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Bucs' Graham Eager To Finish What He Starts

Tribune file photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Running back Earnest Graham has seen his last two seasons cut short by injury and says he welcomes more help in the backfield.

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 19, 2009

TAMPA - Ever since he became a starter in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' backfield, Earnest Graham has had trouble finishing. He petered out late in the 2007 season due to a variety of nagging injuries, and his 2008 season was cut short after 11 weeks because of a high ankle sprain.

Graham is obviously hoping that trend changes this year. He believes the Bucs' plan to split the running back's workload between him and newcomer Derrick Ward will allow that to happen.

"I like the idea [of splitting carries with Ward]," Graham said. "I went through a season two years ago where I was the only back. I got all the carries and never came off the field, and that's tough. So I'm definitely looking forward to [splitting the carries]."

Sharing the workload with Ward isn't the only thing that could keep Graham healthy this year. He also believes the Bucs' plan to have their backs run behind a zone blocking scheme will help him finish stronger too.

In a zone blocking scheme, the line works and moves as a unit. Instead of creating just one hole for the back to run through, the back is given several options and usually more protection.

"The way we used to run the ball, we had our work cut out for us," Graham said of the Bucs' running backs. "There was a lot of traffic, and you had to do a lot in traffic. I like this better, definitely."

One reason Graham likes the zone scheme better than the man scheme the Bucs used previously is that he has seen Carolina and Atlanta have great success with it the last couple years.

He believes the Bucs will have the same success. He also believes the new scheme will allow diminutive second-year return specialist Clifton Smith to excel as a runner.

The 5-foot-8, 190-pound Smith is expected to battle Cadillac Williams for playing time as a third-down or change-of-pace back after earning a Pro Bowl berth as a return man last season.

"The scheme lends itself a lot more to a guy like him, because in the older scheme, with his stature, it would have been tough on him because of the amount of traffic we had," Graham said.

Graham believes that even with Smith and Williams getting carries there will be plenty of work for all the Bucs backs because the team is putting a greater emphasis on running the ball.

The key to any Bucs success, though, has to be consistency, Graham said. The Bucs "haven't had it,'' he acknowledged, but he believes the changes they're making offensively will cure that problem.

"With the pickups we've made, it's obviously a priority,'' Graham said of developing better consistency. "And I think we have the pieces there to do it. I think we're moving in the right direction."

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

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