Clayton to start vs. Bears; Galloway out

Michael Clayton is back in the starting lineup.

The Bucs' beleaguered receiver, who was inactive in the first game, said he will start at flanker Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Antonio Bryant will move to split end.

Receiver Joey Galloway has a right foot sprain and is not expected to play this week. Bryant will be in Galloway's spot.

"It's a big opportunity,'' Clayton said. "It's one that I've been waiting for.

'"I've been told I will be starting, so we'll see what happens. There's a lot of opportunity for any wide receiver who will be out there.''    

 

Comments

[Erick]

Good test for them. If those two can finally utilize their skills we'll be in good shape. If Griese can get them the ball that is.

[Nick]

Alright!!! I guess we will have no choice but to run now.

[BILL H]

LOOK FOR THE BEARS TO PLAY ALOT OF MAN 2 MAN BRYANT TO HAVE A BIG GAME...YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

[JScott]

To me this is Clayton's one chance to showcase himself. If he faulters, thanks for playing.

He has no more excuses after this game. He eithers puts up or shuts up

[BILL H]

THEY WILL PUT 8 IN THE BOX....BIG E WILL STILL RUN ALL OVER THEM

[Paul]

I like how you think BILL H. Who needs WR's when Big E is breaking off 50 + yard runs in the 4th quarter. That guy is a beast. Good luck Clayton!!!!!

[jon g]

i dont worry about Greise getting him the ball...i worry about him actually catching it....here's your chance,Michael, do it up!!!

[jon g]

I'm not worried about Griese getting him the ball,I'm worried about him actually CATCHING it.Here's your chance, no more excuses...good luck!!!

[jon g]

sorry guys,thought the first one didnt go through....

[Cris]

Gruden is ALWAYS crying about juice. Put D. Jackson on offense and stretch the field. Imagine Dex and Joey out there at the same time. It's going to open up the offense and stretch the defense for the underneath passes. NFL coaches just OVERTHINK everything. It's not brain surgery. Clayton? Who is he going to scare?

[IMISS_No47]

He better be jammin that Eminem song "lose yourself" to pump himself up like Michael Pittman used to... becuase opportunities come once in a lifetime YO!

[JOhn]

Look for Gruden to involve the Tight ends much more, especially since Stevens is back. I think the Bucs can pull this off if Gruden will balance runs and passes 50-50...

If not, we're in trouble.

[Reidel Anthony]

Is it too late for me to come back?

[DR]

This is a blessing for Griese. He now has a big target to throw the ball to that will try to break the ball up instead of cry about it.
Clayton, this is your opportunity, take advantage of it. Show the Bucs what they'll be missing next year when you sign with another team.

[Stephen Blackehart]

First, I hope Galloway recovers fast. We definitely need him! Second, I'm sorry that Stovall is hurt. This could've been his chance to step up and show what he's got. Third, whatever Clayton has done and not done in the past, let's all get behind him and hope he makes the most out of this opportunity...we could really use him as a WR. Ditto, maybe double-Ditto for Bryant. He's been getting open all over the place, but both Garcia and Griese have been erratic with the medium-to-long balls. Let's hope he torches the Bears for some big ones!

[Tony]

Looks like all the special treatment of Joey & Jeff G is finally paying off. To be honest I dont think either need to play another game again as a BUC. 38 + years old is enough. Their is NO future for either one of these guys.

[Big Poppa Marv]

It doesn't matter what the Bucs do, The Panthers are going to sweep them and maybe take Griese out so Jeff Garcia will start again.

[Big Poppa Marv]

Panthers Own The BUCS !!!!!!

[Feesh]

Panthers went 0-2 against the Bucs last year. I think you first need to win a game to consider the Panthers owning the Bucs.

[Matt]

I've got a good way to stop the Bears putting 8 in the box against EG for this weekend.

DJax wide left and Bennett wide right both running go routes at least once every 3 offensive plays.

[James Gianferrara]

Here come the drops

[ben bolt fan]

Clayton start means one thing. The bucs will run the ball a lot more. He cannot catch a cold.
So glad it is Hockey season!!!!

[Jacquez Green]

Give me a call, I can still bring the heat! Rich McKay drafted me in the second round for a reason! Oh, gotta go, working the grill at Cracker Barrel.

[Pete]

Quit all the crap about Clayton, Look at what he has done for this team even with his injuries. Yeah dropped balls hurt and he has had a few. So have all of the supposed stud receivers in the NFL, Owens, Moss, etc. Look at Clayton and tell me he doesn't block or play great on special teams?

[Valrico Rick]

Clayton is a difference maker for the running game. He isn't to prissy to put a hit on somebody downfield, unlike the glass tiger. Anybody have any evidence of a downfield block by Goneaway? Never seen one myself. Funny how EG broke the big one "after" Goneaway was out of the game. CLUE! Clayton and Bryant are the best thing that can happen to the running game, now if they can just catch passes like Ike Hilliard! Man wouldn't that be sweet!

[DR]

Feesh, if you look at the Bucs history with Gruden as coach, you can say the Panthers own the Bucs this year.
Quit knocking on Clayton and his dropped passes. Last week I saw your beloved Galloway, AKA Ghost, AKA white tiger, dropp balls and Bryant drop balls. If Braylon Edwards played here he'd be inactive too, even though he would easily be the best WR on the team.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Earnest goes to camp on the Bears D.

[PrimeTime]

Hey, let's remember Clayton's career year in 2004, Griese was the QB with a 97.5 rating. I'm up for some lightning in a bottle but with a better record.

[Alvin Harper]

I'm staring at my phone right now.

[Kevin House]

I can still catch the Ball.

[Bob]

If you put a blindfold on Joey Galloway and tied both his legs together, he would still be a better receiver than Clayton. How many more years will the Bucs pay him to do nothing? The Bucs might as well just send the defense to Chicago and let the offense stay home to enjoy the other games with their families.

[Al Gore]

I will never talk again on this board!

[Ben]

EARNESTTTTT!

[Bert Emanuel]

Ha! Alvin and Kevin?@#$! That's hilarious.

[Keenan McCardell]

you losers miss me, huh?

[Keyshawn Johnson]

NO they miss me more Keenean

[Kurt]

Griese's style plays to Clayton's strength; which is getting the ball early in the route and getting yac's.

[Jesse]

It's so good to see all the comedians who aren't posting funny comments. Hahaha, isn't that funny? Whatever! As for Clayton, bring it, bring everything you got because you need to as much as Tampa needs you to. I believe in you because you've done it before, & all the fans know this. I agree with Cris about putting Dexter Jackson in the game to stretch the field because I've posted that before, but against the Bears, doing so could make a difference for the offense altogether & could put the Bears D on their heels. Carolina will be dealt with when they're the Bucs next opponent. You can throw out the past, doesn't matter. However, to say Carolina owns the Bucs is to speak too soon.

[Jeff Garcia]

Coach, I can play receiver.

[jason]

glah!?

[Dan]

Why care about who's playing end or flanker?? All TB ever throws are "deep" five-yarders to the backs. So let's go to a 3-back set and watch Earnest, Warrick, & Michael burn the house up!!!

[Steve Duemig]

The bucs will never win another game unless they get rid of Gruden and make me coach.

[Jerry Rice]

Give me a call i can still "pound the rock!"

[Steve Young #8]

i hear you guy's need a qb! boomer smell's like rotten egg's!

[Cheeseburger Eddie]

And dat's da truth with some cheese on it!!!!

[The Waterboy]

i can play foosball! mmmmmmmmm mmmmmmm mmmmmm mamma said!

[Gary]

Six years, six different QBs! Griese, do you really think the "Guru" will have you here next year? I'll sell you the Skyway. The "Guru" will probably trade a 2nd rounder to get Simms back during the 3rd week of T-camp next year! Good luck Mike! Hope the ball comes your way.

[Sir Pritam the Great of England]

I, for one, am absolutely exhilarated for this weekend. Finally, our offensive weapons can be unleashed. I always thought Clayton had a lot left in him, and I always thought that Jackson should be used in the offense as a spark