Apparently, Michael Smith Can’t Return Punts
September 26th, 2012
With the news yesterday the Bucs cut punt returner/wide receiver Jordan Shipley, largely because he gave up a fumble in his first and only chance returning a punt for the Bucs, and replaced him on the roster with former Cane Roscoe Parrish, it got Joe to thinking:
It seems, for reasons unknown, speedster Michael Smith cannot return punts.
The Bucs drafted the scatback out of Utah State largely because of his crazy yards-per-carry average and that he is lightning fast. A return man he is, Bucs people said with glee.
Now Smith is returning kickoffs for the Bucs. He is listed on the depth chart as first team kick returner and averages just over 18 yards a kickoff return. He has yet to field a punt, however.
If Smith is such a great return guy, and all suggestions are that he is, why not try to field punts?
Oh, and since Smith was brought in as a change-of-pace kinda guy, rather than using the plodding between-the-tackles rushing of Doug Martin 20-plus times a game for little to no gain, how about using Smith’s speed to advantage with some trap plays or — gasp! — plays on the corners?
September 26th, 2012 at 10:59 am
Amen, brother
September 26th, 2012 at 11:01 am
I was wondering the same thing about Mr Smith
September 26th, 2012 at 11:03 am
I am sensing a theme from you this week Joe and I agree. Get more creative on offense and make the defenses think or at least have to gameplan for stuff.
September 26th, 2012 at 11:09 am
hard to get more creative with the offense when the offense is having problems picking up what little offense they have given them.
having said that, i will say that the offense is very new, and we just played 2 of the better defenses that the Bucs will see all year. It will get better.
September 26th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Get Clark the damn ball. Throw him some screens like Manning and the Colts used to do. The man’s elusiveness is underrated
September 26th, 2012 at 11:24 am
They are who we thought they were.
September 26th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Joe,
I know you were present at training camp. I only went to a hand full of them but it was quite obvious that Michael Smith was not a natural punt returner. This should not even be a discussion on why Smith isnt seeing time as a PR. As for KR, he needs to continue to learn and practice his craft before we throw him back out there. Rejus was one of the best returners in all of college football and we took that away from him when he got here.
Its the Roscoe and Rejus show for now gentlemen
September 26th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
The coaches better not WASTE another game of not using our talent. They need to know what the hell they’re doing and do it. Sullivan better f’kn use Blount! And give Smith a shot at return man……..why not?
September 26th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Rejus had 15 punt returns in the 2008 college season at Illinois (none as a pro), and that is the extent of his PR experience. That being said, I would have to think that the New Schiano Order has taken a look at him as a PR and concluded that he didn’t have the goods. Otherwise, why are we picking up a scrap-heap PR every week?
September 26th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Can’t play if you’re not dressed. Smith has been on the Inactives List!
September 26th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Rejus was one of the most electric *Kickoff* Returnmen in the country at Illinois. And Roscoe Parrish has the 7th best PR yrd average in NFL History (12.0)
September 26th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Fielding punts in the NFL are hard.
You need fantastic hands… which is why WRs usually get the nod for punt returns.
September 26th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Forget just STs, we could use Smith speed on offense, just as Joe stated. I thought is and was the whole point of drafting him. He validated himself for playing time with his pre-season performance. Its not hard to really use your weapons if you really need to. The Bucs offense can be really potent if the QB played better and use these weapons for what they can do. The question is will they or will Schiano allow them to. Aikman kept saying “why dont the Bucs run out of 3 WRs formation since Carr was playing Free Safety in those sets.” One of the best if not the best playcallers in the game, Sean Payton, will force you to tip your hand or force you to change your defense the way he attacks. I like Cam Cameron and Mike Mularkey’s offenses.
September 26th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
If Parrish muffs one punt, he will be back at Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles. NSO gives returners one chance and then its See Ya!! Ask PP and J Ship.
This is looking like a serious Growing Pains season, worse than the old TV series. Need to see more screens, end a rounds and pick crossing routes with the receivers. Then we will be cookin!! Not microwave, slow cooker cookin!!
September 26th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
The Buccaneer organization has struggled for years to put the talent they have in the best position. Would it really hurt the offense to use Smith during the game. Would his speed hurt all the 3 and outs. They misuse Blount or not use him, no slant patterns for receivers. I just wonder what the offense practices for during the week. Because on game day it is back to the Shula play book. Can’t wait to see Benn on that stupid ass reverse play getting crushed in the backfield.
September 26th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
I’m no expert but fielding punts and kickoffs are completely different. Punts are MUCH harding to catch and field cleanly. I returned punts and K.O.s in high school. I wonder if the bucs ever saw Smith return punts in college? Either way he (and Blount) should be involved in the offense much more. We are runninig a stone-age offense in the year 2012…..
September 26th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Have the Bucs ever had an offense that scared people? At this point I would LOVE to see Martz come in and coach. This is like a high school offense, why are they scared to play players? Do they even have a 5 wide formation? Instead of wondering if they will re-sign Freeman, ask yourself why would Freeman want to sign back? Since he’s been in the league, how many sell outs have they had? Your handcuffed as a QB, they don’t trust you, why come back? I wouldn’t….
September 26th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
sorry guys but greg the hammer is not going to bend. i can see that he is unwilling to adjust to the flow of the game.yea sullys their oc but it’s schiano’s way or no way. he is obsessed with making his way work with martin up the gut. i got a newsflash for ya greg,IT AINT WORKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 26th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Remember what Talib said about the defense, that this is it, it ain’t changing. You can say the same about the offense.
Smith is in the doghouse, Blount is in the doghouse, probably Nicks will be in the doghouse and benched this week.
GMC is probably going to be grounded.
September 26th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Yeah, I’m sure that’s exactly what will happen. You’ve got it all figured out.
September 27th, 2012 at 1:13 am
Miguel; that’s absolutely brilliant. “NOT”! You think you are but you are a real prick. As the old TV add used to say,” a mind is a terrible thing to wast.”