Don’t Pigeonhole Michael Smith
July 21st, 2012
With a first round draft pick of a running back joining the roster with a proven veteran of a running back, it’s easy to see why Bucs fans would want to pit Doug Martin against LeGarrette Blount for time at running back, if not have the two split snaps.
Sure, the Bucs have lightning-fast scatback Michael Smith on the roster, but he’s just a change-of-pace kinda guy, right?
Well…
It seems Smith has other plans, so he told Scott Smith (?) of Buccaneers.com.
Smith would happily take every third-down snap the Buccaneers would like to give him this fall, after he takes care of the initial task of making the regular-season roster. Smith, in fact, will take on any task the team chooses to give him, from returning kickoffs to covering punts to running between the tackles. The point he is seeking to prove, the point that can get lost if you pigeonhole him as a ‘third-down back,’ is that he can do all those things. In the NFL. Right now.
“I can do that, I can do anything the team wants me to do,” said Smith of the third-down role that conjures images of a Darren Sproles-like scatback with speed and good hands. “I’m here for the team. I’m trying to be a Buccaneer all the way. I’m 100 percent in, so whatever they expect me to do – kick return, punt return, special teams, anything – I’m out there just working hard and trying to participate in everything. I’m getting involved in everything they want me to do, full-speed.”
Smith was out there on the field Thursday with the rest of the Buccaneers’ rookies and first-year players, getting a week-long head start on training camp, which opens for the veterans next Thursday. But he wasn’t alone. Two-thirds of Tampa Bay’s six-person field of tailbacks heading into camp are rookies, including first-round pick Doug Martin. The other two are Mossis Madu, who has nine games of NFL experience, and incumbent starter LeGarrette Blount, who is going into just his third NFL season. The Buccaneers have reworked their backfield with youth and, they believe, talent, and there is going to be stiff competition for the football over the next six weeks. Blount and Martin are understandably considered the top candidates to get that ball, but Smith simply wants the chance to prove he belongs in the battle. On all downs, not just third.
That’s the attitude Joe loves to read about: Just put me in, coach. If there is any player that may surprise Bucs fans, Joe believes it will be Smith.
Although Joe is quoting a baseball Hall of Famer, Joe loves the line former Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog used to spout when asked about seemingly loading his roster with track stars.
“Speed kills.”
Smith has that.
July 21st, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Love the post Joe. I like this guy a lot. I think his size hurts him as an every down back but a scat back fits him perfect. His speed is undeniable and a sure plus when in the backfield. I can’t wait to see him in the Preseason. He might be the Earnest Graham (preseason warrior) we’ve enjoyed to watch over the years and earn him a few plays a game.
July 21st, 2012 at 10:21 pm
#1:
Thanks. Michael Smith is much faster than Earnest Graham (who was an undrafted free agent).
July 21st, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Incumbent = holds a particular office.
Blount doesn’t have a hold of anything.
Blount is a part of an open competition.
Give up on this dream that Blount is the primary back and Martin and Smith are merely backups. That is as ridiculous as RahRah being a NFL head coach, and DomDom being a NFL gm.
July 21st, 2012 at 10:35 pm
I really hope all of our rb are used to just steam roll every team we play. Let the scores be low and the other teams look for answers. Buc ball.
July 22nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Thomas – first off, incumbent is used to describe the individual who has held the position up to this point. That would be Blount. As with any “race”, the incumbent doesn’t always win, so of course, it’s not a given that Blount will be the starter, but he does have the past two years of experience at that position.
Secondly, you say ridiculous. Well, as ridiculous as it may have been, and as you obviously think it is, Rah WAS a HC in the NFL, and Dom IS a GM in the NFL. So, even though it may SEEM ridiculous, it’s true. So, whether you think it’s ridiculous or not doesn’t make things true or not. What is true is Blount has been the starter for two years and it is possible that he starts again this year (even you have backed off from saying Martin will start week 1 to saying Blount may start the first couple weeks until Martin is “ready”). What is ridiculous is your incessant whining about Blount, GMC, Rah (who’s not even here anymore), Dom, etc. It’s more ridiculous when you attempt to back your arguments with “facts” you make up, even when I’ve continually done the research and proven you wrong. I’m guessing you haven’t actually watched the NFL.com video of the sack on Freeman in the Cowboys game where Blount had a perfect blitz read and pickup. Yeah, that’s only one example, but it shows he can do it. There are numerous clips of him catching passes, so that’s too easy to discount.
Martin may well be the starter, I have no idea, but it’s not ridiculous to think Blount may retain the job and combine with Martin to both have productive years this year. It’s possible Smith makes an impact, it’s also possible he doesn’t show anything on the field other than speed and is relegated to the practice squad. It is, after all, an open competition and when that happens nothing is ridiculous except for people shouting about how they know what will happen in the future so they can say “I told you so” if it happens or crawl under a rock until it’s forgotten when they’re wrong.
July 22nd, 2012 at 6:56 am
Blackmagic, we’ll be lucky if 2 games are low scoring games this year. Considering the offenses we’ll face, our defense isn’t ready to prevent much scoring…especially in the red zone.
I agree with BamBam mostly. I don’t think there is ANY chance Michael Smith ends up on our practice squad. He would be claimed off waivers by one of the teams that wanted to trade for him.
Mind you…I don’t think Smith will be a good RB either. I think he’d be most valuable as a returner. His lower body is thin and he opens himself up to big hits when running the ball. His positives are upper body strenth and speed (not quickness). Give him an opening on a return and there are few players that could catch him.
We MIGHT see him catch a few passes here and there. But he won’t get many yards after catch unless he’s wide open. The quickness (and moves) just is not there. Smith is the kind of runner that likes to put his head down and move forward, but he lacks the lower body strenth (at this point) to push through tacklers. He tends to get stood up upon contact.
But as a kick returner he would be a mostly verticle runner. With his speed could get him past tacklers before the holes close.
Not to mention we need a replacement for the departed Michael Spurlock…who I loved but was aging quickly.
July 22nd, 2012 at 7:05 am
Oh…and I think Mossis does not make the final roster. He still qualifies for the practice squad though.
Cody Johnson intriques me at fullback.
July 22nd, 2012 at 7:46 am
@#1: I don’t think his size is actually all that bad; 5′ 9″ 209 lbs. is not exactly light weight. If he can lower his pads and get leverage, he might be able to generate a little more power than people expect.
I love the attitude this guy has, heck he played second fiddle to Turbin at Utah State but whenever they needed him he produced. Sounds like a real team player, and maybe one heck of a Gunner.
July 22nd, 2012 at 10:21 am
@Pete…really??? You have no idea what this year’s defense is capable of. No one does. Until the season starts we’re all just guessing but it seems you are going off of last year’s record and results and I am absolutely positive this years defense will look nothing like last years. If we can stay healthy we will be quite capable of being a top 10 defense and that’s kind of where I see us. My main concern is Brian Price. If he is playing up to speed then we will have a great rotation of McCoy, Price, Okoye, and Gibson. I wish Bowers were there at DE but he’ll be back for next season. We have the potential to be great and I’m going to be believe that potential will be realized.
July 22nd, 2012 at 11:51 am
Joe:
When I compared Smith to Graham I wasn’t talking about speed, but merely the performance on the field during the preseason. And as a 7th rounder, that’s almost undrafted…I just can’t wait to see all of the new additions!! Go Bucs!!!
July 22nd, 2012 at 11:59 am
The truth comes out re:Blount in the Times. Lol
July 22nd, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Yeah Thomas because what you read in the paper (or in your case blogs) are completely true. OMG get a life bro
July 22nd, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Bobby Says:
July 22nd, 2012 at 10:21 am
@Pete…really??? You have no idea what this year’s defense is capable of. No one does. Until the season starts we’re all just guessing but it seems you are going off of last year’s record and results and I am absolutely positive this years defense will look nothing like last years. If we can stay healthy we will be quite capable of being a top 10 defense and that’s kind of where I see us. My main concern is Brian Price. If he is playing up to speed then we will have a great rotation of McCoy, Price, Okoye, and Gibson. I wish Bowers were there at DE but he’ll be back for next season. We have the potential to be great and I’m going to be believe that potential will be realized.
.
Here’s the thing, Bobby…last year everyone unrealistically expected a top 10 defense as well…even with three rookies at mlb and the line. Even with Jackson suspended.
Realistically, it will take time for the defense to gel. We have:
Two injury prone DTs who have to prove they can make it through a season.
A DE second year, key DE likely out for the season.
We have a MLB who got zero training last year and was thrown to the wolves.
We have a starting CB who will likely be suspended at the start of the season (again).
We have one backup CB who is aged and trying a new position, and another who quit on many plays last year (and who was also a big weakness).
We have a LB who got a big contract yet did not produce, and must prove he deserved the money he got, if he can.
We have another LB who may well be a beast down the road, but is a rookie with no games under his belt.
And we have an entire defense learning a new system.
Think about that. I love being optimistic, but I think the fans would be making a mistake to expect instant top10 results. What happens if the defense does need time? Fans will stop buying tickets and start bashing players, coaches or the team again?
Don’t get me wrong, Bobby…I believe this team will be one of the best within 2 years…and I believe they will win 9-10 games this year. But I also believe the offense will have to win most of those games…and not just by running the ball.
Run first works…if you have an established, well oiled defense. But if not…you better be able to score big against the teams we’ll be facing.
July 22nd, 2012 at 11:01 pm
As to the offense…they are also learning a new system, but the difference is the offense is more experienced and familiar with each other.
Warren Sapp once made a comment when he was with the Bucs…that they got better when they learned each others abilities and tendencies. That’s what “gelling” is.
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:23 am
According to Pete, we might as well sell our tickets and throw up. Where did all the negativity come from? I’m willing to bet we will all(well most of us) like what we hear come Thursday night. I have faith we will have a good year with our new coach and if Barron stays out of Price’s chair. Go Bucs!