RB and Jon Gruden. Anthony Davis and Brian Griese also are hurting.
By RICK STROUD
Published October 4, 2005
TAMPA - The Vikings, Bills and Packers couldn't do it. But injuries may finally stop Cadillac Williams.
The Bucs rookie running back, who is third in the NFL in rushing yards (447) and first in carries (99), has played the past two weeks with a left foot sprain. It didn't affect him at Green Bay, where he rushed for 158 yards on 37 carries. But Williams struggled Sunday against the Lions, gaining 13 yards on 11 carries before leaving in the third quarter with a left hamstring strain.
Williams had tests on his hamstring Monday but no results were provided by the team. His status for Sunday's game against the Jets will be determined later this week.
Coach Jon Gruden said the Bucs don't want to risk further injury to Williams and lose him for an extended part of the season.
"Obviously, when you miss practice, it's not a good thing for anybody to get ready to play," Gruden said. "Whether it's a hamstring or any injury, you've got to be careful with it. We're going to do what's best for him and for this season.
"I've been frustrated, as has he, the last couple weeks. The foot injury has been persistent. It's getting better, but how much better I really don't know. We're going to put him in a boot (Monday), take the boot off (today) and see how he feels. In the time being, Earnest Graham, (Michael) Pittman, those guys will go."
Williams isn't the only player the Bucs are concerned about.
Left tackle Anthony Davis suffered a left shoulder bruise after taking a blindside hit from cornerback R.W. McQuarters after an interception Sunday and missed the second half.
Davis had an MRI exam on his shoulder Monday and results were unavailable.
Quarterback Brian Griese, who suffered a concussion after a second-quarter collision with Lions linebacker Boss Bailey on a 7-yard scramble, reported he had a headache and some neck stiffness.
"When you get into the heat of the battle and you're competing, you want to get the extra yards, sometimes you can dive and be safe doing it," Griese said. "In that instance, I didn't get down as fast as I wanted to."
After the injury, Griese missed the mark on five of his next seven passes, including two that were intercepted. But he said he made the right decision to remain in the game.
"If I was ever in a position where I didn't think I could play effectively or I didn't feel like I knew the offense or going through my reads, I wouldn't go out there," Griese said. "Chris (Simms) can more than adequately come in and work in the offense, and I don't have any doubt that he can help the team win. But I felt like I could go back out and finish the game and be effective. I made some bad decisions, you know, and I'm going to work on those things. But if I have a chance to go out and compete, I'm not going to lay down for anybody."
Gruden, however, is concerned about Griese's interceptions. He has thrown six this season and 13 in his past eight games dating to 2004.
"It's intolerable to turn the ball over," Gruden said. "We are overworking certain aspects of plays. We're trying to get too much out of something that isn't there.
"He's made three of his interceptions this season when he was scrambling - one against Minnesota, one against Green Bay and one (Sunday) prior to the end of the half. He's trying to get too much out of plays. We'll make one more pitch, because sometimes the best play you can make is throwing the ball away because it's the only play. ... And this is a guy who's going to state his case and it's going to be a heck of a day for me, shortly."
Griese admits he has to make better decisions.
"This game is about making plays," he said. "My job, ultimately, when you boil everything down, is to decipher the difference between when you can make plays and when it's better not to try to make plays. Certain instances (Sunday), I probably should've not tried to make these plays. But by the same token, the throw to Joey Galloway is not a safe throw by any stretch of the imagination, backed up in our own end. So, that's the game you play."
Gruden watched several of his top offensive weapons disappear Sunday. In addition to Williams and Davis, receiver Joey Galloway left with dehydration and Michael Clayton was out with a shoulder bruise. Both are expected to play against the Jets.
"I felt like everybody was leaving me (Sunday)," Gruden said. "I got so mad at the trainer, Todd (Toriscelli). First, Cadillac is out, then Anthony Davis. Clayton's gone, Galloway's gone, what do you want me to do? Joey and I had a good conversation after the game. We'll do whatever we have to do to keep him healthy. We missed him three or four times (Sunday) for big chunks, he could have had a real big day. He's played tremendous football and certainly will be in the lineup as much as possible."
If Williams is unable to play, Gruden said the Bucs will rely on Pittman, who had 96 yards receiving and a touchdown Sunday.
"We don't really know the severity of this hamstring," Gruden said. "It might just be a contusion of some kind. But Carnell's not the most outspoken guy I've met. We're meeting with him at this time and I can't speculate anymore until Carnell and the doctors have a chance to look at this further."
[Last modified October 4, 2005, 02:15:30]
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