Gruden lauds Bryant, demands more of others

Jon Gruden admits something we all fear is true: the Bucs' receivers haven't made nearly enough of a splash during training camp.

Asked today who, if anyone, is stepping up and performing consistently, Gruden conceded this: "Not enough. I haven't seen enough, nor have you and nor have our fans. Somebody's got to step up. Antonio Bryant is doing that. Antonio Bryant is the one guy I think from a talent standpoint, he's picking it up. We need more guys to do that. We'll see that starting Sunday (against the Patriots) I hope."

Gruden's frustration is exacerbated by the absence of Joey Galloway (groin), who at least donned pads today and caught balls from Jeff Garcia but still hasn't participated in a single practice. With training camp wrapping up tomorrow morning, the Bucs likely will break camp without having seen their No. 1 receiver take a snap. Galloway has granted no interview requests so far, so we have no input from him.

Whatever happens over the next few weeks, the battle for roster spots at receiver will be intense. If the Bucs keep six on their final roster -- and that's being generous -- there certainly will be some disappointments.

We'll count Joey Galloway and second-round pick Dexter Jackson as locks. Beyond them, you've still got Bryant, Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall, Ike Hilliard, Paris Warren Chad Lucas, Micheal Spurlock, Brian Clark and Cortez Hankton.

[Antonio Bryant photo: Willie Allen, Jr., Times]

Comments

[troy parker]

my guess is galloway, jackson, hillard, bryant, stovall, and clayton are in and spurlock, clark, warren, hankton, and lucas are out. why didn't we address this in the off season? it would have been worth it to overpay for johnson, berian, or make a trade!!!!! the wr spot is our only ( and big)weakness!

[jeff]

chris henrey?

[jeff]

chris henrey?

[Stephen Blackehart]

I think the Bucs keep 7, counting Jackson and Spulock as returners. The others are Galloway, Bryant (who should be the new #2 if he keeps up the improved attitude), Ike, Stovall & Clayton.

[Brandon]

How hard is it to spell, 'Henry'? You had two tries and screwed it up both times, you're booted off the island!

Take it easy Brandon, maybe the guy has a stut-stut-stuttering problem.

[Jim]

LOL! too funny,... i swear I would offer Arizona a second rounder for Boldin which could be upgraded to a first if he played everygame,..he is so what we need here,.. .bottom line,.. he catches, he blocks,... hell, he can even throw.

[Jim]

I'd even throw in Clayton..

[Tim]

I would even throw in Gruden .. plus cash...

[Tom]

Jim, I would offer a definative 1st rounder for Boldin. His injury is not serious. The guy is a beast and has great hands. A real baller. He would instantly make this team a favorite in the NFC along with the Cowboys.

If Clayton doesn't get it together, I can see him out of the NFL shortly.

[Kurt]

I don't see him out of the NFL, but he certainly will be off this team if he continues to drop balls. How did Griese get 1000 yards to that guy and then him drop off the face of the planet? Give whatever they want for Boldin, I agree. Bryant/Boldin/Galloway and Hilliard would be an excellent 4 wide set. I like Clark as the sleeper.

[RJ]

You guys are right about Clayton, for the love of sweet Mary, how can he drop so many balls? A pro WR simply cannot drop passes like the one he dropped in the game vs the Dolphins. For such a high draft pick, what is going on with Clayton?

[cw]

Boldin? Are you guys serious? Do you really think the Cards would trade their best player? The "experts" are talking about Arizona being this year's sleeper. If their QBs can be productive, they'll be a team to watch. They would never trade Boldin, even for a first rounder.

[Wes]

not going to happen... as much as i want it too

[jeff]

why is clayton on the team?

[Stephen]

The WR position and QB position has always been an issue for this franchise. With the offensive line starting to solidify we should start to see some of the skill positions start to develope. I would agree we still need a splash of greatness to appear on this squad but the way John spreads the ball around i dont think that type of player is needed. Offensive line play and the defenses ability to get teams off the field to provide more opportunities will make everything fall into place. Although we lack individual superstars as a team this team if health permits can make a splash this year. I think we have to make the best out of what we have.

[Kurt]

I think Fitzgerald is their best player, and they don't have the money to have two #1's. They already paid Fitz, so there's no reason why they wouldn't take a lesser in Clayton, a backup leftie in Simms and a draft pick. That would make good sense for both sides and it wouldn't diminish either roster too terribly, especially if Clayton picks it up a bit.

[Brian]

Who are the WR free agents we can pick up?Henry ?We need a grinder who is not afraid to take hits in the middle of the field. Groin issues are nagging. We need somebody today...No long game = short season. I think Spurlock should make the team to run back touchdowns.

[Tom]

If Dexter Jackson doesn't turn out to be a spectacular return man, that was a wasted pick. Jimminy Christmas, (Gruden) he's behind Clark, Lucas and Hankton on the WR depth chart!!!!

Ray Rice was there in the 2nd round also!!

[Yoshi]

Ofcourse Boldin would be perfect on this team. Hes from the 5 6 Ace PALM BEACH COUNTY!!!!!! I would definately give up a first rounder for him. It might take some time but i think the cardinals would trade him for the right offer. If we're smart we would give them clayton simms and a conditional second that will obviously turn into a first with the amount of play he'll get. Please do it!!!

[John Klopfer]

Two surprise cuts..........Hillard Not much of an upside anymore) and Clayton (but would that really be a surptise).

[Greg]

You gatta get good talent to expect greatness from the position. Who's fault is that?

[Bruce Allen]

Not mine!!!

[tradewinds loser boy moser]

that is why the bucs should have pushed for favre he makes the players around him better

[joe]

Get over Favre.The Packers weren't going to trade him to an NFC team.It's just that simple..They'll be some interesting cuts this year. Maybe a sleeper in there.

[shane]

Clayton has dropped a lot of passes but he does not lead the league in dropped passes so he's not that terrible. It seems everyone has forgotten who actually does lead the league in dropped passes. Give you a hint...he's DR's favorite WR. Give up, Its T.O. Now its easy to forget those kind of things when you're one of the elite receivers in the league but it's still there.

[The LastWalshPick]

Look, tradewinds loser boy moser. How can Farve make players around him feel good, when the reports today came out saying he's feeling old and tired. His arm feels weak. He couldn't even get a 50 yard pass out. It fell short of 45. His legs are tired. It's only his 5th day in practice.

Yeah I bet his teammates are feeling very confident right now, with those type of comments. He's sounds like he's ready to give up. The dog is belly up!

I bet you the bucs will have a better a season than your so called savior Farve and his Jets.

[Slowmo]

Clayton is a joke and should back up for his pay check!

[Slowmo]

Clayton is a joke and should back up for his pay check!

[Carmine]

IMO, Clayton drops passes the same way basketball players miss FREE Throws and baseball players drop flys.

I don't think he wants to be here, and mentally is taking a vacation already.
Read somewhere that he wants to test free agency next year, I say trade him now and get what we can.
PS- I do like the guy, love the way he plasters db's/LB.s when he is bocking, but his main job is to catch the football, maybe bolster him up to about 265 and play him at TE?

[DR]

Shane, your comment is misleading and supports my cause for Clayton. First off, i'm not sure why Clayton is criticized more than Galloway even though they both have average at best hands. You guys just don't see how bad Galloways hands are because "he is sooooo fast", i guess that's why.
To your comment, I do think Clayton could be a TO type WR if he is utilized right. TO does have bad hands and they still throw him the ball 10+ times a game. TO probably had 5 times more balls thrown at him last year than Clayton did. Clayton will never live up to his potential if he isn't in the game. He caught the ball 80 times as a rookie, which compares to Galloway's second best season in his career. When Clayton goes elsewhere, he will get better because he will have a better offensive coordinator to work with. The complexity of Gruden's offense is beyond stupid because he has done nothing with it. Gruden is that kid who keeps trying to put that square wooden piece into the trinagle hole. He just doesn't get it.

[Erik]

Way to wake up 2 months or so late, Gruden!! The fans asked for a new reciever and were told by Gruden that the WR's were good enough. Now they are not? Deja vu of the last 2 years? Gruden and Allen have sold us 20 ponuds of monkey crap in a 2 pound bag, AGAIN!! It's time for them to go! This is another so so team that won't win a playoff game cause Garcia will be hurt, again and Galloway can't carry the WR's by himself! What a year. Still a Bucs fan but I will NOT watch this shipwreck,again!!!

[Greg]

Move Aquib to reciever!!! The man has a knack for the getting to the ball faster than our recievers do. That might tell you something. He has young legs that can play O & D. DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!!!

[Vince]

When all the reberberations about Farve were swelling through out the Bucs fandom, I was posting "what about an elite WR"? I'm not trying to say "I told you so', that does no good! Tampa has the cap room to sign up at least two top flight wr ($55 million last I heard), for players that should be on the team like, Larry Fitgerald, CHad Johnson, and even Algae Crumpler (TE). Now with those guys plus Galloway, we'd win 3 Superbowls in 4 years, and be a dynasty, (future F,A's not withstanding)!

[Vince]

OOps (reverberations)

[aj]

Don't forget Dunn will be a slot receiver in a lot of situations. He'll make life easier on all the receivers. Sadly, it's possible he is the best receiver on the team, considering we haven't seen Galloway.

[kevinmills]

The WR's are being condemned with three preseason games to go?

Tough crowd.

I think A.Bryant is as talented as any WR that was available in FA. Despite the fact he spent a year out of football he seems to be doing well in camp.

maybe we should wait a couple regular season games before we lite the torches aye?

I gather from reading these boards many of you people play too much Madden. According to some people we can have any WR our hearts desire if we offer up enough draft picks and chris simms. Trades rarely happen in the NFL.

[Miracle]

these comments are just crazy. Of course we need an upgrade at WR, but who was out there? Javon Walker! Lets see how he pans out at Oakland this year.

How is it smart for Arizona to receive Chris Simms, Michael Clayton and a 2/1 round pick for Anquan Boldin?

Simms is a back-up quarterback. I like Clayton, but clearly he is no Boldin, and an uncertain draft pick. What do they give up? A Pro Bowl Receiver.

If they accept that trade, I'd be the first to call Arizona stupid.

Now, I don't even think its smart on our part to give up the bank for Boldin. I think Simms should be traded and the same goes for Clayton, but the best opportunity will be for draft picks not players.

You guys are saying that we should give up a conditional 1st round pick? Do you realize how good of talent we've been drafting in the 1st/2nd rounds the past few years? Aqib Talib, Gaines Adams, Davin Joseph, Joseph Trueblood, Aaron Sears, Barrett Ruud. You want to trade Gaines Adams, Clayton, and Simms for Boldin?

[dave]

Erik, the next time you have a thought, let it go. When did Gruden ever say he was happy with our wide receivers? He's always looking to get better.

Teams WAY overpaid for marginal WR talent this year. Stallworth, Berrian and Walker were given too much money by desperate teams.

That said, thank you for not watching this year. One bandwaggoner down, 50,000 to go.

i got a good feeling about clayton playing well this year