“I played for a coach who, you really didn’t know what you were getting. I didn’t know what I was getting in Jon…I didn’t know if I was going to be in the doghouse, or if I was going to be in the in-house, in the field house…You just didn’t know. You were on eggshells. You had to make the most out of the situation. We’ve never had any words, me and Jon….I’ve never been the No.1 receiver since my rookie year…But yet people evaluate me based on my rookie year. I had over 100 attempts (balls thrown to him) that year. That says a lot. It’s never been the same.”

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.  What a tear fest.

The reason that you don’t have as many balls thrown to you anymore Mike is becase you can’t catch.

He went on to make complaints about Gruden only liking fast receivers, which is almost hilarious in itself.  His entire passing system was predicated on possession receivers who can catch anything thrown at them (Rice, Tim Brown, Antonio Bryant, Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardle).

I’m still of the belief that Clayton was one of the players who helped get Gruden fired.  The Glazers let it be known that they spoke with “some players” who expressed their dislike for Gruden, and I’m sure this whiny baby was one of them.  The new coaching staff then rewarded him with a 24 million dollar contract since he essentially helped them get put “into office” so to say.  He clearly didn’t pay any dividends on that contract last year as he “rewarded” his new employers with a scintillating 16 catch season where he was one of the league leaders in dropped passes.

Go away Michael Clayton, I look forward to the day that you are cut.

Without further ado…

Centers
Cut – Donovan Raiola
53 Man – Jonathan Compas, Jeff Faine

Cornerbacks
Cut – Brandon Anderson, Derrick Roberson
53 Man – Ronde Barber, EJ Biggers, Myron Lewis, Elbert Mack, Aqib Talib

Defensive Ends
Cut – Brandon Gilbeaux, George Johnson, Carlton Powell, James Ruffin, Michael Bennett
53 Man – Tim Crowder, Erik Lorig, Stylez White, Kyle Moore

Defensive Tackles
Cut – Ryan Sims
53 Man – Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller, Dre Moore, Brian Price

Fullbacks
Cut – Rendrick Taylor
53 Man – Chris Pressley

Guards
Cut – None
53 Man – Davin Joseph, Keydrick Vincent, Jeremy Zuttah

Kicker
Cut – Hunter Lawrence
53 Man – Connor Barth

Linebackers
Cut – Rico McCoy, Niko Koutouvides, Lee Robinson
53 Man – Jon Alston, Quincy Black, Geno Hayes, Adam Hayward, Barrett Ruud, Dekoda Watson

Long Snapper
Cut – None
53 Man – Andrew Economos

Punter
Cut – None
53 Man – Brent Bowden

Quarterbacks
Cut – Rudy Carpenter
53 Man – Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Jevan Snead

Running Backs
Cut – Kareem Huggins
53 Man – Earnest Graham, Clifton Smith, Derrick Ward, Carnell Williams

Safety
Cut – De’von Hall, Corey Lynch, Matt O’Hanlon, Dennis Rogan
53 Man – Cody Grimm, Tanard Jackson, Sean Jones, Sabby Piscatelli

Tackles
Cut – Mac Dile, Derek Hardman, James Williams
53 Man – Demar Dotson, Xavier Fulton, James Lee, Jeremy Trueblood, Donald Penn

Tight Ends
Cut – Jeron Mastrud, Ryan Purvis
53 Man – John Gilmore, Jerramy Stevens, Kellen Winslow

Wide Receivers
Cut – Chris Brooks, Michael Clayton, Terrence Nunn, Mario Urrutia, Michael Spurlock
53 Man – Arrelious Benn, Reggie Brown, Preston Parker, Maurice Stovall, Sammie Stroughter, Mike Williams

Breakdown By Team and Position
Defense-23 Players
CB – 5
DE – 4
DT – 4
LB – 6
S – 4
Offense - 27 Players
QB – 3
RB – 4
FB – 1
C – 2
G – 3
T – 5
TE – 3
WR – 6
Special Teams-3 Players
K – 1
P – 1
LS – 1

Upon initial review, especially for nailing 53 men on the first go, this looks like a pretty even distribution of players throughout the O, D and ST. At least along the lines of the standard NFL roster.

Now time for the inevitable criticism, which is undoubtedly coming! Let me hear it.

Pewtermat

There is a possibility that Matt didn’t bring up though, and its the likelihood that Clayton gets released.

During the Q&A I had at One Buc Place with Mark Dominik a few weeks ago, he made a statement that I thought was hilarious.  He actually prefaced the opportunity for the fans to ask questions with this caveat about Michael Clayton.

Michael Clayton’s name is on the depth chart in pencil.

He further expounded upon this point by talking about the players that we have brought in, and the fact that if Clayton doesn’t prove himself worthy of a roster spot in camp, he won’t have one.

So while I agree wholeheartedly with Matt that we will not trade MC, who the hell would want him, I think there is a better chance he is a FA before the start of the season, then of him sucking it up through another season for our Buccaneers.