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After skipping all of the Buccaneers’ voluntary organized team activities while hoping to get a new contract, running back Earnest Graham showed up today to the first practice of the team’s mandatory minicamp.
“We had practice, so I showed up for practice. I felt I needed to be here,” Graham said, per PewterReport.com.
Although Graham hasn’t made the kinds of threats or angry outbursts that some players make when they’re unhappy with their contracts, there had been concerns that his unhappiness would keep him home even from mandatory practices. There had also been indications that other players thought Graham deserved a raise. Quarterback Jeff Garcia took some time out from complaining about his own contract last month to say Graham deserved to be rewarded.
Today Graham sounded optimistic about the status of contract negotiations. Bucs coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Bruce Allen have both said they think a deal with Graham can be reached.
“These matters have a way of working themselves out,” Gruden said today. “Earnest is a key member of our football team.”
After spending his first three seasons as a backup, Graham started 10 games last year and ran 222 times for 898 yards. He also caught 49 passes for 324 yards.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Just generally speaking…Its unfortunate that teams dont reward players like Earnest Graham and Thomas Jones (see the Bears, circa 2005 with Benson) who have busted their butt near the league minimum, finally get a “fair” shot and actually shine only to get shafted financially for a guy who COULD, one day be good.
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June 17th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Thomas Jones was a first round pick, who never lived up to the hype until he got to Chicago. I’d say he was Overpaid until he figured out he better “bust his butt” to keep a job!
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June 17th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
You heard it here first: The Bucs will NOT give big money to Earnest Graham. I’m not sure they will even re-up him. With Michael Bennett and Warrick Dunn, they will already have two RBs with more explosiveness that Graham. If you add a healthy Cadillac Williams, that will be three RBs with more game.
Look, I like Graham, especially since he played his high school ball right here in my hometown (Cape Coral, FL). But, simply put, he doesn’t have “big contract” talent. He runs hard, and has a good line in front of him.
I’m not sure ANY running back is worth a big contract anymore. Just build a good offensive line and get yourself two decent RBs, and you’re set.
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June 17th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
How does washed up Michael Bennett and Warrick 3.2 ypc Dunn have more game than Graham at this point? Toss in Caddy and the Bucs have 3 RB’s most teams wouldn’t even want on their roster but, like the QB’s, Bucs fans think quantity and quality are the same thing. Good luck with that.
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June 17th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
i like earnest and think hes a great player. i would love to see him get an extension with my bucs. But i sure as hell don’t think he’s worth Frank Gore money.
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June 17th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Neither Dunn nor Bennett are washed up. Warrick was on a bad team last year. Ladanian Tomlinson would have gotten 3.2 ypc with that offense.
Bennett hasn’t had an opportunity to show his stuff in a long while, but he has sprinter speed.
My take? Gruden wants to get them all in camp and let them fight it out. There is no way Graham gets re-upped before then, because that would force the Bucs to start him. What if Dunn or Bennett performs better in the preseason? Heck, for that matter, what is Caddy comes back from his injury and outperforms them all?
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