On Tuesday, the Buccaneers kicked off their mandatory mini-camp with a morning practice session. It was the first practice that running back Earnest Graham participated in since the end of the 2007 season. Graham had missed all of Tampa Bay's organized team activities.

"We had practice, so I showed up for practice. I felt I needed to be here," said Graham.

"Earnest is here and we're happy to see him," said Bucs head coach Jon Gruden. "These matters have a way of working themselves out. Earnest is a key member of our football team."

Graham, 28, and the Buccaneers have been negotiating a contract extension over the offseason. Graham is entering the final season of his contract with Tampa Bay. On Friday at the Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Bucs general manager Bruce Allen was optimistic that a contract extension would get done. Graham conveyed the same optimism to Pewter Report at Bucs FanFest on Saturday. Tuesday, Graham had a similar tone when asked if negotiations are moving in the right direction.

"Yeah they are," said Graham. "I've been here a long time and I respect the organization and the organization respects me. I think with mutual respect it's going to be going in the right direction.

"I mean it needs to get done. I'm not stressing a time frame or anything like that. It just needs to get done. They know that. I know that. Because of that, it'll happen."

In 2007, Graham enjoyed a breakout season. He ran the ball 222 times for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a receiver, Graham hauled in 49 passes for 324 yards. The 5-foot-9, 225-pound back could have finished the season with even bigger numbers had the Buccaneers chose not to rest Graham after winning the NFC South with two games remaining in the regular season.

In past offseasons, Graham has been known to prepare for the season on his own. This year's absence has taken on a different tone after his productive season and entering the final year of his contract.

"I'm glad it is done, something had to be done," said Graham. "I'm here today. It is mandatory, and we're going to break after this mini-camp, and get ready for camp. I'm doing the same thing that I've always done. Work hard in the offseason and getting ready for camp, those other things will take care of itself."

"He's always in good shape," said Gruden. "If you know Earnest you know he's always going to be ready to go. These matters will find a way to work themselves out."

Graham was asked if he accomplished what he set out to accomplish by avoiding the OTA practice sessions.

"I have no idea. I wasn't trying to accomplish anything by not being at OTAs," said Graham. "We got a contract that needs to get done. I think that's going to get done, so we had practice today. It was mandatory to be here, so I'm here."

Given his absence at OTAs, some have speculated that Graham may hold out of training camp practices in an effort to get the new contract that he desires. On Saturday, Graham told Pewter Report he would not do that. Tuesday, Graham was asked again about whether he would hold out.

"Yeah I mean. We have our reporting date and I'm going to be there," said Graham. "Hopefully something will get done before then. I won't say anything whether or not, so I don't know, but I'm optimistic about it getting done."

Reporters pressed Graham as to whether he would keep that option on the table.

"Yeah I mean, like I say I don't know," said Graham. "I'm optimistic. I think it will be done by then."

Despite missing the OTA sessions, Graham said there was not friction between himself and Gruden, and his teammates.

"Same as usual. We're glad to see each other and the rest of my teammates," said Graham. "It was the same old Buc football.

"I've been part of this organization so it's like family to me. I know all the guys and I've been around here playing special teams. The guys who saw me come in as a rookie, the older guys, so this is my family man. Definitely everybody missed each other."

Since the end of last season, the Bucs signed free agent running back Warrick Dunn and re-signed running back Michael Bennett. The team drafted a half-back, Cory Boyd from South Carolina, in the seventh round, and signed undrafted free agent Clifton Smith. The Bucs also have a rehabilitating Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and running back Kenneth Darby on the roster. With Dunn and Bennett splitting the majority of the first team repetitions in the OTAs, some have questioned whether Graham is still the Bucs starting running back.

"No not usually, I don't usually think about that," said Graham. "In the past years I've always kind of taken off, and really as far as offseason workouts, really worked myself out and try to improve on things I need to improve on. I've been in this offense for five years. Just me coming out and getting into this verbiage is really simple for me. I work hard, and I've been here through a lot of great players: Thomas Jones, Michael Pittman, Mike Alstott, and Charlie Garner, so its another year."

Gruden echoed Graham's unconcern for a depth chart at this point.

"These offseason workouts were never really open to the media in the past," said Gruden. "The point I'm saying is we've never had 100 percent attendance. We've had guys miss some of these workouts in the past. There's some terminology Earnest will have to work on picking up, but I know he will because that's the type of pro he is. I'm not concerned."

Graham will compete at training camp for the starting position and seems to be very eager for next season to arrive. During the offseason, Graham said he has been diligent about working out, staying in shape, and getting better for next season.

"I'm very anxious for what I think we can do as a team," said Graham. "I think we let a game get away from us against the Super Bowl champions. I think we all need to improve as far as certain aspects of our game. For me personally, I'd like to be there and getting good playing time whether starting or not at the beginning of the year."

The Bucs will hold another practice in the afternoon on Tuesday. Wednesday the Bucs will have one practice at Raymond James Stadium, and Thursday the team will have their final practice before training camp. Pewter Report will have more coverage of the Bucs mini-camp throughout the week.

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