Michael Clayton Talks To Joe
May 25th, 2010
Tuesday, Joe met Bucs wide receiver Michael Clayton at the Chris Thomas Memorial golf outing at Feather Sound Country Club. Clayton actually flew in from parts unknown Tuesday morning just to help raise funds for the Suncoast Hospice Foundation, an organization that assists those in need from all walks of life.
Clayton spoke with Joe about the Bucs offense this season, specifically about the professional growth and influence quarterback Josh Freeman has had on his teammates.
JoeBucsFan: How much has it helped both Josh Freeman and you, along with the offense, to be able to work with Freeman for a full offseason?
Michael Clayton: Oh, it’s fabulous. [Freeman] has done everything in his power to make himself better. The reps that he is getting, it’s a whole new, different level of intensity. The throws that he is making [now], we didn’t get a chance to see that last year.
Basically last year, he was just waiting in the wings.
The way he approaches the game, he really makes our team better. We have made some good choices in bringing in some good receivers so [Freeman] will be able to make some plays down the field. [Working with Freeman in the offseason], it’s been a good thing this year.
Joe: What was your take on how Freeman actually went to Arrelious Benn’s hotel room during OTAs to work with him and Mike Williams to go over tape?
Clayton: He definitely has that leadership role in him. To be able to relate to young guys and let the young guys know what he went through and maybe why he wasn’t as successful, to let those young guys learn from his situation is very big. For [Freeman] to be more mature this year and kind of bring those guys along, they are going to be better for it in the future.
Joe: Do you see guys, your teammates or coaches feed off of that energy and work ethic?
Clayton: Oh yeah, definitely, I’ve already seen Rah scripting his plays for the offense so he won’t get embarrassed every day [laughs]. So I’ve seen that too. [Freeman] has really upgraded this team by his dedication to be there in the offseason and to do his diligence. We’re all better off for it.
Joe: Last summer when Kellen Winslow spoke to Joe, he described Freeman as the “black Ben Roethlisberger.” How accurate is that?
Clayton: [laughs] He has all of those talents! Josh has a little stronger of an arm and maybe more accurate but Ben can move in his pocket so well. That will come for Josh with experience. Josh is blessed with that talent as well. Year by year we will see him get better but he is one of those guys [like Roethlisberger] who can think on the run and make plays when it’s not there. That’s really big for a second-year quarterback who didn’t play for the first seven games. We’re excited for him.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Did you tell him about the nickname you use for him ? – blocking icon ?
May 25th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Yeah, way to stick to your guns Joe. You talk all tough on your own website and then you get in front of him and turn into lap dog.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Wow Joe, not even 1 question being critical of his play after all your smack talk!
But seriously, he does say all the right things. Instead of hating the fact that we picked 2 WRs, he seems to actually be happy about since it made our team better. Joe you always say he seems like a real nice guy, and I am seeing some of that by his behavior since the draft.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Joe here,
Look, fellas, this is not every last word of Joe’s conversation with Michael Clayton, nor do any of you know the surroundings in which this interview took place. So you can speculate all you like. But you’ll be wrong, for sure.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Gary:
Joe’s not going to ambush any player like that in a casual atmosphere at a charity function. Not the time nor the place.
Joe was very impressed with how polite and cooperative Clayton was.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:37 am
CUT CLAYTON NOW!!!
May 25th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Big John:
So Joe should have gone after the guy at a charity function? Really?
Joe thought he’d be doing his readers a service to get a little insight into what’s going on behind the scenes with the Bucs and you guys are turning on Joe for not crucifying Clayton to his face who was trying to raise funds to help people who are dying of cancer? That’s rich.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Ahh fuck em joe.. u know some of these readers will never be happy no matter what.. good read
May 25th, 2010 at 9:46 am
17 18 19 all the starting recivers numbers next year 80 is no where in this equation
May 25th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Yeah screw those guys Joe. They just can’t take the fact that for all his faults on the field Clayton really is a good guy.
You don’t ambush a guy when he’s nice enough to give you a minute of is time at a charity event. He didn’t have to do that.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Thanks dakid5! Much appreciated.
May 25th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Bingo!
A charity function — at a private club no less — is NOT the time nor the place to go after a guy. Glad someone understands.
May 25th, 2010 at 10:02 am
I didn’t understand this part… (never claimed to be a Rocket Surgeon.)
“Joe: Do you see guys, your teammates or coaches feed off of that energy and work ethic?
Clayton: Oh yeah, definitely, [b]I’ve already seen Rah scripting his plays for the offense so he won’t get embarrassed every day [laughs]. [/b]
May 25th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Not a Rocket Surgeon:
Maybe Rah is concerned Freeman would know the offense better than Rah?
May 25th, 2010 at 10:07 am
ahhh…. light bulb is on (now)
May 25th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Rocket,
I was wondering about that as well. Joe, what do you think Clayton mean’t by saying Rah was scripting the plays so we won’t get emabarrased. Since he was praising Freeman, I would think that he didnt want to get embarrased by Freeman lighting up the D, so he scripted the plays so the D knows whats coming.
If thats true, I’m happy!
May 25th, 2010 at 10:10 am
For Freeman anyway… the D is another story, but its still early.
May 25th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Gary:
Just a hunch that Rah wants to keep up with Freeman.
May 25th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Nice of Clayton to chat and appear at the event, good for him.
I still cringe when I hear guys refer to the head coach as “Rah”.
May 25th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Joe, schedule a private 1 on 1 with Clayton…all on the record. THAT would be a good read.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Who cares! Just CUT CLAYTON!
May 25th, 2010 at 11:18 am
my guess… Rah was scripting defenses plays… being as he’s the D coordinator… he was scripting plays “for the offense” meaning plays to go against the offense. Probably didn’t come out of his mouth right. When he says Rah doesn’t want to get embarrassed… He doesn’t want Freeman to embarrass his defense.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:34 am
“Rah” has an extremely high tolerance for embarrassment.
However, if Clayton and Reggie Brown are part of the embarrassment of the defense in practice, to the point where they have to script plays to prevent it, heaven help us.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:47 am
How desperate are the Jaguars to put a banner on a Pro Bucs website?
May 25th, 2010 at 11:59 am
I understand the softness of the questions now due to the event. But it seemed worthless to spend the entire time pumping up freeman even more – that is done incessantly here daily.
How about a few questions re the receiving position battle, k2’s health, offensive philosophy, yarber etc?
We get it – Freeman is the hardest worker, best leader, has the brightest future, OTA king, next Hall of famer etc, better than Big Ben and Payton (during the offseason of course)!!
May 25th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Steve Yzerman, Bolts new GM! WooWoo!!! GO Lightning!!! Yea Buddy!!!
May 25th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I for one thought it was an excellent read Joe.Clayton seems nice enough, and I just love hearing good things about our QB !
May 25th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I think Joe had one eye on Clayton and one eye scanning the crowd to see if Rachel Watson was participating in the festivities!
May 25th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Vorblaw:
LOL Let’s just say Joe would not have noticed Michael Clayton to be at Feather Sound had Rachel Watson been there. 🙂
May 25th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Sebringsmitty:
Had Joe asked Michael Clayton any tougher questions, there’s a chance Clayton — who was not obligated in any way to talk to Joe — would have answered one question and ended the conversation.
For those craving more substance — not an unreasonable expectation — Joe did interview someone else there that Bucs fans will recognize and this gentleman did give Joe quite a bit of fodder for a nice interview. Joe may have this tomorrow but certainly some time this week.
May 25th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
All you people that critisize Joe for asking softball questions would be the 1st to walk up and kiss Clayton’s ass if you met him in person.
May 25th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Big Mac:
Yzerman to Bolts? Really? WooHooooooooo from me to!!! Vinick rocks.
Joe, time for some Bolts news while football is slow. Finally, some good news from Channelside.
May 25th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
We will go to the playoffs because Clayton can catch. Good interveiw Joe.
May 25th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Yzerman to the Bolts would be great news if this was 1991
May 25th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Joe:
Don’t even acknowledge the haters… If you DID call out Clayton in your interview, they’d be hating on your for doing something like that at a charity event. Some people just complain and hate no matter what. Its the sign of a truly unhappy person.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
First, not only would Joe have been likely arrested and certainly would have been banned from Feather Sound. Joe also would have quickly become the most loathed media person in this town.
Not even Stuttering John would go after people at a fundraiser for cancer hospice patients.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Thanks Joe, for having some class and not going after a guy at a charity event… and for allowing us this forum to beat our heads against a brick wall… er… argue with people that never have anything positive to say and argue just for the sake of argument…. er…. no, I had it right the first time… beat our heads against a brick wall…
May 26th, 2010 at 3:21 am
GOOD JOB JOE….KICKIN IT WITH CLAYHANDS!!
ADAM FROM NY
May 26th, 2010 at 3:23 am
I WOULD HAVE ASKED”
JOE : “MIKEY SEEMS YOU LOST YOUR WALLET ARE YOU OK?”
CLAYHANDS: “SURE JOE-SKI NO WORRIES OVER HERE, THE MONEYS IN THE BANK!”
ADAM FROM THE ZOO
May 26th, 2010 at 7:41 am
“BamBamBuc Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Thanks Joe, for having some class and not going after a guy at a charity event…”
I think Clayton was pretty classy also ..granting an interview to a guy who makes his living by trashing him. 🙂
May 26th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Thanks for your explanation, Joe. Hope this doesn’t bother you, but it made sence to me.