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Clayton Getting His Shot

Cliff McBride/Tribune photo

With Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard expected not to play because of injuries, and Maurice Stovall placed on injured reserve this week after breaking his arm, Clayton is projected to lead the Bucs' young and inexperienced receiving squad.

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2007

Updated: 12/29/2007 12:19 am

TAMPA - Bucs receiver Michael Clayton is finally getting his chance.

One opportunity to show coaches, fans, supporters, skeptics - and even himself - that he can catch lightning in a bottle. One shot to relive the glorious 2004 season when Clayton was regarded as a premier NFL receiver. One game to erase 39 others of him as a role player the past three years.

Clayton's chance finally comes Sunday when Tampa Bay (9-6) hosts its regular-season finale against Carolina (6-9). Though this game will not affect Tampa Bay's No. 4 playoff seeding, or Carolina's guaranteed losing season, it means much to Clayton's career.

With Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard expected not to play because of injuries, and Maurice Stovall placed on injured reserve this week after breaking his arm, Clayton is projected to lead the Bucs' young and inexperienced receiving squad.

He is also supposed to show everybody the old Michael Clayton.

"Hopefully he'll pick up where he left off when he had his good year," Tampa Bay receivers coach Richard Mann said. "He's coming off a lot of injuries the last couple of years. It's one of those deals where we know he's a good football player. Look at what he did in the past. He's been making plays. Made some good plays last week and there is no reason he won't make them this week."

To this day, Tampa Bay coaches have never fully explained Clayton's demise.

After having 1,193 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as Tampa Bay's first-round draft pick (16th overall) his rookie season, Clayton had 372 yards and no touchdowns in 2005 and 356 yards and a touchdown in 2006.

Clayton's statistical struggles have continued this season with 17 receptions for 241 yards and no touchdowns. He has played a lot on special teams, plays behind Hilliard on offense, and although nobody would fault Clayton if he complained about being phased out, negative opinions never left his mouth."Going back to basically what made you is how I coped. Family. Loved ones. The kids who look up to me," Clayton said. "I've had the opportunity to do a lot of work at the Tampa Bay Pediatric Cancer Center. Those type of people who work there, and those kids fighting for their lives, look up to you and they hold you to a higher standard. There is a way you have to handle yourself and have professionalism in the best way."

It is why Clayton has willingly blocked for Galloway, who is in the midst of his third consecutive 1,000-plus receiving yard season, in exchange for his personal success.

"That's who I am. I was a leader in college. They drafted me in Tampa to be a leader. That's who I am as a person," Clayton said. "I make the players around me better. I make the guys in my room better. That's what I'm here for. Lead by example and make the team better.

"When things go wrong and you handle it the right way, when it comes along again, you're ready. When you handle things like that, you get favor and you may never have to go back through it. Players look up to when you don't change. That's one thing about me. I won't change."

Clayton is optimistic one thing will be altered this week, which is his offensive involvement.

He knows it has to happen.

This is Clayton's shot.

"I can definitely taste it the end zone. I've been waiting for it. ... I have to capitalize, and when it touchdown comes, all heck is going to break loose," Clayton said.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com.

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