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Cadillac rolls into Rams Park
BY JIM THOMAS • jthomas@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8197 | Posted: Thursday, August 4, 2011 12:05 am |
Cadillac Williams of Tampa Bay looks for running room against the Seattle Seahawks in a game last December. (AP Photo)
The long and winding road to quality backfield help has ended with a cruise in a Cadillac.
The Rams agreed to terms Wednesday with running back Cadillac Williams, the Tampa Bay free agent. To a large degree, Williams is the finishing stroke on an unprecedented week of free agency for the Rams. The former No. 5 overall pick in the 2005 draft is the 10th free agent to join the Rams in the last eight days. According to league sources, Williams will sign a one-year deal.
The search for a backup to Pro Bowler Steven Jackson has been an ongoing saga for three offseasons. Because of the lockout, it spilled into training camp this year. But the addition of Williams, plus the arrival of Atlanta free agent Jerious Norwood on Tuesday, gives the Rams sudden depth and flexibility in the backfield.
Make no mistake, Jackson won't leave the field all that much barring injury. Williams, 5-11, 217, was an effective third-down back last season for the Buccaneers after losing the feature back job to LeGarrett Blount. Most observers feel that he has enough left at age 29 that he could carry the load for a few games should Jackson go down with injury.
Williams was the NFC's offensive rookie of the year in 2005 when he gained 1,178 rushing yards, and added 798 yards in his second season. But he was slowed by knee injuries in '07 and '08 and after gaining 823 yards in a renaissance '09 season gave way to Blount last season. Even so, Williams remained effective in spot duty for the Bucs, particularly on third down, finishing with 437 yards rushing and 355 yards receiving. His 1-yard touchdown catch with 10 seconds to play capped a dramatic rally last season in an 18-17 victory over the Rams.
With a career rushing average of 3.8 yards a carry, Williams never has been considered a home-run threat. Until scoring on a 45-yard TD run last Nov. 14 against Carolina, Williams hadn't had a run of more than 38 yards since his rookie season.
In terms of intangibles, Williams is considered an excellent locker room presence with good leadership skills. There shouldn't be any friction on his part about wanting to upstage or take carries from Jackson in the backfield. Meanwhile, Norwood should provide a speed threat and handle kickoff returns, if he's fully recovered from last season's knee surgery.
After a day off Wednesday, the Rams return to practice today with a 1:50 p.m.
Cadillac rolls into Rams Park
BY JIM THOMAS • jthomas@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8197 | Posted: Thursday, August 4, 2011 12:05 am |
Cadillac Williams of Tampa Bay looks for running room against the Seattle Seahawks in a game last December. (AP Photo)
The long and winding road to quality backfield help has ended with a cruise in a Cadillac.
The Rams agreed to terms Wednesday with running back Cadillac Williams, the Tampa Bay free agent. To a large degree, Williams is the finishing stroke on an unprecedented week of free agency for the Rams. The former No. 5 overall pick in the 2005 draft is the 10th free agent to join the Rams in the last eight days. According to league sources, Williams will sign a one-year deal.
The search for a backup to Pro Bowler Steven Jackson has been an ongoing saga for three offseasons. Because of the lockout, it spilled into training camp this year. But the addition of Williams, plus the arrival of Atlanta free agent Jerious Norwood on Tuesday, gives the Rams sudden depth and flexibility in the backfield.
Make no mistake, Jackson won't leave the field all that much barring injury. Williams, 5-11, 217, was an effective third-down back last season for the Buccaneers after losing the feature back job to LeGarrett Blount. Most observers feel that he has enough left at age 29 that he could carry the load for a few games should Jackson go down with injury.
Williams was the NFC's offensive rookie of the year in 2005 when he gained 1,178 rushing yards, and added 798 yards in his second season. But he was slowed by knee injuries in '07 and '08 and after gaining 823 yards in a renaissance '09 season gave way to Blount last season. Even so, Williams remained effective in spot duty for the Bucs, particularly on third down, finishing with 437 yards rushing and 355 yards receiving. His 1-yard touchdown catch with 10 seconds to play capped a dramatic rally last season in an 18-17 victory over the Rams.
With a career rushing average of 3.8 yards a carry, Williams never has been considered a home-run threat. Until scoring on a 45-yard TD run last Nov. 14 against Carolina, Williams hadn't had a run of more than 38 yards since his rookie season.
In terms of intangibles, Williams is considered an excellent locker room presence with good leadership skills. There shouldn't be any friction on his part about wanting to upstage or take carries from Jackson in the backfield. Meanwhile, Norwood should provide a speed threat and handle kickoff returns, if he's fully recovered from last season's knee surgery.
After a day off Wednesday, the Rams return to practice today with a 1:50 p.m.
