Clifton Smith News

If Rich Bisaccia could concoct a perfect football script, it would look a lot like Tampa Bay's initial victory on Sunday.

TAMPA It was a day of celebration Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium with the induction of Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon into the new Ring of Honor at halftime.

Defensive coordinator Jim Bates said putting pressure on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on Sunday will be "as important as anything we do." Bates believes the line is coming off one of its better pass-rush performances.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib's absence from the early part of practice Wednesday was injury related.

Authorities have identified the remains of a 74-year-old North Carolina man suspected of walking to South Carolina when he went missing five years ago.

With the obvious exception of the final score, there wasn't much about playing a game against the Patriots at Wembley Stadium that the Bucs didn't like.

In October 2008, Reed Doughty sat in a doctor's office wondering if his NFL career had come to an end.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expects the league to start playing multiple regular-season games in Britain in the next few years -- perhaps the first step toward placing a franchise in London.

Pro Bowl return man Clifton Smith will accompany the Buccaneers on their trip to London to face the Patriots, but his playing status remains uncertain because of the effects of a punishing blow he absorbed to the throat and head last Sunday, according to his agent, Jason Dillard .

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without Pro Bowl returner Clifton Smith today against the New England Patriots.

When the Bucs emerge from the locker room today and stroll onto the Wembley Stadium turf, it will be their first time on a football field since Thursday afternoon.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers return specialist Clifton Smith spoke with Carolina defensive back Dante Wesley this week and accepted his apology.

MIKE CRANSTON AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE -- Dante Wesley labored under the radar for nearly a decade in the NFL -- until becoming the villain of the week for his vicious way-too-early hit on Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith.

TAMPA _ Running back Clifton Smith, still suffering the effects of a concussion, was held out of Wednesday's practice.

Published: Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 11:25 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 11:25 p.m. TAMPA This is where the 0-16 possibility starts coming into focus.

Carolina Panthers' Dante Wesley hit to punt returner Clifton Smith from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been strongly criticized of "unnecessary," "brutal" and suspension deserving.

Carolina safety Dante Wesley was ejected late in the first half of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay when he launched himself into Buccaneers punt returner Clifton Smith, who had signaled for a fair catch.

No wonder new Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Yamon Figurs felt so comfortable in Tuesday's tryout.

A PHILADELPHIA _ When Raheem MorrisA scans the winless Buccaneers roster for players who can catch passes after Michael Clayton and Antonio Bryant dropped five balls between them on Sunday, rest assured that Donald Penn will not be a candidate.

Nugent missed his first two field goal attempts, at which point he was 0-for-4 for the season.