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Gruden Says Fumbles Not All Smith's Fault

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 18, 2008

Updated: 11/18/2008 12:23 am

It appears as though there is plenty of blame to go around for Clifton Smith's fumbling problems.

Gruden shouldered some of the blame during Monday's news conference, saying the Bucs need to do a better job of coaching and drilling the rookie running back on ball security. Smith, meanwhile, said the problem is all on him.

Smith has fumbled the ball away three times, once in each of his three games, including one on a kickoff return, one after making a pass reception and one on a running play.

"That's the biggest thing I have to overcome right now," said Smith, whose workload figures to increase as a result of Earnest Graham going down with an ankle injury. "That part is just killing my game right now. It's killing my confidence."

It's killing Gruden, too, and if it can't be corrected, Tampa Bay's chances of reaching the playoffs can be hindered.

"This is football," Gruden said. "You can't fumble the ball. He's got to do a better job. We've got to help him do that now. We've got to coach him better, drill it more.

"We've got to put him in some vulnerable situations and we've got to protect the ball. But whether you're a rookie or a fourth-year player or whatever, turnovers will just get you beat."

NFC PLAYOFF HUNT
DIVISIONAL LEADERS

East: N.Y. Giants... 9-1

North: Green Bay... 5-5

South: Carolina... 8-2

West: Arizona... 7-3

WILD-CARD CONTENDERS

Tampa Bay... 7-3

Washington... 6-4

Atlanta... 6-4

Dallas... 6-4

OFFENSE AIDS DEFENSE

Sure, the Bucs offense struggled in the red zone Sunday, scoring just one touchdown and four field goals in five trips.

But it probably should get credit for helping shut down Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. Though it produced only 19 points, Tampa Bay's offense dominated the time of possession, especially in the second half.

"I thought we handled the whole game pretty good," Coach Jon Gruden said. "I thought the defense did extremely well. I thought the offense did extremely well, limited his opportunities to even be on the field. That's the best way to shut him down is leave him on the sideline."

The Vikings had the ball for just over nine minutes in the second half. The Bucs had it for more than 20.

In terms of plays, the Vikings ran 20 to the Bucs' 42. That's a testament to the offense.

It still may not be the point producer everyone wants, but it does have a knack for holding on to the ball and putting together some long drives.
RED ZONE WOES

Tampa Bay scored only one touchdown during five red zone visits against Minnesota and that effort now has the Bucs ranked near last in the league.

The Bucs' red zone offense is ranked 31st out of 32 teams. During Tampa Bay's 42 trips inside the 20-yard line, the Bucs have scored 14 touchdowns and kicked 21 field goals (83.3 scoring percentage). Oakland is worst in the league with 23 red zone visits, six touchdowns and 13 field goals (82.6 percent).

Conversely, Indianapolis is ranked No. 1 with 21 touchdowns and six field goals in 29 red zone trips (93.1 percent).

"We have third-and-2 and we had a 15-yard penalty, so it's third-and-17," Coach Jon Gruden said. "On first-and-goal at the 3-yard line, we lose 5 yards on a run. I was just disappointed in myself. We have too many good players to not get in. The short-yardage offense hurt us Sunday."

Roy Cummings,

Anwar S. Richardson

NFC PLAYOFF HUNT

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