Joe's handing out one of several game balls to Clifton Smith. And it looks like he's not going to drop it.

Here’s a hand for “Cardiac” Smith not laying the ball down on the turf for the first time in his brief NFL career. Way to go, rookie.

Smith had fumbled in his first four games as a Bucs returner and running back.

The kid was spectacular against the Saints, catcthing wet balls on the run and sacrificing his body. Five punt returns for 82 yards plus three kickoff returns for 76 yards are big-time numbers.

His second-quarter punt return was a game-changer. Backed up at his end zone, Saints punter Glenn Pakulak cranked out a 70-yard punt to the Bucs 19. Smith backed up for it, grabbed it on a bounce and returned it 42 yards to the Saints’ 39-yard-line. The play set up the Bucs second field goal, which gave them a 6-3 lead.

Smith, by far, is the Bucs most exciting player right now. The way the offense is playing, they need short fields – over and over again – to be effective. Smith and the defense are making that happen.