FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 10/20/2009 7:41pm et

PewterReport.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham will start at fullback for the rest of the season because FB B.J. Askew was placed on the Non-Football Injury list.

The Huddle Take: Putting him on the field, even at fullback, does give the Bucs an added weapon, though expecting much output from him from a fantasy perspective would be a mistake. However, a touchdown here and there wouldn't be too much of a surprise a la Mike Alstott.

Posted: 8/28/2009 6:29pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said the team was able to use a little bit of their '2-2-1 format' in running the football Thursday, Aug. 27, as RBs Cadillac Williams, Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward were all able to see action. 'I started doing it a little bit last night. It wasn't as detailed as I would like it. It wasn't all the situational things that I would like. It was OK. When you get a chance to see all three of those guys working together. Last night, we talked about it before too, feeding off the one that got hot. Last night Earnest and Cadillac got hot, so you kind of let them go a little bit. Then I was sad because I had to take them out because their time was done,' Morris said.

The Huddle Take: This is Exhibit A of why you probably don't want to touch any Tampa Bay running back, with the possible exception of those of you who are in TD-only leagues. Maybe in that format Earnest Graham would be worth a flyer.

Posted: 8/10/2009 3:26pm et

PewterReport.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham is listed as the starting running back on the team's first official depth chart.

The Huddle Take: Graham will be a starter in name only, as the Buccaneers are expected to be one of the worst running-back-by-committee offenders. Graham will split time with not only Derrick Ward, but also Clifton Smith. Cadillac Williams could be in the mix as well.

Posted: 8/5/2009 11:19pm et

PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham said the offense new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski has brought to the team is one of the best he has played in as a member of the Buccaneers. 'This offense has got to be the most talented offense since I got here. Our quarterbacks are making plays, our receivers are making plays, and our offensive line is awesome. The scheme we have here suits us well. Right now, I think we have a great chance, but right now we just have to go out there and put our time in,' Graham said.

The Huddle Take: Graham certainly looks to figure heavily into the mix in Tampa Bay with his strong power-running style. Fantasy owners could do far worse than selecting this workhorse runner as their No. 2 running back this season.

Posted: 8/4/2009 9:11pm et

According to sources close to the situation, Tampa Bay Buccaneers RBs Earnest Graham, Derrick Ward and Clifton Smith may be part of a three-headed mix at running back. Graham is currently running as the first running back with the team, and he and Ward are expected to carry the majority of the workload. Smith would be sprinkled in to give the team another dimension on offense.

The Huddle Take: This is shaping up to be a fantasy owners worst nightmare. Ward is the early owner favorite to get the bulk of the carries, but it sounds like the team is looking almost 50/50 with he and Graham, with a dose of Smith from time to time, which usually ends up being at the end-zone. Good luck here, for now do your best to draft later in the pre-season, so you can see how things are shaking out.

Posted: 3/27/2009 10:29pm et

Buccaneers.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham said he likes the idea of sharing the carries with RB Derrick Ward. "I love the idea. I love the idea, man. I went through a season two years ago where I was the only back and I got all the carries and never came off the field. That's tough. It's tough, man. Last year, playing some fullback—it's tough to make it in the league like that. I think it's changed somewhat. I don't think you can make it through the league like you could years ago. I'm definitely looking forward to it," Graham said.

The Huddle Take: With the majority of NFL teams taking the two-headed approach to their running game and the Bucs spending decent coin to bring Ward to Tampa, it makes sense for Graham to embrace the situation rather than whine about it. Graham hasn't complained about ceding carries to Warrick Dunn in the past, and he and Ward appear to be a well-matched complementary pair of backs.

Posted: 3/18/2009 10:38pm et

PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham (ankle) says his rehab is going well and anticipates being ready for the Buccaneers' organized team activities and minicamps.

The Huddle Take: All good out of Tampa where Graham is concerned. It appears that the Bucs starting running back should be ready to go. Fantasy owners should consider Graham a worthy No. 2 running back to keep in mind on draft day if he looks good during the preseason.

Posted: 1/22/2009 11:43pm et

The St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham (ankle) said the rehab from his season-ending ankle injury is going well. 'It feels great. It's getting a lot stronger. I can get out and run right now on the field if I wanted to but we've got some time,' Graham said.

The Huddle Take: Graham has been a force in the running game since taking over for the injured Cadillac Williams in 2007, however he will need to continue to work in the offseason to return to form in light of his ankle injury. Look for the Tampa Bay offense to look different than last season with Jon Gruden out as head coach and the Bucs likely looking to find more consistency in the passing game to take the heat off its ground game.