Graham's season in jeopardy

Bucs running back Earnest Graham's season "could be in jeopardy," coach Jon Gruden said during his news conference Monday at One Buc Place.

Graham sustained an unspecified ankle injury on his first carry of Sunday's 19-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

"Earnest Graham's ankle looks to be a serious injury," Gruden said, "and his status for the rest of the season is very much in question right now."

Graham landed awkwardly in a pile, Gruden said. Gruden said he "didn't have the exact medical terms right now," but expects to get final test results on the ankle in the next couple of hours.

"He means a lot to us," Gruden said. "He's done so much for us the last couple of years. He's a key reason why we are where we are (7-3)."

With Graham out, the Bucs will have to lean even more heavily on Warrick Dunn, who carried 20 times for 53 yards and caught four passes for 65 yards on Sunday, and Clifton Smith, who fumbled for the third time in three games. Fullback B.J. Askew might have to carry the ball as well.

It also means Cadillac Williams, who was activated from the physically unable to perform list last week but was inactive on Sunday, is one step closer to returning to the lineup.

"We brought Cadillac up with the understanding he was ready to go," Gruden said.

Rookie linebacker Geno Hayes, formerly of Florida State, left with an injured knee. His season also "could be in jeopardy right now," Gruden said.

Comments

[Jim]

Earnest...wish you best on a speedy recovery. Your dedication to your teammates and the job you had in front of you all anyone could have asked. You responded with humility and selflessness. Take Care and get better soon!!! Need you in the post-season.

[Jeff]

Time to get the Caddy warmed up!

[Jay in Lake Mary]

GET WELL SOON !!

WE NEED YA !!!

[Krutch]

We need Earnest back badly as evidenced in this last game. 1st and goal from the 3 and we have to settle for a field goal. No offense to Dunn, but we need a bruiser in that situation.

[Clad]

That's not good news. I guess the decision to get rid of Bennett doesn't look so great now.

I guess we'll find out how ready Caddy now is

Clad

[don d]

Thats a tough blow to the team. If they have alreaady said this much on Monday you can pretty much count Ernest out.

All I can say is that all the hard work that Cadillac has done these past 14 mths was sufficent to go full time. Lots of people think Cadillac isnt the solution but right now the Bucs dont have mnay options left at running back

[jp]

false hope false hope this team is not that good there old very old on the offence they b better of lose n the rest of there games 4 draft pix wake up people

[Tom]

JP, huh? What was that jibberish?

[Erick]

What a great time to cut Bennett. I just pray that Clifton can hold on to the ball and Cadillac is actually ready. Hurry back Ernest!!!!

[Adam]

You know, sometimes God is just not fair. Here's a guy who does what he has to do - he keeps his mouth shut, he busts his tail, he gets rewarded with a contract - he's the ANTI-T.O.. And this is the hand he gets dealt? Hey America... you want to look to sports for a role model? His name is Earnest Graham.

[Jeff]

jp - you're dumb, very dumb.

[Dee Brown]

If we didn't carry 4 QB's every yr this would not be a problem. Gruden's obsession with qb's hurts a lot of posissions like the rb & o-line these positions need more depth then any other. U need 5 backs 3rb's 2 fb's or 4rb's & 1 fb. Hopefully we can resign Bennet some way

[PN]

It is obvious that JP is a fairweather fan and knows jack about football or spelling and grammar. Good call Adam.

[RJ]

Should have stuck Bennett on the practice squad, for just this type of situation. Bennett is a San Diego Charger now and we will see him in December when we play them at Ray J.

[CW]

You couldn't just "stick Bennett on the practice squad." He would have still had to clear waivers and that's only if he's still practice squad-eligible. Enough about Bennett, he obviously wasn't good enough to play for this team. I just hope Smith can keep a handle on the ball, the fumbles are very worrisome. I also feel like we may be rushing Caddy back too soon, but I hope he's ready because we need him.

[James]

Hey RJ, get a clue.

Bennett to the Practice Squad? You do realize that when a player is demoted from the 53-Man roster down to the Practice Squad each of the other 31 teams can claim him off waivers right?

So there you go bud, sending Bennett to the Practice Squad would've resulted in the same exact thing that happened to him... a team claimed him in a hurry... and San Diego only claimed him to keep him out of RB-needy Denver... he's STILL the #3 or #4 RB on his new team.

He's a bust.

[Matt]

My God what is Peter King smoking?
Look what he wrote in his column this week:

h. This isn't just because I work with his brother, but Ronde Barber is at the top of his game.

[Alice]

Bucs faithful, we will be fine. Cadillac Williams is back, 100% healthy. He is arguably the best RB in the NFL, so who really needs Graham? We will be A-OK! I like us to finish 12-4 and win the whole thing...THE SUPER BOWL!

[dc]

Why are people even mentioning michael bennett??? The kid did nothing for us pretty much... He got replaced by another running back that fumbles the ball and a runner coming back from an acl injury whats that mean??? HE wasnt a good fit so its dumb even mentioning his name

[johnny]

Where's the love for Warrick? He's going to eat them up since he is most likely the starter. Caddy is good too so they got a good backfield

[www.benchbarber.com]

SIT #20! THAT WILL FIX EVERYTHING.

[Alan]

I certainly wouldn't shed any tears if Ronde Barber was benched, that's for sure. It'll never happen though. He's a sacred cow. If they did bench him, the surprise I'd feel would be akin to that of Danny Bonaduce when he paid for sexxx and the individual with whom he was preparing to get intimate was a transvestite.

[Oldcrank]

Hey Ralph, lighten up on Alice will ya. We can use some of that exuberance. Much has been said about the need for a short yardage hammer. With Ernest out, I wonder if we could use Askew behind Cook for that stuff. When he played for us before, didn't Cook carry the ball as well as block?

[ss]

Dunn, graham, caddy will soon enough be the bucs three headed monster and graham, caddy, smith are the near future monster. Clifton will get over his fumbleitis. Also the panthers have to play the gmen, the bucs are going to take the south by the skin of their teethe. they will be fine in the post season, i think the hardest teams to defeat if it happens Will be the east. The bucs are good and this season is erily similar to the 02' season. ss

[Tim]

I have said this before . Carnel Williams is average at best . Take away his first 3 games and he has been very average . The odds are stacked against him with the injury he sustained . Ernest Graham is the stud RB for this team . Plan B doesn't look too promising .

[Sonny]

How convenient for Mr. Gruden. Just in time so he can work his boy Caddy back into the mix.

we need you E.G. so get well soon.

[Tuck]

Losing EG for the year would be a huge loss for the Bucs. I just hope that he can be back in time for the playoffs.

Caddy will be huge boost for the Bucs, but it will take him at least a month to really get back into the swing of things...in essence, his training camp is starting now.

I have been impressed with the Bucs O-Line. They seem to be getting better each week too. I can't wait to see what Caddy can do running behind them. Anyone who questions his skills must not remember how defenders seemed to meet him in the backfield on every play. None of those O-Lineman start for the Bucs now.

[Scott]

This is really a blow. Graham is one of those players who means more than it appears simply watching the game. I have always thought that he was much better than Cadillac Williams because he is a better blocker, pass receiver and he always gets positive yardage. But, now I turn into a Cadillac fan and I hope that he can prove all of the critics wrong! I am rooting for him big time!

[Jay]

Adam: Well said. Yes, EG has conducted himself the right way. Just like Michael Bennett. Oh yea, Jon didn't like him. Too bad.

[Ryan]

I love Earnest, but i hear the keys turnin right about now.

[Bryan]

Earnest is definitely the stud of our backfield even with Caddy at his best. Caddy was a good back and hopefully will be again, but he sure won't be again this season if at all. I certainly will be pulling for him for his own sake, but the Bucs certainly can't count on him yet. We are going to be forced to count on Smith. If I remember correctly he won't be the only butter fingered back in our backfield. Reminds me of Touchdown Toney Dorset starting with Dallas years ago. Dorset made up for his numerous fumbles with the tremendous amount of yards he gained. Our receivers have been improving rapidly and will have to take up more slack to cover for the backs we have left. They need to keep showing up to play, they definitely have demonstrated the talent for it. The O line is going to have to give Garcia the time to find them. We're not beat yet. GO BUCS!

[Tina - Pinellas Park]

And I thought my day couldn't get worse. I was wrong. You must be F-ing kidding me? Caddy is NOT NFL ready to play! He simply is NOT! The guy has been inactive for aeons due to a catastrophic injury and suddenly he's the Bucs F-ing saviour? Are you kidding me?? This team simply can NOT afford to lose EG. Everything they have is too F-ing fragile. On a separate note, I was encouraged by the play of Ronde Barber yesterday, who managed to not muck things up too much, and that malignant wart Jerramy Stevens, who managed to make a play or two. But losing EG is F-ing devastating.

[Bryan]

The Iron Sheik needs to get a grip. No need to go off the deep end with your ga*y/f^@g*g@o$t phobia. Nobody is placing any unfounded faith on Williams that I've see save for a few idiots perhaps. I don't believe the Buc's staff will be expecting Caddy to carry a load so just relax. No need to bust a gut talking about the possiblility so just take a chill pill and save your energy the seasons only just half over. Go Bucs!

[rod]

I don't care what you say time to take the Caddy out of the garage and give him a few carries. Dunn and Smith aren't going to be able to do it all. We didn't get rid of Bennett to let Caddy sit in the garage.

[Jay from DC]

Sign Ron Dayne.

[The Iron Sheik]

Bryan, i understand what you are saying it's these moron's that think he's gonna be as good as he was before he got hurt!dunn should be just fine the rest of the season! give caddy until the start of next season and it might work out no need to rush him back!