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Graham Making A Run At Grand Performance

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

TAMPA - RB Earnest Graham's surprising breakout season could soon become one of the most spectacular seasons in franchise history.

Though he has started seven games and is averaging less than 15 carries per game, Graham is on pace to become only the second 1,000-yard rusher of the Gruden era and only the seventh in franchise history. With four games left, Graham needs 263 yards - an average of 66 per game - to reach 1,000. As a starter, Graham is averaging 84 yards per game.

"It's definitely something we've talked about because that's a big deal for an offense, to have a 1,000-yard rusher," Graham said. "And when you consider I didn't even start in a game until the fifth or sixth week, to be able reach 1,000 yards would be great."

The last Bucs back to run for 1,000 yards in a season was Cadillac Williams, who as a rookie in 2005 ran 290 times for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns. Williams also caught 20 passes for 81 yards that year, giving him 1,259 yards from scrimmage. Graham has caught 36 passes for 228 yards, giving him 965 yards from scrimmage. He needs 294 total yards to match Williams' rookie total.

"We've been working our butts off so, at the end of the day, that would be something to look back at and say, 'Hey we did a good job that year.' It'd be a great thing," Graham said.

RUMOR MORGUE: Don't believe everything you hear. That was Monte Kiffin's response to rumors that have him leaving the Bucs for a job in Oakland, where he supposedly would join forces with son Lane, the Raiders' head coach.

"I can tell you that has not even been discussed," Tampa Bay's defensive coordinator said Friday at One Buc Place. "That's the last thing I'm thinking about, the Oakland Raiders. Really, I don't know where that came from. People probably just, when they heard I didn't have a contract for next year, they probably just started speculating. But there's nothing to that.

"I think my son wants to do his own deal, to tell you the truth. I mean, family is family, but I also believe he doesn't need his dad out there looking over his shoulder."

Kiffin signed an extension two years ago that took him through this season and paid him approximately $1.7 million. Because that deal is expiring, his name has been associated with several jobs this season, including college head coaching jobs at Nebraska and Arkansas.

ASSISTANT ARRESTED: Second-year Bucs coaches assistant Dwayne Stukes was arrested late Thursday on a DUI charge. Stukes, 30, was arrested by Tampa police around 11:30 p.m. near Armenia Avenue and Cleveland Street, but he refused to take a breathalyzer test, according to officials.

"Obviously we're very concerned about it and we're looking into the situation," Gruden said. "But I don't have any other comment at this point."

Stukes became the third member of the Bucs organization arrested on DUI charges this season. WR David Boston, since released, and LB Cato June are the others.

INJURY UPDATE: QB Jeff Garcia sat out Friday's final walkthrough at One Buc Place, further clouding the issue of who will start at quarterback Sunday at Houston. Garcia said he feels well enough to play, but referred to Gruden when asked if he thought he would start. Gruden refused to commit to Garcia or Luke McCown, saying he will make a decision Sunday. ... RB Michael Pittman (ankle) sat out practice and FB B.J. Askew (ankle), WR Joey Galloway (toe), WR Ike Hilliard (knee) and LB Ryan Nece (groin) were limited. Along with DL Kevin Carter (shoulder) and DE Greg Spires (calf), all will be game-time decisions, Gruden said.

Roy Cummings

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