Cadillac gives Bucs a bright spot during season of darkness It's not all misery at One Buc Place this season. Amid the negativity that goes with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 1-12 record, it's still possible to flash a 586-watt smile over at least one development. That's one watt for every yard gained so far by Cadillac Williams, and it's about 586 more than anyone had a reasonable right to expect he would gain. We know his story so well: two torn patellar tendon injuries to his knees in the past two seasons. One such injury can often end the career of a player so dependent on his legs. Two of them (one to each knee), and you figure it's time to answer the question, "So, Caddy, what did you plan to do with your life after football?" He still has time to think about that. "My story is definitely inspiring," he said. "I've been blessed. I feel better than ever. I just want to thank God for it. There has been a lot of praying, a lot of hard work." Starting with the opening game this season against Dallas, when he gained 97 yards, Caddy has been one of the few consistently bright spots for the Bucs. He averages a solid 3.8 yards per carry, has three touchdowns, and has 21 catches for 143 yards and two more scores. "The first game against Dallas was the first game where I could go full speed, plant, run through some guys," he said. "It gave my confidence an unbelievable boost." Now, remember how you felt last December when Caddy was carried off the field during the last game of the season against the Oakland Raiders. In an instant, the crowd at Raymond James Stadium went stone silent upon realizing that Caddy was on the turf and wasn't getting up. Until that moment, he had been something of a walking/running miracle – having made it back from that patellar injury in 2007 at Carolina. He was starting to flash the old form. Caddy had gotten into six games and had four TDs when he went down. Everyone knew what he had gone through to get back on the field and it was simply sickening to watch him leave that way. When word came that it was another torn tendon – this time in his "good" knee – all anyone could do was shake their head and say what a shame it was. Turns out, we weren't the only ones with that initial reaction. "Once I got hurt, my mind automatically went to thinking, 'This is it.' The first one had been such an uphill battle," he said. "But once I got into the [rehabilitation] process the second time, I started feeling better and the light kind of went on." We know the problems the Bucs have had, particularly on offense. We know the woes of the offensive line. We know that because the Bucs have committed to playing a rookie quarterback, and opposing defenses can key more on stopping the running game while trying to force Josh Freeman to beat them. Even with all that, Caddy has been solid. He has even turned in to more of an inside power runner than when he first broke in. The damage his knees sustained doesn't appear to have robbed him of the explosion that made him such a sensation as a rookie. His work this season screams "Comeback Player of the Year." "I feel like I'm a much smarter runner now," he said. "I kind of pick and choose my battles." Even as we began to hear during off-season workouts and training camp that Caddy was recovering faster than anticipated, no one could have expected a season like this from him. With three games to go, it's reasonable to believe he could finish with somewhere between 700 and 800 yards rushing this season. And people have noticed. Every game, players from the opposing teams make it a point to say some encouraging words to Caddy. They know what he has been through. "That's unreal," he said. "It makes you feel good, especially with your peers. Guys know the work you've put in and what you're doing, and when they tell you they're pulling for you that means a lot." It's also something to build on as the Bucs move forward. At the very least, Caddy's play this year provides some light to follow on the path back to competitiveness. About 586 watts worth. And growing brighter all the time. Joe Henderson, The Tampa Tribune 18 December 2009