If nothing else, Tampa has a running game

When Jeff Jagodzinski was hired as the offensive coordinator in Tampa, he couldn't stop gushing about Earnest Graham's potential in his zone blocking scheme.  That didn't stop the Bucs from likely making him a backup.

Derrick Ward's new contract sets him up to make $6 million in 2009, and $9.25 million over the next years for Tampa.  That's starter money.  When usually easy to figure out depth charts in the NFL;  just follow the money.  Graham is set to make $5.5 million over the next two years.

The strength of Tampa's roster is their young run-mauling offensive line.  They are constructed be a run-first team and will almost certainly use a committee approach. Ward figures to be the lead back with Graham as one of the best backups in the league.  

Both backs are no-nonsense backs that should thrive in a zone scheme.  Their versatility will give the Bucs many play-calling options.  (Which they'll need with, uh, Luke McCown as their quarterback). 

Tampa may have question marks everywhere else, but their running game looks pretty sweet for '09.