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Clayton Focused On Game

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 2, 2008

TAMPA - Michael Clayton, a native of Baton Rouge, La., won't allow himself to be distracted by the impact of Hurricane Gustav.

Tampa Bay's first-round pick in 2004 is entering his contract season and Clayton has his mind focused squarely on the Saints for Sunday's regular-season opener.

"I'm not nervous, but I am very anxious to get out there and I'm excited about what our team has done so far," the former LSU standout said. "We had a very good preseason and we're looking forward to a good 2008 season. We have to start by going up to New Orleans and dominating."

Clayton is seeking to atone for three subpar years that followed a sensational rookie season when he led the Bucs in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs.

"Every team in our division has gotten better - and so have we," he said. "We're looking to stay calm, stay poised and finish the job."

READY TO ROLL: After a stressful offseason, QB Jeff Garcia has shaken off his calf injury and appears determined to put a hurt on the Saints.

"Jeff got a lot of reps today and he's getting back in the groove," new QBs coach Greg Olson said Monday. "He's just glad to be out here, finally working at full speed. He's not getting treatment anymore for his calf and he's moving very well."

As a member of the 49ers, Garcia threw eight TD passes in two games against the Saints in 2001. He passed for 243 yards and two scores against New Orleans last season, leading the Bucs to a 31-14 romp.

"I have no worries at all about Jeff Garcia," Clayton said. "He had a great practice today, he has worked out all of his kinks and he's back on key."

TALKIN' ABOUT PRACTICE: The Bucs signed eight players to their practice squad, including WR Micheal Spurlock, who last season became the first player in franchise history to score on a kickoff return.

Joining Spurlock are former Chamberlain High standout WR Brian Clark, TE Daniel Fells, CB Marcus Hamilton, rookie DT Dre Moore, RB Clifton Smith, G Julius Wilson and CB Brandon Sumrall.

S Sergey Ivanov, a member of the NFL International Practice Squad Program, is also listed on Tampa Bay's practice squad, but he will not count against the eight-man roster.

"We've got a number of guys, Dre Moore, we think, that have potential," Coach Jon Gruden said. "But they've got a long way to go to prove it."

IT'S GO TIME: Gruden, 2-4 in Week 1 matchups since arriving in Tampa, is curious to see how his defending NFC South champions respond to the opening bell.

"We're anxious to get started," he said. "The Saints are considered to be one of the powers in football and this game will be a tremendous challenge. We hope we can live up to the standards we have for ourselves here."

No NFC South winner has managed to repeat as champion and Gruden is well aware of the history.

"We've won three division titles here, and that means we can win another," said Gruden, 48-48 during the regular season with Tampa Bay. "We've got a lot of guys who have been a part of this. We've just got to work together and find a way."

EXTRA POINTS: With GM Bruce Allen looking on, the Bucs worked out several kickers after practice Monday. Veteran Matt Bryant, who boasts an 82.5 percent success rate on field goal attempts in his three years with the Bucs, missed five of 12 tries in the preseason. ... In two games against the Saints last season, WR Joey Galloway caught 11 passes for 294 yards and two TDs.

Ira Kaufman

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