Bucs Sign RB Graham To Extension |
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Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham signed a new four-year contract with the team (Cliff Welch) |
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed running back Earnest Graham to a contract extension. The deal is reportedly a three-year contract extension worth $10.5 million. Graham is under contract with the Bucs through the 2011 season.
That's because the Bucs have rewarded Graham, 28, for his 2007 performance, which saw him rush for 898 yards (4.0 avg.) and 10 touchdowns and catch 49 passes for 324 yards in place of injured running backs Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman.
Graham, who originally entered the NFL as a 2003 undrafted free agent out of Florida, has signed a three-year contract extension worth $10.5 million, according to NFL.com.
Bucs general manager Bruce Allen and Graham's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, met in Tampa on Sunday to hammer out the new deal, which has Graham under contract with the Bucs through the 2011 season.
Graham is expected to be Tampa Bay's primary ball carrier in 2008 while Warrick Dunn and Michael Bennett are used as situational-type players.
The Bucs are also optimistic that Williams, a 2005 first-round draft pick, will be able to return to action at some point this season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in Week 4 of the 2007 season.
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Comments
kysteve9
I feel better, now let's get Garcia satisfied so we can go out and kick some butt. It's not going to be easy to get back in the playoffs with the schedule we have.
I have my tickets to NO, Detroit and KC. Maybe I will make a trip back to Tampa as well.
GO BUCS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12:02pm, June 30, 2008
drt1066
It is about time. Now give Garcia the money they s****ed hilm out of by sitting him on the bench at the end of the season. Sign him to a two year contract with only the first year guaranteed at a ProBowl salary. Save the rest for our young offensive line.
2:44pm, June 30, 2008
billbyrne
The Bucs did the right thing as Earnest Graham has earned this contract. Now we have to bring Jeff Garcia into the fold. Without our pro-bowl quarterback, the Bucs will ninish 9-7 and out of the playoffs. I'm sure Bruce Allen understands this and is working to resolve the issue. In Gruden's offense, there is no replacement for experience. Garcia's talent, on-field leadership and pure talent is obvious to all who understand Bucs football!
3:29pm, June 30, 2008
dptodd
I understand the Graham signing is a good thing, but I am not as pumped about this as everyone else. I think there is a real possibility that Dunn or even Bennett could unseat him as the starter. Because of that, I don't know that if the Bucs had to move forward without Graham at camp if would have necessarily been a bad thing. He knows the system and he is a good back, there is no disputing that. However, he is not a dynamic runner who has great cutting ability and breakaway speed. I think the make up of the Bucs backfield will change significantly by the midway point, and there is the real possibility that Graham will be relocated to situational downs. Keep in mind that Gruden wants to give Askew more ball handling responsibilites as well. I am glad he will be in the fold, but I don't think this was a must do before the start of the season.
4:52pm, June 30, 2008
muvlodge
if you ask me I think it is a great signing. Gruden now has a true gruden tye backfield. we also have a true rocket backfield. Gruden has always platooned severalRB's and we have three GOOD ones and we also have great depth anyone of the three is starter material and we can give teams all kinds of looks. Something else for all of us and opposing teams to consider...nobody has any tape of DUNN & BENNETT in this system so this could be a breakaway year for our offense!!!
3:31am, July 1, 2008
Horse
Glad the deal got done even if he was over paid.. At least we now have plenty of depth at RB.
I still would only sign Garcia for one more year after 2008.
Go Bucs
2:34pm, July 1, 2008
rayqn11
i read on rotoworld.com Kevin Jones is considering the bucs, i live in NY so i can only read what is put out there, is there any truth to these rumors, anybody here anything down there....i would love to see KJ on this team he is a stud in my eyes and i feel graham was only a product of a good offensive line
8:15pm, July 1, 2008
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