Returner Options May Come Availble

[Delhommey]

At this time last year, it was hard to fathom those words coming from Smith. But the emergence of impressive return candidates coupled with an ultracompetitive situation at running back has left Smith vulnerable.

Kareem Huggins in particular is threatening to shake up the depth chart in the backfield. Once thought to be only a challenger to Smith for the job of No. 3 running back, it's now fair to suggest Huggins could overtake No. 2 Derrick Ward after his impressive camp and preseason opener against the Dolphins on Saturday (eight carries for 55 yards, including a game-high 35-yard run).

If Huggins continues his breakout, it could make Smith unlikely to be used as a running back. That would render him largely just a return man, and the Bucs have other options there, including Huggins, Sammie Stroughter and Micheal Spurlock.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-bucs-pro-bowl-returner-clifton-smith-says-hes-not-a-lock-to-make/1115881

Looks like the Bucs have a logjam. They won't drop Stroughter for sure, but we could get a shot at Spurlock or Clifton Smith.

Hopefully lots of teams are having this problem, cause we sure as poo aren't.

[Baschski]

Please Lord deliver us a return man.

[rayzor]

i'd gladly take their return castoffs over what we have now.

[SOJA]

Clifton Smith looked really good last year until Dante Wesley almost took his head off. I will definitely take him any day of the week.

[boo7382]

Can we please just get someone who can HOLD onto the ball?!!?!?!

I mean....DAMN

pretty painful to watch. first, lets work on actually catching the ball, then we will work on returning it. my goodness! how about we NOT turn it over?!?!!?

[gmonet]

Get a death row inmate who looks like a tatoo parlor's dream, with one option catch it or go back to the executioner. No joke here, you need a insane person, who loves pain, fears no one and has got nothing to lose! That is no professional I have seen in recent history!

[JungleCat]

Thank goodness.

[top dawg]

Return for return, Clifton Smith is actually one of the best in the game. Learned this when I was researching for FF.

That being said, I am still hoping that the Skins release Brandon Banks.

[MadHatter]

I definitely believe we will pick up a PR if someone decent comes available.

After the first two games, I am actually coming around to Zod's idea that a vet WR will be signed.

With the way the defense looks...with the OLine we have....with the RB's we have....this team could definitely be a serious contender with a #2 WR and a decent return game.

This may not be a rebuilding year after all.

[Baschski]

With the way the defense looks...with the OLine we have....with the RB's we have....this team could definitely be a serious contender with a #2 WR and a decent return game.

This may not be a rebuilding year after all.

I'm not even worried about the offense. With Stew, Otah and Smitty back on the field we'll get back to our "run, run, chuck to 89, run" scheme and we should be adequate on that side of the ball. Defense looks like it could be scary good.

Special teams needs to improve by a lot, though.

[MadHatter]

I'm not even worried about the offense. With Stew, Otah and Smitty back on the field we'll get back to our "run, run, chuck to 89, run" scheme and we should be adequate on that side of the ball. Defense looks like it could be scary good.

Special teams needs to improve by a lot, though.

I am not Worried, but I am feeling concern. Even though we do not have several pieces on offense out there, it is still hard for the offense to just flip the switch. I am concerned that we will struggle on Offense early in the season. That early hole could be devastating to a young team.

[thunderraiden]

our defense looks so insane you have to fix the special team probs and the WR #2 prob cuz if u do then you easily have a 10 win team

[Wither]

Can we please just get someone who can HOLD onto the ball?!!?!?!

I mean....DAMN

pretty painful to watch. first, lets work on actually catching the ball, then we will work on returning it. my goodness! how about we NOT turn it over?!?!!?

You go out there and catch it!

[pantherfan49]

What has happened to the world when teams are waiting for the Bucs to cut return men?