Earnest Graham

Infobox NFLactive

---

currentteam=Tampa Bay Buccaneers
currentnumber=34
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|1|15
birthplace=Naples, Florida
heightft=5
heightin=9
weight=225
debutyear=2004
debutteam=Tampa Bay Buccaneers
college=Florida
undraftedyear=2003
pastteams=
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004-present)
status=Active
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Rushing yards
statvalue1=1,113
statlabel2=Rushing average
statvalue2=4.1
statlabel3=Rushing TDs
statvalue3=11
nfl=GRA186147

Earnest Graham, Jr. (born January 15, 1980 in city-state|Naples|Florida) is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.

Early years

Earnest Graham attended Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Florida from 1994-1998. He was a versatile athlete and lettered in football, baseball and basketball. Graham especially excelled in football at the running back position, and set county and state records for career rushing yards and touchdowns. After his senior year, Graham was named the state of Florida's "Mr. Football" for 1997, and was also named to several High School All-American teams. [ [http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2002&bio=graham.html University of Florida Athletics ***GatorZone.com*** ] ]

College career

Due to his achievements in high school, Graham was a sought-after college recruit and eventually chose to accept a scholarship offer from the home-state University of Florida Gators and then-coach Steve Spurrier.

Early in his first collegiate season of 1998, Graham suffered a foot injury which required surgery and was granted a medical redshirt.

Graham started seven games for the Gators in 1999 and ran for 654 yards and 5 touchdowns, earning him a spot on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team. Graham split time with fellow running back Robert Gillespie during the 2000 season, in which he rushed for 676 yards and 8 touchdowns. Graham was slowed by injuries in 2001 (including a controversial knee injury suffered in the Florida State game), but still earned 2nd-team All-SEC honors on the strength of 650 yards and 9 touchdowns while again splitting time with Gillespie.

During his senior season in 2002, Graham started every game for the Gators and took advantage of his opportunity, rushing for 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns, including a career-high 182 yards in the season opener versus UAB.

At the conclusion of his career at Florida, Graham ranked among the best running backs in Gator history. Graham finished 3rd in school history in rushing touchdowns (33), 5th in rushing yardage and attempts (3,065 yards on 603 carries), 5th in career 100-yard games (9), and 9th in all-purpose yards (3,468). Graham also averaged 135 yards in his three bowl games. [ [http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2002&bio=graham.html University of Florida Athletics ***GatorZone.com*** ] ]

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Graham entered the NFL by signing as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 28, 2003. For several seasons, Graham performed well in preseason games but did not get many opportunities to play at running back once the regular season began. Graham played extensively on special teams and led the team in special teams tackles in 2006. [ [http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/396967 Earnest Graham | NFL Football at CBSSports.com ] ]

2007 season

Graham started the season playing predominantly on special teams once again. However, injuries to Bucs' running backs Carnell Williams, Mike Alstott, Michael Pittman allowed Graham to get significant playing at running back for the first time in his pro career. He scored the first two touchdowns of his career on September 23, 2007 in a 24-3 win against the St. Louis Rams. When starter Cadillac Williams seriously injured his knee in the following week's game against the Carolina Panthers, Graham became the Bucs' starting running back for the remainder of the season.

Graham took advantage of his opportunity, rushing for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns in the 13 games he played. In that span, he rushed for over 100 yards in a game three times and scored a touchdown in 6 consecutive contests. Graham became only the second running back in Buccaneers history to register back-to-back 100 yard rushing games, which he did against the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals. In nine of his ten starts, Graham either ran for 100 yards, scored a TD, averaged four yards a carry, or caught 6-plus passes. For his efforts during this stretch, he earned himself a Fantasy Football Hall of Fame jacket. [ [http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4950 ESPN - Earnest Graham Stats, News, Photos - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NFL Football ] ] He is nicknamed "Dodge Ram" by Buccaneers fans for his physical running style.

2008 season

After skipping voluntary offseason workouts due to displeasure with his contract, [ [http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/graham-remains-a-no-show/ Graham Remains A No-Show] ] Graham agreed to a three-year, $10.5 million extension on June 30. Although the deal contained no guaranteed money, Graham will receive 1 million for reporting to camp and his salary will be guaranteed for 2008 if he makes the team. [ [http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/07/01/graham-gets-no-guaranteed-money/ GRAHAM GETS NO GUARANTEED MONEY] ]

References

External links

* [http://buccaneers.com/team/playerdetail.aspx?player=Graham,Earnest,34 Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio]

Persondata
NAME = Graham, Earnest, Jr.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = American footballer
DATE OF BIRTH = 15 January 1980
PLACE OF BIRTH = Naples, Florida
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =