Clayton tuning out depth chart and perceptions
Fourth-year receiver determined to remind fans of his ability, despite falling to second team.
By RICK STROUD
Published August 14, 2007
LAKE BUENA VISTA - Michael Clayton says he's healthy. Not even his feelings are hurt. The former first-round pick, who has fallen to second team on the depth chart, practiced again Monday. Gone is the slight hamstring strain that kept him out of Friday's preseason opener victory against the Patriots.
After two dismal seasons in which he had 65 catches and one touchdown combined, Clayton faces strong competition from Maurice Stovall, David Boston and Ike Hilliard for the No. 2 receiver spot.
Clayton has seen the depth chart and is aware of the skeptics, but he treats it all like elevator music.
"Basically, the player inside you just says, 'keep pushing.' " Clayton said. "Eventually, when the season comes about, when it's your chance to make the plays because you have that fight in you, you're able to make that play."
The receiver position is one of the most competitive. Entering the job fair Friday night was Paris Warren, who caught four passes, including a touchdown.
"They see Paris Warren go in there and all he does is catch one for a first down, a touchdown," coach Jon Gruden said. "He's a good player, too, in his own right. No one ever talks about Ike Hilliard. I don't understand that. He just catches everything and doesn't say a word. He's just a good football player and some things he does are great.
"So it's going to be a real competitive situation. The better we can get protecting, the more we will use three and four and five receiver sets. It would be nice."
Clayton isn't surrendering. It's uncertain how much he will play Saturday at Jacksonville and it really doesn't matter. He'll have an opportunity when it counts to turn things around.
"Good things will happen and people will forget about this chaos," Clayton said. "That's why I pay no attention to it because I know with my ability, I can go out there and make some plays. It'll all be over with."
GARCIA GETS A BREAK: Quarterback Jeff Garcia took six snaps against New England. He'll be lucky to see that many against Jacksonville on Saturday.
Gruden indicated he has no plans to use Garcia for more than a single series.
"We'll try to see a little bit more of Jeff and get some things done," Gruden said. "Hopefully we can get some things done offensively and allow him to stay in and play a complete drive. But obviously, Luke McCown needs to play. He hasn't played in over a year. He had 20 or 22 really good snaps and four or five snaps he needs to eliminate."
NEW FULLBACK: Fullback Zach Tuiasosopo was signed to take the place left by Mike Alstott, who went on injured reserve.
Tuiasosopo's brother, Marques, is a Raiders quarterback. The 6-foot-2, 249-pound Tuiasosopo entered the league in 2005 as an undrafted free agent with the Steelers. He spent his first season between the Steelers and Raiders practice squads. Last year, he was on the Eagles practice squad.