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Bucs Extend Askew's Contract |
 Fullback B.J. Askew started 13 games for the Bucs in his first season in Tampa Bay (Getty Images) |
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have begun extending the contracts of several of their free agents-to-be, but QB Jeff Garcia and RB Earnest Graham will have to wait their turn. Fullback B.J. Askew was the first Buc to receive a contract extension, a five-year deal worth $7.6 million.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to use the months before training camp to sign a few free agents-to-be to long-term contract extensions – but quarterback Jeff Garcia, who has publicly voiced his displeasure over his contract situation, and running back Earnest Graham, who has held out of the OTAs due to a contract dispute, will have to wait. The first Buccaneer to receive a contract extension was fullback B.J. Askew.
Askew, who was entering the final season of a two-year contract he signed last spring, was rewarded with a five-year deal that will pay him $7.6 million through 2012. The deal makes Askew one of the highest-paid fullbacks in the NFL. He received a $1 million signing bonus and a $1 million roster bonus and is set to receive $605,000 in base salary in 2008.
Askew, who was a Pro Bowl alternate last year, shined in his first season in Tampa Bay in 2007 after beginning his NFL career with the New York Jets as a third-round pick in 2003. Askew replaced Mike Alstott as starting fullback and helped pave the way for Earnest Graham (898 yards, 10 touchdowns), Michael Pittman (286 yards), Cadillac Williams (208 yards, three touchdowns) and Michael Bennett (189 yards, one TD) as Tampa Bay rushed for 1,872 yards – the most in Jon Gruden’s tenure in Tampa Bay.
Although Askew didn’t carry the ball in 2007, he did catch a career-high 18 passes for 175 yards (9.7 avg.).
Askew showed his toughness last year by playing with a severely sprained ankle down the stretch. He started 13 games in Tampa Bay, missing three due to the injury, but Askew missed the last two months of practice due to the severity of the ankle injury and was forced to shoot up his ankle with painkillers and numbing agents to be able to play in the games he suited up for.
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Comments
Horse
Good job.
One down more to come.
Go Bucs
11:15pm, May 15, 2008
cremdonado
NIIIIICCCCCCEEEE!-Good move,good player.Get this guy some carries and we might have a new A-train(no disrespect to alstott-THE A-train!)...Guy plays with heart,thats what we need in our players.Garsizzler-take notes,this is how you get a deal done.Two good producers are locked down!!!Haye and Askew make this team better,glad to have em.I wonder if we might trade Sizzler for a reciever-Arizona and Chicago can use a QB......Give ARZ Sizzler and simms for Boldin-and we have a team.I can dream cant i ???If we started the season with say- Joey, Boldin, Clayton or Bryant , and Griese or Luke tossin it.......Sounds good to me.....
11:36pm, May 15, 2008
cremdonado
We should think about holding on to Gwhite- He did good things last year.If he shows that same level of play or higher,lock him up for 3.
11:40pm, May 15, 2008
hwaii50
I believe Jovan Haye was the first to re-sign. Great job locking up Askew.
6:36am, May 16, 2008
mostlarge
Jovan signed his tendered offer, it was not an extension of an existing deal.
This is great news for the offense. I look for us to get close to top 5 rushing numbers this year.
9:25am, May 16, 2008
quezilla
Askew / Sears were the reason for the improvement in the run game last year.
EG needs to realize that.
9:36am, May 16, 2008
the_beejer
Go Bucs! I like what Allens doing, I am feeling more prepared for the upcoming season than I have in years. I can't wait to see how these moves pan out! Go BUCS!!
11:14am, May 16, 2008
pinkstob
Askew is such a great fit for this offense. He's a great receiver and is agile enough to break a tackle and pick up YAC. That's what made him intriguing to Gruden, but his run blocking and special teams skills are what landed him such a long contract extension. Way to find a gem in free agency last year Allen. GO BUCS!!
11:53am, May 16, 2008
gandersen
When healthy Askew was the key to the offense. The Askew/Bennet combination is actually more appealing than E.G. and any fullback. I find it hard to believe that E.G. would be more productive than Bennet or Dunn with Askew and this line. With the Dunn signing, Allen has all the leverage in the EG contract negotiation. Allen should wait until mid way into next season. If a RB gets hurt od EG proves he is the best fit at RB for this team, then pay the price.
8:57am, May 17, 2008
kysteve9
Good signing. Put him in front of WD and Bennett and lets go. EG needs to chill and be happy or he will be left in the dust. I like the guy and thought he would be an important part of the team, but after what I've read (which may not be true) we may be better without the distraction. Same goes for Garcia, I do think he should get a better contract and be paid but not to the detriment of the TEAM.
Time to get on the SHIP or abondon it. If everyone is not rowing in the same direction we just go round in circles and get nowhere. Seems we do that every few years anyway.
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1:11pm, May 20, 2008
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