Talking with Cadillac Williams When Cadillac Williams fought through a grueling rehab process to return from the devastating knee injury he suffered in 2007, it was something of a minor miracle. Coaches, teammates, and fans alike were amazed at the young back’s resilience and work ethic as he poured his heart and soul into long days and dark nights trying to get back on the field in 2008. So when Williams lay writhing in pain on the sideline late last season at the conclusion of a play eerily similar to the one that took him down the first time, a collective gasp arose from Raymond James Stadium. Not him. Not again. As inspiring as Williams’ first recovery was, and despite the fact that his second injury was less severe, the question remained: Would he still have the mental and emotional fortitude, much less the physical ability, to go through the whole process again? Consider that question answered with a resounding yes. Williams once again battled through his rehabilitation and now stands just two games away from completing the first full 16-game season of his career. But he isn’t hanging around as a mere shell of his former self – Williams has displayed the same speed and hard-nosed running style that caught the organization’s eye in the first place. The fifth-year back leads the team in rushing yards and touchdowns – numbers that Williams isn’t satisfied with, but that are impressive considering the path he’s traveled. And despite the natural inclination to wonder where his career might be at this point had he not suffered two serious knee injuries, “Caddy” has put those thoughts in his rearview mirror as he continues rolling along into the future, and into what he believes is still the early stages of a fruitful NFL career. Before training camp started, the coaches said they were going to take it easy on you, maybe have you participate in every other practice. Then you went out there and showed up for virtually every practice, even the two-a-days. Did you secretly know going into camp that you were farther along than they expected? “No doubt. First of all, it was my second time going through the injury, so the way my body felt, I knew I was farther along. I knew that I could definitely be productive. If things didn’t swell up or get sore on me, I knew I could be good to go, and I was fine.” Not to bring up bad memories, but you’ve talked before about how you had a tough emotional time in the first few weeks after your first knee injury. Can you look back now and say experiences like that made you stronger as a person and a football player? “No doubt. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world because it made me stronger as a person and as a player. It made me much more humble. It made me appreciate the little things in life, appreciate the game of football, and appreciate life.” What kept you motivated during your two comebacks from those knee injuries, especially on a Tuesday morning in February or March? “Basically, the love of the game. I really enjoy playing this game. I love to play the game of football. I enjoy practicing, I enjoy training, I enjoy Sundays. I just enjoy learning about the game of football and playing the game of football, and that was what always kept me motivated.” Aside from the team goal of winning football games, what was your goal coming into this season and did you achieve it? Are you happy with the way you’ve played? “Of course I’m not happy with the way I’ve played. I feel I could’ve played much better, but it is what it is. My main goal was basically to stay healthy. That was pretty much my main goal, and I have two more weeks.” There was a lot of optimism that a backfield of you, Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham would be like the three-headed monster the Giants had last year, but game situations and other factors have kept that from fully developing. Do you think that sort of rushing attack could still unfold with the three of you, perhaps in 2010? “Of course it can. It’s a long season. If the offense gets on track where we’re rolling and steaming on people, there’s definitely enough carries to go around. It’s a good chance that that could still be in play.” Your two comebacks from knee injuries have been impressive and your career is back on track, but do you ever catch yourself thinking about where you might be if those two freak accidents hadn’t happened? Or do you accept your life as it has unfolded and not look back? “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. Of course you kind of reflect sometimes like, let’s say I wouldn’t have had those two knee injuries. How would my career have unfolded? But now that I’ve had it, it’s like, let me move forward and see how my career is going to pan out from here.” Is there anything different about your game or your running style after your two comebacks? Have you adjusted your approach at all? “To be totally honest, I haven’t. I felt like the injury was some fluke stuff. It happened, I’m over it. I wouldn’t say I’ve changed my running style. I feel like I run the same way.” What do you still hope to accomplish in the NFL, personally? “Personally, I’m still out here to prove that I can be a very productive back and one of the best backs in the league. I’m just eager to prove that. I have a lot of football left in me, and my best years are ahead of me. I’m looking forward to it.” The Bucs struggled for much of the season but seem to be putting things together a little bit here at the end. Does the future look bright to you here in Tampa? How quickly can this thing get turned around? “The future for the organization is bright. You’ve got Josh Freeman, who’s going to be a really good quarterback. You’ve got some core guys in here that are really good players, young guys, that are going to be good players. But as far as me, only time will tell.