Graham agrees to new deal with Bucs

Earnest Graham's patience finally paid off.

Big time.

Graham has agreed to a four-year deal worth $11-million, ending any possibility of a training camp holdout.

The agreement was first reported Sunday night by NFL.com. Graham, 28, did not participate in  Organized Team Activities or the off-season workout program, presumably because he wanted a contract extension. He did participate in the Bucs' mandatory minicamp.

Terms of the deal have not been released, so it's unknown how much of that $11-million is back-loaded or what is guaranteed.

Graham emerged as a starter for the first time in his career last season after injuries to Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman. He saved the day and possibly the season for the Bucs, rushing for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

While Graham took the silent approach, quarterback Jeff Garcia has been very vocal about his disgust over the lack of progress in his talks with the Bucs on a contract extension. Now that Graham is in the fold, maybe the Bucs will turn their attention to reaching an accord with their 38-year-old quarterback.

There's still plenty of time before the team reports to training camp July 25.

Comments

[BucYea]

Graham went about this in exactly the right way, while Gracia has gone about it, exactly the wrong way. Happy for EG, as well as the Bucs. Great for both sides. Graham has earned it while Garcia demands it. IMO, Graham far exceeded his contract, while Garcia has not. Shut up Jeff! and earn it.

[Bob]

Dude - Did you watch last season. The Bucs made it to the playoffs because of Garcia. The man is old, so it does not make sense to pay him that much... but come'on. On the other hand congrats to Graham, nice to sed an old Florida boy make it through grinding it out!

[drs]

Good for graham, hopefully the contract is incentive based though. As for Garcia, he brought a fire this team hasnt seen in a long long time and it rubbed off on the rest of the team. I think he should get a contract but it should also be incentive based, can't afford to give anyone with his risky style of play anything else. I am confident we'll be reading about Garcia's deal in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

[John Klopfer]

Garcia deserves more money, however, at his age what would he receive on the free agent market? I hope there is a meeting of the minds...it would be nice if Garcia is somewhat happy with his contract.

[David (Clearwater, Fl)]

Congrats to Graham. This is a good deal for both sides. He gets a well deserved raise in pay but not to the level of a clear-cut starting RB, b/c he isn't that right now. I don't doubt that Garcia will end up getting a bump too. Contrary to what some misinformed people in this town might think, the Bucs are not out to get their players. They are the malicious tyrants that certain radio personalities would like you to believe they are.

[Frank]

Graham's a great guy to have on the team. Expect him to get a ton of touches this year. As for the Garcia situation, sooner or later the team needs a franchise QB -- this gap-filler business is getting old.

[raw_as_fuq]

Its a 3 year 10.5 M at least thats what NFL.com says..

[Jay]

Graham, Dunn, and Bennett make up a seriously good trio of RB's. Caddy can take his time in rehab and make a run for the 09 season instead of hurrying back and jeopardizing his health.

[Darren]

Whats wrong?!? No one has blaimed Gruden yet. The knee jerk haters must be on vacation.

[mike j]

A good deal for both Graham & the club. I am glad for Earnest; he ran tough & hard last year.
Garcia will not be around after 2008; an extension is undeserved a year after signing a deal, & unnecessary. He should shut up & play. Personally, I hope McCown grabs the job about Week 5 & never looks back.

[aaron]

good for graham. garcia just needs to shut up a play.

[aaron]

good for graham. garcia just needs to shut up a play.

[Matt]

They both deserve their money. Graham deserved every bit as much as Warrick Dunn (although it appears he settled for slightly less) and Garcia deserves at least his bonus money from last year (and I'd give him a 1 year extension with a $2-4 million signing bonus on top of the $5 million or so he's scheduled to earn this year with incentives). He was a pro bowler last year and yet makes less than the average starter.

[mm]

This is all Gruden's fault. I blame Allen too.
/sense sarcasm

[DR]

I thought Graham should sign no longer than a 2 year deal, but I think he made a smart move. He got paid for what he has done which wasn't much besides last year. A 2 year deal would put him at 30 years old and no 30 year old RB will get a big contract in this league. A good move by the Bucs to secure EG. It's a surprise too. I was waiting for the headlines to read "Bucs release Graham and Dunn, sign Travis Henry and Benson".

[Kurt]

Hail to the chief!

[James]

I see some of you guys saying things like "we should only give Jeff Garcia a contract that is incentive based because we can't afford to give a player who throws his body around too much"

I don't get this logic.

"Here Jeff, here's your new deal but be sure to now get injured because then you won't all the money."

"Okay boss, I'll just half-azs it the whole season to be sure."

[James]

Edit: "not" for "now" above.

[Valrico Rick]

Let’s turn our attention to what this really means! You guys have missed the big picture! The Bucs won’t keep more than 3 running backs on the roster, so… Are you guys catching on? Dunn isn’t going anywhere, Graham just got more money, and Williams is looking like he won’t spend the year on IR so… Chances are they will put Williams on the PUP list, but when he returns that is a roster spot. Now they could only keep one fullback but they better start cross training somebody at fullback like they did Pittman, because if Askew gets hurt it’s nothing but one back sets. The bottom line is that I don’t see them carrying more than 5 running backs and that includes fullbacks so it might be that Bennett is the odd man out. First running back that puts the ball on the ground gets cut! We have some competition at running back.

[mkurbo]

It’s cool that Graham did it with class – good for him on the contract !

But, I finally want to weigh in on the other issue (Garcia). This whole rage against Garcia sentiment is just plain nutty. Jeff came in here last year and stabilized the offense with a pro bowl year if not for the injury. Yes, he is 38, but we are very quickly reaching a point in the NFL where a veteran QB who stays in shape (and still adds value) should not be automatically discarded at age 40. This new contract, and/or extension with Jeff is a delicate business situation to balance – give Bruce time and he’ll work out the right deal.

[JR]

Valero Rick , I agree with you to a certain extent. The bucs will definitely keep byron storer, bj askew, graham, and dunn. we will have bennett on the opening day roster and caddy will start on the PUP. however, if caddy comes back i still think we will keep bennett, who we gave up a draft pick for a resigned for two years. i know that will give us 6 backs but i think a WR or some other position will get cut because Dunn could line up as a receiver as necessary. there is just too much invested in graham, dunn, caddy, and bennett to cut any of them. none of our rbs have the ability to be cross trained, graham maybe but he is getting the most carries so he wont be cross trained

[NYC]

Any truth to the news report out of the detroit press that RB Kevin Jones could be coming to the Bucs?