Journal
Adjusting to a New Life
07.15.05
AWS: Were you excited about being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
CW: Oh yeah I was excited. I played with Coach Gruden and his staff in the Senior Bowl. Coach Gruden and his staff are people I wanted to work with, play with and you know, the Bucs fans and the state of Florida… they love their Bucs football. So, I was definitely excited about getting drafted by Tampa Bay.
AWS: What is the main thing you have learned in the few meetings and practices you have had at this point?
CW: I think playing on this level here you have got to be a better student of the game, because here, it is so mental. Once you get on this level, everybody has the talent to do great things or, you know, you wouldn’t be playing on this level and they wouldn’t be paying you the money they are paying you. But, I think it is the little things you do, like watching films, studying the game, knowing the history of the game, taking care of your body, doing those things off the field. You know, being productive.
AWS: Do you feel there is more pressure being a first round pick and performing well right out of the gate?
CW: Of course there is pressure. But, it is just something you can’t think about going into a game knowing you are a first round pick, knowing you have to produce and contribute early. You just have to have that confidence in yourself and know that you have been playing this game for a long time and it is still the game of football. It is just a new level with better players. That is kind of how I look at it.
AWS: How has living with (Bucs wide receiver) Michael Clayton helped your transition into the pros?
CW: Oh man, he has really been a blessing to me. Just knowing that he was in the same situation I was last year has been a big help. He is sharing some of the things he went through as far as on the field and off the field, and he helps any time I have any questions or any problems or things aren’t going right. You know, I can always kind of just go to him and be like, “You know when you were a rookie, how did you handle this?” He let me stay with him this summer, so he has really eased my transition as far as like getting used to Tampa and knowing the city. He has been a big help.
AWS: What do you feel has been the biggest challenge in your transition so far?
CW: I think the biggest challenge so far is me learning Coach Gruden’s offense because as a running back he requires you to do so many things. You’ve got to play in the slot and you will be split out wide receiver. So therefore, coming from college, I was just used to learning the running back position…what I do, who I block. But now, I have got to know what everybody else is doing on the field because he has formations where I will actually be split out wide and in those positions, so therefore, I have to learn the whole offense and that has been kind of different, but it is coming along well.
AWS: Have you had to deal with any ribbing or practical jokes from the veterans so far?
CW: No, not yet. So far, none of that has gone on. But I am sure once training camp starts and everybody gets together, I know a lot of that is going to be going on.
AWS: What are some of the goals you have for yourself for your rookie season?
CW: To be honest with you, one of the goals I have is to contribute as much as possible to help the Bucs win a championship. Coming in and whether that means carrying the ball a lot, not carrying a lot, or doing punt returns or kickoff returns. I want to come in as a rookie and be productive.
AWS: How have the current running backs received you and worked with you?
CW: Oh man, those guys have been a big help. You know, Pittman, Allstot, Ian Smart. Those guys have really helped me, because at first I was kind of struggling with the offense through OTA’s and things like that. But those guys, any time I had questions or anytime they saw me doing something wrong they would correct me and take me through things step by step. So, those guys have been a big help.
AWS: How do you feel Tampa Bay’s offense fits your style of running?
CW: Oh, it is perfect! I love it. For one, it is not a one-dimensional offense. Playing running back in Coach Gruden’s offense you get to do so many things from catching the ball, running the ball, and catching screens. I mean, you just get to do a lot in his offense. I am going to be in the slot, spread out wide, so, you know, this offense is perfect. I am so excited.
AWS: So you will certainly be busy this this season.
CW: That is the plan.
AWS: What are your plans for the next few weeks before training camp begins?
CW: Well right now I am currently in Tampa working out and getting more accustomed with the offense where once I report on training day I can just go out there and play football and be full speed.
AWS: You know this has to be asked… where does the nickname Cadillac come from?
CW: The nickname Cadillac came from this guy named Mike Riata (Etowah High School broadcaster). He gave it to me my junior year in high school. He just said I ran smooth like a Cadillac. Every time he would see me running he would say “there goes the Cadillac.” It just stuck with me through college and now it has carried over to the pros.