Caddy-less run game seals it

Michael Pittman displays his versatility while Earnest Graham has the best game of his career.

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published September 24, 2007

Michael Pittman finished with 91 total yards, 56 rushing and 35 receiving. Audio: Shelton: 'Garcia could run for mayor' Photo gallery
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ADVERTISEMENT [BRIAN CASSELLA | Times] Graham rushed for a career-high 75 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries, a 9.4-yard average. "I decided that it was best to give Earnest Graham an opportunity," Jon Gruden said. "He's run the ball well when given the ball, and he took advantage."

TAMPA - Cadillac Williams' costly fumble and sore rib cage prompted coach Jon Gruden to call on reserve running backs Earnest Graham and Michael Pittman in the fourth quarter.

The duo put the game away.

Graham rushed for a career-high 75 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries, a blistering 9.4-yard average. Pittman finished with 91 total yards, 56 rushing and 35 receiving.

Suddenly, the Bucs' backfield is a committee.

"It's great to see," Pittman said. "When somebody's hot, keep feeding him."

Williams gave the Bucs a 10-0 lead with his 7-yard run early in the third. But his fumble on the first play of the fourth at the Bucs 33 set up the Rams' only score and created some drama.

It was Williams' final touch.

"I decided that it was best to give Earnest Graham an opportunity," Gruden said. "He's run the ball well when given the ball, and he took advantage. I also thought Michael Pittman was stellar. He made some great plays, runs and catches. We have good backs."

Graham, undrafted out of Florida, is in his fourth season, a testament to determination. Prior to Sunday, he had 228 career yards on 57 carries, his longest run 17 yards. His biggest role had been on special teams.

"I've made progress every year I've been in the NFL," Graham said. "You have to come to work every day and get better. You have to work hard. You have to grind. It's that simple."

After sealing the win, Graham had plenty to say about his long-awaited splash.

"My favorite play in the game was the long punt return when I had ... a crushing block," he said of Mark Jones' 35-yarder. "That's something I've been working on hard all offseason. I peeled off and almost knocked the guy out."

No way.

"Honestly," he said. "I played at Florida. I've scored touchdowns before."

But not in the NFL.

"I've done it in the preseason," Graham said. "A touchdown is a touchdown."

Of course, Williams will remain the focal point of the Bucs' rejuvenated running game. But Gruden indicated there could be more carries in Graham's future, and Pittman's, after the team amassed 182 rushing yards.

"You have one ball, and we think Carnell Williams is a great back," Gruden said. "Michael Pittman has been given a lot of the leftovers and rightfully so. Obviously, now we're going to have to put our minds together and figure out how to get Earnest Graham more involved because clearly he's also deserving of the football.

"That's a good problem to have."

[Last modified September 23, 2007, 21:15:34]