An interesting tryout prospect

Another one of the players who will work out with the Bucs this weekend is former Fresno State running back Clifton Smith.

Smith led the Bulldogs last season in all-purpose yards with 1,367 -- 317 of those coming on punt returns. That last part is perhaps why the Bucs want to take a look at the 5-8, 190-pound Fresno native who averaged 105.2 all-purpose yards per game. As a running back, he rushed for 654 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. And he was productive as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 33 passes for 352 yards.

I'm told we might get a complete list of the camp participants by late this afternoon. If so, we'll pass it along because I know the suspense is killing you!

Comments

[aaron]

Is Derrick Doggett from OSU signed or has he been invited? The Oregonian reported that the defensive coordinator Mark Banker said Doggett was headed to Tampa? He was a LB in college and has converted to SS. He is super fast and can hit. what is going on with him, have the Bucs decided not to sign him?

[Stephen_Holder]

Not sure Aaron. I'll look into it.

[NIck]

Thanks for the information Stephen and keep the updates coming. You are the definitely the hardest working local reports who covers the Bucs! Will you be covering the upcoming rookie camp and provide reports to your readers?

[Stephen_Holder]

I'll be there Nick.

[Ken]

What happened to Ben Moffitt? Isn't he a guy someone should take a look at?

[derek]

moffitt was picked up by someone im sure ive read somewhere... I think the texans

[shane]

hey stephen why don't you write for the bucs during the regular season? gary shelton and stroud are very biased towards the bucs and criticize harshly when the bucs lose and barely praise the bucs and gruden when they win. I believe that you would be a much better reporter for the bucs than those two would

[Stephen_Holder]

Aaron: I'm told Doggett has a tryout contract for the weekend. We'll see how ot goes.

[Stephen_Holder]

Shane: I cover the Bucs yearround. Not sure how you haven't seen any of my articles because I get the same criticism as my two colleagues you mentioned. If everybody agreed with us all the time, that means we're probably not doing our jobs very well.Sometimes the truth hurts.

[aaron]

Thanks Stephen, for the update on Doggett. I think he would be a good fit down here in Tampa. He is fast and can hit like a madman. He was a little light in college, at 213lbs, but he was able to still excell at LB. The pros may be a different story, while he is still a great athlete and player, he will probably have tomove to SS. Which is fine he has been worked out at that position since the end of the season. He played in the East West shrine Bowl as a SS and did well. He could also be used as a nickle LB, is good in coverage.

[Brandon]

I've heard several more guys are getting tryouts, most notably, DE Tommy Blake.

If he can get his head on straight he could be a real terror. He was projected as a top 5 pick going into the fall only to have the wheels fall off from a social disorder. With meds and losing some more weight he could be a real steal.

[Alan Kapell]

Hi Steve ! Not sure who Tommy Blake is but Bucs MUST improve pass rush & get to the QB in 2008. They had a very difficult time holding the opposing team on 3rd down in 2007. Can you tell us more about Tommy Blake ? Thanks.

[Stephen_Holder]

Alan, what's up stranger? Wait a minute: we just exchanged emails a few days ago. Nevermind. Anyhow, good to see you around here. Here's some info on Blake posted by Stroud a few days ago: http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2008/04/blake-gets-tryo.html He's a really interesting story and we'll tell you more about him over the weekend.