Clayton says pride hurt by benching

Receiver Michael Clayton says his pride was hurt by being benched in the season opener at New Orleans.

The former first-round pick was inactive against the Saints but says he was physically ready to play.

"Anytime you have an opportunity taken away from you, it's a blow to your pride,'' Clayton said Wednesday. "But as a man and a professional, you have to stay positive and put it behind you.'

Making things worse for Clayton is the fact that he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and his value won't increase unless he is on the field.

"If I don't get the opportunity and everything stays the same this year, what more do I have to do?' Clayton said. "I don't mind starting over with a team that would like to let me play.''

Clayton said he has no idea whether the Bucs plan to make him active Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

"It's tough man, it's tough not to play,'' Clayton said. "It's tough not to get the win. It doesn't make anything better to add fuel to the fire and that definitely won't happen by me. I'm not that kind of guy.'' 

   

Comments

[oar]

Clayton its simple just 4 words:
Catch the damn ball.

[bobbyd]

He should use the time to practice.

[Philip LaMarche]

Interesting comment about pride and being hurt. I would think he should be thinking about dropped balls and disappearing since his freshman year. He has the tools to be the best. BE the best you're capable of and have chest busting PRIDE!

[Oliver]

So he says his pride is hurt and basically says he'll be with another team next year, then claims that he isn't stirring the pot.

Get real, Clayton. You haven't beaten anyone out in camp for the last 4 years.

You don't play Special Teams, so Dex Jackson and Mo Stovall get the nod there. Ike is the only guy we can 100% rely on right now, as Bryant is still new to the system and Joey isn't completely in sync. Yet those other 3 guys got the nod over you. Shows how well you are doing as a professional, huh.

I'll take it all back if he makes some plays on Sunday.

Prove everyone wrong, Clayton.

[jay]

mike "DROPS"clayton u suck!we passed on shawn marrimen for u.15 more Losses to go and they FIRE the migget jon peewee gruden!

[rod]

Its simple. STOP DROPPING THE BALL.

[Bucsfan]

trade him to seattle for a 4th

[Vince]

Clayton isn't starting, and Wide Receiver is the weakest position on the team. What does that say about Clayton's performance? It was a good bentching. Other players need an opportunity to step up! If Clayton earns his way back onto the field then wonderful, but the Bucs offense needs a jolt in the arm of fresh talent at Wide out. I applaud Gruden, and let everyone take note, that in this Gruden is demonstrating ability to change things up, to experiment, and get this team's offense going in the right direction!

[James Gianferrara]

Try catching the damn ball......

[kurt]

he was getting the ball thrown to him by griese his great rookie year. maybe griese can spark excellence back into him?

[James Wilson]

Clayton reminds me a lot of Jerry Rice.................without any hands!! The Bucs tried to trade him to Seattle for a 4th, but Seattle offered a 5th instead. The Bucs tuned it down because the Sehawks were offering Jim Beam and the Bucs are holding out for Wild Turkey!!!!!

[IMISS_No47]

His pride should be hurt more by each dropped pass

[cory]

If you knew he had the best camp out of any receiver and is consistently getting separation you wouldn't understand why he wasn't active either. How many balls did Bryant drop last game? Much better use of a spot. How little interest does it seem Galloway has in the game? At least Clayton wants to be on the field.

[oar]

Bryant would have caught all (but one) of those passes had Gracia not thrown them late(what's with his happy feet?) allowing the saints cornerback to get his hand on the ball every time.
Im not so sure Galloway is ready(from his injury). I dont question his heart(he really doesn't have to keep playing you know) as much as his aging body.

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

"Hands Of Stone" has never humbly admitted to needing work at catching the ball. He speaks of pride & professionalism incessantly. He needs to admit his lapses, find a way to regain his tremendous abilities and get back on track. Less talk, more action.

[Big Buc Fan]

Clayton,

Just remember a setback is a setup for a comeback! Keep your head up and remember you represent the black and ole gold. We are pulling for you. Hang in there and pay no attention to the critics who probably never played a down of professional football in their life. 06

[John Klopfer]

Clayton has the tools, but does he have the heart. Too many dropped passes. However, I wonder if he would have held onto a few of those that Bryant dropped on Sunday. For the money these guys are making...they should be able to hold onto the ball.

[Adam]

Dear Michael,

Your pride was hurt by your benching? The Bucs' offense was hurt by your PLAYING.

Nice bed you made... lie in it.

The Fans

[Adam]

Ha ha ... and more stuff from the "unintentionally funny" Bucs coverage of the Times...

"Making things worse for Clayton is the fact that he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and his value won't increase unless he is on the field."

Keeping Michael on the bench could only help his value.

[Kinn Corn Karn]

Why is this bum still on the roster?!

[DR]

You guys are amazing. Did anybody watch last week's game? I saw Galloway drop balls and play with absolutely no heart. I saw Bryant drop a few balls, but let's not dog those guys. I mean, they did wonders for the Bucs high powered offense.
Please let Clayton go so that he can play on a winning team.
I have no idea why Galloway gets a free pass from you clowns. Galloway is a disease on this team. He's the older vet that should be a leader on this offense but you can't be a leader if you're practicing by yourself all preseason and the coach allows you to take days off. You all dog guys like TO and Moss but those two guys are leaders on their teams. Galloway is a prima donna (for what reason, I don't know- have more than 1 good year) and there is some animosity towards him in the locker room. He's a bigger cancer than Keyshawn.

[BucMom]

You tell Michael Clayton to catch the ball. I would imagine that it is hard to catch a ball when you are sitting on a bench! By many reports, he was the best receiver in camp, so putting the past aside, I AM surprised he was benched the first game. And YES, he is a human being, and he deserves to feel hurt.

I just hope he goes and proves all of you goofs wrong, can't wait to hear all of your comments "OH, I always KNEW he was great"...yada yada yada!

[Brandon]

DR,

You're an idiot. Galloway has had 3 straight 1000 yard seasons, I think that alone gives us reason to lay back on his criticism. Of course he busted for your precious Cowboys and all you got out of the deal was Keyshawn, I can see why you hate Galloway now.

Apparently, you don't watch much Buc-football. Clayton has not consistently worked hard, has gotten injured and more importantly has made crucial drops at the worst times. Add to the fact that he drops nearly 50% of the balls that aren't vital and you have the making of a huge bust. Take him to your beloved Cowboys and between him and TO they can set an all-time record for drops in a season by a duo. TO had 27 last season, Clayton probably had a dozen which was almost as many catches as he had.

[Braheem Ackmadia]

Mr. Clayton!
Call your Agent and announce your retirement. Take the season off and workout with a speed trainer & Dante' Culpepper. Try again next year like the other fringe players

[Steve]

So many people keep commenting on the Bryant drops but "oar" is right. At first look it appeared that Bryant dropped the ball, but if you guys would sit and watch the replay instead of throwing a temper tantrum and stabbing your Gruden voodoo dolls you would see that the Saint's DB's made plays on the ball.

[DR]

Clayton had 80 catches for almost 1200 yards his rookie season, which would be Galloways second best season in his 313 year career. Clayton's second season, he was injured and had Grad as a QB. Last year, he was officially put into the dog house.
Galloway gets special treatment and for what? He caught 57 balls last year, which may have made the top 30. Galloway has never been on a team that has won a playoff game. I'd take Keyshawn any day over galloway. I would have traded Galloway for a bucket of balls and would have been happy. I was disgusted with the Boys when they traded for him from Seattle. You want to talk about hands, Key is way better catching the ball. Galloway has average hands at best. Key puts his all on the field. If you're happy with Galloway's effort last week, you need to lay off the pipe.

[The_Mad_Mariner]

Clayton, grow up. If we wanted a blocker we would have got another tight end. Catch the ball!

[Dave]

I did criticize Galloway - he looked slow and basically too old to play this game.

For a receiver of his calibre to come out of the huddle and not know the play is sad.

Hopefully this will wake Clayton up. This team needs him.

The Bucs will need to add another guard or tackle and make him a tight end to help this line out.

Griese will pull a win for us on Sunday. He and Gruden click. I hope he stays healthy.

[Dave]

I did criticize Galloway - he looked slow and basically too old to play this game.

For a receiver of his calibre to come out of the huddle and not know the play is sad.

Hopefully this will wake Clayton up. This team needs him.

The Bucs will need to add another guard or tackle and make him a tight end to help this line out.

Griese will pull a win for us on Sunday. He and Gruden click. I hope he stays healthy.

[Steve L]

Mike Clayton: my pride is hurt from your consistently inconsistent play the last few years.

Galloway looked horrific Sunday which clearly could have been in part because he didn’t practice at all. As was said earlier, Bryant’s drops weren’t all his fault; I though he otherwise looked solid and is at least a physical presence at WR who might catch the ball. All is moot now with Griese at the helm. I’m hopeful but we’ll see what transpires.

[TexMex]

Maybe this will kick Clayton in the @ss enough to jump start his desire to prove himself. He has got to get his groove back. He shot his w@d in the rookie year and lost his mojo. Give that m0f0 his mojo and he will catch mo.

DR, did Galloway turn you down for prom or something? He has consistently made a positive impact on this team. And unless your are hiding in the jock strap bin in the locker room, how do you know about locker romm discourse?

[Joe]

Honestly, when I saw Mike Clayton in his rookie year, I thought he was the next budding star in the NFL. I still believe he has that potential if he were to get a shot on the field. When he caught all those balls in 03, he had Brad Johnson and Brian Griese feedin him the rock. The year after that he was injured and had Bruce Gradkowski throwing him the ball. Put him on the field and see what he can do. Galloway has about a year left in the tank and is anyone sure Antonio Bryant will be on the squad next year. He has already been on four different teams in a six year career. Put Mike on the field and see what he's got. If he does not perform let him loose, but give him a shot Jon.

[ben bolt fan]

Another first round bust pick made by Gruden. This gut cannot get on the active list much less the field.

[Steve]

Wow some people really bash on Gruden with nothing to back it up. Ben Bolt Fan, another first round bust?

Lets see...
2002:No 1st round pick
2003:No 1st round pick
2004: Michael Clayton- at this point, yest bust

2005:Offensive rookie of the year, second year regressed some, Had Gradwoski at qb, and nagging injury and still nearly reached 800 yds.
Last year the injury (gruden should have predicted this one)

2006:Davin Joeseph- STUD, probowl caliber
2007:Gaines Adams- Weak draft for early picks, lead all rookies in sacks

2008:Aqib Talib: He must be a bust since he made a rookie mistake and a bad read on a long TD pass in his first NFL game.

Sooooo many busts

[Steve L]

Thanks for the woefully needed perspective, Steve. Griese might just be the cure for Clayton’s ills.

[Larry B.]

I agree with Dave and DR. Michael Clayton still in my opinion has playmaking potential. If we flashback to the playoff game against the Giants, he was the only reciver playing with heart. He probably the best blocking WR we got. Galloway isn't a "go to/playmaker" reciever. He's not going to get you YAC unless he already beats the DB.

Plus our West Coast Offense has never been high powered. Its effective but Tampa isn't consistent offensively. I want to see Clayton, Stovall, and Antonio Bryant...I like Ike but Galloway can be #3.

[CLAYTON FAN]

WHY IS EVERYBODY BLASTING MIKE CLAYTON? so what he dropped some balls but at least he will give u effort and besides the man has been hurt. if i recall looking at the game sunday that damn joey dropped a bunch of balls and he even gave up on more. Claytin is an all out guy remember what he did his rookie year? ITS BECAUSE HE GOT THE DAMN BALL

[Duane]

Shutup Clayton. Go cry on Steve DUImegs shouder and see if he'll sign you to a long term contract schlepping beer for him on the driving range. Oh Clayton's hurt. Oh Clayton can't catch the ball on the bench. It's always some excuse. Do you really think Gruden wouldn't put your sorry butt on the field if he thought you could make a play and win a game and justify their No.1 pick for you. Grow up and just catch the damn ball. Marques Colston got drafted seventh three years ago and he's a better receiver than you.

[Tom]

With the receivers having a new QB every five or six games and vice versa no wonder we have such a poor passing attack and as individuals they all look bad.

[Ryan]

Seriously?

[rick]

Serioulsy mister Clayton. Your down field blocking is not an issue, the problem is you don't catch the damn ball.Simple. you have been given more then enough opportunity and you keep dropping the ball, why were you surprised that you were benched.I am surprised that you are surprised.

[bucsd]

Say what you want about Clayton. He has had a couple of rough years. He is back in Prime form this year though. He is not hurt for once in a couple of years. He is going to have a breakout year and is going to be better than Antonio I dropped two easy catches and important balls in the Saints game Bryant. He should not have been inactive. I might be wrong, but I feel this is his year. The other very important thing that no other receiver in our system does as well as him...blocking.

[Pete]

I actually spent money on Clayton's Authentic Jersey! Like his attitude... a Waste! Primadonna! He controls nothing but HIMSELF. So if he does not like his situation, Get your way out of it! He can't blame anyone until he fixes his own issues. I see no articles looking to Clayton as setting the pace for preparation. I see no rookies looking to his workout as setting the bar. You want to be #1? Set the standard! Don't keep wasting the teams money and especially MINE!

[Yoshi]

Mike really does have the potential to be a very good receiver in this league. I think that we would be the ones missing out if he left. I know hes dropped balls alot these past years but is completely back this season. Lets just see what this season brings before we start talking about releasing or trading players. Last year i bet half of these people bad-mouthing Mike would have traded EG away just because of stats. Like i said lets wait and see

[Sound Off]

Reminds me of my ex girlfriend: great kisser, lousy in bed. He's the biggest first round bust since McCants, (1990) and McRae, (1991). I think this is the point where you load a Kenny Rogers CD and listen to Kenny sing: "you gotta know when to hold em...know when to fold em..." DITCH HIM!!!

[Larry B.]

Lol..Clayton for President!!! Just kidding. Pete, I'll take that Clayton Jersey off your hands. I'm still believe in him.

As for everyone else who brought his Jersey. I'll only except Authentics.

[michael]

start clayton and bryant and have hilliard at #3.. then bring galloway out on some downs and send him deep.