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Who Will Step Up For Bucs?

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: November 20, 2008

TAMPA - The Bucs lost a lot more than a feature back when they put Earnest Graham on injured reserve Wednesday. They also lost a short-yardage back. A pretty good one at that.

Graham got the Bucs the first down they needed on eight of the 12 runs he made on third or fourth down with 2 yards or less to go. He also was 2-for-2 as a third-and-short-yardage pass catcher.

"It's a big loss for us," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "Someone will just have to step up. Fullback B.J. Askew is a candidate. We also think Warrick Dunn, given the practice time, could do it."

Dunn is certainly willing. Whether he's the answer is hard to tell. Dunn has run the ball seven times in short-yardage situations this year but only converted the first down once. A lack of practice time might be the reason.

Dunn said Wednesday his failure to convert a third-and-1 and a fourth-and-1 play last week against the Vikings was largely the result of not having practiced the plays.

But even if Dunn is brought up to speed, the Bucs might be hesitant to use him in short yardage. Running the ball in those situations adds to the pounding a back takes, and the Bucs are feeling a need to preserve Dunn, if possible.

"You do try to a degree to preserve him," Gruden said. "But with a guy like Warrick he's got the ability to play in every situation. He relishes that, I think, and he knows the team needs him to step up."

Askew already has. He replaced Dunn as the Bucs' goal-line back and did an admirable job, running 1 yard for a touchdown on his first carry as a Buccaneer. Now he hopes there are more carries to come.

"I would love to get some more carries here," Askew said. "But I'm here to be a fullback. I have the ability if we decided to go that route, and I have the confidence."

Another option is Cadillac Williams. He was handling a lot of the short-yardage and goal-line duties before he injured his knee, and he could return to that role upon his return.

Of course, if none of those options work, the Bucs always can turn to Gruden, who may have something a little different involving a tight end or offensive lineman up his sleeve.

"We might have to get into some different formations and get a little creative to run it there," Gruden said of moving the ball in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

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