Brown Trade A Warning Or Precursor For Clayton?
March 9th, 2010
The first thing that went through Joe’s mind about the trade for wide receiver Reggie Brown is this is a wake-up call or a warning to blocking icon Michael Clayton.
Or could it be a precursor to cutting ties with Clayton?
Brown has yet to put on a Bucs practice jersey, but it would be hard to argue he’s not already a starter for the Bucs along with Sammie Stroughter and potentially Mo Stovall as a No. 3 receiver.
Before Joe begins about Clayton, let Joe be upfront: Clayton seems like a swell guy. Joe has nothing personally against Clayton. But his play has been, at best, sporadic and nowhere near the level of his contract.
Aside from the opening game against Dallass, Clayton was a virtual milk carton last year. To be fair, he was hobbled with injuries since training camp.
Joe is certain Bucs general manager Mark Dominik will draft a receiver or two (or three?) next month, maybe as high as the first round.
Joe can’t help but surmise that once the dust settles after the draft that the Bucs are sending a message to Clayton with the addition of Brown and the sure-to-be addition of wide receivers in the draft: Produce or pack.
March 9th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Maybe we can trade him for a 4th rounder?
March 9th, 2010 at 9:57 am
You would think just his play from last year would have been the wake up call. Not a 29 year old, traded for a 6th round pick 2 years from now. What happened to the youth movement anyhow????
March 9th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Awesome. Another Buc receiver with a great rookie year that hasn’t caught more than 10 passes in several years. Clayton redux. If anything, we get some competition for the blocking receiver position while the newly drafted WRs get familiarization time with Freeman, learn the routes, and secure their spot on the roster. Looking forward to the draft at this position. If we don’t come away with at least 2 viable WRs in the draft, we’re done.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Clayton is turning 28, he has had 3 TDs in the last 5 years. I support the Bucs and believe they have a plan, but there in NO excuse for Clayton still being on this team.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Still not too late to make a play for Marshall. That would provide some considerable and youthful help for five.
Why have a strong armed young Franchise QB without an elite wide out?
March 9th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Eric, would you give up the number 3 overall pick in the first round for Marshall? I know I wouldn’t, especially should one of those two DTs end up there, which is looking more likely.
Denver has stated that they are not looking to trade Marshall, any team that wants him will have to submit an offer sheet to him, then Denver will have the option of matching or taking that teams 1st round draft pick.
If Denver was open to a trade, I’d suggest our 2nd rounder (35th overall) and our 5th rounder this year, or our 2nd and a 4th next year (maybe even make that a conditional pick that could become a 3rd based on performance).
Alas, Denver is not open to a trade.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:27 am
We must use # 3 overall for a DT. Can we cut Clayton without huge cap numbers? If so, would a threat of cutting him get a renegotiated contract? There cannot be many teams dumb enough to meet his current contract with his performance. Maybe we negotiate him down to the lower rung salary and keep him around as a reminder to everyone else what mediocrity looks like. Oh wait, they can all just look in the mirror.
NExt season is going to SUCK. I hate underperforming the Redskins.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:30 am
No cap to worry about in 2010,LaughingCat.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:46 am
irisht53
I would not give up the three pick, but would give up one of our second round selections.
Not so sure Denver isn’t open to a trade. I read where Seattle was trying to swing it, and hes going to Cinci this week.
Im just saying the Bucs should be involved and taking a shot. He would look awful good in Pewter for a long time.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Ic dont want to hear excuses about The Blocking Bryant was hurt he ad 600 yards,Cadiiliac was hurt, Winslow was hurt. Dont give Clayton any more excuses. I dont like him cause of his play but then when he went on TV hameering Gruden. He blames everybody but hisself for his poor play. And if it is a uncapped year there will be no no salary cap penalites. We are not going to get Marshall, He is a good player but he is a me guy, Dont understand why we did not get Boldin the Ravens did not get him for much. Last thing I thing we will take 2 receviers in the draft Benn and shipley or decker from minnessota
March 9th, 2010 at 11:48 am
oops above I meant blocking Icon clayton
March 9th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I think we all agree, the blocking icon is not the answer. Neither is Reggie Brown or anybody else on our roster. It has to be ranked the worst in the league as presently constituted. The draft has some potentially good receivers, but they will take time to develop, hampering Mr. Freeman.
Not have a bona-fide number one receiver with experience has the capacity to ruin our season.
Marshall seems like the perfect solution. Arent most receivers “me” guys nowadays? The guy is a player.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
What’s Alvin Harper or Bert Emanuel doing these days?
March 9th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Ok, point taken, but where is Jacquez Green?
March 9th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Reidel Anthony? Anybody remember him?
March 9th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
At this point, I’d take Clifford Franklin!
“The football’s like a one-man cold to Clifford Franklin. Clifford Franklin’s the only man catchin’ it, Clifford Franklin’s the only man comin’ down wid it!”
March 9th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
OAR, nice. He and Featherstone would dominate our receiving corps
March 9th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Come to think of it, have the bucs ever drafted a receiver who turned out to be a really good player?
Im thinking all the way back to Kevin House, and we had a guy from FSU in the 80’s that was decent. Otherwise, I am at a loss.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Eric, Maybe 2 or 3, but many!
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/draft_query.cgi?year_1=1976&year_2=2009&tm=tam&pos=WR&round_1=1&round_2=30&slot_1=1&slot_2=500&conference=any&show=all&lg=NFL&type=
March 9th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Ugh, that list brings back bad memories. I thought Danny Peebles was the worst 2nd round draft pick of all time, until we took Dexter Jackson.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
If both DT’s are gone when the Bucs pick and if he still available, I would take Marshall in a heartbeat… Dominik should at least bring him to talk to.. that’s of course if he still around in the next few days. What guy in the draft is better than proven Marshall. I know he comes with some baggage but what receiver these days doesn’t . If you bring him and talk to the guy you might get a whole different vibe than whats being reported plus you can do his contract in a way that covers your ass in the event he does screw up.. But I’m a firm believer he is going to do whatever it takes to prove that Denver screwed up in the worst kind of way.. And what better way than to show their your coach that he can produce for another young coach.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
I just have to ask.. would you more excited with Eric Berry or Marshall? We can then address our DT or DE end spots in the second round since that postion is so deep.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
OAR,
Thanks for the list. How could I have forgotten Mark Carrier?
Hey, what if we trade down, get some extra pics, then trade the lower number one for Marshall?
March 9th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Not sure if I want Marshall’s baggage, but he is very good. Although he is visiting Seattle, who has two 1st round picks and their new off-coord Bates was in Denver with Marshall. Remember the player has to agree to trade also. Not sure what FA worth a damn would be willing to come here anyways?
March 9th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I would love to trade for Marshall but it seems Denver is wanting the first round pick and only that. It would be nice if they would swap picks with us and Tampa throw them a 4th or 5th round pick. To still have the 11th pick and Marshall will be better than anyone we can get at #3. IMO…and Jacquez Green…OMG I hate the gators but wow I loved that kid in college!!! In todays spread format he would be a solid slot receiver. Thank you for bringing up his name. I had almost forgotten all about him!!
March 9th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
OAR,
I agree if you were a FA why in the hell would you come here at this time. It is sad and kinda stings to say but it is true. This happened last offseason and is happening again. We suck right now and no vet who wants money and more importantly a big fat diamond championship ring. They won’t be getting it here anytime soon!!
March 9th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
True enough, but Marshall is from Winter Park, might want to come home even to a bad team. Plus $ has a way of easing the pain. Apparently he is willing to talk to Cinci, not exactly a tropical paradise.
Could be a pipe dream, but what do we have to lose at this point? If it fails they can do the “see we tried” routine like with Haynseworth last year.
March 9th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Eric even Haynesworth came out last year saying he didn’t come here because we cut all of our vets and he didn’t like that. Whether he meant that or not is different but that does show we tried. And I agree what do we have to lose. We are a 3 win team currently!!
March 9th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Damn, even a giant buffoon like Haynesworth sees through this crap, were doomed.
March 9th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
i heard the bucs just signed dinosaur wide receiver vince papale……michelle clayhands wave goodbye like a beauty queen in a childrens beauty pageant…….
adam from ny
March 9th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Never could understand the casting of a “Tom Cruise height” Marky-Mark Walhberg for a 6′-2″ Vince Papale? He isn’t even that good of an actor, he’s got the range of a daisy air-rifle!
March 9th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Man, the Bucs are so active this off season its very hard to keep up with, my mind is spinning, one transaction after another…………..can’t they give it a rest already?
March 9th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Michael Clayton has basically been Shaun King deja vu. They both had successful rookie campaigns and then their heads got huge in the offseason. They didn’t work on their craft and subsequently their production went way down. I don’t see how Clayton can ever get it back. He’s had all these years. It just isn’t happening. If the Bucs are not going to do anything else before the draft, you might as well keep Clayton.
I don’t see the Bucs going after Marshall. There is no way they give up the #3 pick for him and nor should they. The Bengals on the other hand should quickly sign Marshall to an offer sheet. The 21st overall draft pick for Marshall is a bargain. This is a no brainer, so probably the Bengals won’t do it. Ha.
Kevin House was great. He had to be in great shape chasing all those overthrows by Doug Williams. It is too bad the Bucs didn’t have him in ’79 against the Rams. Mark Carrier also had a good career here. He had some good numbers after he left as well. I gather you were referring to Lawrence Dawsey Eric. He had 2 decent years. Nothing spectacular. Even though he was a pain in the ass, Keyshawn was probably the best receiver we ever had.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Agree 100% with your assesment of Marky Mark OAR. Not a big fan of his. He always seems to whisper his lines. Drives me crazy.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Yep, Dawsey. Was it Larry Mucker that caught the half back pass in the second half of the 79 Championship Game when the score was 6-0? I remember only one ram defender stayed back (Cromwell I think).
March 9th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I think it would be a nice gesture towards the long suffering fans of the Bucs to have Clayton kicked to the curb. Even if the Bucs have to eat some dollars. I don’t care. I don’t want to see him in a Bucs uniform again.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Who the hell would block?
March 9th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
You are correct Eric. Larry Mucker caught an option pass from Jerry Eckwood. The passing game was dreadful that day. Williams got knocked out of the game. Then Mike Rae throws a TD pass to Jimmie Giles only to have it called back for a penalty. The Bucs would have been killed by the Steelers if they won that game. Williams would have been out. I am not sure how serious the injuries to Lee Roy Selmon and Wally Chambers were. It is nice to go down memory lane. Still remember going to Robinson’s Quarterback Club. That was fun.