Dominik Distancing Himself From Clayton
January 27th, 2010
Less than a year ago Mark Dominik guaranteed Michael Clayton $10 million. Now he’s trying to distance himself from No. 80 like one might shun an ex-girlfriend with syphillis.
In his state of the Bucs address yesterday, given at the Tim Tebow Senior Bowl festivities in Mobile, Ala., Dominik was asked about Clayton and all but set the table for him to be cut or traded.
And what was truly bizarre, Dominik told the St. Pete Times that Clayton will be evaluated by what he does in the offseason. Call Joe crazy, but Joe always thought players were evaluated by what they did during the season.
Without reading too much between the lines, Dominik made it clear that the Bucs could part ways with their starting receivers — free agent Antonio Bryant and underachieving Michael Clayton, who caught 16 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown after signing a five-year, $26 million contract.
“He’s under contract and we’ll see how it goes,” Dominik said. “There are no hurries or anything from us in terms of his situation. The ball is in Michael’s court. It’s on Michael to see how his offseason goes and see how he prepares mentally and physically, but really it’s up to Michael.”
Huh?
So does that mean that if Clayton hits the weights, trains with Jerry Rice again and looks good in the first OTA he’ll be back next season?
Pass the Caybrew.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:05 am
it looks like clayton will be our number 1 wr next year we will not re sign bryant that would cost the glazers money and they dont have any of it and we will not sign any big name free agents according to duminik so unless we draft a wr clayton will be our number 1 wr .
January 27th, 2010 at 11:08 am
justin F:
Unless the Bucs sign some grade-B free agent wide receiver(s), even with a healthy Clayton, Joe believes Sammie Stroughter will be the No. 1 receiver.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Maybe Dominik is evaluating whether Michael will pass his math class?
Heres a tweet from Mr.Clayton himself:
“after leavin outta math class i cam to the realization…that math had to b started by a bunch of high mf’ers Finite aint no joke”
also here’s his stance on offseason conditioning “Jus went and got the Wii Fit gotta stay in shape during the offseason…they need basketball so i can touch up my J”
Ladies and Gentleman your 2010 #2 Buccaneers wide receiver.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:27 am
What is highly disturbing is the remark that the Bucs will not be major players in free agency. He is attempting to follow the bucs Super Bowl model, but he fails to recognize that the bucs had one of the best drafts ever, which is unlikely to be duplicated. Many key components of that team were free agents or trades. Also, they always had a stable of veterans to break the rookies in……………..not to mention Mr. Kiffin in charge of the defense.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Anyone remember after the first game of the year against Dallass, the coaches came out and defended signing Clayton after his performance? They definitely spoke too soon. I got that impression all year. I like Raheem, but he defintely hypes up things too much and speaks too highly of things too soon. I.E. Being a hard nosed team, being a man coverage blitzing team, running the ball physically, etc…..maybe this one year will temper his enthusiasm towards bad players. Hope so. Lets be real hear, we are low on talent.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Let’s put it this way micheals not goin anywhere and they won’t be upgradeing or draftining a widereciever cuz they believe they have the playmakers at reciever! I hope I’m wrong and we get a playmaker at reciever but I just don’t see it happening!
January 27th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Let’s face it, the front office has already mailed in the 2010 season. Keeping Clayton while allowing AB to leave is just plain stupid. How the hell does that help #5???!!!
January 27th, 2010 at 11:47 am
NautiBuc:
To be fair, Joe believes the Bucs are waiting until the new NFLPA labor agreement is signed, as are other NFL teams.
Joe just heard Kevin Colbert of the Steelers on NFL Radio say the Steelers are going to go ahead business as usual as if there still is a salary cap because, if an agreement is signed, they don’t want to paint themselves into a corner.
Joe knows it’s a different story with the Steelers than the Bucs but the lockout/strike of 2011 is the elephant in the room not many are talking about.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Joe, the way the Bucs are acting they should just close the doors until the CBA is signed. It’s like the Bucs are counting on a lockout in 2011, whereas other teams are treating it as a possibility with contigency plans.
There is no way the Bucs can be successful in 2010 with this “plan”. I was hopeful they could win 5-6 games next year, but I’m starting to think they’ll be lucky to win 3 again. I guess the Glazerhouse’s are content to clean house after 2010 and start from scratch (AGAIN) in 2011 or 2012 — assuming they can get their money issues resolved by then.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I may be the most optimistic fan out there….but if Clayton is our number one reciever next year….I will not watch.
January 27th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
ya….think !