TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
The Writers
Roy Cummings
Ira Kaufman
@TBO_Buccaneers
TBO Buccaneers
Roy Cummings
Anwar Richardson
Ira Kaufman
Ask a question
More Links:
Most Recent Entries
- Mackerel starting to show near beaches
- Linsanity leads to Lin-credibly inflated prices
- Bucs blocked again in search for staff assistant
- Super Bowl: The Greatest Show in the World
- Hillsborough’s Sherit lands offers from Oklahoma, Ole Miss
- Mays is first Topps Prime 9 redemption card for 2012
- Rays accepting applications for the Community Fund Grant Program
- Gaither’s Stanger ranked tops in his class by Golfweek Magazine
- Former Shorecrest football coach Hayford among 34 applying for Brandon job
- Jesuit QB Tommy Eveld accepts USF walk-on offer, joins brother
- USF at Boise State in 2012?
- Panini Playoff football is no longer a secret
- 2 baseball players make commitments
- State cross country meet leaving Little Everglades
- Fish are slamming baits down south
More
- Bucs Report -Tribune staff
- Rays Report - Roger Mooney
- Bolts Report - Erik Erlendsson
- Bulls Report
- Gators Report - Tribune staff
- Go Fishing: On The Waterfront
- Breakfast Bonus - Tom McEwen
- The Sports Bookie - Bob D'Angelo
- Storm Report - Nick Williams
- Prep Report - Football
- Prep Report - Hillsborough
- Prep Report - Pasco
- NFL Draft Report
- Prep Report - Recruiting Updates
- Prep Report - Region
- Grapefruit Report - Spring Training
- Boxing Report - Eddie Daniels
- FC Tampa Bay soccer - Tribune Staff
- Youth Sports Report
- Scenes From College Football
- Go Ask: Frank's Tacklebox
- Bucified Bert Blog
- BUK Power - Bucs Fan Blog
- Pigskin Preacher - NFL Fan Blog
- Highlands Sports
Monthly Archives
Graham Remains A No-Show
Posted May 14, 2008 by Roy Cummings
Updated May 14, 2008 at 09:42 AM
TAMPA - When the Buc returned to the practice field for their fifth “voluntary workout of the offseason Wednesday, running back Earnest Graham wasn’t with them. Graham won’t say precisely why he wasn’t there, but you can pretty much guess the reason.
Graham, who is seeking a contract extension much like disgruntled quarterback Jeff Garcia, has obviously been advised by his agent to take a different approach to the matter than Garcia has.
Instead of showing up and participating in workouts the way Garcia is, Graham has been advised to sit out in an effort to reduce the risk of injury, which could really cut into his bargaining power. And unlike Garcia, Graham has also been advised not to talk about the situation.
“I’ve been advised not to comment on the situation,’’ Graham said earlier today. “I talked the last time about it and I probably shouldn’t have. I just can’t comment on it right now.’‘
That “last time’’ that Graham refers to was last month, after Graham failed to show for the first round of “voluntary workouts. Back then, Graham said the contract issue was not the reason for his absence. He said he was simply taking the time to be with his family and that he planned to participate in the next round of workouts, “after the draft.’‘
Graham didn’t make any such promise Wednesday. When asked if he’ll be around One Buc Place for the next round of workouts he said with a sigh, “I don’t know, man; I really don’t know.’‘
You get the feeling Graham would really like to be there but that he realizes he has to do what’s best for him. And if that means sitting out, it looks like he’ll continue to sit out. After all, this is his best chance yet to cash in on his talent.
Coming off a season in which he fell just short of the 1,000-yard rushing mark while producing more than 1,000 total yards, Graham has obviously earned the right to seek a raise of the $605,000 he’s slated to make in 2008. He also wants some security to go with that, so he’s likly looking for a three-, four- or five-year deal that pays him like the workhorse he was in 2007.
The Buc, on the other hand, have to be sure not to overpay Graham, who was little more than a special teams standout before last season. It’s a difficult position for the Buc, and it’s hard to tell at this point of a solution is anywhere near.
Post a comment
Members:(Requires free registration.)
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online ©2010 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company. Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
Reader Comments
Por (Dionte) on May 15, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Charles, you are right. Not all teams rest there starters, but when you have a QB who is as old as the hills and has an injury you rest him. You could see the pain in the old mans eyes during the Giants game, he still wasn’t healthy. As far as Graham he should get paid. He isn’t a fluke.
Suggest removalPor (Dan) on May 15, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Charles, Come on man think! The ONLY reason they played their starters was because it was against the Patriots the undefeated team that was supposely suppose to win the superbowl. They wanted to see how they whould match up with them. That was a smart move. If they had to play against somebody or anybody else like the K.C. Chiefs they would have rested their starters for sure.
Suggest removalPor (RICHARD D SMITH) on May 15, 2008 (Suggest removal)
It smells like the Man. U. purchase is biting the Glazers behind. Just because G.Allen knew his stuff does not mean a genetic passdown,see Bobby Bowden.Brucie is, was, and always will be a cap guy, he has no more say than Chuckie on personnel. If Graham wants an incentive laden contract go for it. Yugo’s career is shot, and he wasn’t worth what he was paid.Had season tics for 20 yrs, and I want to see the Buc’s succeed. I feel the ghost of Hugh hovering around 1 Buc.
Suggest removalPor (John Klopfer) on May 15, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Hey Dan,
Can’t you spell in Titusville? Nonsence is spelled nonsense. Catagory is spelled category. Your spelling is almost as comical as Graham’s holdout!
Suggest removalWilliam L is correct…Graham may have developed the Eric Rhett syndrome. He deserves a raise…but the Bucs shouldn’t give him the keys to the vault. At least not yet!
Por (Dan) on May 15, 2008 (Suggest removal)
John,
Suggest removalAre you a f(*&ing school teacher?
Is that all you do is sit on here and look for everybodys misstakes on misspelled words? If it is, your a freaking idioit. Anyway if you want to start pointing misstakes out, what is: Can’t you spell in Titusville? Lets break it down: “Can not you spell in Titusville?” What the H*&L is that mister intelligent? Nobody on here wants to here your corrections on everybodys misspelled words.We can be on here all day doing that you moron!!
Por (fernando) on May 15, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I thought this blog is about football not spelling!!!! asswipes
Suggest removalPor (James R. Kinzer) on May 15, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Go get em John, you are right on !!!!!
Suggest removalPor (Braheem Ackmadia) on May 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Let em all sit out! There is always somebody who is willing to step up and take their place. Graham has to remember who lined his pockets with what would be 3 to 4 times what the average man earns to run down and “Maybe” tackle a guy 3-4 times a week. I’m sure Michael Bennett is enjoying the reps he is getting and he might actually do far better than Graham. Maybe Graham needs to think “What if Bennett excels and he is released when the season starts”. Hmmmmm Oh…Caddy is still the Man until he proves he can’t come back so why would the Bucs make any sizable financial committment to Graham.
Suggest removalPor (JVand) on May 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)
WE NEED SOME NEW NEWS!!
Suggest removalPor (Shawn Golan) on May 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Braheem…I agree with you completely. Well, maybe not “completely,” but almost. With Dunn and Bennett healthy and on the payroll, and Caddy seemingly ready to make a comeback attempt - Graham has very little bargaining power. EG getting a new deal depends a lot on what he’s asking. If he’s looked for #1 RB money, he’s going to be waiting a long time. But, if he’s just looking for a moderate raise, he can get it. That’s the trick in this situation, the price. For the right price, its worth locking him up. If he’s looking to win the lottery, then we need to trade him while he still has some value.
Suggest removalPor (WilliamL) on May 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Graham is not being smart holding out. NO ONE will give him top starter money after 1 above average season in which he didn’t gain 1000 yards and got banged up. He has been in the league 5 years and just now gets a chance due to 2 injuries ahead of him. Let him do it again in the final year of his contract and then he will have more leverage. He can’t expect top tier starter money now and if he locks himself into less than that long term, he will be holding out again if he has a monster season. He should try to negotiate a reasonable short term deal, and if the 2 sides can’t agree, go blow up this season and drive your price up. He has done nothing to warrant teams paying hand over fist to get him.
Suggest removalPor (WilliamL) on May 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Like I said before, he could become another Rhett. Rosenhaus is poison and is only looking out for himself, not his clients. He has done this to players over and over. Why they continue to listen to him is beyond me. I guess it’s because he’s good at telling them what they want to hear.
Suggest removal