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Friend and Foe, One and The Same
By Jacob TullochNovember 18, 2009
Exclusively provided by Curvsports.com
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The last time they were on a field together, it was as the vaunted RB tandem that led Auburn University to an undefeated college football season and a Sugar Bowl victory. Back then, they shared the glory; Ronnie Brown was the "Thunder" to Cadillac Williams' "Lightning".
Strangely enough, only a perfect storm could have reunited them this past Sunday.
Both players were chosen within the first 5 picks of the 2005 NFL draft, Ronnie at #2 and Caddy at #5; the only time in NFL history two college teammates at the same position were selected that high. Both achieved immediate success, and both conquered seemingly insurmountable obstacles to make it to where they're at today. It's safe to say no one could have predicted the roads they'd follow.
Each player got out of the gates quickly; Cadillac even one-upped Ronnie during their rookie season, amassing nearly 1200 rushing yards as Tampa Bay's workhorse back. Brown was forced to settle into a timeshare with incumbent Ricky Williams, but still managed 900 rushing yards along with vastly superior receiving totals. Beginning in 2006, their paths began to diverge.
As Brown built upon his solid rookie campaign, Caddy regressed statistically during the 2006 season. But soon enough, both players were in a similarly precarious situation. Both suffered ACL tears in 2007, each missing more than half the season. They remained close friends from their time at Auburn, and spent a good deal of time rehabbing together. However, while Brown rebounded nicely in 2008, Williams couldn't shake the injury bug and was beginning to assume the dreaded "bust" label.
Fast forward to 2009. Cadillac Williams has risen from the ashes of his injury troubles and once again assumed the lion's share of the carries for Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, Ronnie Brown has become one of the NFL's most feared backfield weapons, and spearheads Miami's revolutionary Wildcat offense. A lot has changed since their college days, but one thing that hasn't is the camaraderie that the two men share.
"First of all, he's a really, really good friend," Williams said."We've sweat together, we've cried together, we've done a lot of things together, It's good to see a guy like that get off to a good start. Both of us are doing what we love to do. We always try to do two or three trips together, we hang out and chill out.''
Ronnie concurs: "We established a friendship off the field when we're at Auburn so that's carried on through the league and through a few injuries for him and one for myself. On the football field we're friends and I hope he has a great season, just not this week against us."
The two even placed a friendly wager on the outcome of their matchup this Sunday. Cadillac bet Ronnie (1) That he'd outrush him, and (2) that the Bucs would beat the Dolphins. Ronnie won on both counts, outrushing Caddy 82 to 52 and winning the game. So what was at stake?
"I'm going to Africa -- two weeks on him'' Williams said, provided he won the bets. But, when prompted on Ronnie's prize if he lost --
"I think he said something about Australia, he would pick something like that.''
You can bet Mr. Brown will enjoy his time off.
Strangely enough, only a perfect storm could have reunited them this past Sunday.
Both players were chosen within the first 5 picks of the 2005 NFL draft, Ronnie at #2 and Caddy at #5; the only time in NFL history two college teammates at the same position were selected that high. Both achieved immediate success, and both conquered seemingly insurmountable obstacles to make it to where they're at today. It's safe to say no one could have predicted the roads they'd follow.
Each player got out of the gates quickly; Cadillac even one-upped Ronnie during their rookie season, amassing nearly 1200 rushing yards as Tampa Bay's workhorse back. Brown was forced to settle into a timeshare with incumbent Ricky Williams, but still managed 900 rushing yards along with vastly superior receiving totals. Beginning in 2006, their paths began to diverge.
As Brown built upon his solid rookie campaign, Caddy regressed statistically during the 2006 season. But soon enough, both players were in a similarly precarious situation. Both suffered ACL tears in 2007, each missing more than half the season. They remained close friends from their time at Auburn, and spent a good deal of time rehabbing together. However, while Brown rebounded nicely in 2008, Williams couldn't shake the injury bug and was beginning to assume the dreaded "bust" label.
Fast forward to 2009. Cadillac Williams has risen from the ashes of his injury troubles and once again assumed the lion's share of the carries for Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, Ronnie Brown has become one of the NFL's most feared backfield weapons, and spearheads Miami's revolutionary Wildcat offense. A lot has changed since their college days, but one thing that hasn't is the camaraderie that the two men share.
"First of all, he's a really, really good friend," Williams said."We've sweat together, we've cried together, we've done a lot of things together, It's good to see a guy like that get off to a good start. Both of us are doing what we love to do. We always try to do two or three trips together, we hang out and chill out.''
Ronnie concurs: "We established a friendship off the field when we're at Auburn so that's carried on through the league and through a few injuries for him and one for myself. On the football field we're friends and I hope he has a great season, just not this week against us."
The two even placed a friendly wager on the outcome of their matchup this Sunday. Cadillac bet Ronnie (1) That he'd outrush him, and (2) that the Bucs would beat the Dolphins. Ronnie won on both counts, outrushing Caddy 82 to 52 and winning the game. So what was at stake?
"I'm going to Africa -- two weeks on him'' Williams said, provided he won the bets. But, when prompted on Ronnie's prize if he lost --
"I think he said something about Australia, he would pick something like that.''
You can bet Mr. Brown will enjoy his time off.
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