Michael Clayton Welcomes Competition (Good Read)

The competition at the wide receiver position opposite of mainstay Joey Galloway has been heated the entire preseason. Veterans like David Boston and Ike Hilliard are pushing youngsters Maurice Stovall and Michael Clayton for playing time. Clayton and Stovall have been seen after every practice during the preseason playing catch and running routes.

Clayton, who is in his fourth year with the Bucs, has taken Stovall, in his second year, under his wing. Even though Clayton is battling with Stovall for playing time at the Z (flanker) position, he has shared his experiences in the offense with the talented receiver from Notre Dame.

Clayton sees the talent that Stovall possesses and wants to see him succeed as much as he wants his own success. The former LSU wide receiver knows that a roster spot isn’t a given this season, but believes that he and Stovall could make for a dangerous tandem in the future if Clayton remains with the Bucs.

“The progess that he’s made since he’s been here is one that I can respect,” Clayton said. “He’s like a little brother to me and I always told him that I’m here for him. We share advice, we work out together after practice and we want the same thing for each other. I want to see him succeed, he wants to see me succeed. So I think in the future that’s a good tandem, you know we are both still young, we have a lot of years left in the league and when it’s our time to shine – as young guys right now we have a lot of veterans out here – we’ll do that. But from the bottom of my heart, I definitely want to see him succeed because he’s a great player.”

The difference in this season’s camp for Clayton is the fact that he’s healthy for the first time in two seasons. He also believes that the competition at the wide receiver position has been a healthy one and it has pushed the receivers to get better.

“There’s a little bit more competition-wise, I’m healthy and the effort and the work we have been putting out has increased heavily because we have to win,” Clayton said. “Our backs are in a corner and I think as veteran guys we have to do whatever it takes to win. I think we are putting a lot of pressure on wide receivers to make some plays. There haven’t been many or as much as we would like in the past and we are just trying to change that up a little bit.”

Clayton’s time with the Bucs has been like a roller coaster ride and he’s looking to get this ride back on track after falling off the past two seasons. In his rookie season, Clayton was the Bucs' No. 1 option in the passing game with 80 receptions for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns.

However, Clayton has struggled through two injury-riddled seasons with 55 receptions combined and one touchdown. The lasting image of Clayton dropping touchdown passes in Pittsburgh and New York last season is something Clayton takes responsibility for, but isn’t going to let it linger in his mind. He just wants to keep working hard and make up for the bad memories that Bucs fans remember from the past.

“Keep doing what I’m doing and I think that’s all the way across the board. I think people are going to remember definitely if I haven’t been productive, they are going to remember the drops,” Clayton said. “But there’s nothing different, obviously take advantage of the opportunity. I dropped a few balls last year, but just take advantage of the opportunities like that. Clearly, I don’t drop balls like that, but I did and I’ve put the blame on me. It’s past me. I’m not worried about it. People can talk as much as they want, but that’s not going to change how I motivate myself to get in there and make plays.”

[Malibu]

You should attribute articles you post to the writers or the site you got it from as well as provide links to it. Otherwise it is (sadly) a copyright violation and it could actually (surprisingly) get the boards in trouble. But also because it's just the practical thing to do too...

[NawlinsBucFan]

The difference in this season’s camp for Clayton is the fact that he’s healthy for the first time in two seasons. He also believes that the competition at the wide receiver position has been a healthy one and it has pushed the receivers to get better.

Last year in TC there were articles about how he was healthy that year, unlike before his sophmore year when he was still recovering from off season knee surgury. Last year he was supposed to be 100% and in the best shape of his life, ect, ect.

New year, same excuses? Hopefully not the same results though. I would still like to see Clayton remember how to catch a football and become a productive part of this offense again.




I had such high hopes for Simms, Clayton and Carnell just a few years ago. It would be nice to see at least 2 of them rebound.

http://www.pewterreport.com/articles/view/3239

theres a link.

I hope he welcomes sitting on the bench a lot. We dont run lots of 3+ WR sets, do we?

[bucschick]

I would like to see Clayton rebound, but I won't hold my breath. The guy is talented, no doubt. I don't know if he has enough talent or drive to push Stovall and Boston, however, so I'll reserve judgement for the season.

[Ballin_Since_76]

Originally Posted by PittClayton

Clayton, who is in his fourth year with the Bucs, has taken Stovall, in his second year, under his wing.

NOOOOO!!!!

Originally Posted by PittClayton

Clayton and Stovall have been seen after every practice during the preseason playing catch and running routes.

Clayton, who is in his fourth year with the Bucs, has taken Stovall, in his second year, under his wing.

he has shared his experiences in the offense with the talented receiver from Notre Dame.

Clayton sees the talent that Stovall possesses... The former LSU wide receiver believes that he and Stovall could make for a dangerous tandem in the future if Clayton remains with the bucs

We share advice, we work out together after practice and we want the same thing for each other.


Clayton’s time with the Bucs has been like a roller coaster ride and he’s looking to get this ride back on track after falling off the past two seasons.

the above is what i get out of it. MC AND MS are running routes after practice- whos helping who?

MC taking stovall under his wing- how can that be good?

MC is sharing his experiences? hes been injured for 2 years, how much can he really share?

MC believes the 2 can be a dangerous tandem- again, who helping who? is stovall drawing most of the coverage because of his talent and thereby freeing clayton up to catch the balls. - its like MC trying to ride off of stovalls talents- just my opinion here.

sharing advice- who is helping who?

admittedly, MC time with the bucs has been a rollercoaster- i dont see where MC has anything to offer stovall except damage control.

[tylerb929]

Originally Posted by RAGE02

MC time with the bucs has been a rollercoaster

Don't rollercoasters have to go up?

Originally Posted by tylerb929

Don't rollercoasters have to go up?

yes. unfortunately what does that say, but that they also come down.

and up and down player is not very good. consistency is what is looked for. if he went up and got stuck up there- that would be great.

i know my post sounds like i am not a MC fan. i do like MC. but i just dont like hearing, reading, or seeing things like that- he is helping someone else. stovall played some last year while clayton was on the sidelined.

in an interview on channel 9 in orlando the other night he was telling a reporter in a one on one interview that he still has swager. i guess i just look for players being realistic- after a rookie campaign he has not done much- he tries to make it sound like he is still on top of his game and that he is a mentor to other rookies. there is JG and IH for things like that not MC.

I do hope MC returns to full tier- but he should be concerned with himself. hes just trying IMO, to look good for the media.

if he doesn't watch he will find himself cut, parris warren has done a better job in preseason than MC has.

gruden stated that if they dont keep PW someone else will sign him. that statement tells me it is more of a battle between MC AND PW, than MC AND MS.

so again- who is really helping who? imo, stovall is helping clayton- not the other way around.

[Pewterslimsme]

[bucschick]

Originally Posted by Pewterslimsme

Censor bypasser.

Yeah, MC and DC sure have an affinity for balls dropping.

Originally Posted by Pewterslimsme

Haha, not often does something just make me make this face at the monitor

[Malibu]

Originally Posted by tylerb929

Don't rollercoasters have to go up?

He did have a touchdown last year.

[Buc]

“The progess that he’s made since he’s been here is one that I can respect,” Clayton said. “He’s like a little brother to me and I always told him that I’m here for him. We share advice, we work out together after practice and we want the same thing for each other. I want to see him succeed, he wants to see me succeed. So I think in the future that’s a good tandem, you know we are both still young, we have a lot of years left in the league and when it’s our time to shine – as young guys right now we have a lot of veterans out here – we’ll do that. But from the bottom of my heart, I definitely want to see him succeed because he’s a great player.”

I seem to remember Cadillac coming on board and hearing some of the same statements from Clayton. Would like to see Clayton get straightened out, but don't think that he needs to be tutoring anyone. Don't think that he has much to pass along to our receivers at this point. Was not going to bring this up but . . . . . . big drop last weekend by Stovall in Jax game. Not saying, just sayin'. . . .looks like Chronic is on the mark. Go Bucs!

[TampaBayPaladin]

I'm pullin for Clayton.....although my faith is getting stretched out a little thin, I hope he comes through for this team and contributes.

[Cadillac559]

Originally Posted by tylerb929

Don't rollercoasters have to go up?

They always go up in the beginning right before they drop...

[Pewterslimsme]

Originally Posted by Malibu

He did have a touchdown last year.

If I remember correctly it was reviewed.....and VERY iffy.

Originally Posted by Pewterslimsme

If I remember correctly it was reviewed.....and VERY iffy.

Haha, man, at least let the guy have his one TD!

[BucFanInKC]

Originally Posted by Malibu

You should attribute articles you post to the writers or the site you got it from as well as provide links to it. Otherwise it is (sadly) a copyright violation and it could actually (surprisingly) get the boards in trouble. But also because it's just the practical thing to do too...

Additionally, the article was posted a week or two ago.

[Q-man]

From the link above:

By: Charles Gonzalez
August 21, 2007 @ 5:45pm

[Cadillac Kid 22]

He had better welcome competition......

[BucFanInKC]

Originally Posted by Q-man

From the link above:

By: Charles Gonzalez
August 21, 2007 @ 5:45pm

I either read this article or one eerily similar to it a week or so ago. I believe it was somewhere on nfl.com.

[Q-man]

I thought that too, but that was the date on the article.
I think they just can comments and use them to confuse.