Hats Off to the Ultimate Team Player!!

Well Buccaneers fans, it is beginning to appear as though we may have seen the last playing days of a great Buccaneer. RB Earnest Graham truly opitimizes the meaning of "team player".

Graham entered the NFL by signing as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April 2003 and spent most of the 2003 NFL season and part of the 2004 season on the team's practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in October 2004.  From 2004 through 2011 Graham played in 98 games. He had 477 carries for a total of 2,047 yards with a 4.9 yards per carry average and 15 touchdowns. He also had 129 receptions for a total of 904 yards with a 7.0 yards per catch average and 1 touchdown.

Obviously Graham's career statistics are nowhere near overwhelming. However, it seemed like every preseason since Graham came to the Bucs he was the most productive running back in training camp.  Graham led the Bucs in rushing yards during the 2004, 2005, and 2006 preseasons, leading former coach Jon Gruden to dub him "Mr. August".  But when the real games would begin, Graham would find himself avoiding bench spurs more than avoiding would be tacklers.  That being the case, you never heard Graham utter a single negative word or complaint.  He would perform what was asked of him to the best of his ability and wait for his next chance.  I think we can all remember each year that the annointed starting running back would get injured, Graham would be called upon and would perform well enough that made us all believe he should be the starter the next season. The next season would come and Graham would be relegated to "full back" or back up duties once again.

At the beginning of the 2011 season, Graham was again called on to be a fullback and special teams player. However, when RB LeGarrette Blount was injured during week 5, Graham was thrust back into the featured tailback role for an October 16 home game against the New Orleans Saints. He responded by rushing for 109 yards on 17 carries as the Bucs beat their division rivals 26-20.

Graham again started at runningback the following week when the Bucs played the Chicago Bears in London. However, he seriously injured his Achilles tendon during the first quarter and was placed on the injured reserve list two days later, ending his season.  He became a free agent at the end of the 2011 season.
Graham is still in the process of rehabbing his Achilles tendon and has not been resigned. The fact that RB Michael Smith, chosen in the 7th round of this year's draft, was assigned jersey number 34 is a clear indication that we have all seen our last images of Graham in a Buccaneers uniform.

Just as he played his career, quietly without whining for the spotlight, Graham seems to be exiting his career. Quietly, without whining for the spotlight.  Our hats are off to Earnest Graham. We can not express our gratitude for the team player that he represented.  Mr. Graham, good luck in all your future endeavors.