Clayton Lashes Out; Fines Expected
November 15th, 2009
The BS call on the Michael Clayton catch turned interception in the first half of the Bucs heartbreaking loss in Miami did not sit well with Mr. Clayton.
He called it as he saw it to Stephen Holder of the St. Pete Times after the game. No doubt warden Roger Goodell’s henchmen will fine Clayton for not playing the politically correct game.
“I hope they got it right,” [Clayton] said. “I hope they saw something that we didn’t see, because for me, from what I saw, it was pitiful. There’s no reason for that in any league. That’s just a routine catch. I hope they got it right. I would hate for a game to come down to that. For a game to be taken away on a call like that, that hurts.”
He later added, “I know it was a catch. One hundred percent. I do hope that I’m wrong. That hurts to see that happen, to see something taken from you. I just hope that they got it right. They didn’t give us an explanation for it. That’s the sad part about it. You can’t even give an explanation. I think every (official) on that field deserves to give a head coach an explanation for what just happened, especially under those circumstances. In return, we get a penalty? I think that that’s sad. I don’t think it’s called for.”
Joe must say, while it was a ridiculous call, Clayton still has to hold onto the ball through the play.
As many time as the NFL’s much publicized flawed catch rule has punished fans and various offenses this season — because receivers didn’t maintain possession all the way through the play — every pass catcher in the league must be completely focused on holding the ball until the whistle blows.
Until the rule is fixed, Clayton and everybody else has got to hold on for dear life.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Joe,
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81435eac/Dolphins-25-Buccaneers-23
This video contains the opposite-endzone angle of the play at 1:45.
By the time the 1:54 mark comes, Clayton has already come to the ground, rolled once, and has began picking himself up when the rolling defender’s arm whips around and bumps the ball out.
This clearly does not fall within the rule that the receiver must maintain possession through the catch and coming to the ground, because Clayton clearly does just that. At 1:54, the play should be dead. Otherwise, it would be legal for, before any whistle is blown, any player at any time to come and just take the ball away post catch-and-tackle.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Shouldn’t the whistle blow the play dead the second his knee hits the ground? It seems to me these refs miss more calls after staring at instant replay for 5 minutes than they do out on the field. For once, I don’t blame Clayton at all on this -it’s easy to strip the ball from someone who is laying on the ground trying to get up after making a catch. The referee should be fined and suspended – not Clayton and Morris for their remarks. That changed the entire complexion of the game.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Blah,blah, blah, blah, catch the damn ball Michael and hold onto it. Bad call or not it’s Clayton’s fault. Bone head, big mouth, clay hands, useless, overpaid, lousy.
Did anyone else notice how our receivers were not running routes. They were trotting, jogging, going through the motions on most routes and not giving Freeman any help what so ever. John Lynch called them out a couple times for this. K2 did well except for his critical drop when Ward freaked out, but really Stroughter is the only other one that puts forth the effort. They need to give Clark a chance.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Agreed. Clatyon has to hold on.
The rule says you must maintain posession through every motion related to the catch and its aftermath. He blew it.
What happened with Ward? Heard Lynch complaining about the routes. If a safety can see it …
November 15th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
It’s never Clayton’s fault. Every time, it’s something or someone else which caused him to play like crap. Throwing the ball in the first place to Clayton was the first mistake.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Good point, never should have thrown to Michael, or put him in the game or re-sign him to a big contract, or draft him in the first place. Hmmm??? so I guess that makes it Gruden’s fault again. But the Glazers hired Gruden, who was traded by Al Davis, because Gruden lost to the Pats in the playoffs because of Tom Brady’s fumble BS Tuck rule pass, which was a horrid call by the refs, so ultimately Clayton is right and it is still the ref’s fault albeit another ref, but all zebras look alike anyway.
Late in the game K2 dropped a 3’rd and long pass that would have been a first down. After the play, Ward, who drifted out in the flat, and was uncovered, unloaded on Freeman. it looked as if the rookie put him in his place. Either play would have worked, but K2 didn’t catch the ball.
November 15th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
It’s Dominick’s fault for re-signing the slug when he had the chance to let him walk to Seattle. If Stovall had any talent either, he would have beaten him out 3 years ago. Admit your mistake and move on, Bucs. Trade the 2nd you got from the Bears to Arizona for Boldin.
November 15th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
As much as I don’t like Clayhands and think he should be further down the depth chart…He’s right in lashing out, it was a b.s. call
November 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am
COME ON!!! (Guys) This time let’s give him (Clayton) a bit of credit. He was downed, the ball was a catch and the defender stripped him of it while down. No need there to hold onto the ball (except maybe, with THIS refereeing crew). I’ve always been a Clayton fan and have mellowed my enthusiam because of his drops, too, but this one was stripped after the fact , not dropped.
November 16th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Wow…its amazing how brave people are when they’re sitting in front of their computer lol…I’m not a big Clayton fan either but this is not on him. Is there 1 person out there that actually thought that wasn’t a catch and down by contact? C’mon that was terrible
November 16th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Joe here,
Mike, the rule is the rule. You must possess the ball until the whistle blows, and you must hold it through the complete action of the catch including rolling on the ground afterwards. Crappy rule. But that’s the rule.
I’m sure Clayton’s position coach is ripping him a bit today to teach the rest of the guys in the room.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Huh, who are you trying to kid?