Did Clayton speak too soon?

Coach Jon Gruden was clearly miffed today when he I asked him about WR Joey Galloway's prospects for playing on Sunday and he responded with what amounted to a swipe at WR Michael Clayton.

Clayton on Wednesday said he expected to start in Galloway's place at Chicago. Turns out, that probably wasn't a wise move.

"A couple players have already spoken that (Galloway is) not going (to play), but I'll make that decision, okay?" Gruden said. "I'll decide who starts, too. As long as I have the title here as head coach, I'll do that."

Sounds to me like a not-so-veiled shot at Clayton. I would like to think that Gruden wouldn't change his mind and pull Clayton from the starting lineup to make some kind of point, but who knows?

Comments

[adventurecycling@hotmail.com]

Can you say dog house?

I just hope the best recievers are used so we can go 2-1.

[adventurecycling@hotmail.com]

Can you say dog house?

I just hope the best recievers are used so we can go 2-1.

[Al Gore]

Auchtung!, puut hem ohn der benche. Or at least emabarrass him in the press. But, definitly one of the two. No wonder the QB most like you whines to the press you little mo.

Hiel Jonny!

[Jay]

Why is Gruden being such a prima-donna about this? If Clayton is listed as the #3 receiver, and the #1 can't go, then duh, he should start.

I'm not a Gruden basher at all, but his mismanagement of offensive personnel has really been an issue. He made EG sit for 4 years while wasting a space with Pittman, not utilizing Alstott, let Warrick Dunn go, and kept Kenyatta "The Human Turnstile" Walker waaaay too long. He cannot draft QB talent, and doesn't seem capable of developing the ones he does have.

The only chance Clayton will have at starting is with another team next season, and it's not because of talent.

[Arun]

I understand his frustration...why let the Bears know what's happening in our clubhouse???

Clayton should have waited to Sunday to make his statement. Hope he makes the most of it, we'll need him. Expect the line of scrimage to be awfully crowded.

GO BUCS!!!

[bobbyd]

Seems pretty simple to me. I've never seen a player tell the press he was starting before the coach makes the call.

[Valrico Rick]

Gee Jay, you took the words right out of a Gruden basher's mouth! It can get pretty confusing when the players start giving out the lineup to the media, but then again Gruden usually doesn't air out his gripes with his players in the media! It's the collider messing up the Earth's magnetic field and making everybody act all weird and what not! Like me, blah, blah, and blah! Hurumph!

here's a more relevant question...

how is michael clayton even on an NFL team...dude is pure garbage

[Erick]

Gruden would totally pull him if he felt like it. He's vindictive and holds grudges like no one else. I Just hope he doesn't.

[Pep]

Do you suppose JG has an EGO?

[Jay]

Rick,

I'm only hard on him because I know he's a good coach, but he has a habit of disappointing the fans by putting out an inferior product on game days. I believe in giving him leeway too, because he did bring a championship to a franchise that languished in mediocrity / being terrible for decades. But it has been 6 years since that SuperBowl win - which is the same length of time Dungy had before questions about his leadership arose.

Let's be honest, the defense has done exceptionally well with both it's management of personnel and it's scouting. Greg White(FA), Barret Ruud(2nd), Javon Haye(FA), Sabby Piscatelli(2nd) and Tanard Jackson(4th) have been stellar pickups from both the draft and free agency. Someone has been doing a great job scouting on that side of the ball.

On the other (offensive) side, I don't know if I can say the same thing. And that's supposed to be Gruden's specialty.

[Goerge Bush #1]

It doesn't matter what he said now. It's time to produce.

[Drew Pearson]

I've intentionally left my last name off all of my posts. I'm willing to come out of retirement and play for the Buccaneers. It'll take a little adjusting to not playing in a Cowboys uniform, but I can do it. Bruce, Gru give me a call to discuss a 1 year contract.

I still have all the tools, the blazing speed, precision routes and the softest hands the NFL has ever seen.

Pick up the phone (call) and we can discuss the contract details over lunch (your treat of course). I guarantee you a trip to the Super Bowl this year and another ring.

[Ultimate Cowboy Fan]

Drew Pearson,

Dude, I thought you left the planet. Can I have your autograph?

My Hero!!! Sign him...

[Edgar]

Put Maurice Stovall or Antonio Bryant to start. MICHAEL CLAYTON!!!! PLEASE!

[Vince]

Jay, wow man, you must be kidding. Let's just take the comments one at a time: "[M]ade EG sit for 4 years while wasting a space with Pittman" That's just dumb. Pittman was a very versatile "joker" in Gruden's system and "EG" was a running back that could not break through until Pittman was older and a bunch of injuries hit the Bucs. EG is doing a great job but some of the credit has to go to the line -- which Gruden built, right? Have you noticed how our line, which has always been bad, now resembles the Raider's O-line?

"not utilizing Alstott" -- did you think that up while you were listening to the Duemig show? No need to re-hash this silly comment. You expose yourself as a Gruden-hater.

"let Warrick Dunn go" -- are you kidding? Gruden did not let Dunn go. He wanted him badly. The Bucs could not keep Dunn becasue of the salary cap mess that McKay created. Wow, this might be your dumbest comment.

"kept Kenyatta "The Human Turnstile" Walker waaaay too long." Kenyatta Walker was, again, a McKay pick. Nothing to do with Gruden. Silly.

"He cannot draft QB talent, and doesn't seem capable of developing the ones he does have" -- The Bucs have not drafted a quarterback except in late rounds because they have been rebuilding. What team have you been watching? As far as developing quarterbacks, Gruden turned Gannon and Johnson into Pro Bowlers and returned Garcia to the Pro Bowl when he had not been there in 5 or 6 years. Please . . .

Wow Jay . . . you have joined the rare company of the Dallas guy that always says idiotic things on this blog. Congratulations.

[dylan]

COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER VINCE...
I THINK NEXT YEAR WILL BE A WIDEOUT IN THE FIRST ROUND AND THE YEAR AFTER WILL BE THE FRANCHISE QB WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ON UNLESS WE ALREADY HAVE HIM (JOSH JOHNSON..). ALRIGHT PROLLY NOT JOSH JOHNSON BUT I CAN STILL DREAM...

[kevinmills]

Vince,

Thank you.

[aj]

Doesn't Pittman lead the league in rushing tds right now? He's not a slouch. And remember, he was the one who moved to fullback and paved the way for the EG era to start. Every team needs a couple unselfish guys like that.

Someone drafted Graham, no? And Davin, Trueblood, Sears and Zuttah. It's a cohesive passing game they haven't been able to get pieces for.

You can't blame a team for a QB, toughest position to find, but they haven't gotten TE or WR. DJax needs time, but face it, he just doesn't look like he belongs out there right now.

I do think they under or mis-utilized Alstott. There are only a few players in the league at any time that can change a game in one play. With one five yard run Alstott could change momentum, crush another team's spirit and ignite his own team. You have to find a way to use that to your advantage and in that manner Gruden did not succeed.

Brad Johnson was a winner in Minnesota and Washington before he came to Tampa. And Garcia looked pretty darn good as an Eagle. It's not like Gruden turned these guys into winners. Gannon, on the other hand, did have his renaissance with the Raiders.

[Southern Pirate]

Vince, Thank You for renewing my faith in Bucs fans. I have read some stupid stuff from both the media and some fair weather fans. Your rebuttal was right on the mark, very refreshing!

[Jay]

Alright Vince, I'll play. But let's get a few things straight. I never have nor will I ever, subscribe to any sports talk radio crap. My opinions are my own, based upon observations from watching every game. I'm not a fan of any other team, and don't carry an agenda regarding coaching changes. I'm calling it as I see it, and you're welcome to disagree.

1. Pittman. I watched him take over the role as the starting RB when we had the option on Thomas Jones and passed. He may be doing well in Denver, but show me a back who does not excel in Mike Shanahan's system. They have a proven track record, and the praise belongs to the line, the coaching, and to the playcalling - not to the back (with the exception being Terrel Davis). Name one RB who left Denver to be successful elsewhere (ok, I'll give you Clinton Portis)

2. Our o-line. This year, and last year, the line has improved with the selections of Joseph and Trueblood. But do you remember Steussie? Coleman? Stinchcomb? Yeah, Kenyatta was a McKay pick, but Gruden kept him for 5 seasons - which was 3 seasons too long. It wasn't until recently that the line started to look decent.

3. Alstott. He was a north-south runner who under Gruden only saw action on sweeps and passes out to the flat, while Pittman ran up the gut for a loss or tripped over a phantom ankle tackle. We saw what he could do if you threw him between the tackles, but the playcalling never materialized. That's a mismanagement, and a shame.

4. How can you call Dunn a cap casualty when you then offer Charlie Gardner a massive contract the next season? In addition, he still had Aaron Stecker, who was in Dunn's mold - yet he didn't use him, and he left to have a good career in New Orleans. See also: Thomas Jones

5. "The Bucs have not drafted a quarterback except in late rounds because they have been rebuilding". That's total crap, and you know it. If it's the most important position on the field, then why not address it in the higher rounds? Instead of Clayton in 2005, the Bucs could have had Aaron Rogers or Jason Campbell. Oh, but we had SuperBowl winner Brad Johnson...

6. Speaking of Johnson, I guess no one remembers how terrible he was in 2004 - no pocket presence, weak arm, slow to recognize protections, and an interception machine. The solution? Chris Simms (2005), Jake Plummer (2006), and Bruce Gradkowski (2006). The result: 5-11.

And finally, calling Garcia a pro-bowler is a little bit of a misnomer because he was selected as a 3rd alternate when Brett Favre decided not to go. That's like being 4th runner up at a beauty pageant and then declaring yourself the winner because everyone ahead of you died in a fire you set in the dressing rooms.

[Jesse]

Hey Jay,

Seems like you'd do a fine job as coach of the Bucs and destroying the team. What was your point in either post? You don't like Gruden? You don't say! You can do better? You can bring up more thing irrelevant things to bring the team down! You know, the Coach does have a right to be upset here, & he does make the call. I think a lot of us who post comments, including myself, missed the fact that the Coach hadn't announced Clayton as the starter--Clayton did. I still hope he plays, but if he doesn't, it's on Michael.

[Southern Pirate]

Jay, are you kidding when you say you follow this team? And yes, Jeff Garcia is a Pro Bowler 3 times before last season(Yes Jay, there are other teams players can have careers with).

And are you serious, Aaron Rodgers instead of Cadillac Williams? Really? And before you start propping Aaron, remember, he's only beaten two bad, no, one bad and the other terrible teams. Are you seriously going to imply that Gruden should have taken him at the #5 spot when 23 other teams let him drop? Idiot! My guess is the real Aaron will show up against Dallas and look a lot like the Rodgers I saw last August in SF. If great QBs were that easy to come by, every team with have two or three.

[JR]

When will people realize that Gruden is not the general manager, therefore, he does not make the draft selections.

See Aqib Talib and Gaines Adams.

Gruden would have taken a quarterback in the first round by now if he was given the opportunity.

[Michael Duggan]

Arthur Blank wanted Warrick Dunn at any cost, and that's why he offered him 28 million dollars, which "no" team in the NFL would have touched....."Go Bucs"

[Jay doesn't have the facts]

Why is Gruden being such a prima-donna about this? If Clayton is listed as the #3 receiver, and the #1 can't go, then duh, he should start.

I'm not a Gruden basher at all, but his mismanagement of offensive personnel has really been an issue. He made EG sit for 4 years while wasting a space with Pittman, not utilizing Alstott, let Warrick Dunn go, and kept Kenyatta "The Human Turnstile" Walker waaaay too long. He cannot draft QB talent, and doesn't seem capable of developing the ones he does have.

The only chance Clayton will have at starting is with another team next season, and it's not because of talent.

Posted by: Jay

Hey Jay, you sure about all your ranting? I know for sure that Gruden never wanted Dunn to leave, that was your buddy Rich McKay's fault. Get your facts in line when you pretend to be a Gruden basher.

[Jay]

Southern Pirate,

If you look at the 2005 draft, as well as my own post, you would see that we chose Michael Clayton over Aaron Rogers and Jason Campbell, not Cadillac Williams (which was 2006).

But you guys are right about Dunn leaving, I'll concede that point. Atlanta offered him way too much money for him to turn it down, so there wasn't much we could have done to keep him. That doesn't fall on Gruden either.

And Jesse, do you think Clayton made that declaration of being a starter all by himself? Or maybe a position coach told him that Galloway was a no go, Stovall was still injured, and Bryant was the #1, leaving him to be the #2? It's not that hard to make that leap of logic, but again, Gruden didn't have to take it public just to embarrass him.

[Carmine]

start ike and bryant.
clayton still a third, throw in some jackson w/ bennet split on te other side
(just have them both run a straight line deep and sneak TE Smith or Stevens across the middle)

plenty of weapons still, but yea, jonny has an ego.

[bobbyd]

Here are three things to put into any post to prove you're a moron-hater who has no understanding of football:

1) In the (pick a year) draft, the Bucs should have picked (pick a player on a different team that you do like) instead of (pick a Buc you don't like). Gruden sucks at picking players.

2) The Bucs need to trade for (name a disgruntled superstar). Bruce Allen sucks as a GM.

3) Gruden won the superbowl with Dungy's team.

Here's why these statements make you a moron-hater:

1: Everybody is a draft expert, after the fact. The problem is, no one knows for sure how a player will play until they actually play. Some picks are good, some are bad. And, for just about every blasted low round draft pick that turned out to be a stud, every other NFL team also passed on that pick, so you should be equally demeaning in your evaluation of every team who missed out on that pick.

2: Trades can only happen in the NFL when the dealing team is willing to part with the player for a reasonable offer that fits within the team's salary cap budget. You can't just pluck superstars off of teams. If you like a sport like that, go watch baseball.

3: Dungy couldn't win the Superbowl with Dungy's team. (I really like Tony Dungy, but I would never dream of giving him credit for winning the Superbowl).

[DMS]

Is Alvin Harper still available??? Ernest Givins???

[DMS]

Bert Emanuel, are you out there??? Haywood Jeffries???

[Elliot]

Clayton said "I've been told I will be starting, so we'll see what happens"

Sounds like Clayton was lied to. Lies are nothing new from this coach and Clayton predicted this lie. That is why he said "we'll see what happens"

[Vince]

Jay, Jay, Jay. You are a Gruden basher because you give him blame for everything, including many things that have nothing to do with him, but don't give him credit where he obviously deserves it. I presume you do this because you have bought into the Gruden-hating mythology you hear on sports talk radio and often read on these blogs. Then, when your silly comments ("Gruden let Dunn go")are rebutted, you change the subject. Silly really.

For example, on the EG comments ("Gruden made EG sit"), I like how your response focuses only on Pittman and not on your original comment that Gruden "made" EG sit for four years.

Your comments on the O-line also proves my point that you are a myopic Gruden-basher. If Gruden is blamed for Steussie (somebody should surely get blamed for that mistake), then it would only be fair to give him (actually Allen) credit for two things: (a) learning from the Stuessie mistake and building through draft and (b) rebuilidng the o-line in the mold of the Raiders o-line (bigger, nasty etc.)

Your Dunn comments are the funniest. Dunn was a cap casualty who left before Gruden (March of 02). How is Gruden responsible for Dunn leaving? Even if you believe that, isn't Gruden (actually Allen) responsible for bringing Dunn back? Dunn did not want to leave. Bucs could not keep him because McKay mismanaged cap.

Drafting of quarterbacks. Another complete distortion. The Bucs also could have draft B. Westbrook. You know Gruden wanted him bad. McKay chose Simms. How is Gruden to blame for the drafting of quarterbacks? If anything, Gruden deserves credit for winning with mediocre quarterbacks. That was my point in mentioning the Pro Bowls. I agree, for example, that Garcia was a marginal Pro Bowler last year. My point (which you seem to have ignored or missed) is you cannot bash Gruden for not developing quarterbacks when guys like Gannon, Johnson and an older Garcia had their most productive years under Gruden.

Finally, you list Simms, Plummer and Gradkowski as if they are some sort of indictment on Gruden? Simms was McKay's guy. Plummer never played here yet Allen turned him into money for Bucs and Gradkowski was a late-round pick. What does any of that have to do with Gruden? This last issue proves my point. The Gruden-basher mythology that you subscribe to says that Allen is a Gruden puppet so you blame Gruden for all sorts of front office stuff. If Allen is Gruden's puppet then explain to me why: (a) we are so far under cap (you think Gruden would leave $ on table) and (b) why we drafted Talib (you think Gruden did not want a big time receiver? Gruden implied he was disappoited with the Talib pick).

Jay, the first step to a cure is realizing you have a problem.

[DR]

You all get defensive when anybody makes any somewhat negative statement about Gruden. And you all have nothing but excuses. You blame McKay or you blame Dungy's mother to defend Gruden and all Gruden did was take over a team, and ride the coat tails of Monte Kiffen's defense with his 18th ranked offense. The defense won the super bowl and the defense has won the majority of the games played since. Gruden's offense is pathetic and predictable and I can't believe you all like watching the team even play offense. Until Gruden has an offense that is ranked higher than 18th more than once, and he can put up back to back winning seasons, will he deserve any respect from anybody. It doesn't look like its going to happen this year and that means Gruden's record will be under .500 as the precious Bucs coach. For any coach to respond in the manner Gruden did about a player just goes to show what kind of coach he is. He's nothing but a baby. The good coaches in the league wouldn't even comment on this or would make a better statement than "i'm the coach, whhaaaaa whhhaaaaaa!" You guys keep supporting one of the worst coaches in this league.

[DR]

Vince, seriously , you have a problem, not Jay.
The Bucs took up a $7M contract and got half of it back. Which means, they lost money for services they never got. They threw money away. All they did was save cap money, but they wasted money all the same.

["W" Bush]

I am the "DECIDER" and DR, AKA Duemig the Gruden hater go find another place to let out your hatred.

GO BUCS!!!!!!!

[David]

Michael clayton needs to catch footballs and keep his mouth shut. a true example of waiting and performing is EG who is a class act. I think these guys who are drafted high in the draft bring an ego with it and assume that they should always start. I also have seen in the past when clayton does play and makes a rear good play that he celebrates on the field. I think he needs to be consistent again and save the celebrations until he proves that he is the player he was his first year.

[Pete]

DR,

You ever been to a game? If you so clearly hate Gruden, Allen, Bucs go find another sport to follow, say the Siberian Goulag Gubers.............. I am sure you can find fault with the Warden!

[schlomo]

vince your aned idiot. let Grudens record speak for itself, one superbowl, agianst a team he coached the year before, Lynch said it himself when he was coming off the field" we know exactly what play they're going to run" (or something like that). The Raiders failed to make any changes to the play book. As far as walker last i heard the Head coach had the last say on who gets cut. He cut every one else why not walker? Pittman was garbage as a running back who did not know how to lower his center of gravity. Pittman always went down on the first hit unlike Graham who oh, by the way got almost 1000 yards coming of the bench. Where was the o-line in game one when Garcia was running for his life? Dunn did want to be here he wanted to be the featured back that is why he left. If Gruden is such a nice guy and doesn't deserve any critism than why didn't any top free agents this off season want to sign here? they had the money.

[Al Gore]

Achtung my little people!!

You are all getting carried away with yourselves, and starting to ovulate like jesse, and Jessica Simpson.

Gruden threw another player under the bus in the press, true Clayton should not have said anything, however leaders do not throw their men under a bus. I know this because I am a leader.

Jay is not a basher, he is objective in his assesment of this poor leadership ability of the Guru-den.

Heil Jonny Guru-den!

[schlomo]

Dam Dr right on the money, Gruden gets no more free passes from me.Until has wins are more then his losses then he deserves all he gets.Call me a hater if you want but at least i am not a butt kisser. The proof is in the stats and no one can argue that. When was offensive any better then 18, and when did his offense ever scare any body.

[Dave]

I have to stand with Gruden on this one too. Clayton's comments show he doesn't understand the strategies/games played by head coached to plan for the next opponent. Look at New England. Belicheck has yet to tell the press what Brady's injuries are. He simply told the press he's out for the season and that's all you need to know. I love it!

[Dave]

I have to stand with Gruden on this one too. Clayton's comments show he doesn't understand the strategies/games played by head coached to plan for the next opponent. Look at New England. Belicheck has yet to tell the press what Brady's injuries are. He simply told the press he's out for the season and that's all you need to know. I love it!

[rich]

Dave do you think any other NFL team is actuall afraid of Michael Clayton? and by the way butter fingers should have kept his pie hole shut, but the coach, more then any one else should have pulled him into the office and let him know what the deal is.

[little boyz]

uh huh....na uhh...o yeah? yeah!
wee wee wee wee all the way home...

[Tony]

What does "starting" actually mean; he plays the first series? Ike will be in there just like every other game, he's solid! Bryant needs to quit getting all "Clayton-ed" up and DROPPING passes...

[skp]

i just think that gruden didn't want the bears to konw who to gameplan for. makes sense....why not let them think that Joey's in the cards? if you can't get him on the field at least let the threat of him make an impact for you...now the bears can focus on bryant, clayton, and hilliard

[Vince]

Jay, at least you have DR defending you. Ooops.

Schlomo: -- good point, let Gruden's records speak for itself: Super Bowl that Dungy could not deliver (anyone remember Rams game? Sean King? Clyde Christianson etc?). Multiple division titles all the while rebuilding an aging and well-over the cap team. Yeah, you are right schlomo, Gruden sucks. Good points. LOL

I particularly like how you mention the fact that Raiders were Bucs opponent in Super Bowl, as if that is an indictment on Gruden. Schlomo, you tool, that is proof that Gruden/Allen are a good team. What happened to Raiders after they left? Hello . . .

Gruden deserves plenty of criticism but not for the crazy stuff you guys criticize him for. Besides my point in responding to Jay was to suggest that like every coach, the Gruden/Allen picture is not black and white. Gruden/Allen deserved blame and credit. But blame for not starting EG, lettting Dunn go (craziest statement I have ever heard) and all that other stuff is just silly.

[Vince]

DR is this actually what you think happened with Plummer:

"The Bucs took up a $7M contract and got half of it back. Which means, they lost money for services they never got. They threw money away. All they did was save cap money, but they wasted money all the same."

If that is what you think DR then you should be banned from this and every blog for utter stupidity.

[schlomo]

vince don't be naive.Although there was no way for the raiders to have know that they would face the raiders in the super bowl, they used Grudens play book. GO ask Lynch he tell you. Let's stick to the facts here tell me about Grudens record since then, and tell me what does Gruden and allen deserve credit for. I will give this to Allen he knows how to work the Cap better then McKay and for that i will give him credit. My problem does not lay with Allen it's with Gruden. He is not the master tacticition he was made out to be and the records prove it. He is not a person you can trust and the record proves that also.