Clifton Smith Was Hurting For Nearly Two Months
August 27th, 2010
Most Bucs fans are aware that Clifton Smith sat out the first two preseason games with problems stemming from gout-like inflammation.
But now Joe has learned, via a Woody Cummings feature on TBO.com, that Smith struggled for almost two months.
That’s why Smith didn’t think much of it the first time he nearly collapsed in pain while trying to roll out of bed a couple of months ago.
“I figured it just came with the territory of playing football,” said Smith, the Buccaneers’ return man.
“You know, you’re just real sore and everything. But then it wouldn’t go away. That’s when I knew something was wrong.”
That’s a long time to be hurting, and it’s now clear the Bucs didn’t get any kind of real look at Smith in training camp, on the heels of ugly concussions that shortened his 2009 campaign.
The Bucs are really in a tough spot with Smith. He’s a great returner with a fragile melon, but he’s never proven to be a legitimate running back and the Bucs are loaded with talent in the return game in Sammie Stroughter and Micheal Spurlock.
So many combinations at play here for the Bucs’ final decision on Smith, as well as with Spurlock and Kareem Huggins.
If Smith shows he’s still got it as a returner on Saturday, and he runs the ball well in the second half, where does that leave Kareem Huggins? Suppose Huggins takes a half-step backwards Saturday? If Derrick Ward looks sharp on Saturday, where does that leave Huggins and/or Smith? How does Spurlock factor in if he makes more plays in his limited time?
Sadly, Smith probably makes everything very easy for the Bucs if he has a crappy game Saturday.
Joe’s hoping everyone plays well Saturday, which would probably signal the end of the line for Spurlock.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Gotta love Peanut!
His story is an incredible one. I can see him being the inspiration for a TON of HARD WORK from this young team. He’s a guy I’d like to see around for the years to come.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
He won’t make the team…the guy’s a one trick pony…
August 27th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
no way Spurlock gets cut he has 4 catches this preseason for 9 yards. more than mike williams at 74 yards. he is showing he can be a solid receiver and a threat on special teams. I love peanut but he cant carry the ball like Huggy he fumbles to much. he needs a monster game saturday and a complete collapse by ward(very lickely again)
August 27th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Hey…maybe Sabby the Goat can return kicks.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
rb:
Caddy
Huggy
Peanut
>- EG can play a bigger role as a RB if needed, no room for Ward here….
Fb:
EG
Pressley
> Keep Presley in case we need to move EG back to rb duties
Wr:
Williams
Benn
Stroughter
Brown
Stovall
Spurlock
August 27th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
nothin against Peanut but if he’s cut I could careless. He’s cured from his bout with gout and is still diagnosed with a critical case of fumbilitis. Simply put, Ward gotta go. Got paid, got lazy. He’s praying 2 be on tha opening day roster so he can get his 3 milli guaranteed. What has Spurlock done NOT 2 be a WR/returner 4 us?
August 27th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Clifton is gone. And Joe, although you said “if”..”Derrick Ward looks sharp on Saturday”…you’re funny. You should do stand-up.
August 27th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
There’s an easy solution here. Put him on IR. He’s clearly not healed up yet, and it keeps him around for next season…assuming he has a contract for that long.
August 27th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
@tha truth is… (who said)
“He’s cured from his bout with gout and is still diagnosed with a critical case of fumbilitis.”
How do you know he “still” has that issue? It’s not like we’ve seen him in action lately.
August 27th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
And, btw…Tiki Barber had the same problem when he was younger. He went on to have 6 seasons overf 1,000 yards, and half of those were over 1,500 yards.
And actually, Barry Sanders did as well. He fumbled as many times as Smith did in his rookie season. In his second season he fumbled 1 less than Smith did in his second year. In fact, Sanders averaged 3.25 fumbles per season his first 4 seasons, and in following seasons he had as many as 6 fumbles.
Need more?
In 2009, Adrian Peterson rushed for over 1,300 yards…and had 6 fumbles.
Frank Gore rushed for over 1,100 yards, and had 4 fumbles.
Or maybe we should just focus on Kick Returners?
In 2009:
Danny Amendola (STL) had 1,618 kick return yards and averaged 24.5 yards per return. He still had 3 fumbles.
Darren Sproles had 1,300 kick return yards, and had 3 fumbles.
Josh Cribbs, who had the most kick return TDs (3) fumbled twice himself.
The point is, Smith may fumble, but no worse than the best of the best.
August 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
“He won’t make the team…the guy’s a one trick pony…”
A one trick pony with gout and concussion issues…
August 27th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I would say that considering the Bucs have a 20′ foot high mural of clifton smith on the club east side of ramond james stadium that the guy has a roster spot this year. Im just saying.
August 27th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
not necessarily true , there was a 20 ‘ high mural of Gaines Adams on the stadium and we traded him to the bears.
August 27th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Next week we’ll probably find out that he’s suffered from gout for 3 months.
August 28th, 2010 at 12:58 am
If they cut Smith, which I certainly hope they don’t, it’ll probably be because of his numerous concussions last year. I mean, I’m not questioning his returning ability at all. I believe he still has it.
All I can say is…. F*** Daunte Wesley for that hit on Smith last year!!!! I can’t believe that jerk only got a one game suspension…he should’ve been suspended for at least 4 or 5 games!
August 28th, 2010 at 5:58 am
Hope he come back in form again
August 28th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Maybe the answer is to stash him on PUP. Then we have until week 6(?) or so to decide. So if we lose a returner/running back in that time, we call up the Peanut. Otherwise he can be cut(injury settlement) or go to IR.
August 28th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
@exdeadguy
I thought PUP could only be assigned before training camp starts?
August 28th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
“He won’t make the team…the guy’s a one trick pony…”
God, you’re an idiot.
“Yeah man, this guy sucks. I mean, yeah, he’s one of the best returners in the league, but SO WHAT, the guy can’t play RB!”
Who wants to have a great special teams unit anyway?
(Okay, sure, if the guy isn’t healthy, fine. Otherwise, this guy should be out KR for the season, without a question.)