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Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 26 September 2005
Cadillac Williams already has a cleat up on the best runners in NFL history. By shredding the Packers for 158 yards on 37 carries Sunday, Tampa Bay's remarkable rookie running back entered the league record book atop two lists while helping the Bucs stay unbeaten with a 17-16 triumph. "Give him a little daylight and he'll make it a real hot sun," Bucs right tackle Kenyatta Walker said after Williams became the first runner in the league's 86-year history to open his pro career with three consecutive 100-yard games. "He's special. That was horrible turf out there, and for him to cut like he did … I'm just glad he's on our team."
Williams, the first-round pick out of Auburn who was selected behind running backs Ronnie Brown (Miami) and Cedric Benson (Chicago), also passed Alan Ameche for the most yards by a rookie back in his first three games. Ameche ran for 410 yards through three games for the 1955 Baltimore Colts and Williams has 434 yards on his 88 carries. "He's two personalities in one," Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice said of Williams, who was playing with a painful arch injury. "One is quiet as a mouse -- the other's a beast. Come game time, he's a maniac. Right now, he's one of our best defensive players. By keeping us fresh, he's keeping a dominant defense that much more dominant."
Williams saved his best for last, gaining exactly half his yards in a punishing fourth quarter that saw him carry the ball on 14 of 22 snaps. "I can't explain the feelings you get as a back," said Williams, who had enough energy left to break fourth-quarter runs of 26 and 24 yards. "I am sure all great backs get it. You feel like the defense is going to mess up in some way and you're going to bust one. As a team, we feel the fourth quarter is our quarter. As a player, I feel the fourth quarter is my quarter."
After Williams turned in the seventh most prolific game by a running back in Tampa Bay's 30-year history, teammates searched for adjectives to describe his impact. "He has a little wiggle, and when that wiggle's done, he hits it downhill with power," middle linebacker Shelton Quarles said. "Cadillac's our Easy Rider. We've all got faith he's going to make that key cut for big yardage," said safety Will Allen, who contributed a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions.
Williams is trying to take all this instant fame in his prominent stride. The last time the Bucs won in Green Bay, Williams was 7 years old and playing "backyard football" in Alabama. With a four-deep crowd surrounding his locker, he credited Tampa Bay's young offensive line for providing the holes that kept Green Bay off the field for all but 3:29 of the fourth quarter. "We are showing signs of greatness," he said of a 3-0 start forged by stout defense and an overpowering ground game. "To be honest, it is amazing."
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