Graham will play today in San Francisco.
Today Earnest Graham will make his return to the starting line-up after missing some extended time due to injuries and the passing of his mother. Graham has become beloved by the Buccaneers fanbase for his gritty blue-collar attitude and his willing-to-do-anything approach.
I like Earnest a lot, in fact earlier this season I said I wanted him to see more carries. Unfortunately he comes back at a time in which is role seems somewhat undefined and I’m not exactly sure how the Buccaneers will utilize him or that he’s even going to be the best option at this point (sad but true).
Erik Lorig has played fullback in Earnest Graham’s absence and quite frankly he’s a lot different at that position, not in a bad way either. The rookie was moved from defensive end earlier this season and has proven to be a very capable blocker. He’s got a big body, he blocks well and he gets better every week. By converse Earnest Graham is a converted tail-back who is undersized for fullback and I’ve always thought of as more of a ball-carrying, change of pace up-back than a consistent lead-blocker.
I’m not sure Earnest’s return will do much to improve the blocking and I don’t know what his role will be in regard to carries. He shouldn’t take carries from LeGarrette Blount but I also don’t see Raheem Morris giving him Cadillac Williams’ carries either. It’s going to be interesting to see how Graham is deployed today, his role seems somewhat in question in light of the Bucs recent success on the ground.
Original Story:
http://thepewterplank.com/2010/11/21/...
