The importance of being Earnest

The first time I saw Earnest Graham play football was during his freshman year at Cape Coral Mariner High. He touched the ball three times in the first half at Punta Gorda Charlotte. The results: He had a long touchdown run, caught a touchdown pass and threw a touchdown pass.

You knew right then that his kid was exceptional.

I watched him the next three years and thought he was the best high school running back I ever covered. (Note: I didn’t arrive at the Bradenton Herald until September 1998 so I missed all the great ones from Manatee and Southeast.)

I watched Graham have a decent career at Florida, but I always wondered what might have been had he gone to a school that placed a little more emphasis on the running game.
Anyway, now he’s four years into a pro career as the king of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers special teams and a part-time running back.

It was good to see him finally find the end zone, which he did twice during last Sunday’s win against St. Louis.

Afterwards, Bucs coach Jon Gruden praised Graham’s efforts, said he had a “tremendous future” in the league and promised Graham would be more involved in the running game.

Yeah, well, here’s the deal: You and I have as much of a chance to get 15 carries in a Bucs game this season as Graham.

Even Graham knows his role won’t change. Heck, that’s why he wasn’t too excited Sunday afternoon as wave after wave of reporters found their way to his locker.

He’s played for Gruden for four seasons.

He knows where he stands.

The Bucs have too much money invested in Cadillac Williams to suddenly give some of his carries to Graham. And it wasn’t too long ago when Williams was the best offensive rookie in the league. It’s going to take more than two seasons plus three games and a few more fumbles for Williams to fall far enough from grace to see his playing time dramatically reduced.

Keep in mind, too, that back-up tailback Michael Pittman rushed for 124 yards in the Super Bowl.

Unless there is an injury to Williams or Pittman, I don’t see Graham’s role changing.