Michael Clayton Expects To Make Team
August 29th, 2010
Some Bucs fans believe feared blocking wide receiver Michael Clayton may not make the final cuts next month before Bucs prepare to host Cleveland in the season opener.
Judging by the venom on local sports radio and comments on this very site, Joe believes many Bucs fans pray Clayton doesn’t make the roster.
But Clayton is expecting to prove those fans wrong,so writes good guy Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times. Clayton, though he didn’t play last night in the loss to the Jaguars, believes he will be in his familiar No. 80 uniform when Cleveland comes to town in two weeks.
“I have full confidence that I will be here,” Clayton said. “You never know what’s going to happen. With our youth, with everything that we’ve got going, I would say in my opinion, it would be beneficial that I would be here. That’s just my opinion. I know it doesn’t count.”
Clayton’s base salary of $3 million this fall is guaranteed, but the Bucs would entertain trading the veteran who disappointed the club last season after signing a $26 million deal. They might opt to release him despite the guaranteed salary, which will complicate those efforts to trade him.
Coach Raheem Morris said Clayton’s absence from the game was not indicative of anything, saying coaches wanted to take a longer look at rookie Arrelious Benn and some other receivers. Morris said Clayton would play Thursday night in Houston.
Will Clayton be on the final roster? Joe has always said yes, because Bucs general manager Mark Dominik will give Clayton one last chance to prove he’s worthy of his salary.
Say what you will about Clayton, but there are few nicer guys. Had Clayton been a pain in the arse or of questionable character, Joe would be confident Clayton would be gone already.
His work ethic and demeanor might just be enough to put Clayton over the top in what Joe believes will be a razor-thin call by Bucs management.
August 29th, 2010 at 11:49 am
If Clayton is making the roster, then why did he not play during the “dress rehearsal” game of the preseason?
August 29th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Lol mike is funny..dude u didnt even play..wake up man
August 29th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Lol mike
August 29th, 2010 at 11:55 am
If Spurlock gets cut and Clayton doesn’t, I’ll be really disappointed…
August 29th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I understand that Clayton is a great guy and all, but it doesn’t do the Bucs any good if he wins the “Nice Guy of The Year” award. He’s supposed to catch passes for us, not help the other team by dropping them. So for him to say “it would be beneficial that I would be here.” isn’t exactly true.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Gatorbuc15,
Then what did Tebow get drafted for?? LOL
August 29th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Tebow has a bit more determination than stone hands Clayton. Plus, he has shown he can make plays.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Clayton has had 5 freakin years to prove that his rookie year wasn’t a fluke. 5 years!! Enough is enough. I don’t care if he’s helping old ladies across the street every day. Be done with him. The Bucs made a mistake with the contract. They don’t have to make it worse by keeping him. Ridiculous.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Expecting……that is Claytons ….
calling card…
and it has worked so far in his life as a Buc
August 29th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
where can i watch a taped/recorded version of the game online… for free?
August 29th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
On a side note, I just saw that AB got cut by the Bengals. I will be the first admit I was wrong about him. Thought the Bucs should have kept him, but it looks like it was wise not to. So kudos to you Mark D. That knee injury must be serious since it is still bothering him.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I have to agree with Eric S. I was also wrong about AB. I am beginning to think I might have been wrong about a lot of the criticism I have made of the Buc’s management. They won’t be great this year but it is looking more and more like they made good personal moves and are building a solid team piece by piece.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Ditto. Turns out AB’s knee was pretty bad. Smart move Dom.
And I tell you what, the more Raheem Morris loses the more I like him! 🙂
August 29th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/08/29/bengals-bounce-antonio-bryant/
August 29th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Let’s not get too crazy Javier.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Did anyone inform Clayton that this year’s money isn’t in the bank?
Bucs didn’t play him hoping to trade him. He might survive the first round of cuts. Has anyone taken a look at that pathetic roster we have? There are plenty of no-names to go first.
I hope Clayton and Sabby do get cut though, just so I don’t have to hear about them anymore. And the guys pulling for them, can keep an eye on them on their next team.
August 29th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
hes a good guy..but sorry bro
August 29th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
He is not making it but Reggie Brown and Benn sure are not looking impressive. Think about it Williams straughter Stovall Brown Benn and Winslow and J stevens will get pass’s thrown to them and Spurlock will probaly be the return man so no room for clayton
August 29th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I think a valuable receiver can be picked up once the final cuts are made.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Michael Clayton will start the 1st game when the regular season begins!
WThat is a fact. Clayton has every reason to be confident he will start. Because when Morris pre-ordains a starter, they are going to start no matter how good the other guy is.