Michael Clayton Might Be Visiting the Unemployment Office in the Near Future

Wow. I know things were bad for Michael Clayton, but I didn't realize they were dire. FanHouser David Warner wrote last month that one of the Buccaneers' biggest training camp battles would be Clayton versus ... himself. And that call was spot on.

Clayton's struggles also prompted the FanHouse's Michael David Smith to name second-year wideout Maurice Stovall as one of 30 NFL players to watch heading into the season.

The thing is, Clayton is four years removed from an outstanding -- and frankly, surprising -- rookie season, one that included 80 receptions for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns. Now, after a slew of nagging injuries, he's in some danger of not even making the final 53:

There will come a time when either the injuries, the talent around him or the lack of top-level production make Clayton expendable. We probably haven't reached that point yet, but it may be approaching.

What seems bad for Clayton, however, is no doubt good for the Bucs. With the talent level and competition seemingly increasing, the Bucs' receiving corps is starting to look like one of the deepest units on the team.

And while it's swell the Bucs' young guys are playing well, it's not like Clayton is battling Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Chad Johnson for a roster spot. He should be the team's No. 1 receiver. Instead, because of injuries and uneven play, he might be out of a job. Weird.