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Graham Looking To 2009

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Graham will begin rehabbing his ankle in preparation for the 2009 season.

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2008

TAMPA - Bucs RB Earnest Graham received an early holiday gift this week.

Graham, who sustained a season-ending ankle injury against Minnesota, was medically cleared to walk without crutches on Tuesday. He will soon begin rehabbing his ankle in preparation for the 2009 season.

"I got to wait for it to heal," Graham said. "Got to wait for it to heal."

Tampa Bay's running game has been wounded without Graham's presence.

Graham rushed for more than 100 yards twice in the season's first four weeks, but since Warrick Dunn's 115-yard rushing performance against Carolina in Week 6, no Buc has rushed for more than 100 yards.

"Yeah, it hurts not having Graham," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "The guy scored 10 touchdowns for you last year. And the 69-yard jailbreak against Atlanta sealed a victory there. He had a big run to help us win against Green Bay. He's a great closing back, no disrespect to any of the backs here.

"Warrick Dunn has done some excellent things. He's got about 1,100 yards of all-purpose yardage and Cadillac Williams is on his way back. But you know injuries do hurt you. A position like that, certainly, it's tough, but that's pro football."

Graham expects to resume his career this offseason.

He expects to participate in organized team activities and does not expect to miss training camp.

"It's a tough game. It's like that," Graham said. "It takes a lot of luck in football to win it all and make it all season. It was an unlucky injury."

PENN WANTS TO BE LOCKED UP

Although it appears some of Tampa Bay's free agents are prepared to leave One Buc Place, LT Donald Penn is not among them.

Penn will be a restricted free agent after this season, and although plenty of teams likely will be interested in his services, he wants to remain in Tampa.

"To tell you the truth, I truly, truly, truly hope so," Penn said. "My wife likes it out here. I love being here. I love the fans. We got a young offensive line. We have a chance to be great and hopefully they do keep us together. I would love to be here."

Penn received his opportunity when starting left tackle Luke Petitgout sustained a knee injury last season. Since then, Penn has started every game and never looked back.

"I think my learning ability has gotten better," Penn said. "My knowledge of the game and knowledge of the speed and to see what's coming has improved. I've been playing hard like I started last year and I play this game because I love the game."

HOLDING OUT HOPE

Tampa Bay realizes it will be hard to make the playoffs, but the team still is motivated for Sunday's season finale against Oakland.

The Bucs make the playoffs if they win and Philadelphia beats Dallas. Although Tampa Bay can't control what the Eagles do, the Bucs know they can control their performance.

"We have to win a football game. That is what it comes down to," Bucs QB Jeff Garcia said. "There are other things that are really out of our hands. We had a chance to control that before this week and we didn't take care of that business.

"That is the unfortunate side of where we stand right now as a team. We still have a chance, we still have an opportunity, but if we play the way that we are capable of playing and finish out the season on a positive note, then maybe other things can be extended for us."

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