Graham Needs To Learn From This Guy’s Mistakes

While Earnest Graham is still pouting about his contract, I am reminded of another Buccaneer running back who shares many similarities to Earnest.

A. They were both stars at the University of Florida.
B. They were both woefully underpaid.
C. Drew Rosenhaus somehow found them and convinced them to let him be their agent.

Who is it I’m talking about? None other than Errict Rhett, the Bucs running back during the mid 90’s. Rosenhaus convinced Rhett that he wasn’t getting paid enough, so Rhett decided to hold out. The Bucs offered him a new contract, but it wasn’t enough for him. He continued to sit, and was fined everyday that he wasn’t there. 7 games into the season, Rhett and the Bucs negotiated a new deal. Because of his selfishness, Rhett was demoted to the role of a backup, where he stayed for his remaining time in Tampa. His replacement? A fiery rookie named Warrick Dunn.

If this story isn’t eerily similar to what is occurring today, then I don’t know what is. Warrick Dunn is once again waiting in the wings, while the Bucs “top” running back is dealing with a contract issue. Yes, Earnest Graham is grossly underpaid, but aren’t there more important things than money? If he wants to maintain his job as a starter, he will need to attend all the workouts and training camps. The Bucs running back situation is beginning to become as ludicrous as their quarterback situation. Too many men are competing for the job, and yet only one or two seem to be taking it seriously. There is no doubt that Warrick Dunn is a favorite of not only Jon Gruden, but of many Tampa fans. He is doing his job without complaints, which looks very good from the management’s point of view.

Errict Rhett failed to become the mainstay running back the Bucs needed. In 1994-95, Rhett played in 32 straight games, and carried the ball 616 times for 2,218 yards and 18 touchdowns. After holding out to begin the 1996 season, Rhett only played in 20 more games as a Buccaneer, carrying the ball 207 times for 635 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was out of football two years later. Quite simply, Earnest Graham needs to learn from Errict Rhett’s mistakes. Money shouldn’t be so much of an issue that your career will end because of it.