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Wake-Up Call: 'Peanut' investment yields big returns for Bucs

Staff photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Clifton Smith's 83-yard kickoff return to the Green Bay 17-yard line set up the Bucs' go-ahead touchdown.

By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2009

Updated: 11/11/2009 10:39 am

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Your thoughts after the Bucs' loss to the Dolphins?

The Wake-Up Call greets you each weekday with news, views and a few Tampa Bay area sports offerings to anticipate for the day and night. We encourage suggestions and contributions.

Good morning!

People are still talking about how Bucs rookie quarterback Josh Freeman led his team back from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers 38-28 on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

Justifiably so.

The kid was terrific.

But we shouldn't overlook the play that really set up Freeman's first victory.

Even the kid knows that.

"It's hard to say if we would've got this thing done without Clifton Smith on the kickoff returns and punt returns,'' Freeman said. "He had us in good field position, basically the whole day.''

The biggest play, though, occurred after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown with 12:54 remaining, giving Green Bay a 28-17 lead. Tampa Bay's offense had not scored since the first half.

Then the comeback was ignited.

"The mood never changed and we never blinked,'' said Smith, who was named NFC special teams player of the week Wednesday. "My mentality is I think I'm taking every one back to the house. A big play had to come from somebody. Why not right then? Let's take control of this game.''

So it became another chapter in the improbable story of Clifton Smith, who last season went from the practice squad to the Pro Bowl.

This time, it was a weaving 83-yard kickoff return to the Green Bay 17-yard line. Freeman needed just three plays to produce a 7-yard touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow. The Bucs answered quickly, setting themselves up for the season's first victory.

"Things were as dark as they could be, then Clifton shined the light,'' Bucs center Jeff Faine said. "That got us going, no question. It was absolutely huge. He has been a bright spot for two years, a really big, important player for this organization.''

It was the fifth-longest kickoff return in Bucs' history. Here's the breakdown:

1. 97 yards (TD) – Clifton Smith at Kansas City, Nov. 2, 2008.

(tie) 97 yards (TD) – Sammie Stroughter vs. Carolina, Oct. 18, 2009.

3. 90 yards (TD) – Micheal Spurlock vs. Atlanta, Dec. 16, 2007.

4. 86 yards – Aaron Stecker vs. New Orleans, Dec. 23, 2001.

5. 83 yards – Clifton Smith vs. Green Bay, Nov. 8, 2009.

Once, the Bucs were ridiculed for their inability to return a kickoff for a touchdown.

Since being brought onto the roster from the practice squad on Oct. 25, 2008 – barely more than a calendar year ago – Smith has been incredibly productive. Last season, he averaged 27.6 yards on kickoff returns (second in the NFC) and 14.1 yards on punt returns (first in the NFC).

This season, Smith averages 30.6 yards on kickoff returns (second in the NFC) and 9.9 yards on punt returns (fourth in the NFC).

"People know about Clifton Smith now,'' Faine said. "They're trying to kick it away from him. You can tell.''

That was true Sunday, due to the strong leg of Packers kicker Mason Crosby, who forced touchbacks on three of his first four kickoffs, including one that sailed out of the end zone, into the stands.

"At halftime, I went up to Mason and said, 'You're probably the only person I know who can take a kickoff all the way into the stands,'' Smith said. "I was just itching for an opportunity. I was anxious to do something with it, once it happened.''

And it did happen – at precisely the right time.

Give credit to Smith, a 5-foot-9, 190-pounder who is nicknamed "Peanut,'' for making big things happen.

One year ago, who could've imagined such a bright young career unfolding for Smith?

Maybe not even Smith himself.

"The last 365 days, it has been one crazy journey,'' Smith said. "I always believed in myself. But this league, it's so much about timing, being in the right place at the right time, then making sure you take advantage of your chance. Sometimes, you never get the chance.''

Smith was beginning to wonder when he went undrafted out of Fresno State University.

He came to the Bucs in a tryout, but nothing was certain.

"My agent kept calling and calling and calling,'' Smith said. "I think they probably said, 'OK, we'll bring him in. Anything to make you stop calling us.' He was persistent to say the least. But he just wanted to get me a look.''

When second-round draft choice Dexter Jackson flamed out as a return man, Smith received his opportunity in a road game against the Dallas Cowboys. He has never looked back and there has been no reason for the Bucs to employ another primary return man.

It requires all sorts of players to make an NFL team click.

There is someone such as Josh Freeman, a first-round pick who represents the future.

There is someone such as Clifton Smith, initially unwanted, but now as valuable as anyone on the roster.

"We've got a lot of guys who believe in themselves and we all believe in Coach Rich Bisaccia (special-teams coach) and the stuff he puts together for us,'' Smith said. "We feel like we can make anything work.''

UT volleyball weathers scare at Eckerd

The University of Tampa volleyball team, ranked No. 7 nationally in NCAA Division II, was pushed to the limit on Tuesday night, but won at Eckerd College 25-17, 21-25, 25-21, 24-26, 15-8.

The Spartans improved to 27-2 overall, 14-1 in the Sunshine State Conference. Eckerd dropped to 18-11, 8-7.

UT's Melissa Vanderhall had a career-high 27 kills and added 16 digs.

UT has its final regular-season match on Saturday afternoon at 4, when the Spartans host Barry University.

Speights off to fast start

Philadelphia 76ers second-year center Marreese Speights (Admiral Farragut), the former University of Florida player, is off to a big start while coming off the bench. He's averaging 14.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 63.5 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free-throw line.

In Monday night's 119-115 loss against the Phoenix Suns, Speights, a 6-foot-10, 245-pounder, had 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting.

Florida College wins national title

Florida College's volleyball team last week won its sixth national championship in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, defeating Spalding University in the championship match at Louisville, Ky.

Florida College freshman Kerri Taylor was named as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Marissa Paulin was named to the all-tournament team.

Dopirak added to Blue Jays' roster

First baseman Brian Dopirak (Dunedin) was added to the Toronto Blue Jays' 40-man roster after the club purchased his contract from Triple A-Las Vegas. In 139 games between Double-A New Hampshire and Las Vegas, Dopirak hit .317 with 27 home runs, 42 doubles and 102 RBIs.

Dopirak earned the R. Howard Webster Award, given to the Most Valuable Player at each of Toronto's minor-league affiliates, for Double-A.

Reds in Arizona? It's for real

For someone who grew up watching the Cincinnati Reds hold spring training at Tampa's old Al Lopez Field, it's still difficult to believe. The Reds have left the Tampa Bay area – including stints in Plant City and Sarasota – and now train in Arizona.

According to the spring schedule released Tuesday, the Reds and Cleveland Indians, who share a $108-million, 10,000-seat complex in Goodyear, Ariz., will open against each other on March 5, 2010.

Birthday wishes

Happy birthday to former King High School defensive lineman Eric Hayes, one of the state's top performers in 1984 who played at Florida State University, then spent four seasons in the NFL (Seahawks, Rams, Bucs). Thursday, Hayes turns 42.

The Answer Man

Here's the answer to Tuesday's trivia question:

Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin are tied for the record of most appearances at the Outback Bowl with four trips each.

Wednesday trivia

Here's our daily sports trivia question, featuring a Tampa Bay/Florida spin. Try your luck by commenting below.

Bucs return man Clifton Smith attended Fresno State. Can you name the three former Fresno State players to start a regular-season game for the Bucs?

Check for the answer in Thursday's Wake-Up Call.

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