Bucs, B.J. Askew agree to four-year extension

Even while things remain at a standstill with Jeff Garcia's and Earnest Graham's contract negotiations, the Bucs have locked up fullback B.J. Askew by signing him to a 4-year contract extension today.

His agent, Scott Smith of XAM Sports, just confirmed the news to us. Askew is believed to have signed a package that includes a total of $8.6-million, including a signing bonus of $2-million.

Askew (left), 27, was one of several young players the Bucs approached about contract extensions earlier this year, so there could be more to come. He was entering the final year of a two-year deal he signed with the Bucs last summer.

The move shows a continued commitment to the running game given Askew's impressive performance as a lead blocker in 2007. He also proved proficient as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 18 passes for 175 yards.

Staying in Tampa long term was Askew's hope, and the new deal makes that possible.

"The goal was to find a home in Tampa, and he's thrilled that it worked out," Smith said. "And he feels like his style of play is appreciated in Tampa."

You might recall that Askew played much of the latter half of the season with a severely sprained ankle that caused him to miss three games. Playing through the injury before being coaxed into resting it went a long toward gaining the trust of coaches and teammates.

"His toughness earned him some respect," Smith added. "Showing that kind of toughness does make a statement."

[Brian Cassella, Times files]

Comments

[Mark]

good! im glad we locked him up! he made some really nifty plays for us and was a consistent blocker.

[cory s]

Great signing. We need to get him locked up.

[JR]

he is a solid blocker and can catch out of the backfield when asked. good signing only the first of many to come. allen will use up some of that cap the way it should be used on our players

[wally]

Somehow this is bad, and it's Gruden's fault.

[J]

I like Askew. I am glad that he will be staying longer than next year. What is Wally talking about?

[DV]

An extention without a media circus? How did that happen?

[Stephen Blackehart]

Where are the people who are furious that Askew isn't refusing the new contract in favor of serving out the year left on his current one? I mean, a contract's a contract, right?

[The Bull Gator]

I like this deal a lot. Askew is a good young player and someone that will help the team long term. He knows where he stands in terms on money and made the right choice.

[Tom]

This is a solid signing. BJ is the most underrated player on this team. He was a major upgrade to Alstott athletically last year. Of course, no one can live up to Alstott's intangibles.

I like where this team is heading. WR seems to be the big question mark, however.

[keith]

Yes is Gruden's Fault!
2002 NFC South Division Champions,
Gruden's Fault!
2002 NFC Champions - Gruden's Fault!
2002 Superbowl Champions-Gruden's Fault!
2005 NFC South Division Champions,
Gruden's Fault!
2007 NFC South Division Champions,
Gruden's Fault!

[J]

I don't understand. What is this Gruden's fault stuff? "2002 Superbowl Champions - Gruden's Fault!" Fault sounds like it is something bad. Are you using it in a good way? Playoff appearances are a good thing. Are you saying it is his fault that they didn't go on to win the Superbowl? This sounds like gibberish...

Yeah, Askew! Way to go!!!!!!!

[Cody]

For everybody who bashes Bruce Allen. Askew was an amazing pick-up in free agency last year. It's great that we have him locked up for a while. Our O-line will continue to improve and with Askew leading up the hole I think we should have a feared running game for a long time.

[Michael]

J, what they are refering to is that whenever something goes wrong, it is Grudens fault, and in aloty of people's minds, Gruden could win 10 Superbowls with the Bucs, and he wousl still be, (In their minds) the "worst" coach in the NFL. They havnt realized that the stuff they HATE Gurden for isnt all his fault, arnt valid, or that they actually worked out. For example, they say 7 QBs are too many. Jake the snake is "retired", Chris Simms is on him way out, and so is Bruce Gradkowski. Josh Johnson is the guy of the future, Jeff is the guy for now, and Griese and McCown are GREAT backups. Even McCown could be the future starter. Besides, when Chris went down a few years ago, they were on Gruden for not having a solid backup QB. I dont think we have to worry about that anymore. Anyway, that is what the "This is Gruden's fault" stuff is about. They are just making fun of the Gruden haters.

[Al]

Why pay Graham anything more. He should be happy he is on this team. graham is no starter. there is a reason he was undrafted. Grahnm benefited from Garcia and Galloway an excellent defense, and a week schedule. Why would the Bucs offer graham starter money when they have Dunn, Bennett and caddy under contract. all you Bruce allen fans should know allen isn't dumb with his money. Askew had more to do wtih graham success than anything. Don't get me wrong though. caddy is done as well. lets just be happy graham gets to play in the nfl and remember wha he is.. a slow, 29yr old rb who scares no team when they play him. they don't gameplan for him and they never will. he isn't going to run anybody over on a consistent basis and is not going to run away from anybody. Tell me graham is a better receiver out of the backfield than dunn or Bennett. I dare you. Bruce put your fut down and don't be pushed into a long term deal with a declining back( see Edgerrin James).

[Skylar]

Al, I completely disagree with you. I was utterly surprised when Graham went undrafted as he was the 1st or 2nd all-time rusher out of Florida. Everybody thought he was a product of the Spurrier system, but all of us UF fans knew he would produce in the NFL. We brought him to camp undrafted and he never left the squad. He got his chance to show what he could do and he did it. He will get a contract extension. It's only his fourth year, so he's not EJ; that's just an ignorant comment (really the whole blog you posted seems uninsightful,) but everybody is entitled to their opinion. Askew is a very good back and I have no problem with an Askew/Graham backfield next year.

[Valrico Rick]

To the clown that made the comment about him refusing the extension and playing out the last year of his contract, you apparently don’t get it at all. If you work under a contract you work quietly and professionally until the owners of your contract come to you and offer to extend it, or until it expires. You don’t stand in front of a bunch of microphones and threaten to sabotage with "negative feelings" the upcoming season for his teammates and all the fans because you think you are underpaid. That‘s baby tantrum stuff, not professional adult behavior, and the first clue is in Askew's contract extension. He has gone about his business and worked hard for his team, and if he felt under appreciated he kept it to himself. Everybody feels under appreciated and under paid at what they do. Everybody out there that thinks they make enough money raise your hand. No, keep 'em up I want to make a count. We have a new center, Dunn is back, lots of new talent to plug in, and I am excited about the upcoming season, but here comes Garcia like a big baby and he is telling everybody he is going to make it bad for his team if he doesn’t get more money. As far as I am concerned, and I am still upset about his attitude, he can hold out the entire season. We don't need a self-serving leader of the offense, we need a teammate!

[mm]

Obvously Al didn't watch too many Bucs games last year. So are you saying that d-lines and LB's were worried about Garcia and Galloway and thats why Graham broke out for 898 yds in 13 games? Or what about those goal line stands? Was the entire defense threatened by Garcia's 13 TD's and that's how Graham got 10? How about the fact that Graham didn't dance around in the backfield like Pittman or try to juke 300lb lineman like Caddy. He hit the hole with authority and took his yards. I'm not saying to give him some ridiculous contract but just pay the man!

[Stephen Blackehart]

I'll take the "clown" crack as a compliment. After all, some of my favorite people are clowns.

Y'know, I don't like that Garcia had to go public with it either, but we both know that in football, the QB goes first. He's always had a screw loose but he's a good QB, which is unusual around here. Sure, Askew is younger, but Garcia's impact on the team is exponentially larger. I have no problem w/ Askew or his contract, just that the team could've handled this differently and extended Garcia immediately after the season's end. At the very least, it should've been the first order of business after the draft.

I actually believe that it's been the plan to extend him all along, but question why its necessary to play these games with our own guys.

[keith]

Obviously, no one in here understands sarcasm.

I guess thats Gruden's fault too!!

[Tom]

Al, you obviously didn't pay much attention to what happened on the field last year. Graham was a stud. He's has deceptive speed and a truck load of power. He has the ability to gain the extra 2-3 yards that some backs can't seem to get. Graham deserves to be a starter on this team. Period.

[DV]

Everything is Grudens' fault, even gas prices and Donald Trumps' horrendous haircut.

[shane]

hey quick question.

what is B.J's real first name?

[Buc Fan 1]

much like the rays are doin, it shows commitment and promise toward the youth of the club.

[clyde]

Chet and 75

[wally]

Gruden is also responsible for global warming.

[mkurbo]

I do understand the “Gruden fault” sarcasm. Glad to see others take up that ball and run with it…

..nice note on the QB situation from Michael. I’m really getting tired of the “we have a million quarterback” cracks. When Garcia goes down in game six and Griese goes in for him but pulls up w/ a minor injury in the next game and Luke then keeps our winning season intact for the next several games – you won’t hear anybody making those remarks then because their you know what will be so puckered !

We will probably see most of these guys being discussed get extensions; everyone (mainly the fishwraps) is overreacting. Garcia’s contract will be one of the last because I think it will be more complex. Bruce needs to pay him as a pro bowl starter for the next couple years, but I think they also want to keep him around even he is not the starter in ’09.

[Golden Chief]

funny how a thread on Askew gets spun to a "pay the gator" thread

friggin GOOBERS ...

[Phyllis]

BJ's first name is Bobby. You guys are so lucky to have him. The Jets are stupid to have let him go. He is a tough man with great strength who didn't ask for anything or to be center of attention, he just wanted to go out there and do his job. So I hope you guys kick butt with him on your team. I am a huge Bobby Askew fan.