Clayton Says He Wasn’t “Totally Committed”
November 14th, 2012
The ol’ ball coach once challenged local media and said, “I dare you” to write something bad about blocking icon Michael Clayton.
The comment was funny and sad at the time (very un-Schiano-like) and, of course, the blocking icon went on to dig his own grave, aided by hands of stone and deposit slips.
Recently, the blocking icon provided an intriguing peek into Bucs history during an interview with Joe’s friends over at OffTheRecordSports.com. Clayton essentially wrote something bad about himself, admitting to having a shoddy work ethic during some of his time with the Bucs.
After that, people said I fell into coach Gruden’s dog house. You know, I’ve never had any issues or problems. I’ve always played hard and had a great relationship with my coaches and been respectful. But, you go through that ordeal and I didn’t know what that was all about. And then it was just the NFL was looking for somebody to blame. I got a lot of praise behind closed doors, but I got a lot of blame in the media. But, overall we just weren’t that good, weren’t winning many games. Had a lot of injuries. Had a lot of different quarterbacks I played with. I played with almost nine quarterback’s in my six-year tenure with the Bucs. There was a different quarterback…sometimes I had two or three quarterbacks in a year. As a receiver, that’s never a situation that’s going to give you those big numbers that you want. A lot of great receivers have suffered personal goals because of that. So that’s really what happened.
But for me mentally, after going through that for a few years being young, not fully devoting myself was another part of it. I felt that they weren’t committed to me and I lost that mental battle of not being totally committed to my job. It was a situation that I had to go through and had to mature from. Learn how to be the better man. Played special teams to redeem myself from the hole that I had for myself. I eventually got my job back by humbling myself and working my way back to the top by playing special teams. A lot of things happened and I learned a lot. It put me in position to play for the New York Giants for two years and win a Super Bowl. Because I was mentally prepared to be a true professional and lead older and younger guys. I was thankful for my tenure with the Bucs.
Now it’s unclear when Clayton wasn’t “totally committed” during his Bucs tenure. But regardless, that comment makes one of rockstar general manager Mark Dominik’s biggest signing blunders look even worse. Though it’s interesting to note that Clayton went on to earn the respect of Tom Coughlin and earn a Super Bowl ring.
You can click through above to read more.
Joe’s so glad Dominik finally relieved Bucs fans from the dark days of having to watch the blocking icon disappoint repeatedly.
November 14th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Clayton played 13 snaps in 5 games last year a didn’t record a catch on the one target he received all year.
Michael Clayton did not earn a Super Bowl ring.
November 14th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
“I played with almost nine quarterback’s in my six-year tenure with the Bucs.”
Does that mean eight?
November 14th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
@lightningbuc HAHA! Good catch. I totally missed that.
November 14th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Well yea, Plummer didn’t want to play anymore.
November 14th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
This guy is still making excuses for something that was his fault. Hey Clayton, man up and accept the fact that your failure was entirely on YOU! instead of blaming your QB’s. he got lazy and content after 1 good season and stopped giving a damn. and as far as getting a super bowl ring, I guess their just giving those away now, because he sure as hell doesn’t deserve 1. this guys whole attitude just pisses me off. Fuk you Clayton!
November 14th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Joey Galloway has the same QB’s. He didn’t make excuses. He caught the ball.
November 14th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
You know…I get what he was saying about a team not wanting him so him not wanting to give 100%. I would never think that way myself because everywhere I have worked I have excelled.
But the hole in his story is his last contract in Tampa. They gave him a good amount cash (wish he did not deserve) and he still felt unwanted?
Michael Clayton is fr WRs what Shawn King was to QBs…lazy and a quitter.
November 14th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
o sure he mentions in passing that he might not have been totally committed. give me a break! who are you trying to fool? it looks like yourself more than anyone else. him not being committed was the reason why he sucked. that pos.
November 14th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
You’re getting angry over nothing Andrew. Clayton is just trying his best to rationalize something he’s still not entirely sure about. And he does have a point about the QB shuffling.
November 14th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Off topic…Quincy Black’s replacement…Markus White…he played Defensive end in college didn’t he? I think he had 8 sacks his senior year.
He also played (briefly) as LB in a 3-4.
Does anyone know if the guy is quick? He’s substantially heavier than Black and 2 inches taller. But I’m hoping he’s hungry and can impress.
November 14th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Well Clayton did score his first NFL touchdown running acoss the goal line without his helmet on……he was simply lacking….
November 14th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
The check is in the bank.
November 14th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
@Stranger = Why do you believe Markus White is Black’s replacement?
November 14th, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Did they deport El Grande Miguels computer?
November 14th, 2012 at 11:51 pm
It could be a faulty memory. But I remember Clayton would occasionally do this thing where once the ball was within reach he would jump up in a deformed jumping jack type thing, a leg would fly up, possibly kick the ball, and never make the catch. I distinctly remember he did this in the End Zone one time. I blame all that on the rotation at QB.
November 14th, 2012 at 11:58 pm
Umm, Markus White isn’t Black’s replacement? He may see time on the field but Hayward or Watson (most likely Hayward) are proper replacements.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:04 am
Have A Nice Day Says: November 14th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
@Stranger = Why do you believe Markus White is Black’s replacement?
.
That was me that said that, not Stranger. I can see why confused though. I meant replacement on the roster who will also play at LB…according to buccaneers. Com. The plan is to put him in at LB on Quincy’s side. Probably as depth…but the Bucs are hoping for more.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:12 am
@ Lightning Buc,
Lol I think he meant 8.5 QB’s. Chris Simms is the “halfa”.
@Have a Nice Day,
I call your complete BS. In Clayton’s case, he worked his tail off every day just to be in the league. He played on Special Teams. Give the man his due.
Clayton was poorly developed and a wasted pick. The 5th WR off the board @ the 17th selection. Bruce Allen made a d!ck move by taking him.
Coughlin has the mentality of a Bull and the other team is wearing red. His approach to “professional” football is unquestioned. This attitude trickles down the locker room and forms a tighter bond with the team. This is why the Bucs are better, they are mentally tougher than their opponents.
We are finna to put a whoopin on sCam Newton and the Cackalacky Kittens.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:15 am
@SteveK – I call your BS. Clayton did nothing with the Giants. He may have tried hard, but so does every other player in the league.
It doesn’t change the fact that he did nothing on the field to help the Giants.
November 15th, 2012 at 7:46 am
Won a super bowl?
Bwaaaaaaaaahahahahahaha!
Hilarious.
November 15th, 2012 at 10:00 am
“Now it’s unclear when Clayton wasn’t “totally committed” during his Bucs tenure.”
That’s an easy one Joe. It started right after his rookie year and still continues today!
November 16th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
He ACTUALLY Tweeted how great it felt to be a “Super Bowl Champion.” He was inactive for the game.
God…. we could have had Stephen Jackson here in Tampa….. STILL RUNNING THE BALL.