Bucs' Smith focused on ball security

Bucs running back Clifton Smith believes he has a firmer grasp of football now.

Smith's inability to hold onto the ball last year led to one of the worst stretches of his career. He fumbled in four consecutive games - against Dallas, Kansas City, Minnesota and Detroit.

Smith's struggles were so notorious that former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, who overcame a case of fumble-itis during his career, reached out to the rookie and offered him encouragement.

"He gave me good advice," Smith said of Barber, twin brother of Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber. "The basic thing he told me was to carry the ball like your life depended on it. He told me to keep it high and tight and don't ever let it go."

Smith's self-confidence never diminished, and he turned himself into a Pro Bowl returner. He averaged 27.6 yards and scored one touchdown on kickoff returns, and averaged 14.1 yards with one touchdown on punt returns.

Tampa Bay's coaching staff expects Smith (5-foot-9, 190 pounds) to grab hold of his opportunity to play running back this season.

"What we did with Clifton this offseason, we put him at the running back spot some and I think that he can contribute at that spot," offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said. "I don't know how many snaps per game, but I do know this: He can run an option route on an outside linebacker, and that's a great matchup for us.

"Even if he starts in the backfield and we take him out of the backfield by moving him out of there and match him up on a linebacker, he is quick, quick."

Smith's goal is to eventually evolve into a running back.

Although Smith was enlisted as a returner after second-round draft pick Dexter Jackson struggled last season, the undrafted running back from Fresno State is expected to see more playing time on specific routes, or when Earnest Graham or Derrick Ward need rest.

"I've worked on playing running back a lot," Smith said. "Playing running back has been my focus during this offseason - being able to carry the ball in between the tackles, make moves with the ball in my hand and not fumbling.

"Special teams is something I'll always continue to work on. That was my ticket that got me here, but my focus has been on not fumbling."