Earnest Graham Is Not The Fullback?
March 24th, 2010
Unless Raheem The Dream’s comments today are part of an elaborate smoke screen, it seems Earnest Graham is back to being a running back who doesn’t carry the ball rather than the fullback role he filled admirably for much of last year.
Raheem The Dream held court with local scribes at a coaches’ breakfast this morning at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. And per the Tweetings of Lakeland Ledger beat writer Rick Brown, aka Backwards Hat, Raheem The Dream said car accident victim and former starter B.J. Askew and Chris Pressley will battle at the fullback position.
So where does that leave Graham?
Apparently, the Bucs will return to their three-headed monster backfield that looked more like a three-legged donkey for much of 2009.
And considering, per Rick Brown, that Raheem The Dream spoke today of getting Derrick Ward more involved, it sure seems like Graham is the odd man out.
Again, Joe acknowledges any or all of these comments could be part of some elaborate scheme to convince teams the Bucs aren’t eyeballing a running back in the draft, or to drive up Derrick Ward’s trade value, or something else.
Joe just hopes Greg Olson is crafty enough to use all his weapons this season, and Graham qualifies as a weapon.
Update: 2:44 p.m. – Joe jumped the gun on this one. Raheem The Dream’s comments this morning at the NFL owners meetings were fully transcribed by those colorful Web-only publishers at PewterReport.com. Raheem The Dream did, in fact, say Graham is the No. 1 fullback, and Askew and Pressley will compete behind him.
March 24th, 2010 at 9:54 am
same thing they said last year but after we are down 21-0 in the 1st quarter of every game they will throw the ball 50 times a game
March 24th, 2010 at 10:44 am
I hope to see Ben Tate (3rd), LeGarrete=te Blount (5th), and Kareem Huggins in our backfield next year. Graham as FB and emergency 4th HB. Ward, Peanut, and even Caddie can move along as far as I’m concerned.
March 24th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Hope Olsen is creative enough too, last year he passed way too much espically when freeman was in, that is why he had 18 int’s in 9 games. I know people will say we were down most games and had to pass but look at the Jets game first play int Panters second game red zone pass, pass, pass 3 ints’s horriable play calling. Look at Flacco Rtohelisburgher , Snachez as roookies they had strong running game and did not depend on ROokie’s passing
March 24th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Get rid of Ward already, cut him or trade him for a 5th. Graham is a fine receiver out of backfielf and good blocker, that is what Ward offered us last year.
I will be pissed if a back like Jahvid best is there in 2nd round and we pass on him because we have three RBs already.
March 24th, 2010 at 11:50 am
I’d rather they keep Pressley and get a better look at him in that FB role. I like EG, but a lead blocker he shouldn’t be.
March 24th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I tend to agree with you,JDouble; right now the team has a crew of back-up level talents. Graham can be a FB or HB, so he is actually a bit more valuable in a way than Ward or or Williams.None of them give opposing DCs sleepless nights.The team need to draft a new guy.They should trade Smith while he has value.Jonny, I am starting to drool over Best also. He has real home run ability, & doesn’t need a huge hole.His acceleration is eye-catching.He is the type of guy who can stop LBs & safeties in their tracks on play fakes, & the play -action pass is a young quarterback’s best friend. Plus, rookie backs can contribute from Day One, whereas WRs need time.
March 24th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Graham sucks at fullback , we need to find a REAL one.
Graham is ok in a pinch , if your starter goes down and you need him to fill in for a game or two , but we don’t want him as the lead blocker all season. He’s too small and can’t get it done.