Gruden: Cadillac's still the man in backfield

Cadillac Williams' bruised ribs might be contributing to his performance, but Jon Gruden is not sore at him.

By RICK STROUD
Published September 25, 2007

Bucs running back Cadillac Williams looks for yardage on a first quarter carry.
	[Brian Cassella | Times]

TAMPA - Cadillac Williams' bruised ribs might be contributing to his performance, but Jon Gruden is not sore at him.

The Bucs coach said Monday that Williams, despite two lost fumbles in three games and a 3.5-yard rushing average for the season, will continue to be the primary ballcarrier Sunday against Carolina.

Williams had just one rushing attempt in the fourth quarter while reserve running backs Earnest Graham and Michael Pittman combined for 131 of the Bucs' 182 rushing yards - most of them coming in the second half of Sunday's 24-3 win over the St. Louis Rams.

"He played pretty good Sunday," Gruden said of Williams, who had 46 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. "He had a fumble, he had the touchdown. He had two, or three, or four very nice runs to start the second half on our opening drive for the touchdown.

"I am not going to defend him any more than I have to. I think he is a hell of a back. Obviously, he has put the ball on the ground. He's had some issues with his ribs. We expect a lot more because of what we have seen him do in the past. That's all I will say about it. I want him to get going obviously quick, because we need him."

The seldom-used Graham had a career-high 75 yards on eight carries, including his first two touchdowns as a pro. Pittman added 56 yards rushing and 35 receiving.

Graham's first rushing attempt - a 4-yard run on first down - was intended to go to Pittman, who voluntarily switched positions with the former Florida star.

"That first carry he had, that was supposed to be my carry, but I told Earnest he could run it," Pittman said. "I said, 'Earnest, you run it, and I'll block for you.' He was playing fullback and was supposed to motion out and block, but I told him he could do it.

"Earnest, he works so hard, I just wanted him to get an opportunity to carry the ball. Then he got really hot and scored two touchdowns."

Gruden said he will try to include Pittman and Graham in the game plan, but he didn't make any promises.

"Carnell (Williams) is our feature back," Gruden said. "We will try to do much better than we have done against Carolina in the past running the ball. If we don't run the ball any better, we are not going to the run the ball at all, we might have to throw it a lot. ... Cadillac will be the starting tailback. We will do everything we can to incorporate Earnest and Pittman as well."

Williams appeared to aggravate his rib injury Sunday. He fumbled on his next carry and participated in only one more play.

The league's offensive rookie of the year in 2005 has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau just twice in his past 19 games.

"I'm not going to speak for him on his ribs," Gruden said. "I assure you he doesn't feel 100 percent. He made some nice runs, he scored three touchdowns, did some good things. He averaged 3.5 yards per carry (Sunday). So did Steven Jackson. It's hard to run for yards in the NFL as it is, especially early in the game. I am just very confident that he will pick it up and good things are on the horizon."

Gruden credited his offensive line, particularly rookie Arron Sears, who pulled on several plays to help spring Graham in the fourth quarter.

Eventually, he said, Cadillac will get rolling.

"If we keep pounding the rock, as they say around here, sometimes the rock will break and you will start to get some good looks and wear somebody down in the second half," Gruden said. "Carnell, certainly we need to get more out of him, because he is capable of delivering some home runs, some big hits for us. We are going to keep giving him the ball, and hopefully those runs are in our near future."

[Last modified September 25, 2007, 00:35:50]