The Future Of Michael Smith
January 4th, 2013
Joe was geeked when the Bucs drafted running back Michael Smith out of Utah State. A guy gifted with blazing speed, Joe was of the mind he could be the Bucs’ version of Darren Sproles of the Saints, a dangerous scatback out of the backfield and a lethal kick returner.
But this never happened as Smith was only activated on opening day. It became such a joke to Joe, he renamed the weekly Bucs inactive list as the “Michael Smith List.”
That may change next season, as Woody Cummings explained in a Bucs TBO Q&A.
Q: What is the plan with Michael Smith? He’s never activated. Will he back up Doug Martin at some point? He’s a real burner.
— Alan, Zephyrhills
A: The Bucs definitely have a plan for Michael Smith and you’ll probably see it come to fruition next year. A lot depends on whether they retain LeGarrette Blount or not, but the Bucs see what you see and believe Smith has a lot of value. He was inactive for the most part this year for a couple of reasons. First, the Bucs had a greater need for bigger bodies on special teams in other spots than return man and there was also a desire to keep Smith practice squad eligible for next year. Smith is definitely part of the future here.
— Woody Cummings
Color Joe a little skeptical. Now the Bucs will say that Smith just got caught up in a numbers game because coach Greg Schiano wanted so many linebackers and defensive linemen on the bench ready to go.
That does not explain, however, that when the Bucs were playing musical chairs with return men early in the season, rather than activating Smith, the Bucs went out and signed Roscoe Parrish.
How many bodies did the Bucs go through at kick return? Yet the Bucs had a guy on their own roster they could have used, but Smith sat rotting the season away after the season opener as an inactive.
To Joe, it was borderline criminal.
So the Bucs are saying they have plays for Smith in 2013. In short, Joe will believe it when he sees it.
January 4th, 2013 at 4:53 pm
Old Woody went from: “definitely” to “probably” all in the SAME sentence LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!
January 4th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
I agee ith you Joe. Give thekid a shot, he did a good job in the pre-season. If he got a couple of blocks he could take it to the house. No one else on our team really could.
January 4th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Can’t teach a running back how to run. I sure hope they aren’t so delusional about this kid that they fail to draft a solid #2 in the mid to late rounds. Martin can’t touch the ball 400 times every season if we expect him to last. We need a solid #2.
January 4th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
They should have taken that 6th rounder they were offered for him at the draft.
January 4th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
Michael Smith got redshirted, along with Tandy & Goode. I’m hoping 1 of the 3 can “emerge” next season
January 4th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Does the name Ed Gant ring a bell?
January 4th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Was Ed Gant that guy that dressed as a clown and killed all those little boys? (JCP)
January 4th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
is he going to be to greg schiano what michael bennet was to gruden? the first time he catches a bubble screen in a regular season game, Joe may need to add another webserver to handle all the people rushing to comment about it, and to rant about every drive thereafter that doesn’t involve him
January 4th, 2013 at 7:18 pm
Miguel,
You’re special!
January 4th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
Miguel,
Google Ed Gein. Now remember this is the last time I’m helping you out! lol
January 4th, 2013 at 9:39 pm
If they really thought he had value then there was absolutely no reason not to play him this year. They barely used blount, they could of just as easily inactivated Blount since they clearly had no plans of using him this year. Smith would of been more versatile since he could of tried kick return, even if for just 1 game but it seemed like they refused to try anything different.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:32 pm
I’m hoping Smith can be a viable #2 because I don’t think there is a chance Blount returns and with all the holes to fill we really don’t have a draft pick to spare for another RB.
January 5th, 2013 at 12:39 am
Speaking of special teams, would love to see the Bucs take Quincy Mcduffie in a late round to upgrade our return game.