Bucs May Be Stuck With Michael Clayton
May 2nd, 2010
Last week when Bucs general manager/rock star Mark Dominik appeared with co-hosts Adam Schein and Rich Gannon during a broadcast of “The Blitz,” heard exclusively on Sirius NFL Radio, Dominik rattled off virtually every receiver the Bucs have when discussing the passing game.
Dominik made sure to praise fellow rookies Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams as well as second-year receiver Sammie Stroughter and recently acquired Reggie Brown. Off the top of Joe’s head he believes Dominik also mentioned Mo Stovall.
Curiously, Dominik made no mention of blocking icon Michael Clayton.
Brad Biggs of the NationalFootballPost.com believes that the Bucs — rumored to have been trying to ship off Clayton to some other team during the three-day draft — are stuck with Clayton on the roster.
With far more accomplished receivers on the street right now – guys who will likely play for less than the $3 million Clayton is due this season – it’s obvious the Bucs will not be able to trade him. That leaves the Bucs with a decision to make. Do they dump Clayton now knowing he will not bring anything in return? Or do they keep him around and ensure that injuries don’t take a toll on their depth chart that includes Reggie Brown, who they picked up this offseason from Philadelphia? If they keep Clayton around and he gets injured, then they face the prospect of having to pay him this season.
Joe has absolutely nothing personal against Clayton in any way, shape or form. He truly seems like a standup guy. But Clayton has been given more than ample opportunity to right his ship. He claimed — loudly — that Chucky was the reason he kept dropping passes, a prospect that Joe finds more hysterical than Captain Janks.
Chucky was jettisoned last year by Team Glazer; Clayton was rewarded with a handsome contract, yet aside from one game (Dallass), Clayton continued to do all the things that got him a penthouse in Chucky’s doghouse.
Having already used up all of his excuses (contract, Chucky), Clayton has no more street cred. The only way he repairs his career is to start catching balls whether that’s with the Bucs or someone else.
While a wide receiver who can block is a nice luxury, his first priority is to catch the ball. You know, hence the term wide “receiver,” not “wide blocker.”
May 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 am
With the “money is already in the bank” comment, I am not so sure he is a stand up guy. The Bucs should cut him. Nothing worse than having a guy like that around because he is a constant reminder of the past they are trying to move away from.
May 2nd, 2010 at 9:27 am
He is definitely sticking around , or else they would have cut him with the rest of the purge.
May 2nd, 2010 at 9:57 am
As comical as the Clayton complaints were concerning Gruden, they were accepted and often repeated by certain very vocal member(s) of the local media.
Stand up guys take responsibility for their own play, and don’t “snitch” on their coach who was the guy who drafted him in the first place. I hope his attitude doesn’t rub off on the new draftees.
But, given the circumstances, i can see why they want him around through camp, as insurance against injuries or if the young guys aren’t ready. Plus, I am not convinced that it has sunk into Raheem’s head yet that the guy sucks.
Remember, however, he is also the “training camp icon” so I won’t be shocked if he is on the opening day roster.
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:21 am
I’d take TO before this clown. At least TO can catch. CUT THE BLOCKING ICON NOW!!!
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:37 am
Eric, I understand the point about keeping him though camp but do you think the negative (having him talking with your new guys) might outweight the positive (insurance)? I would be inclined to just let him go now. Cut your losses, right?
I wonder if he will stick around because Dom and Morris are hesitant to admit their huge error?
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:56 am
Clayton made a few stupid comments (check in bank and Gruden is the reason for the bad seasons, etc..) but besides that, he’s not a cancer and not a bad (attitude-wise) influence on the other players, IMO. However, if you think his dropped passes are contagious, that’s another story. I say keep him around for insurance. Unless, another vet WR becomes available at a decent price.
May 2nd, 2010 at 11:04 am
UFoJoe — curious how you know that? I mean we know about his performance and we know about the “check in the bank” comment and the Gruden blaming (i.e team cancer). That stuff seems to add up to a character flaw. What do you know that leads you to discount that stuff?
May 2nd, 2010 at 11:34 am
Oh no – Joel Glazer calls out UofJoe concerning Clayton.
Could it b UofJoe has an IP address inside of One Buc too!
Maybe UofJoe is really MofClayton’s alter-ego??
My thought is this – cut the dude. With Clayhands, “check is in the bank comment” all I can think is that he’ll try and get hurt during training camp – make it to the IR and keep collecting his checks.
Sorry Michael – I was rooting for you and defended you this time last year. After the Dallas game I was right there in your corner but it was all downhill after that.
Clayton are you a bad player? I think you suffer from Jamarcusitis and that it’s time for you to find another city and start over from scratch before its too late for your career.
Don’t worry Michael Obama will write you unemployement checks in the meanwhile.
@JimBuc – you hit the nail on the head about why Dom hasn’t cut Clayton – it would make his signing last year look dumb. However Dom/Rah-Rah need to learn this important lesson:
When you make a mistake admit it, apologize and move on. LEARN from that mistake don’t ignore it, don’t cover over it and don’t repeat the same thing again and again.
May 2nd, 2010 at 11:37 am
Hey Joe here’s an idea:
Mak a little “gift basket” for all the rookies at One Buc.
The basket could include a Caybrew and gift certificates to Mugs & one for Long Chiropractic. Then have your website in there as well.
Finally you could put some Prozac in there for these kids reading all the negative BS from RadioMM and his ilk.
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I can’t see that keeping him on the roster will be beneficial for anyone. Do you really want him around giving advice or pointers to the new guys?
In my opinion, last year was enough for me. You cant give someone the benefit of the doubt indefinitely. Clayton has rode on the success of his rookie season for far too long.
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
The fact that this guy is still on the team is incredible. He flat out stinks. I’d rather pick a guy up off the street if injuries come around than have shitty clayton taking the field. This guys performance would have him cut on 31 other NFL teams.
With that said, I am really psyched about our current crop of young receivers.
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:59 pm
CUT HIS AZZ….
May 2nd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Nice synopsis of Clanghands. After I heard him say last year he wanted to be a team leader but was then caught sneaking out early from OTA’s, I was convinced he was a 100 percent phony.
May 2nd, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Don’t let the door hit you…
May 2nd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Yeah it really pisses me off how Clayton got a luxury contract and AB had to be just let go and given a damn one year tender!! Not a real contract. No wonder he wasn’t happy. If I was a star receiver that deserved a contract, didn’t get one, and watched Clayton get one, I would be angry too!!
Give Penn, Cadillac, and Ruud, and all the players that DESERVE IT contract extensions. ENOUGH OF THIS ONE-YEAR CONTRACT CRAP! GIVE IT TO THEM!
May 2nd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Well Joe, I hate to say I told you so, but I’m ready for my cold one after it becomes more clear that Dominik can’t brainwash a team into giving up something, anything, for Clayton.
There’s a common saying in the NFL, “the eye in the sky doesn’t lie” and the film proves it. Clayton is not an NFL-caliber wide receiver, nor has he been for 5 years. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a guy live off of one year in modern NFL history as I have this guy.
If anyone believed that Clayton wasn’t delusional at the time of his blame-chucky routine they have never seen him do an interview. Since he became a washed up WR in 2005 he always found a way to not take responsibility for his failures. I guess that’s why he is still a failure and probably the most hated Buc in recent team history. Jerramy Stevens probably owes him a dinner or something.
Here’s an idea; maybe Joe can do a Most-Hated Buc Bracket. You could have the Glazers, Hugh Culverhouse, Bo Jackson, Alvin Harper, Trent Dilfer, Michael Clayton, Kenyatta Walker, Chucky, Jerramy Stevens etc. It might help pass the time in the summer doldrums now that the Super Bowl of the offseason is over with.
May 2nd, 2010 at 2:24 pm
But without Clayton who will the Glazers have to guide them in future hiring decisions? They seem to have the utmost respect for his opinions.
Perhaps he can be brought in as a consultant.
May 2nd, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Mr. Lucky: if Clayton is still around because Dom/morris Don’t want to admit mistake that would be awful. I hope that is not the case, but it could be part of it. I guess the other reason is no one wants Clayton’s contract and its obvious we will cut him. Whatever the reason, I would let him go because the Bucs don’t want a lame duck guy poisoning the well, so to speak.
Tone obviously gets lost in text. I was not “calling out” the other poster. I was (am) genuinely curious whether there is any solid information about Clayton’s demeanor.
May 2nd, 2010 at 2:36 pm
When Jimbuc can’t even defend the guy thats when you Know he truly sucks……………………..
May 2nd, 2010 at 2:53 pm
LOL. That’s good Eric. I heard long ago that Clayton was a “cash it in” guy, meaning a con artist that is only motivated by getting his deal done. I have not been a fan for a long time.
As much as I like Gruden, one of his flaws was falling in love with guys like Clayton.
May 2nd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Have Clayton bulk up and play tight end. he can block and barely catch. Jeremy Stevens needs to be replaced anyway
May 2nd, 2010 at 4:02 pm
What is it with you guys and your love affair with poison persons?
Have Clayton bulk-up and play TE? Yeah like that worked real well with Jermane Phillips last year?
I’ll bet most of you are still holding shares/stock in companies like General Motors and Enron too? “I’ve got too much invested to dump it.”
May 2nd, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Clayton can’t catch, and it’s Gruden’s fault still to this day. Everything else is George “Miss Me Yet” Bush’s fault.
May 2nd, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I thought it was Clinton’s fault?
Sorry, I lose track of all the wingnut memes and talking points. Hard to discern logic amidst all the temper tantrum screaming and whining.
May 2nd, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Clayton is going to make it intresting. I say that cause it is no doubt he has talent but he is clearly lazy and those not take responsbilty for his own problems. What is the next excuse? He will work his but off during OTA’s, traning camp, and during the Preseason but when the real things rolls around he will not show up. I think he loses motivationan gets lazy and refuse to give his all so It is probaly they will cut him during the Season not before cause that is when the real Micheal Clayton shows up
May 2nd, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Hey here’s a thought – maybe Clayton should hang around with Aaron Sears!
Maybe then Clayton will learn how to quit the right way.
May 2nd, 2010 at 7:29 pm
So Clayton’s inability to catch is a personal matter and it’s top secret. Yes?
Hey, I’d take Larry Brackins over Michael Clayton any day of the week. All screaming, whining, and jokes aside.