A lot of Bucs fans shook their heads when Clifton Smith fumbled to end the Bucs loss to the Redskins (well, actually, they threw their beer bottles).

Bad enough that Smith fumbled but what irritated Bucs fans the most was why bring in Smith cold off the bench when Cadillac Williams was running so well?

It was all planned, so claims Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune. In a question-and-answer session with Richardson, he states Raheem the Dream’s scripted two-minute offense includes Smith.

Q: Why was Clifton Smith in the game carrying the football (In the last few minutes) when Caddy was rolling all game long? Smith has a habit of fumbling the ball, as he did once again yesterday. I was at the game and the Bucs played well majority of the game, faltering late. Plus, why doesn’t Gaines Adams play with this kind of fire more often?

Greg Williams, Bryans Road, Md.
A: Great questions. Coach Morris said he likes to use Smith in two-minute drill situations, but considering the running back only had one carry prior to his fumble, that probably was a bad decision. As far as Adams goes, his coaches asked the same question. Nobody knows what it will take to get Adams to play more consistently, which is unfortunate considering he’s actually a really good guy.
— Anwar Richardson

Joe had been calling for Smith to be used earlier in the game because, in the second and third quarters, Cadillac had been stopped. But he seemed to have worn down the Redskins late in the game so at that point, here was no need to bring in Smith.

Given his habit of laying the ball on the ground, Smith should not have been used at that point in the game. Joe hopes Raheem the Dream has learned.