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Smith Gets A Shot

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: October 27, 2008

IRVING, Texas - Tampa Bay coaches have not given up on Dexter Jackson, but they went in a different direction for kick and punt returns Sunday against Dallas.

The Bucs deactivated Jackson, a second-round pick, in favor of undrafted rookie RB Clifton Smith, who never had appeared in a regular-season game. And the Bucs' return game got a much-needed boost.

Jackson has averaged 23.4 yards on kickoff returns and 4.9 on punt returns this season. Smith had five punt returns for 82 yards (16.4 average) along with three kickoff returns for 62 yards (20.7 average). Smith returned his first punt for 20 yards, Tampa Bay's longest this season.

He also had one reception for 13 yards.

"I always hate losing, but in my first game, what better way to be - I'm out here in Texas Stadium," Smith said.

Smith did not take the easy road to Dallas.

Tampa Bay signed the former Fresno State standout as an undrafted free agent in May. Although Smith played well in the preseason, he was placed on Tampa Bay's practice squad.

Smith fumbled a kickoff on Tampa Bay's first possession of the second half, but Bucs coach Jon Gruden praised the rookie's overall effort.

"Outside of the fumble, I thought his debut as a rookie in Dallas was pretty solid," Gruden said.

RUN THE OTHER WAY

Tampa Bay's defense continued its dominance of opposing running backs.

Cowboys RB Marion Barber was limited to 71 rushing yards, continuing Tampa Bay's streak of not allowing an individual rusher to gain more than 100 yards this season. The Bucs also have not allowed a rushing touchdown this season.

Dating to last season, opponents have rushed 205 times without a touchdown, the longest active streak in the league.

Since 2000, the Bucs have allowed only 74 rushing touchdowns, second-fewest in the NFL during that span. The Bucs defense has surrendered an average of 3.6 yards per carry this season and is giving up an average of 88.9 yards on the ground.

BUCS BITS

OL Anthony Davis was released Saturday to make room for rookie RB Clifton Smith on the Bucs' 53-man roster. Davis, a fifth-year player, started at left tackle in 2005 and 2006 before losing his job last season. ... WR Ike Hilliard played one week after sustaining a concussion against Seattle. He finished with three catches for 23 yards. ... TE Alex Smith's 34-yard reception in the second half was a career-long. Smith leads Bucs tight ends with 17 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns. ... Tampa Bay is 1-3 on the road.

Anwar S. Richardson

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