It’s August, That Means Clayton’s Shining
August 1st, 2010
Aside from the way Bucs rookie defensive tackle Brian Price has toyed with his offensive teammates, the biggest surprise to Joe thus far in training camp has been the fan reaction to blocking icon Michael Clayton.
The fans love him!
If anyone remembers last summer the way the fans roared virtually every time Cadillac Williams touched the ball, it’s not that far removed from the crowd reaction to Clayton this summer.
Based on phone calls to local sports radio stations, and various comments on a host of sites including Joe’s, by far the most vitriol thrown at a Bucs player is towards Clayton.
So when Joe began hearing fans applaud Clayton’s catches yesterday, and then heard fans go wild at Clayton’s every move today, it really threw Joe for a loss.
Clayton was adorned with so much praise today, that at one point he acknowledged the fans’ applause by looking at the bleachers and pumping his fist in the air. After practice, he jumped into the bleachers and sat among the fans, basking in their warmth while signing autographs.
Now Joe has written several times how nice of a guy Clayton is, he just wears his emotions on his sleeve, which gets him in hot water at times.
Clayton, thus far, has looked like the Bucs’ most reliable wide receiver. He’s catching everything thrown his way. Sadly, is Clayton’s solid training camp thus far a repeat of past years? Clayton often has good training camps, but other than his rookie year, rarely did that play carry over past the first game of the season.
The way Clayton is playing in training camp this summer, he’s either a lock to make the team or get traded. If he sticks with the Bucs, can that strong play in practice in August stick with him in September and beyond?
August 1st, 2010 at 8:03 pm
I wish Clayton could do this all season. Maybe with a chance of luck having Freeman around this long they will mesh. Never know, the quarterback revolving door could have been an issue, and I know Garcia was here a couple years, but he’s small. I’m hopefull.
August 1st, 2010 at 8:11 pm
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
August 1st, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Get rid of this clown.
August 1st, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I won’t believe it until I see it on Sundays. Hopefully, this will transfer over to the rugular season.
August 1st, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Ugh, what can anyone say here that won’t make em look stupid later? Damn, the guy is 6’4″. He’s fast. He’s physical. He’s experienced. One season, who dominated the league. He shows every training camp that he’s the best WR we have. Why does it all disappear the minute the season starts??? Why?? I don’t believe he’s just trying to keep the checks coming! There has to be a reason that he goes into a shell every year!?! Meybe Yarber can figure it out, Richard Mann never did! Could Clayton have another 1000 yd season! He sure looks like it every camp. Gotta drive the Bucs crazy!!
August 1st, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I hear alot of Clayton hatred on the blogs from diehards. When I go to work all the guys who are Bucs fans are hopin he will have a good year. No bitchin. Go figure.
August 1st, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Silver Lining = Clayton’s good performance in training camp will provide a lot of competition in camp…everyone gets better.
August 1st, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Topdoggie- this guy has done this to us to many times. Every year in traing camp, he’s a monster! Looks great! Every year , season starts, nothing! Every year since his rookie season
August 1st, 2010 at 11:59 pm
The fact is everyone knows he has the talent to be an elite WR. We’ve seen him be one! For some reason, once the season starts, he buckles under the pressure(?) Who knows what it is, lets just hope this year he plays to his potential, which we all know is sky high!
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:42 am
If Clayton surprised us all this season and had a good year, the progress in Tampa would speed up so much quicker and things would be looking much better with the Bucs. This team could actually go to the playoffs if that happened. If he played well, if Winslow continued to play well like last year, and if just one of our rookie receivers had a significant role. He can do it. If he can just catch the ball, his stats would be better by quite a bit.
I would love it if Clayton can turn around his career here in Tampa. But man, what a major unexpected thing that would be. If he earned himself a starter role again, that would cause a controversy with the two wide receivers we got ( Benn or Williams). We’d have a wide receiver controversy. But if he can return to his rookie form or at least close to it next year and so on….then it also wouldn’t kill us if one of our rookie WR’s (Benn or Williams) doesn’t pan out. Now if Clayton turns it around, and if both Benn and Williams pan out here, look out….. we’ll have one hell of a receiving core. Don’t forget K2 and Stroughter.
I’ve been pretty critical of Clayton over the years, just like 99.9% of the other Bucs fans have been. He’s deserved the criticism. But this year will be an interesting one for Clayton. Maybe the arrival of new wide receiver coach Eric Yarber will help him. Maybe the stability will help him. I sure hope so.
August 2nd, 2010 at 5:25 am
Listen. If someone wants to trade for him, that’s the move! Then they can figure him out. Plus might be best thing for Clayton!
August 2nd, 2010 at 6:25 am
Clayton will be fine…This is his year, remember I said it! Freeman to Clayton and let the cannons ROAR!
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:35 am
Totally agree Capt. Tim. If the Bucs can get a decent pick for him, TAKE IT!
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:52 am
Patrick, great post , I would love to see Clayton have a great year. I really would. But again, we’ve been disappointed so many times, a trade for a good reciever or draft pick insures us that we won’t be fooled again- just trade him to the AFC! He’s one of those guys that will be a pro-bowler with a change in scenery! Not against Us! That would really be salt in the wound!
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:55 am
You know the false hope is at a fever pitch when folks start believing in Michael Clayton.
Reggie Brown must be very underwhelming if a spot on rookie has already beaten him out before the first pre-season game.
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:58 am
You guys are giddy with training camp fever.I thought I was on the wrong website initially when I read these comments.Hope springs eternal this time of year.
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:40 am
Clayton shines every year in training camp, then freezes in regular season. The training camp optimism is running rampant if the fans are cheering for the blocking icon. I still think that Price will outshine GMC the Phenom because he is hungry & the wonderboy is still under the belief that he is the next Sapp.
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:03 pm
T2…When did he say he was the next Sapp? He said he is not the next Sapp, but he also said he will push to be the best football player that he can be. I like Price as well, but you have nothing to base this ego thing off of, in fact, McCoy has presented himself pretty well at this time. You seem to create negativity out of thin air.
August 2nd, 2010 at 4:10 pm
McBuc, where Tampa2 keeps his head shoved, the air is pretty negative !