Buccaneers likely to release Michael Clayton
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ pre-season finale may have been the final time we will see wide receiver Michael Clayton in a Bucs uniform. Clayton has remained optimistic but with him being on the bench for most of the preseason, it doesn’t seem like he has a future in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have already tried to trade him in the off-season but couldn’t find any takers, meaning they will likely release him
"When there was trade talk a few months ago, (offensive coordinator Greg) Olson came and told me, 'Hey, we're going to try and shop you around and see what's out there,'" Clayton said. "I said, "Hey, I can understand that.'
Clayton is coming off an unproductive season in which he only caught 16 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. Combine that with his five-year, $26 million contract and that’s no bargain for the Buccaneers. It wasn’t seen as a bargain to other teams either as no one was willing to take on his contract.
Clayton has still maintained a positive attitude throughout the ordeal. He’s been a good team-mate and has helped the Buccaneer’s younger receivers develop. He’s gotten full grades from his coaches in terms of his attitude, so in other words, it’s nothing personal, just business.
"They've been totally honest and up front with me, which is another reason I've been able to keep a cool mind in this thing. ... At this point, the only thing I can control is what I can control, and that's getting ready to play."
Clayton was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2004 draft, 15th overall. Clayton had a promising rookie season in which he posted all career highs in receptions (80), yards (1,193) and touchdowns (7). However not only has he failed to take the next step but he has failed to come close to those numbers. He hasn’t even posted half of those numbers in any season in any one of those categories. The closest he came was in 2008 with 38 catches, 484 yards and one touchdown. The Buccaneers can’t afford to keep looking back on his rookie season after six seasons and may have to just move on.
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