Michael Clayton Is High On Bucs Linebackers, Down On Defensive Backs
September 3rd, 2019
The blocking icon of the Mark Dominik regime, and an NFL superstar during his Buccaneers rookie season with Chucky, knows what he’s watching when it comes to the NFL passing game.
Michael Clayton peddles in comments that border on buffoonery at times, but he’s also razor sharp more often than he makes you shake your head.
Clayton has been studying the Bucs defense for his role as a local postgame host, and he has determined he’s high on the Tampa Bay linebackers and their preseason tackling, energy and commitment.
But Clayton is a bit down the secondary, as it relates to what they can accomplish in 2019. Not ready yet, might be the best phrase to sum up how Clayton assesses them.
“They really didn’t stand out to me,” Clayton said today of the Buccaneers’ secondary on WDAE radio. “To be honest with you, I saw young guys be young guys. I saw them in the vicinity. I saw them make a few plays, but I also saw veteran guys get beat deep. I saw young guys struggle a little bit at times. So, you know, the reality is those guys are going to have more time to develop.
“If we expect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to have a chance of making the playoffs, our young rookie defensive backs have got to play like veterans and I just don’t see that happening quite yet. And it is a team game and we’re going to have to bring pressure to see those guys expedite their growth. I think that those guys are highly talented; I don’t think that they are where they need to be to call ourselves a playoff team.”
Also, Clayton is fired up about defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ desire to blitz, as well as how he showed multiple blitz looks in preseason with more to come. But Clayton is wondering whether the Bucs will find enough pressure overall to be successful.
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:11 pm
I can’t take much of what Clayton says as serious as he comes off as not being well versed on the team at all. Hearing some of his postgame rants are funny but unintentionally as he thinks what he’s saying is accurate when it’s not
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:11 pm
It’s funny because even people that have played the game seem to lack insight. When you’re dominant up front (which we are now) you don’t have to have a secondary composed of Deion Sanders,Darelle Revis,Ed Reed and Ronnie Lott. Prime example the giant team that beat the at the time undefeated Pat’s in the superbowl. I recall all the D linemen, can barely recall any of secondary guys. We Gucci in the secondary. Too much size, length,speed and athleticism not yo be.
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:14 pm
All I know is the starting secondary in preseason looked like HOFers compared to the sh1t I saw last year.
In general in the preseason pressure was up, stopping the run looked better, and secondary making plays – at least with most the starters.
Just preseason tho.
Biggest concern by far is the starting offensive line & offensive line depth. We are a team that needs the O-line to hold up so we can take advantage of the skill players we have and matchups. If hte O-line sucks horribly then it can ruin everything.
O-line = Licht’s biggest indictment IMO. Spends tons of $$ on it, spends draft capital, and we still don’t get rated as even average by anyone. The unit should be a top 5 strength with his investments and instead it’s a big concern.
GOod job jack4ss
GO BUCS!
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:19 pm
Rookie DBs?………I think not….the DBs on the field starting for now are not rookies…….it will be VH3, Carlton Davis, MJ Stewart, Justin Evans & Jordan Whitehead…..no rookies, Michael.
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:23 pm
Im wondering how much man the bucs will play as the year progresses because their corners are not super fast with I believe hargreaves being the fasttest at 4.5 and a bunch of man is based on technique and it used to be also based on being able to get hands on the WR but now the NFL has changed that. So the rush better get there and I hope that White is the next Keuchly but having a josh allen is a real major help to the backend and the bucs have ZERO edge rush
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:31 pm
Frankly, I think his assessment of the D backs is pretty accurate. I don’t see it “down” or “negative”. Yes… They aren’t playing like seasoned vets. They can’t stand up against top level competition…yet. But they are talented. And hopefully by the end of the year, if we are lucky and good enough to be competing for a playoff spot at the end of the year, they will be playing like seasoned vets.
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:32 pm
I’ve read these rookies in the secondary are fast. I know they are young, but I’m expecting great things from them. I think Suh and Vea (if healthy) are the best tandem tackles in the game. It’s going allow Nassib and Barrett to apply pressure. I think David and White are going to be all over the place. This secondary is going to feed off of this, plus we have some ballhawks back there that weren’t there last year. I’m hesitant like everyone else because of the last 10 years, but I think our offense is going to score more points because BA and I think the defense is going to be much improved. That’s got to be a recipe for a winning record at least right?
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Too bad the young DB’s won’t be covering 3-4 Michael Clayton clones this week. With passes being dropped like a wet bar of soap in the hands it a two year old trying to give himself a bath, DB age and ability would be inconsequential.
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:41 pm
Clayton was just adlibing because his producer tossed him his script but he dropped it.
September 3rd, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Ol’ Clayton…biggest one hit wonder since Right Said Fred ( I’m Too Sexy ). At least he was able to trick the Dom’er out of a lucrative extension and I believe he even fell into a SB ring with the Giants. The man is plucky!
September 3rd, 2019 at 3:06 pm
I’d like to see them get off to a fast start and get some confidence going. We don’t face any deadly wideouts in the first few games so the opportunity is ripe.
Our Front 7 is expected to shut down running games so our secondary could be a major key to getting off to a hot start of the season.
September 3rd, 2019 at 3:10 pm
@ Dusthty Rhothdes, agreed
I agree you with Dream, watching Josh Allen tear it up in preseason had me cuss Jason Licht like a fat man at an all you can eat vegan bar.
September 3rd, 2019 at 3:18 pm
I think Michael Clayton on the radio is fantastic!
September 3rd, 2019 at 3:32 pm
Josh Allen is playing alongside 4-5 pro bowl level defenders out 1st round pick is not
No way Allen looks great here
September 3rd, 2019 at 4:10 pm
Clayton was good a 2 things blocking and running his trap. He wouldnt make this team in his prime. Too slow. 🐌
September 3rd, 2019 at 7:01 pm
nobody shoots more messengers than bucfan… team and franchise sucks therefore people there is not much positive to report
September 3rd, 2019 at 9:01 pm
LOL RAYJAY!! Mic drop Sir!
September 4th, 2019 at 4:50 am
“clayton is a bit down ON…”
check it joe
September 4th, 2019 at 4:52 am
Does anybody else realize that we could have drafted
Guice!!!