TAMPA - Everyone at One Buc Place was excited about the team's first-round pick, especially receivers coach Richard Mann, who will work closely with Michael Clayton.
"It fires me up," Mann said.
Mann said Clayton's best attribute, his toughness, was evident on LSU's game tapes. Not only did Clayton work hard when his number was called in the passing game, but also exerted himself in the running game and on special teams.
"Here, we run the ball, and we ask a lot of our receivers as far as blocking," Mann said. "A lot of times you can project guys to do that. But once you get them in here and you find out that's not their cup of tea, then it's too late. With this guy, we know exactly what we've got coming in here. There were no holes on the tape that we feel concerned about."
THE PRICE IS (NOT) RIGHT: The Bucs would have considered trading their first-round pick had the right offer come along. But a trade between Cleveland and Detroit earlier in the round likely cooled the trade atmosphere.
Cleveland gave Detroit the No. 7 and No. 37 picks to move up one spot and take tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.
"We really tried to keep an open mind and be flexible," general manager Bruce Allen said. "When Cleveland made that trade with Detroit, it kind of froze it for a while. It was such a large price to move one spot."
AWAITING A RULING: Running back Michael Pittman's role remains uncertain. Pittman, who will serve at least two weeks in jail after pleading guilty to a felony count of endangerment, likely faces a multigame NFL suspension for his second violation of the personal conduct policy.
"He'll have a hearing with the NFL, and we might be able to be part of that just to see what transpires," Allen said. "But I think Michael has moved to another part of his life. He has got to do what the judge says, and he feels good considering the circumstances."
ON THE CLOCK: They say it takes three years to fully evaluate a team's draft, but the contract of Bucs college scouting director Ruston Webster expires June 1. Webster and pro personnel director Mark Dominik, whose contract also expires, are among the few front-office holdovers from former GM Rich McKay's era.
THE LONGEST DAY: Sixty-four picks and more than six hours went by between the Bucs' first- and third-round selections. Trying to pass the time, defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin worked out, hit the sauna, ate dinner and, of course, watched the draft.
"You know what's next on my list?" he said. "Organize my office."
The Bucs will be much busier today with six picks, one in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds and three in the seventh.
