Adrian Clayborn Makes Hot List
February 17th, 2015
Lovie Smith raved about the relentless work ethic and drive of defensive end Adrian Clayborn last summer.
Put that in the category: Things you don’t hear about Michael Johnson.
Heck, Gerald McCoy said Clayborn’s transition to left defensive end likely was the key to the 2014 season.
But Clayborn ripped his bicep on opening day and was lost for the year. Following surgery, he was cleared for all football activities in late December.
Clayborn’s 2011 first-round-pick contract ends when the free agency dinner bell rings in 21 short days. The gurus at ProFootballTalk.com rank Clayborn as the 71st-best free agent.
71. Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn.
72. Eagles safety Nate Allen.
73. Rams offensive tackle Joe Barksdale.
74. Titans quarterback Jake Locker.
75. Texans offensive tackle Derek Newton.
76. Buccaneers inside linebacker Mason Foster.
Sadly, Clayborn has been fragile. Serious injuries cost him nearly all of 2012 and 2014. And in 2013, he played like the typical guy coming back from a blown ACL. Greg Schiano didn’t believe Clayborn could edge rush, and that was a big reason for the wacky line stunts in ’13.
Joe suspects there will be a market for Clayborn, a modest one-year deal with incentives is likely in his future.
Do the Bucs go there? Maybe. Clayborn might be the best defensive end on the roster right now.
February 17th, 2015 at 5:04 pm
For the price, and zero-to-low guaranteed money you’d have to pay him, it does no harm, and possibly some good to re-sign him. It’s not going to preclude signing or drafting a more potent edge-rusher. To me it’s a no-brainer to re-sign Clayborn.
February 17th, 2015 at 5:09 pm
Why not? Can he be any worse than the Ghastly Ghost? If the price is right (heavy on the incentives), he may finally be able to contribute. I would offer incentives for sacks, tackles, tackles-for-loss, and batted passes. I would also make it three one-year contracts with increases each year as to the money for reaching the incentives.
February 17th, 2015 at 5:12 pm
“Clayborn might be the best defensive end on the roster right now.”
Just wanted to highlight the most important word in that statement.
Jacquest Smith had 6.5 sacks in seven starts ,playing in 15 games.
Clayborn has 13.5 sacks in 109 games.
If one goes simply on results it’s clear that Clayborn is NOT the best defensive end. Then if you add in Tony Dungy’s most important ability availability Clayborn really comes up short.
If they can keep him on an incentive laden contract, produce get money, don’t and get none, I’m all for keeping him. Otherwise let him walk.
February 17th, 2015 at 5:17 pm
Really like Clayborn. If healthy, I would love to see him return.
February 17th, 2015 at 5:23 pm
Clayborn would be an inexpensive back up option on a 1 year deal. I don’t think he should be relied on as a starter though. Lovie needs a top tier pass rusher to make the defense work.
February 17th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
@St. Pete
I don’t think Clayborn has had more than 50 games…..
February 17th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
I think he should be offered a low non-guaranteed contract…..perhaps with some incentives…..like $250 k per sack…..just think…..10 sacks….only $2.5 m……good deal…
February 17th, 2015 at 5:35 pm
I’m no math major, but that seems VERY unlikely.
at MOST Clayborn could’ve only played 64 games if he’s played every single game on his contract, which we know isn’t the case.
Has he been lying to us and secretly playing for a different team all these years?
February 17th, 2015 at 5:36 pm
The biggest reason why Clayborn will not work in Lovie’s system, he you watch tape of his rookie year, all his sacks came from 1 move. Its a 3 steep bull rush into the Tackle then he would shove him off then sack the QB, ( a loti of those sacks he got full credit when it was clear he was not the first one there) but that is another thing.
Now since he had knee surgery, its not the same power, then even worst Lovie made him lose weight that works against his power game he used to have.
Plain in simple it will not work in Lovie’s system when you need play makers at the D End position!
February 17th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Sry for the terrible grammer, new tablet, 🙁
February 17th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
@TBBF
You are correct sir. Typo on my part from the wrong line. He has 36 games played. Still not a good comparison to Smith and especially bad when you consider he’s had four seasons. He’s lost almost 50% of the games in those four seasons.
February 17th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Looking over the PFT 100 and I have to say, there is going to be more talent available than I originally thought.
A few guys I wouldn’t mind seeing us target
Mike Iupati
Orlando Franklin
Jerry Hughes
Brandon Flowers
Rodney Hudson
Tramon Williams
I didn’t see Rey Maualuga on the top 100, but something is going to have to be done at MLB if Foster isn’t brought back. I’m pretty sure RM is an unrestricted free agent, and while I don’t see him as a significant upgrade at MLB from Foster, he would probably be slightly better in coverage.
February 17th, 2015 at 6:00 pm
Clayborn looked pretty good in pre-season to me. I think its too early to give up on the guy. Sign him to a 2 year low base heavy incentive contract and if the worst he provides is solid depth – then so be it. If he stays healthy and comes up with a break out year (which is possible) – then you’ve still got him locked up for cheap for 1 more year. I would much rather keep Clayborn than Bowers but I think there’s a chance they re-sign him too.
February 17th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
I really hate to see us bail out on another 1st round pick…..lets make him a non guaranteed offer & give him a shot to stay with the team….I’m sure he would prefer to stay here if he could……but make him earn every penny…..
February 17th, 2015 at 6:14 pm
Listening to one of the Joe’s now on 620.
The Host is such an old turd. Lol
February 17th, 2015 at 6:25 pm
Yes St.peteBucFan, he lost all those games, by himself. LOL.
I know Clayborn has been injured but so has McCoy with two torn bicep muscles.
I’d like to see the Bucs move him back to his RDE position where he had a good rookie season. He sure scored more sacks than an experienced Johnson did last year. If you can get him on a reasonable one year deal with great incentives then sign him. I’m fact, put an option for a second and give him a boost, again with an incentive.
All I hear from anyone is how hard this guy works and what a great guy he is. If that’s the case, it’s another good reason to sign him.
February 17th, 2015 at 7:30 pm
Sign him for the low. Its not like we have much better right now.
February 17th, 2015 at 7:37 pm
McCown is number 69 on the Hot List. I think that tells you all you need to know about Clayborn (and the current quarterback market). As everyone seems to agree…offer him an incentive rich contract or let him walk.
February 17th, 2015 at 7:38 pm
@fonofbucs…I concur.
February 17th, 2015 at 7:39 pm
Fanofbucs….sorry typo.
February 17th, 2015 at 7:44 pm
i absolutely would
cheap 1 year deal with incentives you never know if he goes somewhere else he might end up playing like a beast and it will be yet another great player we let walk away cough michael bennett cough
February 17th, 2015 at 7:51 pm
4 year 10 million and u won’t be bummed
February 17th, 2015 at 8:12 pm
Just curious. If we draft JW or MM…how much will it affect attracting free agents to our team? This must be a small part of the decision making process.
February 17th, 2015 at 8:27 pm
Supposedly the Falcon are interested. That would be an ideal fit for Claiborne being that Raheem is there and the Falcons familiarity with him. Also the Falcons D line is one of the worst in the league.
February 17th, 2015 at 8:40 pm
We should bring Clay back for the low. He gives a good effort every snap he plays. Johnson and his 40million dollar contract needs to restructure. If he says no which he almost certainly would, trade him for a sixth. We traded Zuttah for a sixth. To get that for Johnson would be a miracle. Even a seventh would work. Hell just GIVE him to a team to get him and his cap space outa’ here!
February 17th, 2015 at 9:38 pm
I would resign Foster to a low end incentive based contract too. At worst case he is strong depth and I still feel an above average Lber if he was moved to the SAM position. He’s a person I would say has earned his second contract with his drafting team, maybe not as a starting MLB (in the Tampa 2) but he has been a solid contributor since his draft day and there is no point in throwing away good talent just because. We need so much as it is. Keep depth where you can!
February 17th, 2015 at 9:52 pm
Bust….move on.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:20 pm
@ddneast, oh now you speak up for a hard working guy. I couldnt tell that from your anti gun rant on the Penn thread (was late responding to you there). Home invaders take away from the honest hard worker….and according to you, a man armed to protect himself is just a girl…lol. Cant take you serious anymore you friggin moron!
February 17th, 2015 at 11:03 pm
The next Michael Bennett
February 17th, 2015 at 11:45 pm
When Clayborn is healthy,and Playing in his proper spot he produces, It may not be sacks, but he causes problems for the dude that’s blocking him. No one has ever questioned his motor,and willingness to get his uniform dirty. I really think he deserves a one,or two year incentive laden contract, drop Bowers, and get a free agent tackle, Let Clayborn,and Ghost rotate snaps.
Back, to Adrian Clayborn. Make the second year a team option,and If he produces we’ll sign him in two years,If he can stay healthy,and produce,He’ll end up getting paid when the Bucs show the “Ghost” The Door…
February 18th, 2015 at 12:02 am
What are some of you talking about. Clayborn has been on this team for 4 Years! And in that time the Bucs D-line has been the worst in the League! I hope that wherever AC goes that he can stay health and play a couple of years for someone else. But he did nothing here. And no, dealing late hits does not make a player a “Beast”
thank goodness we are down to the last month of talking about Clayborn being with the Bucs!
February 18th, 2015 at 7:53 am
I seem to remember a guy named Gerald McCoy who was deemed fragile his first 2 years, 13 sacks in the 2 seasons not counting the ones taken away for hitting the quarterback high which happened twice to drew brees….as average as those numbers are, excuse me tampa bay buccaneers have you had a more productive defensive end since Simeon Rice no you’ve had no one and who can get double digit sacks running line stunts the entire game. sign that man he obviously isn’t going to cost a lot unless your going after a big name free agent he needs a contract
February 18th, 2015 at 9:20 am
I own two firearm, .357 magnum and a 12 gauge, so I am definitely not anti gun as you so pompously think.
I merely pointed out the simple facts. No one needs a concealed weapons permit to own a gun in their home if they are not a convicted felon and as Espo said, 90 percent of home invasions are committed against people who have illegal narcotics in their home.
Since you have trouble with reading comprehension, the “girls” comment was in reference to the inane, silly conversation about the meaning of ” closeted.”
BTW, I’m sure you won’t recognize this, but the Supreme Court ruled about 8 years ago about home gun ownership. The ACLU helped fight the case for a favorable ruling for gun ownership and President Obama supported the decision.
Sorry buddy, but if you have a gun laying around in every room as I believe you stated, I pray for your neighbors. You have problems.
February 18th, 2015 at 10:02 am
A one yr deal w incentives
February 18th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
ddneast, I have a 357 too, nice choice, it was my first purchase the day I turned 21, a S&W model 19. A gun in every room in my small condo doesnt mean I have problems, but think it if you want. So you know, I live downtown. Im in a high traffic area and live on the 1st floor. No gated community here and no fences or barriers. A gun in each room allows quick access to a means of protecting myself and loved ones from someone busting through my door or windows. Also, my neighbors know me very well and appreciate the fact Im armed as most of them are also armed.