On October 18, the Panthers and the Bucs got together in Tampa. The game featured a wicked hit by Panthers cornerback Dante Wesley on Bucs punt returner Clifton Smith.
Wesley launched himself into Smith’s head and neck area as Smith was waiting to catch a punt. (Here’s the video.)
The officials immediately ejected Wesley, and the league suspended him for a game. Wesley apologized to Smith and Smith accepted it.
But with the Bucs preparing to face the Panthers again, the Tampa coaches are doing their best to reopen the scar. Center Jeff Faine told 1010-AM on Friday (via JoeBucsFan.com) that the players saw the video of the hit earlier today.
“We replayed that hit on Clifton Smith this morning, so it is definitely nice and warm,” Faine said.
Wesley likely senses that it’s coming.
“I don’t think it should be a factor in this game,” Wesley told the Rock Hill Herald (also via JoeBucsFan.com). “I’m sure when they looked at the tape, they realize it wasn’t anything I tried to do intentionally. There shouldn’t be anything during the game because of that play.”
In other words, “Please don’t hurt me. . . . Please, please don’t hurt me. . . .”
Given that the Bucs apparently are trying to stir up trouble on this one, the league should make it clear to both teams that any funny business resulting from the prior incident will be met with swift justice.
