It’s A Bigger, Badder Earnest Graham
August 5th, 2010
It was Chucky who successfully tossed Earnest Graham into the fullback position on the fly, and then Raheem The Dream followed that up last year out of necessity.
Now, it’s Graham’s first season where he comes into a training camp as a fullback — and the starter.
Joe’s media partners over at WDAE-AM 620 chatted with Graham yesterday during The Ron and Ian Show. (WDAE is the only sports radio station broadcasting from training camp, therefore they often have players on the air during breaks in practice).
Graham talked about his roll, and Joe’s got an excerpt for you:
Co-host Ian Beckles: Did you learn the fullback role in training camp [in previous years]?
Graham: I’ve always stayed mindful of it. I’ve always played it over the years. Just as a football player. I knew the halfback [position], so I listened what was going on at the fullback position and stayed mindful of it. I’m naturally built to play the position, as well, so it was not a big adjustment for me.
Co-host Ron Diaz: Did you put on some weight?
Graham: Yeah. I’m about 234 right now. Last year I was about 225. Before that I was about 220. …I’m going to get the job done.
Beckles: When Mike Alstott was put at fullback he should have given the ball more, personally. I think that would be great if we split out the running back now that we’ve still got a running back type guy at fullback.
Graham: Definitely, I think I’ll get some definite looks in short yardage. We flirted with a little bit last year when I was the one back and got some carries and was able to break some runs in there. So I think we’re definitely going to be able to develop it.
You can catch the entire interview here.
Graham went on to say that stability at offensive coordinator is “going to make all the difference.”
August 5th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Graham has been one of my favorite Bucs for a few years. Unselfish, and excels at whatever is asked of him. I hope he gets plenty of touches this year.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:10 am
We all know Earnest will bring it at FB, what about that manbeast Kendrick Taylor? I would love to know how he is doing in camp.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:27 am
This is one player I like a lot. He should be the feature back.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Remember 07?
The man is awesome on the toss sweep. Not so much as a fullback.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:44 am
I love Graham. Always will. He is the epitomie of a fan favorite, hard working, long term, well respected Buccaneer. I’d love to see him get more looks at FB running the ball.
Joe, is there a way to start a diary of the daily events at training camp? Doesn’t have to be a diary per se, but maybe a bulletized list of events/plays/drills that actually happened. Would be neat to read the daily events in TC from the comfort of my chair, while being tied to my desk, at work. I mean, it’s the next best thing since we can’t get video tape of the practices.
Or, can you point us to someone already doing this? I’m not big on watching that guy’s video, in his converted room at his mom’s house.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:49 am
It’s role. Not roll. That is all. Thanks for interview.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Well… this http://whatthebuc.net/ seems to settle what I am looking for.
Thanks
August 5th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Javier:
Um, Joe believes that’s what he does with his posts. If you are wanting someone to document a play-by-play of everything that happens out there, sheez, You do know there are two, three and sometimes four stations where players are practicing on the fields, right?
Joe would need an army of reporters to document it all. Joe’s just one guy. Consider:
* Joe watches the practice.
* Joe Twitters frequent updates — and if you are not following Joe, you are missing out. No excuses. None. Zero. Don’t even try.
* Joe is trying to shoot photos.
* Joe must take time to admire the Bucs cheerleaders.
Dude, Joe has only one pair of eyes… and hands.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Yea, but there’s more than one Joe! 🙂
August 5th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Ha ha!
August 5th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Louie the HATER!:
With the exception of last Saturday, the Joes take turns (we both have [real] jobs as well). One Joe goes to training camp; the other stays back to take care of the site.
Now, if/when Joe gets enough advertisers…
August 5th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Ahhhh, I just LOVE the free press as required by all the competition.
Joe, your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, maybe taken for granted, but definitely much appreciated.
August 5th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Joe, with the way the one cheerleader was looking at you the other day, kinda gotta wonder what EXACTLY you were doing with one of your hands at that time!!!
August 5th, 2010 at 11:24 am
@Greg LOL!!!!
Well, since this is the age of twitter and self released s#x videos, coupled with Joe glorifying these poor cheerleaders on JBF, I would NOT be surprised if the ‘cheerleader’ wanted a litle free press from Joe.
I can see it now, JBFxxx.net, the official releasing of the Swashbuckelers home made voyuerism adventures. Now THAT I would pay for!
August 5th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Can’t wait to see that goaline formation with Demar Dotson in as a TE, Roy Miller as FB, and Grahm as RB.
Go Bucs!
August 5th, 2010 at 11:56 am
If we ever get to the goal line. Of course, I suppose the other team could fumble at their one, so maybe.
August 5th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I know its kind of your schtick now, but do you realize how over-the-top negative you are sometimes? Even last year we did ok getting into the Red Zone. Freeman just liked to throw interceptions there.
August 5th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Why no, i never realized it, thanks for pointing it out.
Did you miss the two games where we didn’t cross midfield before halftime?
August 5th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
@bern…
It is “Thanks for THE interview” not “Thanks for interview”. See, it is easy to make a simple error when typing on line.
August 5th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Hmm, Dotson at TE or fullback? Sounds very familar to when they used Sapp and Booger at those positions in goal line situations. Of course they were followed by Alsott!
August 5th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Out of everything involving the Bucs, this is the thing that pisses me off the most. Seeing Graham at FB. Our running game is awesome when he’s getting involved! Also I think the collapse in 08 was partly due to his absence to injury. And of course,his absence contributed to the 3-13 last year. Make Graham a HB where he belongs and go get a real fullback!
August 5th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Graham is the most consistent HB. He will get 3-4 yards per carry on nearly every run. Caddy make big plays, but minus those big plays he seems to barely get 2 yds per carry.
It the team cared about consistency and moving the chains, then they would be letting Graham running the ball as the workhorse.
August 5th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I like graham at fullback BUT… they HAVE to get him 3-5 carries a game. If they do that, it will keep a defense off balnce when you have Graham and Caddy back there together.
August 5th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
dave i agree if he gets 3-5 carries and 3-5 receptions out of the backfield he truly could be a wild card in this offense. Graham and caddy in the backfield could keep defenses off balance. I hope pressley or manbear kendrick taylor is the fullback on running downs though.
August 5th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
What can you say about a guy like Graham? It’s all good. 234#’s of ass kickin, romp stompin, hell raisen, fire breathen, $h!t comin at ya!!!