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WR Clayton Hungry For His Chance

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IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2008

TAMPA In five seasons with the Bucs, Michael Clayton has played in 57 regular-season games. No. 58 looms as the biggest of his career.

With Joey Galloway unlikely to play because of a foot sprain, Clayton enters Sunday's matchup at Chicago with a chance to re-establish the rapport with QB Brian Griese that helped the former first-round pick enjoy an outstanding rookie season in 2004.

"I've been hungry, man, I've been hungry for five years," said Clayton, who has scored only one TD in his last 41 games. "Nothing has changed, my mentality hasn't changed. The opportunity has changed, and I'm looking forward to taking advantage of it."

Clayton, the first player drafted by the Bucs during Bruce Allen's tenure as general manager, is in his contract year.

Galloway has missed only one regular-season start since Clayton's decline began in 2005, so this game at Soldier Field could be pivotal in determining Clayton's future with Tampa Bay.

"We've been through this for a while now," Coach Jon Gruden said, referring to the injuries that have plagued Galloway in the past eight months. "Some guys are going to have to step up. In some ways, it's real exciting to see how we all handle it. Michael Clayton I'm sure will get an opportunity to slam down the door and re-arrive here. I think he's worked his butt off, and I'm looking forward to seeing him take advantage of this chance."

INJURY UPDATE: DE Gaines Adams (abdomen) and rookie CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) were limited in Wednesday's practice. Both are expected to play against the Bears, who are averaging 34 rushing attempts per game behind standout rookie back Matt Forte, a second-round pick out of Tulane.

Gruden said G Davin Joseph (broken foot) is improving daily and could return as a starter in the Sept. 28 home game against Green Bay.

LB Derrick Brooks, who kept his consecutive start streak alive Sunday despite a hamstring strain, said he felt "a lot better than I did last week."

WELCOME BACK: The Bucs officially activated TE Jerramy Stevens, who had been serving a two-game league suspension.

With Stevens back on the active roster, Tampa Bay released TE Ben Troupe, the former Gator who signed as a free agent from Tennessee in March but did not catch a pass in the first two games.

"He's a good player," Gruden said of Stevens, who caught the winning TD pass in a critical victory at New Orleans in December. "Everything's behind him now, and he's done exactly what we've asked him to do. Off the field, he's obviously been through some tough times. He's got a chance to be a great man, a great Buccaneer and we're excited to have him back."

MY KIND OF TOWN: When Bucs DT Chris Hovan began his pro career in 2000 with Minnesota, he learned to appreciate the annual divisional visit to Soldier Field.

"It's electric out there," Hovan said. "It's Chicago, that's football out there. It's history, all the way back from Gale Sayers to Richard Dent and Mike Singletary. The list goes on and on. All the greats have played there ... they've paved the way for all of us."

Hovan believes the Bears reflect their region in the way they approach the game.

"That's a blue-collar town and a blue-collar team," Hovan said. "They play great defense, they run the ball and they control the clock. We play great 'D' down here and we like to run the ball, so the question is, who's going to do it better? We're going to find out on Sunday."

EXTRA POINTS: The Bucs signed CB Kyle Arrington to the practice squad and released CB Brandon Sumrall ... Asked if he would kick away from Chicago return specialist Devin Hester on Sunday, Gruden quipped: "I might just go for it on fourth down." ... Hester didn't practice Wednesday because of bruised ribs, and his status for Sunday's game is uncertain. ... The Bears are averaging an NFC-worst 2.69 yards on first down, but they boast a 51.6 percent success rate on third down, second in the conference behind Dallas.

Ira Kaufman

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