Where’d Clayton Go?

By Dave Shepherd  |   Wednesday, October 12, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Following their loss to the New York Jets, two questions have arisen. The first question is: Can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win without Carnell ‘Cadillac' Williams? The second question, although voiced much less frequently, is: Where is Michael Clayton?

These two questions have more in common than one might think at first. The answer to the first question may seem rather obvious. In games which Cadillac has played, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are undefeated (4-0). In games which he hasn't played, they haven't won (0-1). Here's another interesting stat that ties into that one, and helps answer the second question. Games in which Clayton has recorded a reception this year: Tampa Bay is 4-0. Games in which he hasn't: Tampa Bay is 0-1.

I know Michael Clayton is "just" a receiver, and isn't as big of a part of the Buccaneers offense as their running back, but there are some things you have to wonder about. The first thing, is why hasn't head coach Jon Gruden included Michael Clayton in the offense more often? He only has 17 receptions for 196 yards, while back up running back Michael Pittman has 16 receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown, which Clayton has yet to record. Why has Clayton been neglected?

One of the reasons has been that he's been playing injured. Not seriously injured, but injured nonetheless. However, there has to be more to it than that. Carnell Williams has been receiving the bulk of touches for the offense, and Joey Galloway is playing phenomenally, but when you have someone as talented as Michael Clayton you'd think you'd want to get the ball in his hands.

Apparently Jon Gruden has got the message. He said that he plans to call Clayton's number more often in the upcoming weeks, something that is desperately needed if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have any hope of winning without Williams.

There's more than one play maker on this offense, but with the way the ball has been distributed, it doesn't seem that way. If Griese can find Clayton a few more times a game, it will go a long way towards winning.
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