Clifton Smith had a Pro Bowl 2008 season. The follow up to his sensational year has been a bit lackluster so far. That trend ended last week against the Packers as he was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 9.
Special teams played a big role in the Bucs 38-28 win over the Packers and outside of the punt block for a touchdown, there may have been no bigger play than the return in the 4th quarter. Trailing by two scores after Aaron Rodgers"rumbled" into the end zone, the Bucs were in need of a big play. That big play came in the form of an 83 yard kick return that set the Bucs up to get within one score of the Packers.
On the day he averaged 53.5 yards per kick return (on 2 returns) and 13.5 yards per punt return on four returns. Smith joins Sammy Stroughter as Tampa Bay Bucs who have won this award in 2009.
Congrats Clifton.