Reading the tea leaves with Caddy
One the most dangerous things an analyst can do is unnecessarily speculate. In football, we do this too much with injuries because we get such little information.
Here's what we know about Carnell Williams. The Bucs are calling Cadillac questionable for this week, but the St. Petersburg Times says he's closer to doubtful. The Tampa Tribune says he's sidelined "indefinitely" and will be out "for a while."
Here's where the speculation comes in. Williams was "out" of Sunday's game very quickly. There was no question he was not returning to the game. The media said shortly afterward that Williams' injury may last a while.
The team is calling Williams' injuries "bruised ribs." Based on everything we know, it's fair to wonder if Williams' ribs are broken. Joe Jurevicius suffered broken ribs last year and missed four weeks. Willis McGahee broke a rib last year and missed three weeks.
Again, this is informed speculation. Maybe Williams will play this week, but it sounds unlikely. If Cadillac misses multiple games, look for Tampa to start Michael Pittman. Jon Gruden says others will be involved:
If we don't have Cadillac, we'll have to use (Michael) Pittman and Ernest Graham at tailback and you'll see a lot more of B.J. Askew, who played pretty well at fullback. Again, we'll update you as to (Williams') status in the next day or so. At this point in time he's questionable for the game and there's a chance he plays.
I would pick up Pittman in all formats. He won't be a workhorse, but he put up 216 total yards in two spot starts late last year. He'll be a quality flex option in PPR leagues this week against the Saints.
Comments
Would you start Betts, Pittman, or go pick up Sammy Morris to start in place of Cadillac for Sunday?
This is a PPR league.
Posted by: Doug | September 10, 2007 02:40 PM
I have Cadillac, and just picked up Pittman. I have Lendale White and Chester Taylor (another possible injury) as backups on top of Pittman. Who would you start in place of Williams: Pittman, White, or Taylor in a PPR league?
Posted by: David | September 10, 2007 03:40 PM
I would start Pittman in a PPR league.
Posted by: Jon | September 10, 2007 03:52 PM
Would you pick up D Ward or M Pittman if you didn't own either of the injured starters??
Posted by: Adam | September 10, 2007 08:06 PM
Definitely not Taylor. His injury opened the door for AD and I think the wheels are in motion now for this timeshare to lean more and more towards him with each passing week. If Taylor plays, I can't see the split being any closer than 60/40 in favour of Peterson.
Posted by: MF Duke | September 10, 2007 11:03 PM