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Bucs RB Graham Likely Out For Season

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: November 18, 2008

TAMPA - The Bucs are going to have to shift their Cadillac into drive a little sooner than they planned.

That's the upshot of the news that rocked One Buc Place on Monday, that running back Earnest Graham likely will miss the rest of the season, including the playoffs, with an ankle injury sustained on the second play of Sunday's win against the Vikings.

"I don't have the exact medical terms," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said when pressed for details on Graham's injury. "But I would say that it doesn't look like he's going to be playing any time soon."

The loss of Graham comes a week after the Bucs released Michael Bennett, their only healthy back at the time, and thins the ranks at a position that already looked a little thin.

The Bucs now must lean on 33-year-old Warrick Dunn to be their feature back and spread the rest of the carries out between undrafted rookie Clifton Smith and Cadillac Williams, who hasn't played in more than a year.

Williams has been practicing with the Bucs for close to a month and says he's ready to go, but hesitated a bit on Monday when asked if he was ready to shoulder a regular workload.

"I'm not saying I'd complain, but I don't know," Williams said. "I am coming off a knee injury. But coming back now is something I feel good about. I've put the work in. I'm mentally ready and I'm physically ready."

He better be ready to take a pounding. With Graham out, the Bucs' biggest need is for a back who can carry the ball in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

The Bucs struggled in that area using Dunn against the Vikings. That and a desire to keep Dunn fresh may result in Williams and maybe fullback B.J. Askew doing the dirty work down the stretch.

The Bucs, though, have more in store for Williams than short-yardage and goal-line carries. "What we've been trying to bring him back to be," Gruden said, "is an every-down workhorse back, a guy who can hammer it in short-yardage and goal-line and can finish the game with repeat runs in the four-minute drill."

BUCS NOTEBOOK, Page 4

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

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