Schiano Says Smith Is Prototype Buccaneer Man
October 29th, 2012
Lots of Bucs fans ask the question, “Where’s Michael Smith?”
Typically these fans are obsessed with the rookie running back’s blazing speed and/or they don’t see what Arrelious Benn brings to the table as a kick returner and would prefer the rookie get activated one Sunday and get good shot there.
The leader of the New Schiano Order was pressed on this topic by a listener this evening on The Greg Schiano Show on WDAE-AM 620. He responded by saying he thinks Smith’s time will come in some capacity –“he just needs to stay patient” — and praised the young man for being an exemplary “Buccaneer Man.”
“Michael is really a good football player,” Schiano said. He’s “a hard worker … all the things we’re looking for in a Buccaneer Man.”
Schiano also spoke with similar love for Myron Lewis, sans the coveted “Buccaneer Man” label.
October 29th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
In other words: “Backup.”
October 29th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
I was so excited , then you lost me at Myron Lewis ……
October 29th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Didn’t he say exactly the same thing about Jordan Shipley?
October 29th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
nice knowing you Michael Smith !
October 29th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Ha so hes the new Kareem Huggins?
October 29th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I am beginning to think it is about time to give him a shot! And thanks Joebucfan for having this wonderful place to get our updates on all things BUCS!
October 29th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Alrighty then.
October 29th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Smith was not impressive returning kickoffs in the preseason, aside from that one nice return where he broke a couple tackles and almost took it too the house. I think he’s a talented running back though and he never got a chance to run behind a strong O-line in the preseason.
October 29th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
oh your’re canadian , i dont think anyone asked for your invalid opinion
October 29th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Smith and Lewis won’t see the field!! I see theres talks of trading Blount…. and i see the steelers need a back. Why not trade him for Rainey! We are not using Blount and that gives us a real threat at Returner!Maybe this is the Gators fan in me thinking this but it makes sense lol
October 29th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Come on guys…I know Myron Lewis is still in the fan dog house, but he’s had some injury problems. Look how many starts it took for GMC to get really going, just saying he hasn’t had as many starts and had similar issues. Don’t throw the towel in on Myron just yet….Plus he hasn’t gotten busted for Adderall…yet….still find it weird that is a band substance in the NFL
October 29th, 2012 at 11:34 pm
CanadianBucsFan, as I recall Michael Smith barely got to play at returns during the preseason. When he did…each time was better than the last…culminating with the play you mentioned.
Michael Spurlock was not fantastic right away either. All Smith would need is practice.
The Bucs would be fools to release him without giving him a shot…especially when they’d been offered a pick for him earlier from a team that wanted him to…return kicks.
I really don’t see why he isn’t given a shot. The return game cannot get any worse…it already fumbles or takes a knee.
October 29th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
Jwayne, it won’t happen.
October 29th, 2012 at 11:39 pm
@Pete
I’m well aware it will never happen. Just doing a little dreaming. lol But in all reality it would help both teams! It’s very clear our return game is a weak spot.
October 29th, 2012 at 11:57 pm
You “see” wrong my friend.
Time to put the bourbon down.
October 30th, 2012 at 12:00 am
My Momma tolt me I koot be a Buccaneer Man. I play Corner Back for yoot Coach.
October 30th, 2012 at 12:13 am
Not buying it coach. Myron Lewis and Michael Smith are both wastes of roster spots. Garbage. I wouldn’t even want them on the PS.
October 30th, 2012 at 12:41 am
@ Joe
I realize for some reason you still have faith in Blount but there have been multiple sites saying there is talks of the possibility of a trade before the deadline. Im not saying it will happen but there is a chance. Its pretty clear the way Tampa uses him that there is no chance they resign him next year! Why not get something in return before he walks next season?! And the suggestion that they trade him for Rainey was just pointing out the fact that our return game is horrible and we don’t use Blount! I know the possibility of that exact trade going down is little to none, but it would improve our team! Rainey is a threat on multiple levels. He would make a great 3rd down back and kick returner and on top of that you could put him in the slot. He has great hands!
October 30th, 2012 at 12:59 am
@ joe
And one of the sites i “didn’t” see it on was NBC sports PFT which often refers to your site in regards to news and storys about the Bucs… just saying lol both great sites btw
October 30th, 2012 at 1:16 am
Oh well, when the coach complements someone as being a great “buccaneer man” that’s usually the kiss of death. I hope that’s not the case and they eventually give him a real shot at rb. Maybe the kid just needs more practice to get him up to NFL playing level so that’s why they are not using him, who knows, we’ll see.
October 30th, 2012 at 3:32 am
Myron Lewis = BLAH…… Would like to see Smith get another chance at KR duties.
October 30th, 2012 at 5:14 am
Anyone else feels like Bucs aren’t what they used to be in Kick/punt coverage and returns?
Under Bissacia and even under Stukes (2011), I felt like we always did very well compared to 90% of the teams in the league in those areas. Yes, the rules have slightly changed these days, leading to much different results, but our STs unit has kind of been bad imo.
Thanks to Koenen’s excellent kicks and punts, rarely we see them returned. But when they are returned, it is almost always for a good chunk of yards. Meanwhile when our returners, especially KR do decide to run it out of the end zone, they get tackled even before the 10 yard line which is pathetic. Either the returners are bad or the blocking has been abysmal. I say both and it falls on STs coaching.
October 30th, 2012 at 7:38 am
Poor guy. Being lumped in with Myron Lewis has to be rough on your confidence.
October 30th, 2012 at 8:13 am
Jonny…it is painfully obvious to everyone that our special teams is struggling. Thankfully Koenen kicks everything out of the back of the end zone which helps mask it.
I think we should give Michael Smith a chance at returning. I mean, Benn might be the worst returner of all time and Roscoe Parrish has been horrible. Give Smith a shot so everyone can see he is garbage and we can move on.
Shoulda grabbed Spurlock when the Chargers cut him a few weeks back.
October 30th, 2012 at 9:12 am
@WrightsRX
You’re pretty pathetic for saying that, Canada is you’re neighbour and I never have and never will have anything bad to say about America.. All I do is read joe’s posts and sometimes leave my opinion because I love the Bucs and I love football, but yeah if you think my opinion is “invalid” dont read it then. You’re a joke buddy.. @WrightsRX
October 30th, 2012 at 9:16 am
@PeterDutcher
Yeah forsure, as Smith got more returns he was definetely improving. I also agree on giving him a shot because our special teams has been pretty rough this year miswhile see what he can do in the regular season. I just think he’s more suited to be a 3rd down back instead of being in the return game.
October 30th, 2012 at 10:01 am
@Canadianbuc…Please do not thnk we all agree with WrightRx. I for one love Canada. I travel there for work a couple times a year, it is a beautiful country and the people are about as cool as you will find. I also love that we have Bucs fans in the great white north. Just tell WrightRx to “take off hozer”…Yes, I grew up in the 80’s.
October 30th, 2012 at 10:11 am
I am surprised they aren’t rioting in the streets of Canada with no Hockey.
We want Hockey!!! Bettman Sucks!!!
I am a devout member of The Hockey Party.
October 30th, 2012 at 11:50 am
Jwayne:
Feel free to explain why Kevin Colbert would want to part ways with Chris Rainey.
October 30th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
JOE
They have a stock pile of under performing backs this year! And i believe Rainey is the 4th string back in that pile. Dwyer has been doing well the last 2 weeks but i don’t know if thats there answer. So they can cleary use a good (staring) back. I honestly don’t believe it would ever happen, but i don’t think the thought of the possibilty is that crazy. Anything is possible in this league for the right price! They need a solid #1 back and we deffinetly need a good return man/ back up RB.
October 30th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Jessup Says:
October 30th, 2012 at 12:13 am
Not buying it coach. Myron Lewis and Michael Smith are both wastes of roster spots. Garbage. I wouldn’t even want them on the PS.
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Jessup Says:
October 30th, 2012 at 8:13 am
I think we should give Michael Smith a chance at returning.
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lol…having trouble making up your mind? 😉
October 30th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Buc won’t trade for another back…that makes no sense at all.
October 30th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
it’s a 45-man roster thing. you can’t have 4 HBs plus a FB active on game day unless they will all play decent snaps. unless you are an elite return man, you’d better be pretty good at covering kicks and see some snaps on offense or defense also. can’t think of many teams that have an exclusive return man who isn’t exceptional at his job….and i don’t think anybody in the NFL has a player whose only role is to return one type of kick.
October 30th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@ skp
hmmmmm…….let’s see, Parrish….for the ……BUCS! I believe is strickly a PUNT returner.
October 30th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
If the Bucs trade Blount that will open up the roster for M. Smith to dress as the 3rd back. Myron Lewis is the tallest DB we have and if Schiano and Sheridan can develop him better and fix his technique he could end up being a very valuable asset to the team. With teams having big WRs like Hicks, VJax, Megatron, R.White etc… he could present match-up problems for the opposing team. If there is one really good thing Schiano and staff are proving good at, it is getting the young players prepared and ready to play. This team is full of 1st and 2nd year players in key positions and they have been showing a lot of improvement for being cast into their roles from the beginning. They may not make it to post season play this year but next year when they get all the injured players back (Joseph, Clayborn, Stroughter, etc..) and a new crop of draft picks, this team will be exciting to watch. Go Bucs!