Smith was the 7th pick in the third round by the Bucs in the 2005 draft.  He showed some promise in his rookie season catching 41 balls for 367 yards.  He was a consistent player for the Bucs but became expendable with the acquisition of Kellen Winslow via trade and the re-signing of Jerramy Stevans.  

Smith isn’t much on the blocking end of the spectrum as far as TE’s are concerned but he is a reliable target as a receiver, and my guess, is that he’ll be a 50 catch player for the Pats next season.

 This is a man who has blown relationships with local writers, national writers (all will name unmentioned) and supposedly got into a fistfight with a local (very big) writer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and a respected member in the Tampa Bay community.  This is the same man who openly campaigned for the release of TE Jerramy Stevens due to his past transgressions, than subsequently was arrested weeks later for an alleged DUI, cue the “all people mentioned in this post charged with crimes are guilty until proven innocent” line.  HIS THIRD INVOLVEMENT WITH FREAKING DUI’S!  Duemig also was the same genius who broke the story about the Buccaneers being moved to Los Angeles in 2000, about Phil Mickelson’s alleged gambling debts, and in all of these scenarios, his “unnamed sources” always take the fall for his preposterous musings.  

There is one thing I’m sure of…he has had it out for Jon Gruden since the day he replaced Tony Dungy.  The only time in which this stance was not apparent was when interviewing Gruden, he would act like he liked him (coward), but with no Gruden around he made no bones about hating the man. No matter the results on the football field, the campaign remained strong…to run Jon Gruden out of town.  Well, apparently his venom finally got him his wish.  

It is being reported now from the St Pete Times, unabashed Gruden haters as well, that the Glazers not only sought the advice of a few players on the football team, but also sought the advice of the fans.  

“We talked to a lot of people, but we not only talked to the players, but (also) out in the community getting a feel for the team,” co-owner Bryan Glazer told the Times today at the Super Bowl media center in Tampa, Fla. “We get opinions and we mix them all together. We just took our time making that decision.”

“Our fans are our stockholders. They’re what we play for — the people in our stadium and the ones that watch on TV. That’s what it’s all about: winning and how they feel about the team. If they don’t feel good about the team, then there’s something wrong. . . I think you all know the sense that’s out there. It was time for a change.”

“I THINK YOU ALL KNOW THE SENSE THAT’S OUT THERE!” –   That is classic.  The funny thing to me, is I’ll give the man credit for the first time in my life.  Although he helped me personally propel a cause I had undertaken (the ouster of ex-Rays owner Vince Naimoli via Oust Naimoli) to a national stage, by allowing me to talk about Oust Naimoli on the air, I never liked the guy, and never will.   He did accomplish his goal though, Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen are gone, let’s see how long he gives the new regime before calling for their heads for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week.

•  It was great to see Cadillac Williams back on the field.  The guy busted his ass with physical training, and made it back onto the field while a lot of pundits were speculating that he would never play again.  Surely was rust on the first play for Caddy in the game, as he caused a Jeff Garcia fumble that was subsequently taken to the house.   When you don’t play for 15 months though, some gaffes are to be expected.  His numbers were poor, but as I just said, he hasn’t played in 15 months. 
• Warrick Dunn continues to defy Father Time.  He had 14 runs for 90 yards, and honestly looks more talented and spry than he has at any point throughout his career.  He also contributed with 5 catches for 37 yards.  When he has been asked to step up this year, he has.  Another great addition by the Allen-Gruden regime that continues to get overlooked in the Bay Area. 
• Speaking of great additions, Antonio Bryant continued to look like Jeff Garcia’s first read throughout most of the game.  He only had 4 catches for 48 yards, but Garcia initially looked his way quite often. 
• Once again speaking of underated additions from the Allen-Gruden regime (the same regime that according to most radio people down here, has no idea how to assemble personell), Jimmy Wilkerson contributed two sacks.  That is three in two games for Jimmy, and he is quitely putting together a great season for the Bucs.  He can play 3 positions on the defensive line, can pressure the QB and can stop the run.  A great assett for this Bucs team. 
• Garcia was efficient in his 18 throws for the game.  He completed 13 of them for two touchdowns.  Only threw to 4 different receivers which was a season low, but with the ass kicking we were giving to the Lions at the time, and the effectiveness of our running game, we didn’t need to throw too often.   The two seam passes down the middle of the field to Ike Hilliard and to Jerramy Stevens were perfect passes.  Garcia has looked very good the last few weeks. 
• Ronde Barber finally had a big game for us.  I was even starting to doubt the effectiveness of the guy at many points this season, but seemingly every time I did so, he would make a big play.  Sunday he made two splash plays, one of which he took to the house.
• Aqib Talib had a nice shoulder block on Ronde’s INT return to the house, a unnoticeable play to most people, but one that caught my eye as if he had gone about  a little differently, it would have been a block in the back. 
• Clifton Smith with a punt return for a TD.  Oh, wait, is this another good find by the regime that can’t put together a good roster.  Yeah, I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but this roster is stacked with great additions from Allen and Gruden.  Clifton Smith was an undrafted FA that has a punt return for a TD, and a kick return for a TD.  It’s unfortunate we drafted Dexter Jackson to be a return man, because it looks as though we found one already. 
• This was the third straight come from behind victory for the Buccaneers.  It seemed that in  years past, we were just unable to come from behind in any games.  Our offense looks a little more dynamic each week, and it shows in the scores.  We wouldn’t have been able to come back from 17 and 21 point deficits to the Lions and Chiefs and come back in the 2nd half vs a great Vikings D if it weren’t for the maturation of our offense. 
• Huge 3 game run vs all divisional opponents upcoming.  We truly control our own fate in the NFC South.  We win these three, or even 2 out of 3, and we have a great chance of capturing the division and a potential bye in round one of the playoffs. 
• WERE 8 AND 3 AND IN 2ND PLACE IN THE NFC!!!! GO TO HELL STEVE DUEMIG!!!!