Earnest Graham Could Be Iced Out At Tailback
May 30th, 2010
Last year Raheem the Dream and all who spoke from One Buc Palace couldn’t talk enough about the Bucs revolutionary 2-2-1 Bucs running back rotation.
How’d that work out?
Well, clearly it didn’t. The Bucs realize as much. So much so that Stephen Holder, Bucs beat writer from the St. Petersburg Times, answering a question lodged to his Twitter account, believes the Bucs will use a two-man rotation of Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward.
Whither Earnest Graham? Holder explains, and it won’t calm the frayed nerves of Earnest Graham fans.
And because I know someone will ask, yes, I realize I didn’t mention Earnest Graham. I’m not omitting him. I think he has a role, too, but I don’t know that it’ll be a big one. I think coaches see Graham as being effective in small doses but not necessarily as a featured back. I would, however, like to see Graham get the ball more as a receiver out of the backfield. He’s not exactly fast or quick, but he makes yardage in the open field when put in position. This is one area I would argue he is underused. Graham caught 14 passes last season and averaged 7.8 yards per reception. These are high-percentage passes that require less pass protection, so it seems like a win-win if more of these are incorporated.
Joe believes at times he’s the only person underwhelmed by the Bucs running backs. The Bucs averaged 4.0 yards a carry, 25th in the NFL last year. At the risk of angering Bucs fans — something Joe is getting used to — let’s try to be objective here.
How can anyone be comfortable with Williams staying healthy for the season? Every time the guy runs around the corner, Joe holds his breath expecting Williams to blow a knee. Again. He’s already playing on two surgically-repaired knees.
Then there’s Ward. The Kardashian-chasing free agent pick up last year didn’t get that many carries and perhaps there may have been a reason for that?
That leaves Graham who will be 30, which is senior citizen age for running backs in the NFL. Yes, Graham may not have been beaten up as many running backs his age have, but 30 is still 30.
Joe is skeptical this trio of running backs will suddenly become a strong rushing attack. Deep? Sure, the Bucs are deep at running back.
Deep with average running backs.
May 30th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Mediocre.
This unit gets its second and last shot this upcoming season.
If Williams can stay healthy and can consistently produce 4.0+ypc, he’ll be retained on a 2-3 year deal to play spell back to a rookie.
Ward either produces or he’ll be outright cut.
Graham’s only chance of getting reps is injury to the top two.
Smith would make a damn good scatback if he knew how to hold on to the ball.
This backfield (and team overall) is missing playmakers.
May 30th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I actually agree with Joe. We have three clones. Caddie, Ward, and graham are all solid running backs, but not great by any means. None of them have a chance at busting a run longer than 20 yards. The entire defense would have to fall down and stay down for that to happen.
Next year we’ll draft Demarco Murray and everything will be be cool, but this year Freeman isn’t going to get alot of help from the running game. I’d like to see Graham get carries over Ward, and I hope Kareem Huggins gets a chance this year.
May 30th, 2010 at 11:08 am
joe, u r right on here.
ernie should be the feature, ward his compliment, god bless caddy but injuries have taken a toll.
the offense and team, when u analyze it position by position is horrible.
At which position would you say they are above average? maybe o-line, possibly tight-end. thats it!
May 30th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Hard to imagine a big improvement with the same cast. With Ward and a healthy Caddy they rushed for less yards in 2009 than 2008.
If Huggins could catch the ball he could potentially help, at least on third down.
Would not shock me if Ward or Graham were not on the final roster.
May 30th, 2010 at 11:17 am
I think we will draft a running back early next year. These guys are better than the numbers put up last year, but not what we need for the rebuilding Bucs. I actually felt bad for the RBs last year. Our O-line was horrendous blocking for the run. It is hard to gain much yardage when the first tackle you have to break is a yard behind the line of scrimmage. IMO the running game will be our biggest problem this year. We will have to be lopsided towards the pass, and fans will jump all over Olsen for calling too many passes, when in reality, we just don’t have the O-line or the backs for a consistent run game.
May 30th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Good God Joe I’ll bet if you were with the Israelites Moses led out of Egypt you’d say, “Hey thanks for the Manna but where’s the Jelly?”
The reason these average RB’s are average is this – without calling running plays and without having BLOCKERS who can actually BLOCK (versus playing hide and seek) the RB’s don’t stand a chance.
Gotta love that West Coast offense with a twist right Mr. Olsen?
May 30th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Its baffling why the Bucs don’t use Earnest Graham more. Yes, he’s not flashy, but he has almost always produced well.
(and I’m a fan of Caddy)
May 30th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Good lord people, there’s nothing wrong with our backs!! Nothing! Last year, we had to learn a new offensive system during the season!! We also had to pass the ball all the time because we couldn’t stop losing. Also, Sears being gone also affected us! The line wasn’t the same as it had been in 07 and 08. Those things will affect your running backs.
Think a little bit people. If Cadillac, Ward, and Graham were with other teams, believe me they’d be having better careers. They would be. We have too many running backs and we really didn’t need Ward last year. Cadillac and Graham were already here. The only reason Ward was signed was because of Cadillac’s uncertainly, and then “BOOM” he comes back again, and now Ward’s signing was meaningless. You don’t invest so much money in a starting caliber running back if you’re not even sure of Cadillac’s fate. I think we’ve got a “running back” controversy in Tampa right now.
Ward and Graham were screwed around last year, so I don’t know why some of you are asking for another back. Does anyone remember Graham from 07?? Do you people remember how well he played in 08 before he got that ankle injury that ended his season?? Yeah, the angle injury. Just cause of that he’s a forgotten man. Everybody gets injured people, it’s the NFL. An injury doesn’t necessarily mean they’re “too old, or too unreliable.” In fact, that was the only injury he’s had so far in Tampa that I could remember.
It really just makes me mad and disappointed the kind of service that’s been given to Graham here in Tampa. I feel that he’s kind of had his career taken away from him and hasn’t gotten a chance to have it. I just can’t believe it. If Graham doesn’t play this year and gets the “playing fullback crap” again, I hope he goes to another team so he doesn’t have to waste the limited years he has left in the league here in Tampa. He doesn’t deserve this crap when he could be putting getting yards and touchdowns.
May 30th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I’m calling it early. The Bucs take Daniel Thomas, running back out of Kansas State in the first round of 2011. I’m biased because I am a Bucs fan and I coached Daniel in Pop Warner. Also my son played all through high school with him. He was our quarterback and played QB his first 2 years at JUCO. Look him up for yourself. The kid’s a stud.
May 30th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I love listening to idiots criticize the RB’s when the Offensive Line stunk…
If Idiots grew on trees, this place would be an orchard…
May 31st, 2010 at 9:49 am
Yes, there was a reason Ward only got eight carries a game and it was because OC Olson was calling a preponderance of pass plays and gave up on the run to early in the games. And please, no excuses about how the Bucs got behind early in games. I watched New Orleans down 24-3 against the Dolphins and the Saints kept running the ball and got back in the game and won it. With two rookie WR’s, iF Olson doesn’t stick with the running game this year, Freeman will fare little better than he did last year.
May 31st, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Any RB can be good , it really doesn’t matter who you have back there as long as you have a good O-line.
Denver proved that for years by rotating bums behind thier line and making them all look like all-pros . Recently the Saints have been doing it , rotating 3 bums last season and they all looked like world beaters.
Focus on the O-line improving , and RB will take care of itself.