MORE
Most Recent Entries
- Are You The Ultimate Bucs Fan?
- Lets Hear Your Bucs Predictions
- Gustav Could Bring Bucs Home For Opener
- What To Do At Receiver?
- Douglas Traded To Ravens
- Greg White Talks About Cuts
- Bucs Work Out Veteran OL Miller
- What Should The Bucs Do?
- Bucs Cut Paris Warren
- Gruden Quotes 8-26
- Gruden Quotes 8-25-08
- Jaguars Extend Advantage
- Let's Play 'Impress The Coach'
- Scary Moment For Bucs
- Cool Legs Luke
Monthly Archives
TAMPA – Former Gators coach Steve Spurrier had some stern words of advice for Buc holdout running back Earnest Graham on Thursday.
After greeting several of his former players following the Buc “voluntary’’ workout at One Buc Place, Spurrier said Graham needs to get his “butt back out to practice.’’
“Hopefully Earnest Graham will get his butt back out to practice real soon,’’ Spurrier said of the former Gators back. “Earnest needs to get back out here and I guess he’ll be out here next week.’’
Spurrier said he had no intimate knowledge of Graham’s plans, because he hasn’t spoken to him. Like Spurrier, though, Buc officials are expecting Graham to end his holdout in time for next week’s three-day mini-camp.
The reason is that next week’s mini-camp is mandatory. That means the team will have the right to fine Graham for missing workouts and it doubts Graham will open himself up to being fined.
Graham, as you surely know, is locked up in a contract dispute. Whether it was to make a point or protect himself from injury, Graham skipped all of this off-season’s “voluntary’’ workouts, the last of which was held Thursday.
Spurrier, the South Carolina coach who is in town to attend a weekend gathering of Gator alums at the Innisbrook Resort, touched on a variety of subjects during a sessions with the media following the workout.
One such subject was red-shirt freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia, the former Jefferson High School standout who has been suspended until August for off-field issues.
“Looking back,’’ Spurrier said bluntly, “maybe he would have been better off staying in High School than coming up there. But it’s history now and all we can do is go from here.
“If Stephen fulfills the requirements and things he must do this summer he’ll be back up there with us. He’s still got four years of eligibility left, so we we’ll see how it plays out.’’
On who’s tougher on quarterbacks, him or Gruden, Spurrier said, “I don’t know; I haven’t watched Jon coach a lot until today. But now I understand why his voice is a little hoarse.
“He yells and screams and I tell you what, I admire the passion he has for this game. He does it year round. I’m a little different than him in that I need to get away from football. He can do it [year-round] and never get tired of it.’’
“On the chances of South Carolina winning the SEC this year, Spurrier said. “We’ve got a chance. We’ve got a lot of good players. We’ve got to coach ’em a little bit better and they need to play a little bit better at crucial times.’’
Finally, on the new Buc facility, which replace the dilapidated One Buc Place that Spurrier worked out of during his time as a Buccaneer player, the Ole’ Ball coach said, “It really is first class.
“So may NFL teams have these beautiful buildings and so forth. But like coach Gurden says, [the Bucs] won a Super Bowl in that old run down place. He’ll start bragging on this maybe when they win a Super Bowl out of here.’’
Posted by Shannon "Chief" Cherry, Destin, Florida on 06/13 at 09:52 AM
<<<steve ...He recruits on his name and reputation and then let’s his assistant coaches coach. He thought he could go to the NFL and coach from the golf course like he does in college...>>>
Really Steve??? Name one offensive coordinator or QB coach for Spurrier? HE is known by making boneheaded calls and not getting help, or a second opinion on offense… But those boneheaded calls are few and far between he is a college football legend, and an offensive genius that changed college football.
I challenge anyone who thinks a Redskins coach today can succeed under that owner Snyder.
Posted by david birch, san mateo on 06/13 at 09:43 AM
i’ve never seen a collection of players that have accomplished so little, expect so much...win a ring, then tell me how much you’re worth…
Posted by glenn, lakeland on 06/13 at 07:55 AM
I think we will be a better 4th quarter team than we’ve ever been, courtesy of impressive depth. We’ll be able to rotate both OL & DL. Imagine fresh late game legs from Bennett & Dunn after Graham & Askew have pounded earlier.
Posted by todd, PSJ, FL on 06/12 at 11:34 PM
BigBucFan,
I believe Donnie Avery is going to turn out to be a great WR also. He just came out of UH and went to the Rams. I was preying he was going to still be there in the draft when the Bucs got their second pick. I’m satisfied with Jackson but I was preying for Avery.
Posted by BigBucFan, Sarasota on 06/12 at 11:02 PM
U of H. Houston Cougars. We have always sucked, but laid claim to the Phi Slamma Jamma. Have produced a few good football players too over the years. For the old guys, we had a Back named Paul Gibson that played when O.J Simpson did and he was every bit as good as the juice. Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwan, Sweet Lou Dunbar( Globe-trotters) & Sweet Rob Williams whom I played with in junior high, high school and the Yard. That is TSU ( Michael Strahan)or Texas Southern University after hours with chain nets. Definitely no country for old men.
Posted by BigBucFan, Sarasota on 06/12 at 10:50 PM
Wow. You’re all right. Seminoles have to Chop Gators. Gators have to Chomp Seminoles, but when they play together as they do now, unstoppable. I think everybody loves Graham’s heart & desire, and he played great. Way to step up Ernest. We all appreciate it. The facts are the other backs can carry the load also. I bet by this time next week if Ernest shows up to camp that Allen gives him a nice fat raise and he definitely deserves it. Will it be enough to satisfy Rosenhaus, I doubt it, but I think it will be substantial. Hit 1000 yds this year and you’ll get more. I bet Garcia gets a nice Bump too. Truth is that this team is stacked with talent. Trent Dilfer could probably even win with this team. Lousy QB, but a great guy.
Posted by RCG2, Tampa on 06/12 at 09:08 PM
Maybe you don’t follow anything beyond last season, but Michael Bennett isn’t too far removed from the pro bowl and has excellent speed. It’s also been reported that he’s had a very impressive off-season becoming much more familiar with the playbook. Of course Dunn is past his prime, but he doesn’t suck either. He still has plenty of skills to be more than sufficient to share the load with Bennett. Sure we’d love to see Graham continue to be in the backfield, but don’t fool yourself into thinking he was a “superstar” last year. He did a good job, not a great one.
Posted by James Anderson, Lakeland, FL on 06/12 at 09:05 PM
Everyone knows this except Ernest....and his agent.
Posted by John Klopfer, Ocala, Florida on 06/12 at 09:02 PM
Spurrier is right...Graham needs to get his butt on the field. Hopefully Ernest will listen to the ole ball coach. Oh by the way I am a Seminole!
Posted by Michael Gillen, Plant City on 06/12 at 08:55 PM
Maybe everyone wasn’t paying attention last season. Without Earnest Graham pounding the ball up the middele the Bucs wouldn’t have made as far as they did. He is worth his salt and he has proved it. Bennett is unproved and Dunn is past his prime....Pay the may what he is worth.
Posted by steve, tampa on 06/12 at 08:34 PM
Spurrier needs to stick to college. Everyone saw what a great job in DC with the Skins. He recruits on his name and reputation and then let’s his assistant coaches coach. He thought he could go to the NFL and coach from the golf course like he does in college.
BTW I am not a fan of any Florida college team or rival SEC team. Just stating the facts.
Posted by todd, PSJ, FL on 06/12 at 07:17 PM
We might as well sign Cedric Benson while we are at it. He is a third chance guy also.
Posted by todd, PSJ, FL on 06/12 at 06:33 PM
Matt,
I am a Noles fan, I’m not suppose to like him.
RCG2,
You are right, we can survive without Graham. I’d like to see him out there but Dunn and Bennett WILL do a good job.
Posted by RCG2, Tampa on 06/12 at 05:59 PM
Matt- great job in pointing out the Errict Rhett history lesson. I understand Graham’s desire for a better deal, but the bottom line is that the Bucs backfield will and can survive without him. Dunn and Bennett both have the talent and experience to share the role just fine. I’d love have Graham in that mix as well. Don’t count out the Caddy just yet either. Looking back at the early games last year, I think he was starting to break out. Hopefully we will be patient as he rehabs and get back on track.
Posted by Mike, Columbia, SC on 06/12 at 05:32 PM
Good point Matt. People forget what Spurrier did for the state of Florida and how little he had to work with during his time with Tampa. He’s a great coach and one which Gruden has admitted emulating (down to the visor). Good article.
Posted by Matt, NPR on 06/12 at 05:17 PM
Todd… Spurrier, a jinx? Are you kidding? The guy’s a winner. And he’s right… Graham needs a history lesson on the life and times of Errict Rhett.
Posted by Duane D., Sarasota, Fl on 06/12 at 04:12 PM
Never did care much for Steve Spurrier or his ego, but one thing Spurrier isn’t and that is a jinx. Where do you guys come up with some of this stuff? By the way, nice write.
Posted by todd, PSJ, FL on 06/12 at 03:13 PM
Spurrier needs to leave One-Buc place as soon as possible before he jinks our season and our team.
Posted by BigBucFan, Sarasota on 06/12 at 02:49 PM
Good Job Roy, nice report. Thanks. I agree with Spurrier, Graham should listen to the wise Ole Ball Coach.
Advertisement
Send Us Your Comments |
Terms & Conditions |
* Comments Must Include Full Name And Location
Posted by Mike, Columbia, SC on 06/13 at 11:26 AM
Shannon “Chief”: Thank you! He took over for a Marty S. team that was lackluster and except for one year, Gibbs didn’t do much better. 6-10 and 5-11 marks..... 9-7 last year is a game away from Spurrier’s 7-9. That’s the NFL! The list of great college coaches who have failed in the NFL is very long. Other than Jimmy Johnson, there are not too many success stories. Owners have a lot to do with that for sure. Spurrier is not just a great coach though, he’s a LEGEND. Heisman trophy and Nat. Championship are hard to argue with. Plus what he’s done at Duke and now doing at USC....