Smith a possibility for Sunday

Don't be surprised if practice squad RB Clifton Smith is added to the 53-man roster this weekend.

Warrick Dunn's injury and the return game are major factors. Even if it's determined Dunn can play, the Bucs would be down to two running backs and one fullback (Earnest Graham, Michael Bennett and Jameel Cook) if Dunn was unable to finish the game.

Regarding the return game, Smith is among the players the Bucs were evaluating this week in an effort to "upgrade", as Jon Gruden put it, punt and kick returns. Rookie Dexter Jackson hasn't been consistent enough and has proven mistake-prone to this point.

Activating Smith would address both the aforementioned concerns. What's unclear is who would be released from the active roster if this move was made.

We'll keep you posted from Dallas through the weekend.

Comments

[Leo In Canada]

If Smith is in, Clarke will probably be out. He will be easy to cut and sneak back onto the practice squad.

[BEENABUC]

IT IS ABOUT TIME!!! Now that young man will earn his keep and you can't coach heart. I saw it in him from training camp and in preseason. No doubt Jackson has talent but he is a project and deserves to stick around but maybe not quite cut out to return kick due to his lack of experience. He can still be used on offense, he should be accustom to that...8-D

[shane]

i still believe in jackson(no i'm not on drugs nor does john have a gun to my head) because it is quite a huge jump to go from division 2-a college to the NFL(joe flacco is only doing well because he is on a good ravens squad, throw 'em in to the lions,even though it would probably make their season even more miserable, and see what happens).

[B.D]

you saying the Bucs are not a good squad?this was a wasted second round pickI think he is scared to get hit

[Kurt]

He does seem scared, but I would like to see what he can do as a receiver before I pass judgement. Clearly, that's what he was in college; not a return man.

[Oldcrank]

Good news. Clifton & Clark both looked promising in early play. Leave Deckster in the locker room. I don't think it's the "traditional fear" of being hit. These guys have all been playing since they were guppies. It's more like panic fear of making a mistake on the big stage in front of the people you want to impress. Whatever it is, he's not ready for prime time.

[Itch]

Smith as return man.

Give the guy his chance.

[Greg]

I would love to see a rookie run all over the Cowboys. Smith can play return man as well as Jax or Clayton, and f he gets injured we do not loose as much as if we lost Clayton. Smith or Bennet should be on the return side.

I HATE the Cowboys. Always have, always will. Go Bucs and make them wallow in their whiny misery.

[Greg]

ON NATIONAL TV. TOO BOOT!

[Not My America]

Who came up with the phrase that Dallas is America's team? That was stupid back when there was no league parody and even dumber now. The ONLY thing "America" likes about the Cowboys is their cheerleaders, but once you hear them speak you want them to shut up and shake their tiny white pants. Anyway, the Bucs cheerleaders are as good as any. So Dallas really has nothing. They are more like "mexico's team".

[Rock]

Good for Smith, but when you have an RB like Bennet, why not use him more. I do not get why the guy gets so little handle when he has so much promise. The varied styles of EG, WD and MB could keep defenses constantly on their heels. Make Bennet a threat!

[GT]

The Bucs would score more if they spread the field more. We should have Bryant and Jax running deep routes. We are too predictable and thus do not score much. Having Bryan and Jax consitently going deep would also improve the running game. We are deep in talent in RB, and even without Galloway as a threat we have guys who can be credible deep threats. If the D does not respect them as deep threats make them pay. Dink and Dunk can still be 60% of the calls, but even it would be more effective if we spread the field.

Especially with Dallas because they are questioning themselves already. Throw multiple looks at RB lke Rock said, and stretch the field, and I bet we score 48 points.

[BEENABUC]

GT, I partly agree but remember when you do that it affects the defense. That puts teams in pass mode 24/7 and it fatigues your defense because in 5WR sets there are more 3 and outs...I like what we are doing lets just get in that Endzone...

I am a longtime Buc fan and season ticketholder but today the Bucs play the same role as that team that always played against the Globetrotters. The magic force that is the NFL needs the Dallas story and the Bucs are always good sports. Bucs have not given up a rushing touchdown in the last few games...Hmm Today, Dallas scores three...Look for Dallas to get up early, the Boy Wonder to panic and go with a very Gradkowski like gameplan of 40+ passes and that should generate the three turnovers necessary to put Dallas over the top. I hope I'm wrong but all evidence points to a Dallas blowout.