Michael Clayton: High On Fitzpatrick And “Resilience,” Down On Godwin
September 25th, 2018
Former Bucs receiver Michael Clayton (2004-2010 preseason) is a busy man these days working Bucs pre- and post-game shows.
And man, does Clayton have a lot to say about the Buccaneers.
Coming out of last night’s loss to the Steelers, Clayton had a few big impressions on WDAE-AM 620.
First, take a lot of blame off Ryan Fitzpatrick, he said with passion this morning. Clayton is not putting two of the three Fitzpatrick interceptions on the Bucs’ starting QB.
In the postgame locker room, Mike Evans blamed himself for screwing up on a route that led to the first interception, and Clayton explained that Evans should have finished the route by pushing the safety to force 1-on-1 coverage on DeSean Jackson. Fitzpatrick threw to where Evans was supposed to be.
Second, Clayton predicted before the game that Chris Godwin would struggle in the prime-time, playoff-like atmosphere, and Clayton was dropping I-told-you-so’s today. In Clayton’s world, Godwin dropped two touchdown passes, in addition to his costly fumble, and the moment was too big for him despite making a few plays.
Clayton wanted to see the Bucs force the issue more with seasoned Jackson, one of the great Monday Night Football performers in history, versus pounding Godwin. That said, the former target of Chucky’s ire is no Godwin hater. He called him a “No. 1” receiver who just needs more seasoning.
“Resilience” of the Bucs, as evidenced by the second half comeback, really impressed Clayton and he said it further bolsters how much the team believes in Fitzpatrick.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:07 am
Yeah hate to say it but the loss is on Godwin, fumble leads to TD, dropped TD pass… lots of issues with him last night. Just hope it doesn’t damage his confidence. Will be interesting to see how he responds, but can’t be hot and cold like that. Lots of great receivers find their way out of the NFL with games like that.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:09 am
Nice take by Clayton. This team is very very close. Just need to move on from Grimes and go back to Davis. He’s gonna be a heck of a player.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Haha….Clayton talking about a WR that had a couple of drops??/
I will say this, the team rebounded well. The bigger question is this a team attitude or a rally around Fitz?
September 25th, 2018 at 9:10 am
damn. I like claytons take. and no JW plug either?
September 25th, 2018 at 9:15 am
Listening to Michael Clayton criticize a receiver for drops is like listening to Rosie O’Donnell criticizing someone for not being in shape.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:19 am
What? All the trolls put every int on Jameis so therefore its all fitz fault as well. Fumbles? OJ fumbled 2-3 times in the red zone last year but the trolls blamed jameis. Barber fumbled twice in the red zone and the trolls blamed jameis. Who cares the defense is giving up 8O% completion, if fitz was any good, he still should win the game. Its all fitz’s fault!!!!!
September 25th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Well at least Godwin can block. This team will be fine. Conte’s ego, though?
September 25th, 2018 at 9:21 am
There seems that there is enough blame to go around. The defense did not show up, too many big plays, little pressure and no corner help at all. Grimes looked bad, he was worthless. Can’t give up 30+ points per game and not expect to lose. FITZ showed a lot of heart, too many dropped passes and no running game.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:26 am
“In Clayton’s world, Godwin dropped two touchdown passes.” – In Clayton’s world huh. How about in the world of reality. Godwin just may have cost them the game. It’s almost like he was shook after that first drive when Joe Haden nailed him. One of many drops and momentum changers on the evening. Why isn’t being called out more?
September 25th, 2018 at 9:27 am
@ americasenabler-
Absolutely agree. This loss is on Godwin. First thing I said when I left the stadium. Great take by Clayton.
On another note, if Dirk keeps letting Smitty come to work everyday, that will eventually lead to his demise. I think he can be a good head coach, but he’s in the position that people tell you not do get in- and that’s hiring friends and family. That’s why Smith still has a job after last year. It’s too personal. Someone needs to step in and do what Dirk cannot.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:31 am
Yes Godwin was awful last night. He just isn’t ready yet for the spotlight. Two dropped TD’s cost us big time. But lets be honest here this was a TEAM EFFORT loss. Mistakes were made in all three phases. I still think Jameis gives us the best chance to win, but my lord that PICK 6 was brutal!!!
September 25th, 2018 at 9:31 am
My god who throw him the ball also are we going to forget the fg the could have been if fitz throws the f****ing ball away it how he missed open rec you guys need to stop drinking the kool aid before u set us back 10 years cause this is stupid
September 25th, 2018 at 9:32 am
Come to think about it, the Bucs as a team aint ready for primetime yet. No more night games this year so we should be ok going forward. On to CHI, which is a winnable game.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:33 am
Wait a minute. You trolls blame godwin? Gtfooh. Did you blame brate last year when he dropped 2 tds vs new england last year? No, you blamed jameis eventhough he actually ran for a td that was called back due to a hold by donavan smith. So place the blame where it belongs trolls and thats on fitz. Those 4OO yards were when the steelers were in prevent defense. Its all fitz fault!!!
September 25th, 2018 at 9:34 am
I listened to Koetter’s press conference explaining why he did not go for it on 4th down the last time the offence had the ball. The reasoning was that the average was 20% that it would be successful and they had two time outs and the two minute warning. Why not put trust in your offense and play to win instead of being conservative.Worst case if they failed, Pittsburgh gets the ball in our territory and the defense still has a chance to stop them for a possible field goal. We possibly get the ball back still with a chance for a winning TD. There is certainly so much “ifs” that needed to happen but it is better to be aggressive to win like many other coaches do instead of being conservative to let analytics control your decisions. When we punted the whole momentum shifted to the Steelers. Game over.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Definitely fun to watch our Buccaneer team on the rise until our rotten defense full of supposed stars hits the field and gerald mccoy whiffs on an easy sack to prevent sealing the game….. our linebackers, jpp, and justin Evans are the only players worth a damn in this garbage cover 2 scheme that is completely built around Gerald Mccoy and Brent Grimes who can’t make as stop when it really counts. Gerald mccoy and Brent Grimes are good players but the scheme and defensive philosophy being built around their strengths must change asap
September 25th, 2018 at 9:39 am
“Those 4OO yards were when the steelers were in prevent defense. Its all fitz fault!!!” – Is it possible to be any more retarded? Do you know what a prevent defense is? Not once did the Steelers let up on their “zone dog” blitzing. Simpleton.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:44 am
Yes….Godwin had an uncharacteristically bad game…….but you have to give some credit to the Steeler’s aggressive defense…..on a couple of passes they got their hands on the ball….and the fumble was a nice punch out…..
But yes, he had a bad game…
We lost because of:
Not Being able to run in the red-zone
Turnovers
Untimely Penalties
Drops
Inconsistent pass rush
Inconsistent pass coverage
These are problems that have plagued the Bucs for years…..we need to clean that up…
September 25th, 2018 at 9:45 am
And the defense let them drive down the field and score with less than what 1min on the clock?
Hey Webster . The only troll here is you. And by the way. Fitz stats mean nothing just like Jameis because they did not win the game did they?
September 25th, 2018 at 9:46 am
So they both struggled in the first half and played well in the 2nd half (Fitz still sucked but was better) but one showed Resilience and the other one the spot light was to big for? Again another example of this blind love for Fitz, what is going on around here????
September 25th, 2018 at 9:54 am
Fitz cost us the game. And the game was blowout not even close
September 25th, 2018 at 10:00 am
If the Bucs pick up some of those Steeler blitzes we’re talking about a different game but as usual no adjustments at halftime you could see what the Steelers were doing edge blitzing throughout the entire game and yet there was no blocking as those rushers came through basically untouched. Steelers were punching the Bucs in the mouth and the Bucs had no aggression to Punch back after all the dirty hits Pittsburgh was laying on Fitzpatrick and on receivers most disappointing as hell the Bucs were physically challenged and didn’t respond to Match the physical tactics of Pittsburgh
September 25th, 2018 at 10:03 am
Its amazing. I bet if Winston was back there Quarterbacking all the blame would be on him.
September 25th, 2018 at 10:04 am
@ go for the face
You are a new poster SIMPLETON. The jameis trolls on this board says that his 4OOO yard seasons were a direct coorelation to the bucs being down and having to come back and he was playing against prevent defenses. The trolls such as yourself said those yards meant nothing because it was all against soft defenses. So if those yards were against prevent defenses and were meaningless for jameis, then the same rules applies to fitz. Where were you when the trolls were saying the same about jameis? You were nowhere which means you were in agreement with them so stfu now. Good day sir!!!
September 25th, 2018 at 10:08 am
@ dbs
You are the troll. You dont want to eat crow because you are one of those butt hurt mariota lovers that would be on this board bashing jameis this morning had he played like fitz. You are a well documented jameis hater. Why are you not bashing fitz? Because it does not fit your idiotic dumb buc fan narrative. Its all fitz fault!!!
September 25th, 2018 at 10:11 am
@ tampabucfan
Why bring logic to the table? Its all fitz fault just like it was all jameis fault. You have to speak in the dumbest fan base troll language……Its all the qb/fitz’s fault
September 25th, 2018 at 10:13 am
Our receivers need to just remember they have two arms and hands for a reason. Catch, and then protect the ball at contact with defender. Running into defender and not covering ball up = fumbalia
September 25th, 2018 at 10:30 am
@ Webster
Since we can’t blame God….I guess we default to the Glazers….
But, we are 2-1 and if there is anyone who is disappointed with that and wouldn’t have taken that before the season…..the Baker Act awaits them.
September 25th, 2018 at 10:33 am
Americasenabler
Loss isnt on Godwin. 4 turnovers to 1 for pit. But great coaching can overcome. As much as Ive loved Monkens play callling he messed up before halftime. Gota run the ball at least once more on the 3 with 130 left. Id have run 3 times then thrown on 4th down. No way u get 3 there then let pitt get 7 because u left them too much time. Game was lost there. Team effort tho im not blaming Monken for the loss. Godwin, monk, fitz, oline, and the secondary. Too many mistakes added up. It happens. Never underestimate a winless team. Pit came ready and forced turnovers. 2-1 after those 3 is awesome. Big game coming up. Gota correct the mistakes because Chicago can play.
September 25th, 2018 at 10:53 am
Godwin will be fine. He’ll be a better WR as a result of last night. Defense is what is gonna sink this team as well as the scheme. Fire Mike Smith!
September 25th, 2018 at 10:58 am
The Game is on coaching
We didn’t come out fast and throw long
We didn’t adjust to blitzing
Drops didn’t help Townovers killed us
Not to mention the Two BS Ref calls hurt
September 25th, 2018 at 11:06 am
Godwin had some costly mistakes, cost of the game, not. Defense has to play better, how many penalties that took us out good field position, also Fitz took a sack when we were in FG range when he could’ve just thrown the ball out of the back of the end zone
September 25th, 2018 at 11:09 am
Webester that shows how stupid you really are. I never wanted one or the other here.
September 25th, 2018 at 11:39 am
Coming out of the worst opening schedule in NFL history we are 2 for 3 and headed for Chicago after a close loss to the always tough Steelers. If we can keep it up we’re headed to the play offs, first time in ten years. So thanks Fitz, already two time NFL offensive player of the week…
September 25th, 2018 at 11:39 am
Conte was terrible they clowned him after the game, we need to start Whitehead. That down touch gave them the momentum.
September 25th, 2018 at 11:41 am
ATrain- That’s the fact! We simply didn’t adjust.
The other part of the equation is the defense just din’t do enough. We saw a repeat of last year with GMC, JPP, and a bunch of cereal boxes playing DT. Couple that with the sheer insanity of covering AB one-on-one with a hobbled Brent Grimes, we’re lucky the team rallied so far.
The turnovers and penalties absolutely killed us. Fitzy was under fire and it showed.
webster- It’s funny that you only pop up when the Bucs struggle with Fitz at QB. Where you been?!
We’re 2-1. I’m sorry that your Boo hasn’t been able to contribute. You know, because of that pesky little suspension and all! LOL!
Don’t worry, you’ll get your chance to thump your chest or go into hiding once again after he returns as the starter. I just hope you criticize equally, IF you still decide to show up!
I know, I know, “Mariotta butt-hurt blah, blah, blah”!!! Save it dude! I’m a Bucs fan. It does NOT matter who the QB is, unlike certain others here!
September 25th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
@ bucfanman
You are lying POS. Ive been posting after every buc game this season pointing out to you jameis trolls that play calling and great oline play, and the young players maturing is the reason for the great start. I pointed out on many threads that fitz is making completions as if it was a 7 on 7 drill there was so little pressure. I called ones like you idiots if you think jameis could not do the same. I didnt read the rest of your garbage post. I quit reading after you wrote i only showed up after fitz struggled because i am sure the rest of your garbage was a lie as well. I get it though, you are team alternative facts ie truth isnt truth. Gtfooh
September 25th, 2018 at 12:33 pm
webster- Your sheer lack of constructive vocabulary limits your ability to be believable in any form. The fact that you immediately resort to calling people “trolls” (laughable BTW!) and “POS’s” show that your limited knowledge of football lies slung snuggly in Jameis Winston’s jockstrap! If you have ever read any of my posts, which you admit not to have, you will see that there is a little more than “nanny-nanny-boo-boo”!
Debating or merely conversating with you is akin to talking to your inbred cousins in Pinellas Park! No offense to Pinellas Park, webster’s worse! Feel free to continue with your dumb, ill-informed diatribe. At least it’s amusing in its inbrededness!
You are not worth another single key-stroke. You might consider debating someone in your own league, pee-wee!
P.S.- Your colors are showing! LMFAO!
September 25th, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Joe, I heard from a friend at the game that they thought they saw Godwin in fencing position early in the game. They were concerned about him having a concussion. And later was watching him miss high fives on the sideline after that missed field goal by the Steelers later in the game.
So my questions are why was Godwin still in the game? Was there any awareness on the Bucs’ or NFL’s part? And does he even remember playing in the game last night?
September 25th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
Godwin had by far his worst game as a pro… but you know what? If the stories about his drive and work ethic are true, he will fix all problems and come back even better in the future. He is a rare talent… a mix of size, strength, speed, and athleticism mixed with a great work ethic and drive to be great. This will make him better.
September 25th, 2018 at 1:29 pm
Fitz played ok, I agree with Clayton’s take!
2 of the 3 picks were not on him. Evans ran wrong route and Dotson missed the DE. The throw to Quiz was on Fitz.
September 25th, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Bucfanman
Like i said. Lying POS. So i write i did not read the rest of your lying post after the very first line and you respond by saying i admitted to not reading any of your post? Yes, that right there makes you a lying POS. I get it, truth isnt truth. You are showing your colors and im sure you are of the alternative facts family. Dont get mad at me for giving idiot troll fans such as yourself the same stupid argument you gave about jameis. And your football knowledge is very miniscule. Dont fool yourself
September 25th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Webster… you sound like a pos and low life with your remarks… I hope when your out of jail you will learn to become the type of man your Mother always wanted ..
September 25th, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Webster….. i apologize as my remarks made me appear as not having any class . I just didnt like the way you put other opinions down with name calling.
September 25th, 2018 at 2:25 pm
webster- It’s so cute when you try! Keep reaching for the stars little friend you’ll get there some day!
BTW there’s a book in your namesake,you might try and reference it sometime! Look up “mental midget!”
Don’t bother with a retort. I can’t stand un-intelligent discourse, of which I have clearly fed in to!
To other posters and Joe, I apologize. Some things just HAVE to be said!
I will discontinue this one-sided dialogue immediately!
Go Bucs!
September 25th, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Play calling was over aggressive throughout the game…our run game needs attention.
On the last Bucs offensive drive, we were trying to get in field goal range in one play. Pitt D was expecting pass and we tried miserably to accommodate. We could have had a draw up the middle or called a run play out of a pass formation look. No, we had Inc pass Inc pass Inc pass punt.
Why not give your team a 3rd and 8 or 4th and 6 to make it manageable. To blame the defense is a low blow. The D got us the ball back w 3:09 left a D we couldn’t finish.
September 25th, 2018 at 5:24 pm
The teams 2-1. Top of the NFC South. Our fans are at each other’s throats over a loss. We weren’t going undefeated. Why all the negativity here? Yes, we should have won that game. Still have 13 more. Calm the F down.
And Webster, put the phone down man. No reason to act like this towards other people. Not polite to call people “POS.” You’d think with the level of discourse here over a loss, our fan base got so used to winning.
September 25th, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Belligerent Buc
I too was wondering about the play calling that last drive. It was obviously a 4 down drive all the way.
Oh well. We lost 4 games on our Super Bowl run too. On to Chicago.
September 25th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Godwin did have a lot of jitters last night and it’s somewhat understandable. Went to Penn State and you’re playing Pittsburgh in you’re second year in a gigantic prime time game.
Thing about it is that JL, Koetter, and other players said he was the most mature player they’ve seen coming into the league. I feel this bad game is just gonna make him push harder at being a great receiver and better himself in those types of situations.