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Anwar Richardson, The Tampa Tribune, published 27 October 2008
Tampa Bay coaches have not given up on Dexter Jackson, but they went in a different direction for kick and punt returns Sunday against Dallas. The Bucs deactivated Jackson, a second-round pick, in favor of undrafted rookie RB Clifton Smith, who never had appeared in a regular-season game. And the Bucs' return game got a much-needed boost.
Jackson has averaged 23.4 yards on kickoff returns and 4.9 on punt returns this season. Smith had five punt returns for 82 yards (16.4 average) along with three kickoff returns for 62 yards (20.7 average). Smith returned his first punt for 20 yards, Tampa Bay's longest this season.
He also had one reception for 13 yards. "I always hate losing, but in my first game, what better way to be - I'm out here in Texas Stadium," Smith said.
Smith did not take the easy road to Dallas. Tampa Bay signed the former Fresno State standout as an undrafted free agent in May. Although Smith played well in the preseason, he was placed on Tampa Bay's practice squad.
Smith fumbled a kickoff on Tampa Bay's first possession of the second half, but Bucs coach Jon Gruden praised the rookie's overall effort. "Outside of the fumble, I thought his debut as a rookie in Dallas was pretty solid," Gruden said.
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