Bucs Sign RB Graham 4yr $11million (1 Viewer)

[cutler6]

seems pretty low for a "starting" RB in NFL, no? Dunn signed 2yrs, $6mil....

Bucs, Graham reach agreement on four-year, $11 million extension

The Tampa Buccaneers reached agreement Sunday with running back Earnest Graham on a four-year, $11 million contract extension, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

The agreement would eliminate a potential training camp holdout by Graham, who skipped volunatary OTAs but did attend mandatory team minicamp in mid-June.

Graham, 28, became a starter for the first time in his career last season after injuries to Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and Michael Pittman. He started 10 games, rushing for a team-high 898 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 49 passes for 324 yards.

Graham has been with the Bucs for all four of his NFL seasons after joining Tampa Bay as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2003, spending his first three seasons contributing mainly on special teams.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessionid=8...mp;confirm=true

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

This is a low amount for Graham. But, from the Bucs viewpoint, they think Caddy will be back at least by 2009. It looks like RBBC going forward, with the Bucs having a good stable of backs for a few years. Dunn and Bennett are good complementary runners, too.

 

[Weiner Dog]

(Semi)-starters like Fargas and Julius Jones signed similar deals this past offseason. Oddly enough, Duckett's contract in the same neighborhood, as well.

Heck, Jam Lewis only got $17mm over 3 years.

 

[Banger]

Good backup money.

 

[slayer666]

Stopgap money.

 

[cstu]

Good news for Caddy owners.

 

[The Man With No Name]

Good news for Caddy owners.

I have them both in both of my leagues. I saw somewhere today that Caddy is expected to open this season on the PUP list.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

This is Willie Parker type money. Appropriate.

 

[RC94]

It's now being reported that it's a 3 year, $10.5 million extension.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3466729

Bucs RB Graham agrees to 3-year, $10.5M extension

By John Clayton

ESPN.com

Updated: June 29, 2008, 10:34 PM ET

Earnest Graham had to miss some of the offseason program to get the attention of Tampa Bay management. On Sunday, he found out what the Bucs think of him.

Graham agreed to a three-year, $10.5 million extension that will keep him in Tampa through the 2011 season. The 28-year-old Graham was considered too valuable in the long-term plans of the team.

Cadillac Williams may have to start the season on the physically unable to perform list because of his knee injury. If that happens, Graham and Warrick Dunn will have to handle the running attack.

Graham rushed for 898 yards on 222 carries last season. It was his career best. He also caught 49 passes for 324 yards. Now he doesn't have to worry about his job security. He's found his home.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

 

[Cecil Lammey]

Earnest had no leverage here, and the Bucs didn't exactly rush to get him signed. Good for him to finally get some $$$, but it screams "don't get too excited"

 

[Portis 26]

I actually think this is good news for Graham owners. Graham didn't have much leverage here (given his advancing years, relative lack of success before last season, and the fact that they also have Dunn, Bennett and Caddy) and he could have got himself in a messy situation if the standoff had continued. At least with the deal done he goes to camp and will probably enter the season as at least the primary back in a RBBC.

 

[cstu]

Good news for Caddy owners.

I have them both in both of my leagues. I saw somewhere today that Caddy is expected to open this season on the PUP list.

Not much surprise there, but I'm mainly looking forward to 2009 since anything he does this year will be a bonus. This deal at least leaves the door open for Caddy to win the starting job back next year.

 

[zamboni]

Stopgap money.

Agreed.Works well all around - Graham gets reasonable money while the team solidifies its running game for this year and will have a relatively inexpensive route next year to go with another feature back (whether it's Caddy or a new buck).

 

[QUEZILLA]

Good play here by the Bucs, and props to Earnest Graham for not being too greedy. This is a great deal for the Bucs considering there were initial reports that he would be demanding "Gore like money." It will be interesting to hear the specifics on the contract, and if there are any incentives he could hit. I would think players would be hesitant to sign an incentive laden deal with the Bucs this year, as they screwed quite a few guys last year by holding them out of the NYG game (Garcia).

I think this actually is good for Caddy, and Dunn / Bennett, because that is defiantly not starter money. I think Gruden will also be weary to let Graham get too many carries for public relation reasons. People around here are already in love with Earnest Graham for several reasons; he is a Gator, and an underdog that has been with the team for a while. The better Graham does, the harder it will be to reintroduce Caddy.

*ETA* The Bucs are going to be in a great cap position again next year. Look for them to target a big name WR.

 

[Jason Wood]

I've tempered my enthusiasm for Earnest Graham this offseason and continue to do so. I'm not suggesting he won't be the main ball carrier in Tampa Bay; I believe he will. But I just don't think he's a special enough talent that Jon Gruden is going to commit to him in all downs and distances. I think Grudes will use just about every able body on his 53-man roster and that's going to mean some inconsistent performances for Graham. Could I see him being a decent fantasy RB2? Sure, but I would be hard pressed to imagine much more and so, given his current ADP, he doesn't thrill me.

 

[Banger]

I've tempered my enthusiasm for Earnest Graham this offseason and continue to do so. I'm not suggesting he won't be the main ball carrier in Tampa Bay; I believe he will. But I just don't think he's a special enough talent that Jon Gruden is going to commit to him in all downs and distances. I think Grudes will use just about every able body on his 53-man roster and that's going to mean some inconsistent performances for Graham. Could I see him being a decent fantasy RB2? Sure, but I would be hard pressed to imagine much more and so, given his current ADP, he doesn't thrill me.

I think Dunn will take a bigger bite than most anticipate. It may seem like a nothing signing to most but the guy is a pro and although he's old RB wise he's still probably more talented than Graham.

 

[QUEZILLA]

I don't think his rankings should drop too much, because I personally think the entire TB run game is underrated. This is more of a bump for Dunn/ Bennet & Caddy long term.

 

[travdogg]

I guess this means Earnest will be going to camp after all.

I'm kind of expecting Bennett to get cut if Caddy is anywhere near ready and for Tampa to put Boyd on the practice squad.

I wouldn't be shocked if Graham was a 3-down RB and got about 70% of the work. I think he could sneak into the top-10 this year.

 

[massraider]

Good play here by the Bucs, and props to Earnest Graham for not being too greedy. This is a great deal for the Bucs considering there were initial reports that he would be demanding "Gore like money." It will be interesting to hear the specifics on the contract, and if there are any incentives he could hit. I would think players would be hesitant to sign an incentive laden deal with the Bucs this year, as they screwed quite a few guys last year by holding them out of the NYG game (Garcia). I think this actually is good for Caddy, and Dunn / Bennett, because that is defiantly not starter money. I think Gruden will also be weary to let Graham get too many carries for public relation reasons. People around here are already in love with Earnest Graham for several reasons; he is a Gator, and an underdog that has been with the team for a while. The better Graham does, the harder it will be to reintroduce Caddy.*ETA* The Bucs are going to be in a great cap position again next year. Look for them to target a big name WR.

I like the move as well. I think this is the kind of move that good teams make, they find a diamond in the rough, and get him signed to a friendly, not-too-long deal. I think that Gruden would like to go with RBBC, but I don't think it'll be a full RBBC this year. Quezilla, is there optimism from the team regarding Caddy?

 

[T Bell]

Good backup money.

Agreed.

 

[T Bell]

It's now being reported that it's a 3 year, $10.5 million extension.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3466729

Bucs RB Graham agrees to 3-year, $10.5M extension

By John Clayton

ESPN.com

Updated: June 29, 2008, 10:34 PM ET

Earnest Graham had to miss some of the offseason program to get the attention of Tampa Bay management. On Sunday, he found out what the Bucs think of him.

Graham agreed to a three-year, $10.5 million extension that will keep him in Tampa through the 2011 season. The 28-year-old Graham was considered too valuable in the long-term plans of the team.

Cadillac Williams may have to start the season on the physically unable to perform list because of his knee injury. If that happens, Graham and Warrick Dunn will have to handle the running attack.

Graham rushed for 898 yards on 222 carries last season. It was his career best. He also caught 49 passes for 324 yards. Now he doesn't have to worry about his job security. He's found his home.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

How much is guaranteed?

 

[QUEZILLA]

Good play here by the Bucs, and props to Earnest Graham for not being too greedy. This is a great deal for the Bucs considering there were initial reports that he would be demanding "Gore like money." It will be interesting to hear the specifics on the contract, and if there are any incentives he could hit. I would think players would be hesitant to sign an incentive laden deal with the Bucs this year, as they screwed quite a few guys last year by holding them out of the NYG game (Garcia).

I think this actually is good for Caddy, and Dunn / Bennett, because that is defiantly not starter money. I think Gruden will also be weary to let Graham get too many carries for public relation reasons. People around here are already in love with Earnest Graham for several reasons; he is a Gator, and an underdog that has been with the team for a while. The better Graham does, the harder it will be to reintroduce Caddy.

*ETA* The Bucs are going to be in a great cap position again next year. Look for them to target a big name WR.

I like the move as well. I think this is the kind of move that good teams make, they find a diamond in the rough, and get him signed to a friendly, not-too-long deal. I think that Gruden would like to go with RBBC, but I don't think it'll be a full RBBC this year.

Quezilla, is there optimism from the team regarding Caddy?

There is definitely optimism regarding Caddy, and I have posted some of Gruden's quotes in the Caddy thread. This all could have been a ploy to get EG to sign a reasonable offer, but I don't think so. IMO, Caddy should be one of the hottest buy lows out there right now. There are very few potential top 10 fantasy players that can be acquired as cheap as Caddy is right now. IF he does come back 100% healthy, I see no reason why he couldn't be a top 10 guy. The Bucs O-line is vastly improved, which means good things for anyone running the ball behind it.

*ETA*

Here are the Gruden quotes regarding Caddy's progress.

"He ran great today," Gruden said of Williams. "It's one of the most amazing comebacks I've seen. He hasn't come back yet, but he's banging on the door. Our fans would really be proud of him. He's running fast.

"He's putting himself through an unbelievable workout routine. I've never seen anything like it. It rivals some of the Rocky Balboa moves you see on television. This is very important to him. God bless him. I think his work ethic and determination has really stimulated our coaching staff and players."

"He's ready to go if you ask him," Gruden said of Williams. "He's really putting some good tape together. He's not allowed to be part of the team activities, but the explosive movement, change of direction, stamina and confidence appear to be coming back. That's what is really exciting. He doesn't appear to have any setbacks at this point. I just keep my fingers crossed and hope it continues at this point because it's really exciting.

"He's been asking to come out here and play since the program started in April. He doesn't want to miss a rep. If there's one great story to come out of here today it's Carnell Williams. I'm really proud to witness it."

 

[Banger]

Good backup money.

Agreed.

It's funny because that's exactly who I thought of when making the post. I remembered he and Mike Anderson were making about $3 mill as backups....

 

[cstu]

Good play here by the Bucs, and props to Earnest Graham for not being too greedy. This is a great deal for the Bucs considering there were initial reports that he would be demanding "Gore like money." It will be interesting to hear the specifics on the contract, and if there are any incentives he could hit. I would think players would be hesitant to sign an incentive laden deal with the Bucs this year, as they screwed quite a few guys last year by holding them out of the NYG game (Garcia).

I think this actually is good for Caddy, and Dunn / Bennett, because that is defiantly not starter money. I think Gruden will also be weary to let Graham get too many carries for public relation reasons. People around here are already in love with Earnest Graham for several reasons; he is a Gator, and an underdog that has been with the team for a while. The better Graham does, the harder it will be to reintroduce Caddy.

*ETA* The Bucs are going to be in a great cap position again next year. Look for them to target a big name WR.

I like the move as well. I think this is the kind of move that good teams make, they find a diamond in the rough, and get him signed to a friendly, not-too-long deal. I think that Gruden would like to go with RBBC, but I don't think it'll be a full RBBC this year.

Quezilla, is there optimism from the team regarding Caddy?

There is definitely optimism regarding Caddy, and I have posted some of Gruden's quotes in the Caddy thread. This all could have been a ploy to get EG to sign a reasonable offer, but I don't think so. IMO, Caddy should be one of the hottest buy lows out there right now. There are very few potential top 10 fantasy players that can be acquired as cheap as Caddy is right now. IF he does come back 100% healthy, I see no reason why he couldn't be a top 10 guy. The Bucs O-line is vastly improved, which means good things for anyone running the ball behind it.

*ETA*

Here are the Gruden quotes regarding Caddy's progress.

"He ran great today," Gruden said of Williams. "It's one of the most amazing comebacks I've seen. He hasn't come back yet, but he's banging on the door. Our fans would really be proud of him. He's running fast.

"He's putting himself through an unbelievable workout routine. I've never seen anything like it. It rivals some of the Rocky Balboa moves you see on television. This is very important to him. God bless him. I think his work ethic and determination has really stimulated our coaching staff and players."

"He's ready to go if you ask him," Gruden said of Williams. "He's really putting some good tape together. He's not allowed to be part of the team activities, but the explosive movement, change of direction, stamina and confidence appear to be coming back. That's what is really exciting. He doesn't appear to have any setbacks at this point. I just keep my fingers crossed and hope it continues at this point because it's really exciting.

"He's been asking to come out here and play since the program started in April. He doesn't want to miss a rep. If there's one great story to come out of here today it's Carnell Williams. I'm really proud to witness it."

Gotta take it with a grain of salt since it's Gruden, but that's serious man-love right there and at the very worst, barring a setback, he's going to get a chance to prove himself on the field.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

If you are a Warrick Dunn owner, this has to make you somewhat happy as it sure doesn't seem like the Bucs are over committing to Graham...and Dunn signed for almost the same amount of money per season.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

If you are a Warrick Dunn owner, this has to make you somewhat happy as it sure doesn't seem like the Bucs are over committing to Graham...and Dunn signed for almost the same amount of money per season.

Graham's probably the one to own for 2008, but this is an all out clustereff for 2009. I wouldn't touch any back currently on the roster in a dynasty league. Have a feeling they'll bring someone else in.