Askew In A Lot Of Pain; Graham In
October 21st, 2009
B.J. Askew's season is over. And perhaps his Bucs career.
In just two years, Earnest Graham has gone from buried on Chucky’s bench to the Bucs’ No. 1 running back, then to fill-in fullback and then to a reserve running back role.
And now he’s got a new job: full-time fullback.
B. J. Askew is done for the season after a minor car accident left him with neck and back injuries.
Graham learned of the news yesterday during an interview on 1010 AM.
“I guess I’m the new fullback,” he said. “I can tell you B.J.’s in a lot of pain.”
This is a very interesting development for the Bucs. Raheem The Dream had high praise for Graham’s play at fullback recently. And obviously Graham’s a dangerous weapon to have on the field. There’s no reason to think he won’t be successful and be the No. 1 fullback entering 2010.
That leaves the Bucs at a crossroads at running back.
Derrick Ward turns 30 next summer, and Cadillac Williams is a free agent after the season with an ugly medical history. Joe can’t think of a scenario that would see Caddy back in a Bucs uniform next year.
If Cadillac’s healthy through 2009 and gains 1,000 yards, are the Glazers really going to pony up the cash to keep him considering his medical history? And if Cadillac’s performance tails off through this season, there’d be no reason to stick with a 28-year-old back on the downside of his career.
Perhaps it’s time to take Kareem Huggins off the practice squad and see what he can do. And it’s reasonable to add running back to the Bucs’ growing wish list for the 2010 draft.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:49 am
BUCCANEERS WR STROUGHTER NAMED NFC SPECIAL TEAMS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hey…Joe
October 21st, 2009 at 11:55 am
Joe loves Sammie Stroughter. Has from the moment he was drafted.
October 21st, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Joe might want to do a little more homework and research, with the owners opting out of the CBA, and an uncapped season heading into 2010.,The rules have changed a bit. Players will now need six accrued seasons to become an unrestricted free agent. Which, would mean Williams will still be on the team in 2010 – he will only have five accredited seasons unless the owners and players union can come up with a new CBA. Which isn’t likely. That would be the scenario. It’s also the same scenario for Penn, Trueblood and Ruud.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Joe here,
Have to disagree with you J. Caddy signed a 5-year deal out of the 2005 draft. Nothing in this article calls Caddy an unrestricted free agent. Even as a restricted FA, the Bucs still have to pay him. … .And regarding the CBA, there’s still a lot of time for that situation to change drastically.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Joe,
You paint a picture, that you don’t see a scenario in which Williams would be in a Bucs uniform next season. But based on the likelihood of no new CBA, and in your words Ward turning thirty, the only thing the Bucs would have to do is tender him a contract just like in years past with unrestricted free agents.
So that is a scenario.
With the owners wanting to reduce the portion of the pie that the players are getting, Williams will be cheap labor in 2010. Not to mention insurance if he remains healthy as too not tip the teams hand if they are eying a running back in the draft or free agency.
You really don’t expect the owners to cave, do you? But more importantly, they are looking for a rookie salary slotting system, which would still allow veterans to get roughly the same share they are getting now, but reduce what rookies could make until they prove themselves.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Joe here,
My writing that Ward is turning 30 has nothing to do with Cadillac coming back. Think you’re reading to deep.
I understand the labor situation. Just don’t think the Bucs are likely to invest in Cadillac Williams next year. Cheap labor, in your words, doesn’t mean he’s a wise investment when you look at him through the eyes of the Glazers.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Joe,
If anything in regards to the Glazer’s it would appear they are all about cheap labor. Williams is the only current self starter and emotional leader on an other wise unimpressive team.