New York Giants look to Clayton for Help
The depleted New York Giants wide receiving corps will get some help this week, after the team announced on Tuesday 23 November that they have signed 28-year-old former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mark Clayton. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, though it
is expected to be a one-year deal.
The Giants are missing their two starting wide receivers, as Hakeem Nicks (leg injury) and Steve Smith (torn pectoral muscle) have both been plagued by the injury bug and will miss significant time. Mario Manningham remains the only receiver left from the
starting day roster.
Clayton, a Louisiana State University product, has been playing this season for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He is a former first-round pick of the Bucs, having been selected 15th overall. After a strong rookie campaign
that saw Clayton amass 1,193 receiving yards, the wideout struggled to regain his form, and was released by the team before the start of the 2010 season.
The 6'4" Clayton has played four games for the Nighthawks this season and currently has seven catches for a total of 70 yards. In order to make room for the receiver, the Giants waived tight end Jake Ballard, who saw his first NFL action this past week
against the Philadelphia Eagles. Clayton was drafted the same year Eli Manning went first overall.
The two will have little time to develop a rapport, as the 6-4 Giants face the AFC South leading Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday 28 November. The Giants won’t have to pay the $150,000 UFL transfer fee, as Clayton has spent less than four weeks on the Nighthawks
active roster. Derek Hagan, who was signed last week by the Giants, is expected to be the team’s third wide receiver.
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