Sunday yanking angered Clayton

Days after confronting Jon Gruden, the Bucs receiver says he knows why he was taken out.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
Published September 27, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [James Borchuck | Times] Bucs receiver Michael Clayton, right, and St. Louis linebacker Brandon Chillar look at a dropped pass intended for Clayton.

TAMPA - The encounter was brief, but the image is lasting.

Beleaguered Bucs receiver Michael Clayton said he told coach Jon Gruden during their sideline spat Sunday that he didn't like being pulled out of a game.

"I told him, 'Don't do that to me,'" Clayton said Wednesday. "Hell no, I don't ever want to come out of a game again."

Near the end of the first half, Clayton dropped a pass. Two players late he fumbled after making a catch. He was then replaced by Maurice Stovall.

Clayton had words with Gruden on the sideline, at one point briefly grabbing his shirt.

But he said Wednesday, "Receivers coach Richard Mann, he pulled me out for a few plays and let me get my head back."

Clayton has just two catches for 23 yards but has been dominant as a run blocker. The Bucs rushed for 182 yards in Sunday's 24-3 win over the Rams. Clayton said although he disagreed with the decision, he understood it.

"You've got to secure the ball," Clayton said. "It's a shame that those plays happened so close together. But I love that (quarterback Jeff Garcia) came right back to me. And he's going to do that. If he sees you, he's going to throw it.

"He told me to get my head out of my a--, and that was that."

Clayton's dropped pass could have given the Bucs first and goal. When Garcia went back to the fourth-year receiver two plays later for a 12-yard completion, he was stripped by linebacker Brandon Chillar.

Tight end Alex Smith recovered the fumble, and the Bucs kicked a field goal.

Though animated, Gruden said he simply was explaining to Clayton why he was pulled.

"You can't drop the football in a 0-0 game and expect to not come out of the game," Gruden said. "Stovall is on the team for a reason, too. We need to get it done. We need to deliver those plays, and he's capable of that. We went back to him in the third quarter. We're going to continue to go back to him, and he's got to be productive when he gets those opportunities.

"That's all I said to him. You fumble the ball, you can't play ... When you carry the ball, when you touch the ball, you put the whole organization in your hands. And I wanted to make sure we're all on the same page."

Garcia, 37, said he sought out Clayton after the fumble to express his belief in the 24-year-old:

"I just said, 'Keep your head up. I need you. Get back in the huddle. Let's put that play behind us. Let's put those couple of plays behind us and get onto the next play because you never know when you're going to become a factor and I need your mind right. I need your confidence to be up there because I have it in you. I'm not going to look at those two plays and now think otherwise. You're still going to be a major factor, and I want you to contribute. I want to give you those opportunities to contribute."'

But Garcia has attempted only 65 passes, among the fewest by quarterbacks who have started all three games this season. For Clayton, who plays behind Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, that means reduced opportunities.

"I feel bad that he hasn't had more opportunities in the first three weeks," Garcia said. "But then you look at how the games have gone and how much we've thrown the football. It's just not happening as much. But there's going to come a time when we're going to need all four or five receivers to step up and be major parts of the game. And it's important for him to know that I'm counting on him to be there on every single play. There's no play to take off or think you're running off to be a distraction to the defense. There's a chance you can get the ball at any time."

Clayton said despite the slow start and Sunday's confrontation, he remains confident.

"I don't go in the jar," Clayton said. "I'm too positive and mentally focused. I don't go in the jar."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 26, 2007, 23:39:31]