Shotgun Messiahs Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 (edited) 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. Edited June 30, 2008 by Shotgun Messiahs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 (edited) It's enough to keep him around as the starter this year, and possibly next year (if they don't have a better option by then). I doubt he was asking for much, but he knew he was way underpaid in comparison to his value to the 2008 Bucs. Edited June 30, 2008 by Swiss Cheezhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I guess now they can stop saying they love Michael Bennett. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Wow. I guess Gore took one hell of a pay cut... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Wow. I guess Gore took one hell of a pay cut... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 RB Jones Looking At Signing In Tampa Adam Schefter, NFL Network Free-agent running back Kevin Jones is seriously eyeing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is considering signing with Tampa. Jones also has drawn interest from New England and Tennessee, but he thinks the situation in Tampa is enticing and the chance exists for him to excel there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Earnest Graham will make $2.5 million in 2008 under the terms of his new four-year contract. There is no guaranteed money in his contract. While this is a backup's deal that doesn't bode well for Graham's status, the guaranteed money isn't a big deal. He'll make the 2008 team, meaning he'll get a salary increase from $605,000 to $1.5 million and a $1 million roster bonus. The Bucs can also cut him with no cap penalty any year of the deal. Including roster bonuses, he's set to earn $2.5 million in 2009, $3 million in 2010, and $3.05 million in 2011. Source: Profootballtalk.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 While this is a backup's deal that doesn't bode well for Graham's status, the guaranteed money isn't a big deal. He'll make the 2008 team, meaning he'll get a salary increase from $605,000 to $1.5 million and a $1 million roster bonus. The Bucs can also cut him with no cap penalty any year of the deal. Including roster bonuses, he's set to earn $2.5 million in 2009, $3 million in 2010, and $3.05 million in 2011. Source: Profootballtalk.com The guaranteed money isn't a big deal? Seriously, does a site called Profootballtalk.com actually understand some of the finer points of the game? This makes every year of the contract, including this year, a make-good situation. TB can cut him at any time with literally no assumption of any financial risk whatsoever. This puts the entire onus of the contract on Graham. He'd better be spectacular - and if TB does bring Jones in and sign him to starter's money, Graham could be playing for a roster spot rather than just for the starting RB position. There are a few RBs on the roster who have shown that they can play in at least some capacity at the pro level as well some hungry young guys. If that isn't a big deal, I guess I don't understand what is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 It seems to me at least a dozen people ripped me for saying the Bucs would get something done with Graham. I'm not looking for the I told you so moment, just keep it in the back of your head that you ripped me, AGAIN, for being right. How many times before you will learn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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