TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Is Graham Overworked?

ADVERTISEMENT

By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 4, 2008

Updated: 11/04/2008 12:12 am

TAMPA - Bucs RB Earnest Graham would run, block and sell cotton candy at halftime if asked, and his unselfishness might be wearing him down.

Graham did not look like his usual self, fumbling twice in Tampa Bay's 30-27 overtime victory against Kansas City. He rushed 19 times for 62 yards, but seemed to be out of sync most of Sunday afternoon after suffering a knee injury early in the game.

His problems can be attributed to an increased workload.

Since Byron Storer suffered a season-ending knee injury against Carolina on Oct. 12, Graham has added fullback to his normal running back duties. Graham is often unsure what role he has on a play until it is called in the huddle, which has added to his in-game stress.

In addition, Graham entered Sunday's game without RB Warrick Dunn, who was at home nursing a back injury.

"Have we asked a lot of Earnest?" Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "Maybe too much at times? Yes, we have. But that's what you do with your best players when you're in the thick of a tight tournament like we are.

"We're going to keep trying to pound the ball inside to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and try to just score some points in the paint. We've got to lean on our guy. He's our only healthy, versatile back going into the game, and that was our plan."

Gruden is optimistic Dunn and FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) will be ready to go when the Bucs host Minnesota on Nov. 16.

MR. RELIABLE
Bucs K Matt Bryant proved once again why he is one of the most reliable NFL kickers.

Bryant attempted two potential game-winning kicks before making a 34-yard field goal to seal Tampa Bay's come-from-behind victory. Kansas City called a timeout on Bryant's first attempt, which split the uprights. Bucs OL Jeremy Trueblood jumped on the second try, which Bryant pushed wide to the right. But the false-start penalty gave Bryant another chance, and there were no obstacles on his third and final kick.

"The wind was blowing right to left on that end and that kick that I missed, it didn't move at all," Bryant said. "It's just how it goes sometimes. Luckily, we got that last chance."

Bryant has made eight game-winning field goals for Tampa Bay since 2002. This season, Bryant has made 17 of 20 field goals and is 17-for-17 on point after attempts.

FUTURE DEVIN HESTER?

Tampa Bay RB Clifton Smith is averaging 32.7 yards after nine kickoff returns, which would be tops in the NFL if he met the minimum ranking requirement of 10 returns. Instead, New England's Ellis Hobbs leads the league with a 29.3 average, but has not returned a kickoff for a touchdown this season.

Smith also has returned seven punts for a 15.6-yard average, which would rank second in the NFL if he met the minimum of 10 returns.

DECISION DUE ON CADDY

Jon Gruden is ready to bring his Cadillac out of the garage and take a spin. He's just not planning to drive 100 mph.

Though the team will not practice during the bye week, Gruden said Cadillac Williams will be in pads today and Wednesday as coaches try to determine if his knee is ready for the NFL again.

"I'm sure he's not really thrilled about enjoying his bye week like some of the other guys, but we'll have him in pads today and Wednesday," Gruden said.

"He had a great look in his eye. He's very confident in his knee and what he's put into this. We'll see what Earnest's and Warrick's health status are, and we'll make that decision next week, but there is a possibility he could help us, and that would be really exciting."

GRUDEN A VOL?

Jon Gruden became the franchise's winningest coach Sunday, but that didn't quell speculation he could become the next head coach at the University of Tennessee.

News that longtime Vols coach Phillip Fulmer will not return next season led to renewed talk of Gruden as a potential job candidate. His name previously had been mentioned on several Volunteers- and Bucs-related blogs, and the topic was hotly debated on Tampa Bay talk radio shows.

Gruden, 45, began his coaching career as a Vols graduate assistant in 1986-87. Gruden's wife, Cindy, was a Vols cheerleader and remains a huge fan. But the speculation seems misplaced. Gruden recently signed a three-year contract extension through 2011, and the Bucs have a long history of not allowing coaches out of their contracts.

Anwar S. Richardson

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT