Clayton won't leave physical play behind
Michael Clayton's reputation has taken a beating during the past two seasons. But he claims that's the only thing.
By RICK STROUD
Published March 25, 2007
TAMPA - Michael Clayton's reputation has taken a beating during the past two seasons. But he claims that's the only thing.
Contrary to coach Jon Gruden's end-of-season assessment, the receiver does not think his physical style of play has contributed to significant injuries the past two seasons.
After catching 80 passes and seven touchdowns as a rookie first-round pick from LSU in 2004, Clayton has combined for 65 receptions and just one score the past two years.
During that stretch, he missed six games with various shoulder, knee and foot injuries.
"I won't change the way I play. That's me. That's how I play football," said Clayton, 6 feet 3, 215 pounds.
"To go in and mess up a mental approach, that's not my focus. I know in the midst of players getting hurt, it's not like I'm hitting guys and that's what's getting me hurt. Everybody takes shots sometimes. And I do have to be smart.
"If I've got three guys tackling me, go ahead and get down instead of trying to get an extra inch. That's what Gruden means. It's not the physical contact or the one-on-one contact; it's about being smart. That's one thing I have to learn. I don't want people to take it in the wrong context. This is how I play.
"It's important for me to play the way I play, but I can definitely be smarter."
OKOYE, OKAY? There's a possibility Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson won't be available when the Bucs pick fourth overall in next month's draft.
As much as they could use a franchise left tackle, they have at least covered themselves with Giants free agent Luke Petitgout.
The biggest area of need on the team is defensive tackle, particularly under tackle, which is the anchor of the Tampa 2 defense.
It might be a little high, but the Bucs will have to strongly consider Louisville's Amobi Okoye.
The 19-year-old phenom is the highest-rated defensive tackle in the draft and certainly a top-10 pick. Matching the need with the player, it really wouldn't be that much of a stretch considering Okoye's upside.
It was a weak defensive tackle class in free agency, so that need can only be fulfilled through the draft.
WHERE TO PLAY JUNE: The signing of Cato June might be one of the best in free agency for the Bucs.
Although he is a weakside linebacker, a position occupied by Derrick Brooks, June will likely get a chance to compete with Ryan Nece on the strong side.
But June's strength is in pass coverage. In 2005, June, a converted safety, had 102 tackles and five interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns. He was named to the NFC Pro Bowl team.
It's conceivable that June will not come off the field on passing downs, perhaps replacing Barrett Ruud or Shelton Quarles, should the latter, who has medical concerns, decide to continue playing.
SHOTGUN SIMMS: Chris Simms insists his competition with Jeff Garcia will be legitimate.
What else can he say? But he's been down this road before. Although the contracts weren't identical, Simms knew he had no shot to unseat Brian Griese as the starting quarterback in 2005.
Garcia, 37, went 5-1 for the Eagles down the stretch, securing the NFC East title. Simms, 26, struggled to an 0-3 start last season before rupturing his spleen.
But there is one other thing that might level the playing field: if Simms is able to throw more out of the shotgun in training camp and preseason.
Simms has a little longer release than some quarterbacks and isn't nearly as mobile, so getting him a few yards away from the pass rush is a good thing.
"I guess I have an edge in the fact that I've been here and I understand this terminology," said Simms, who is heading into his fifth season. "But (Garcia) has been in this offense ... how long has it been?
"No one said it was going to be easy or given to you, and I didn't expect it to be. I'm not going to sit here and complain. I've got a lot of good things going on in my life. A little competition in football is the way it's supposed to be."
Fast Facts:
Five things to watch at the owners' meetings
1 Commissioner Roger Goodell will unveil a more strict personal conduct policy this week in Phoenix. If the policy is approved, misbehaving players such as Tennessee's Pacman Jones could be subject to league penalties (including suspensions) before charges are settled in court. "The commissioner has the disciplinary authority to deal with these matters," vice president of public relations Greg Aiello said Wednesday. "He's looking to develop an overall, comprehensive and more effective program. As he puts it, one negative incident is too many for him." The modification was discussed by owners and the NFL Players Association last month at the league's scouting combine in Indianapolis. A three-strikes-and-out proposal was discussed.
2 Jon Gruden will finally break his silence about the team's hyperactive free-agent signing period. He might even give some clues as to who has the inside track in the quarterback derby between Jeff Garcia and Chris Simms. And what about that trade for Jake Plummer? All those questions will be posed to the Bucs coach at the NFC coaches' breakfast.
3 What do vice presidents Joel and Bryan Glazer have to say? About the urgency of Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen to win big in 2007? About raising ticket prices and the 10-year commitment on seat deposits about to expire? About the health of owner Malcolm Glazer? Word is, they will be made available to the media.
4 The Bucs will propose all penalties except holding be subject to instant replay. Owners will vote to determine whether instant replay, an experiment for two more seasons, should be kept permanently.
5 The competition committee will propose that overtime kickoffs be made at the 35-yard line instead of the 30 with the hope of turning the trend of teams that win the coin toss winning the game (about 62 percent of the time). A change in the way teams characterize injuries and status for games will be considered. Starting Wednesdays, teams would indicate whether a player practiced but would not identify status for Sunday's game (probable, questionable, doubtful or out) until Friday. "We feel coaches don't have as good a feel as they should (early in the week) and get criticized from an integrity standpoint," Atlanta general manager Rich McKay said. "We felt if we gave more detailed information on practice - which goes to the heart of whether a player will actually play - it would be more appropriate." And the league will consider a 5-yard penalty for spiking or throwing a ball after a play that doesn't result in the touchdown and changing pass interference penalties to 15 yards (rather than at the spot of the foul) except on major infractions.