Bucs Nation Fantasy Sleeper of the Week: Earnest Graham

by Sander on Oct 15, 2011 12:00 PM EDT

I'm not a big fan of Earnest Graham at running back at this point in his career. He lacks a real burst now, doesn't really have speed left and doesn't have the size to power through tacklers. But the situation is perfect for him to have a big game on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

First, the Bucs' offensive line has had a very good year run blocking for Legarrette Blount. Their Power O and Iso Lead Weak plays are very difficult to stop for defenses. Three players have really stood out as blockers this year: Jeremy Zuttah as a pull blocker on Power plays, Erik Lorig as a lead blocker on Iso Lead plays and especially Davin Joseph on all plays. The big man is earning his big contract.

That blocking won't go away now that Graham will likely be the running back, as Legarrette Blount is out for the game against the New Orleans Saints. And despite bringing in some formidable help on the defensive line in the form of defensive tackles Aubrayo Franklin and Shaun Rogers, the Saints run defense has really struggled this year. By Football Outsiders' DVOA they are the 23rd ranked run defense, which really is not very good.

Combine that with Earnest Graham's significance for a checkdown-heavy passing game, and the small man could have a big game.

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Sure hope this week's sleeper works out better than last week

Last week mike Williams did squat.

by BUCSwillDOMINATE on Oct 15, 2011 12:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah

Whoops

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by Sander on Oct 15, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Not your whoops!

The entire Bucs nation “whoopsed” last week

by BUCSwillDOMINATE on Oct 15, 2011 2:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I don't the drop off in production will be that much.

Graham has better vision than Blount. He probably won’t break any long runs, but I’d be willing to bet he ends up with over 100 combined yards and a TD

"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain

by LeeCaz on Oct 15, 2011 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

*I don't think

"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain

by LeeCaz on Oct 15, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

at least this guy has heart, im sure hell put forth a good effort on sunday

by Carlitin1988 on Oct 15, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

Sander, your analisys of the blocking is right on.

Earnest will have blockers in front of him this time. That will be different and I hope he really takes advantage of them. He’s also had a lot of receiving yardage as a third down back. Let’s see how much more as an everydown back. Great chance of a +100 game.

by Chengdu Buc on Oct 15, 2011 1:22 PM EDT reply actions