It Was Fun While It Lasted

January 29th, 2010

One of the few bright spots of the heinous Bucs season recently completed was the play of kick returner Michael Spurlock.

In 2007, he was responsible for the first kick return for a touchdown in Bucs history. When Sammie Stroughter, who was backing up Clifton “Peanut” Smith, went down with an injury, Spurlock was pulled offf the street and immediately shined.

Spurlock’s punt return for a touchdown was a key play in the Bucs overtime win over the Saints.

But Bucs fans should not expect any more plays from Spurlock in a Bucs uniform, if Anwar Richardson is correct. A Bucs beat writer for the Tampa Tribune, Richardson does not see Spurlock back with the Bucs in 2010.

Q:  The re-acquisition of KR Michael Spurlock was a little bonus at the end of the season. Why did we get rid of him in the first place? Will he get another chance to be a premiere special teams plaer?

Paul Scott, Clearwater

A:  Spurlock was released to make way for Dexter Jackson, who was eventually benched in favor of Clifton Smith in 2008. Smith went to the Pro Bowl as a returner, and after being placed on injured reserve last season, Spurlock was signed. The only way Spurlock makes this year’s team is if Smith becomes part of Tampa Bay’s running back rotation or coaches believe he can contribute as a receiver.

— Anwar Richardson

Joe believes this experiment of Smith as a running back should be closed. Chucky didn’t use him much because he had one fault: hanging on to the ball. Raheem the Dream put Smith in for a key late-possession against Washington this past season with the game in doubt, and Smith again hacked up the football.

As sorry as the current crop of Bucs wide receivers is, especially if Antonio Bryant walks, Spurlock should have a decent shot at making the squad.

4 Responses to “It Was Fun While It Lasted”

  1. Pruritis Ani Says:

    Forget about the Clifton Smith running back experiment. I just don’t think he is durable enough to make it at that position.

    You gotta love Spurlock though. The man was responsible for lifting the “Great Curse” in that Atlanta game and of course the Punt Return against those lowlife scumbugs that occupy the lower Louisiana coast.

    They have to find a way to let him stay.

  2. BucFan South Tampa Says:

    Keep Spurlock, Dump Clayton
    http://www.80sucks.com

  3. Joe Says:

    http://www.80sucks.com

    Someone needs to wake those guys up. They haven’t updated that site since before Thanksgiving.

  4. Jonny Says:

    Many consider Smith has the potential to be a Darren Sproles kind of player, forget it guys, first of all C.Smith does not have break away speed, he looks like he has it, but he does not. As a RB Smith got few snaps last season, he never showed that explosiveness like Sproles does, not even close. One guy I would love to have a shot as RB is Kareem Huggins, he showed that explosiveness in preseason as a RB, yet he would be easily fall down on a little contact which is another serious issue.