Smith suffers 2nd concussion Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 7 December 2009 Clifton Smith has to be happy Tampa Bay's season series against the Panthers is over. The Pro Bowl kick returner suffered his second concussion of the year - both against Carolina - when he was knocked woozy six seconds into the game as a member of the kick coverage unit. Smith was injured when Panthers T Geoff Schwartz fielded Barth's short kickoff and returned the ball 16 yards to the Carolina 36. "I went in low and took a shot," said Smith, who remained prone on the field for several minutes. "I got a little concussion, but I felt a lot better as the game went on. It was nothing like the last time." Smith missed one game after Carolina backup CB Dante Wesley launched himself into Tampa Bay's punt returner at Raymond James Stadium, drawing a penalty, an ejection and a one-game NFL suspension. Trueblood in trouble again For the second consecutive road matchup against a division opponent, Jeremy Trueblood lost his cool. Last week's outburst cost him money. Sunday's indiscretion cost him playing time. Tampa Bay's veteran right tackle was flagged 15 yards for unnecessary roughness early in the second quarter following a late hit at the end of Josh Freeman's 3-yard completion to Antonio Bryant. Instead of second-and-7 from the Carolina 17, the Bucs faced second-and-22 from the 32 and were eventually forced to settle for a field goal that pulled them within 10-6. "It was a routine screen and I didn't know they blew the whistle," said Trueblood, who was fined $7,500 for taking his helmet off at Atlanta after he was pulled off a pile by a defensive player. "I was going full speed and it was a mistake. I regret it, but I wasn't trying to be a jerk." After the 320-pound Trueblood slammed into 200-pound CB Chris Gamble to draw a personal foul penalty, Bucs coach Raheem Morris ordered him off the field. Rookie Demar Dotson replaced Trueblood for two snaps before Connor Barth converted from 46 yards out. Trueblood returned to the field the rest of the way and helped the Bucs to a season-high 469 yards. "I wish I would have known he (Bryant) was down," Trueblood said. "It happens, but I can't let it happen. If I knew he was down, I wouldn't have done it. I have to learn from this and move on." Caddy cruises While the Bucs continually bogged down deep in Panthers territory, Cadillac Williams kept the chains moving all afternoon. Williams ran for 92 yards on 17 carries, including a 25-yard burst up the left sideline on the final play of the third quarter that drew a 15-yard face mask penalty against Carolina S Charles Godfrey. "When you get to the 4-yard line and you don't come away with any points, that's tough," said Williams, referring to Josh Freeman's red zone woes. "Josh has to remember this feeling because he's a guy who will be playing in a lot of big games in his career. He's 21 years old, playing the premium position in football, and he's the face of this franchise. I don't worry about him. Josh is going to be OK." Scene of the crime It was almost a year to the day when the Bucs visited Bank of America Stadium for a Monday night matchup featuring a pair of 9-3 clubs vying for an NFC South title. Things have gone south ever since. A 38-23 loss at Carolina triggered a four-game December slide that cost Jon Gruden his job. Sunday, the Panthers made it three in a row against the Bucs as MLB Jon Beason posted two of Carolina's five picks against Freeman. "They did a great job of putting together a good scheme against us," said Bucs WR Antonio Bryant, who caught five passes for 116 yards Sunday, a year after burning the Panthers for a career-high 200 yards during that fateful Monday night encounter. "It looked like Beason had a field day in the middle of the field." Extra Points The paid attendance was announced at 72,455, but the stadium appeared half-empty when the game kicked off amid 43-degree temperatures. ... Bryant has posted seven 100-yard efforts in 25 games with Tampa Bay. ... The Bucs have been outscored 162-48 this season in the first and third quarters. ... Tampa Bay fell to 0-4 in the division and the Bucs have dropped their past six matchups against NFC South opponents.