Posted by  Todd, PSJ,FL on 05/19  at  10:10 PM

I kind of like to see how Bennett performs after being here for a year now. He has had some time now to study that playbook. “Defenitly give him more touches.” Dunn and Bennett might be the ones to carry the load this year. EG will probly be our 3rd and 1, or 3rd and 2 guy.

Posted by  Mitch R, NYC on 05/19  at  09:29 PM

George, your post reaks of ignorance.  Look at his #’s.  The only time he got to be a regular contributor he chipped in close to 1,300 yards and a 5.1 YPC.  For his career, he averages 4.5 YPC, but for the past few years, he was buried behind Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson and in MN he was part of a running back by committee and did really well.
In a limited role for the Bucs, he was very, very good.  I look forward to seeing what he can do if (and when) he gets more carries.  He’s the type of back that can take it to the house on any play, all he needs is touches.

Posted by  George C, Long Island, NY on 05/19  at  05:31 PM

Michael Bennett hasn’t doing anything in all his years in the league. I’ve read too much on his potential on this board and other postings. I just don’t get why anyone can factor this guy into the equation at RB until he proves he can be a regular contributor.

Posted by  steve, tampa on 05/18  at  04:46 PM

dunn has been a starter forever.  do you think we snatched him up to have another backup?  Bennett came week 6 and had to learn a whole new system and playbook.  Grudens is one of the most complicated.  thats why bennett didnt see a lot of action, because he didnt know all the plays.  Ill say it again so even KBA can understand-gruden loves Cadi so he will get some carries to hopefully reestablish himself and will get more as the season goes on.  Graham gets a few yard at a time,hes not a home run threat,and hes sitting out while others are proving themselves.  He will lose the starting job if he ever had it.  He got to play last year because of injuries! remember that

Posted by  chris devine, MARINELLI CITY on 05/18  at  02:57 PM

BJ Askew impressed all season long...nice reward. Still think Bennett will start if he can turn into an all purpose back. EG will have to beat him out. Bennett’s 4.8-40 speed is impressive at the home Atlanta game last season. This trade was a steal...2001 27th 1st round draft pick of the Vikings. Caddy should wait till next year - he was our starting back and not a grinder like EG but a homerun hitter like Bennett. Decent BUC backfield - go BUCS!

Posted by  'Strings, Oldsmar on 05/17  at  06:49 AM

Graham is a very good back and he’s under contract. 

Now I don’t sit in on any personnel meetings at One Buc but if I did ...

Let EG come to camp as the starting back (he ended the year there - let him start there) and defend his position.  Once he establishes his position on the team, write him the check.  Pay accordingly. 

Shouldn’t be too complicated.

Let me add that as good as Askew played last year with an injury, just imagine his performance healthy.  That man is worth every dime.

Posted by  Todd, PSJ,FL on 05/16  at  09:17 PM

I actually thought Darby ran the ball pretty good in pre-season last year for being a rookie. I’m not saying he is one of our top RBs or anything but I think the kid has potential. I’m kind of courious on how he progressed this year.

Posted by  Todd, PSJ,FL on 05/16  at  08:57 PM

Hey KBA,
What about the two RB rookies we picked up and also Darby. I hear some pretty good things about each one of them. How and where do you rank them?Who knows those kids could be explosive.

Posted by  KBA, Orlando on 05/16  at  05:29 PM

1.  Dunn - great guy and great back but is 33.  History shows that RB’s don’t last much longer.
2.  Bennett - good speed & showed some positive play but didn’t earn staying on the field very much last year.
3.  Cadilac - May NEVER be the same.
4.  Graham - fought hard consistently for yards.  Same build as Thomas Jones who left and DOUBLED his production in Chicago.

While Graham may not be our big play RB, I don’t see how he’s dropped to the 3rd string.  We made the same mistake when we underestimated Thomas Jones and let him go.

Posted by  jarvis, tampa on 05/16  at  05:17 PM

your’re right steve i am a firm believer in micheal clayton! i think he could be the piece to our wr puzzle! i think that his performance has been good with the reps that he receives, but we never get the ball to him on a regular basis! great job saving askew he is a great player to!

Posted by  steve, tampa on 05/16  at  04:55 PM

p.s.  Clayton will have a great year.  you heard it here first.  all the CCC critics will be buying his jersey again.

Posted by  steve, tampa on 05/16  at  04:53 PM

graham is not worth millions....yet.  hes still a backup at this point with more competition then there was last year.  give him some incentives and be done with him.  if he produces well this year im all for a big contract, but until this guy is a proven succesful rb, dont give him the farm.  Dunn and Bennett could beat him out for the starting job and gruden loves the Cadi so you know he is going to get opportunities to re-establish himself.  So why give the 3rd stringer starting pay when he may end up #3 again this year.

Posted by  Mitch R, NYC on 05/16  at  04:46 PM

Ref813, at the beginning of the season EG was not even dreaming of getting 20 carries all year.  So him making $600,000 wasn’t pocket change for his special teams play.  He’s also not a long term solution for us, he knows it, and his agent know this, that’s why he’s threatening to hold out.  1 good season in the NFL does not equate to a huge salary and longterm extension.  Look at all the 1 year wonders at RB and where they are now.  He may get a bump this year, but I’d be happy with a more explosive back that can take it to the house on any given carry, let’s face it, Graham can’t.  He’s a good inside runner, who can get a tough yard or 2, but he’s not elite and never will be.

Posted by  KBA, Orlando on 05/16  at  04:40 PM

Charles ... we’d all like to make $2.5 million a year too but we aren’t NFL football players.  Heck, I’d like to be the lead singer for a rock band too with all the girls & money that come with that.

Let’s get real, you CAN NOT compare what our salary norms are with that of athletes.  Additionally, if you want your team to be good, then you have to PAY the players what they have earned in terms of their co-horts across the league.

Based on that, Graham and Garcia do have a valid complaint of deserving more money.  However, I agree with making a large piece incentive based but you have to pay them IF Gruden wants to keep them around.

Posted by  The Babysitter, Tampa on 05/16  at  03:10 PM

BJ got a contract extension cuz BJ ain’t bitchin’! Take notes, Crying G’s.

Posted by  charles fiske, KC, MO on 05/16  at  02:01 PM

Ref813, Do you think 2.5 million is pathetic.  I would love to make that at age 38.  As for graham, if Caddy comes back graham will be our 4th string running back.  Does a 4th string running back deserve to make nmillions?

Posted by  ref813, memphis on 05/16  at  01:38 PM

Shawn, while I definitely agree with you about Ruud and Askew, I can understand others taking action.  Didn’t Graham and Garcia play well enough to deserve more than the pathetic amount they are currently being paid?  Have you ever heard of union strikes?  Occasionally people have to take action when they believe they are being underpaid.  It’s no reason to hate them.  Especially when it’s fairly justified like Graham.  I don’t think Caddy will be back to his 1st year level any time soon, so we need to take care of one of out best backs.

Posted by  Shawn Golan, Los Angeles, CA on 05/16  at  01:17 PM

The front office tends to take care of their own when they can.  In the years after the super bowl, we simply didn’t have the cap room to resign our vets - and we took a lot of heat for it.  Now, we’re sitting pretty in terms of money.  Now, for the first time in half a decade, we can “build” a team that can win for SEASONS, not 1 season at a time.  Re-signing Askew, and, eventually, getting guys like Ruud on long-term deals are just a part of the process.  What makes Askew and Ruud different than, say, Graham, is that they earn their contracts like professionals.

Posted by  ref813, memphis on 05/16  at  01:17 PM

This is what I’ve been asking for for months.  This is why I wouldn’t bash the team or its GM, coach, etc.  I figured they would make these smart moves sooner or later.  Have a little faith in your team. 
I can’t believe that’s all we have to pay the guy.  I haven’t looked at the average salary for a FB, but this looks like a steal.
John, Haye signed a tender offer, but we could still give him a real contract.  I think the contracts of White, Haye, and Graham all need to be incentive-laden.  They are still young, but they appear to have pretty good potential.  I don’t really like players whining about pay, but in some cases (like Graham) I can definitely understand.  This is the NFL where a good RB usually makes over $5mil.

Posted by  Mitch R, NYC on 05/16  at  12:24 PM

Shawn, you are 100% correct.  Askew had a hell of a year and locking him up long term is very smart.  Who said we don’t take care of our vets?

Posted by  BUC DEEZ, WASHINGTON DC on 05/16  at  09:40 AM

WELL DESERVED I LOOK FOR HIS TOUCHES & ROLL WITHIN THE OFFENSE TO INCREASE THIS YEAR. SLOWLY BUT SURELY GETTIN BUSINESS HANDLED IN THE FRONT OFFICE. WHO’S NEXT ?

Posted by  John, California on 05/16  at  09:27 AM

Didn’t Jovan Haye already sign a tender contract for this year?  I just hope we can continue to get these contracts finished so that everyone can concentrate on the playbook instead of their checkbooks.

Posted by  Howell Mayo, Orlando on 05/16  at  09:14 AM

I think this is why the Buc’s didn’t blow all their cap money during the free agent peroid.  Reward the players you got, but it takes time and I have faith in Bruce Allen not selling the future for now.  All these guys will get their money...it’s just going to be a little bit of a process

Posted by  Shawn Golan, Los Angeles, CA on 05/16  at  09:13 AM

See...this is how you earn a new deal.  Askew showed up every day, didn’t complain, but worked as if he was happy with his deal.  He acted like a professional...and now he’s been rewarded with the deal that he deserves.  Maybe Earnest should take some notes…