Notebook: Clayton ends dismal season

Bucs WR Michael Clayton said he could have started against Atlanta on Sunday, but coaches elected to limit him in the season finale.

Clayton sustained a knee injury and missed three straight games late this season. Although Clayton was not listed on Tampa Bay's injury report last week, he believed the team's decision to bench him for WR Maurice Stovall during a 20-10 loss was mainly a health precaution.

"If I had to go, I would have gone," Clayton said. "The situation we were in, we had healthier guys than me. Maurice Stovall has stepped up big this year. He's in a contract year and his opportunity to make plays in the last game of the season was important to our crew. It was important to me, definitely.

"I'm just proud of him, stepping up like he's done this year. He was very consistent and did everything he was asked to do."

Clayton finished with one catch for 16 yards against Atlanta, concluding the worst statistical season of his six-year professional career.

Prior to this season, Clayton was re-signed by Tampa Bay for five seasons with a contract worth $24 million, including $10.5 million in guarantees. Clayton played in 13 games this season (he was inactive three times) and finished with 16 receptions for 230 yards and one touchdown.

Although Clayton came nowhere close to his rookie season when he had 80 receptions for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns, he believed several factors contributed to his decreased productivity.

"We got off to a rocky start at the beginning," Clayton said. "We had quarterback changes. It wasn't just me. The whole wide receiving corps suffered from it, but it's the process of establishing a good offensive football team.

"It's what we went through this year. That was not a lack of play by any wide receivers to my knowledge. We felt like we played very good this year."

Tampa Bay WR Antonio Bryant was not allowed to test the free agency waters last year, but is ready to dive in this offseason.

The Bucs placed a franchise tag label on Bryant last year, which essentially locked him up for one season. With Bryant slated to become an unrestricted free agent, he said his main goal is to become healthier and said he would like to remain in Tampa.

"Of course (I would like to play for Tampa Bay)," Bryant said. "I'm from Miami. A lot of people think I'm from Pittsburgh because I went to the University of Pittsburgh, but I'm from Miami.

"Like I tell a lot of people, you can't find weather to play in like this unless you're on the West Coast. You can't find a better situation. They may be a small-market team, but there is a good fan base and great fan support going into these games."

Anwar S. Richardson, Ira Kaufman

Making history

The Falcons had their own powerful motivation Sunday, trying to become the first Atlanta club to post back-to-back winning seasons.

When the Falcons finished 9-7 by beating the Bucs, it was obvious how much the 20-10 triumph meant to the organization.

"It's a big win for our fans and our franchise," said owner Arthur Blank, whose club failed to make the playoffs a year after going 11-5. "It's a tribute to the thousands of players who have been here."

Atlanta closed with three consecutive wins to build some momentum for 2010.

"That win was for all the players who wore a Falcons uniform and weren't able to get that done," said C Todd McClure, who completed his 11th season with Atlanta.

Happy returns

Former Bucs K Matt Bryant, released at the end of training camp, made a pair of 36-yard FGs for the Falcons in his return to Raymond James Stadium.

"Being in Atlanta has been great," said Bryant, who signed a two-year deal with the Falcons on Dec. 2 and converted all six of his FG tries from inside the 40 this year. "It's a great organization from top to bottom and I'm ecstatic to be here."

Bryant, who turns 35 in May, is the oldest Falcon on the roster.

"I'll cherish this opportunity for as long as they'll have me," said Bryant, whose 40-yard attempt late in the third quarter was deflected by S Corey Lynch, one of six blocked kicks by the Bucs in 2009 under special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.

Extra points

Kansas City's win at Denver moved the Bucs up to the No. 3 spot in the 2010 draft, behind the Rams and Lions. ...The Bucs allowed 400 points on the season, their worst defensive showing in 20 years. ... Atlanta rolled up 11 of its 24 first downs during a dominating second quarter, when the Bucs failed to gain a first down and were outgained 148-21. ...The game-time temperature of 44 degrees marked the second-coldest home game in franchise annals, apart from a 39-degree day against Pittsburgh on Dec. 24, 1989. ... Coach Robert Weiner and several members of Plant High School's state championship team participated in Sunday's ceremonial coin toss. ... Falcons WR Michael Jenkins, a former Leto High standout, needed 30 tickets Sunday to accommodate friends and family. ... The Bucs finished 1-5 in the NFC South, averaging only 13.5 points per game against their division rivals.