Bucs WR Michael Clayton Is Finally Regaining His Rookie Form

A lot of people were surprised when the Buccaneers used the 15th overall pick of the 2004 draft to take wideout Michael Clayton.

While he was a big target, he was considered slow and not much of a deep threat. All Clayton did was haul in 80 passes for 1,193 yards and 7 TDs, and a 14.9 yards-per-catch average. So much for that, right?

Um, not quite. He stumbled through the next three seasons, managing just 87 receptions for 1,029 yards and a single touchdown. Things got so bad that there were some concerns he might not even make the team last summer.

He did, obviously, but it took nearly 12 months for Clayton to return to the form that made him one of the league's best rookies four years ago.

Things are going so well, in fact, that head coach Jon Gruden hasn't threatened to cut him. Not even once.

It's great, man," he said. "I'm 26 years old, and it feels good." And for the first time in years, Clayton also can apply that statement to football.

A renewed confidence in himself and, more important, his ability to regain the confidence of coach Jon Gruden, is allowing Clayton to make plays that have been conspicuously missing from his game and the Bucs offense. ...

"It's about confidence," Clayton said. "I had to go through a lot to earn Coach Gruden's confidence in me again. I had to go through a lot to earn Jeff (Garcia's) confidence in me. It's about taking advantage of the opportunity and playing well. All that plays a part in how you feel out there on the field.

While Clayton's numbers won't get him a free trip to Hawaii -- he has 24 catches for 253 yards and no scores -- he's fitting in nicely in an offense that features Antonio Bryant and Ike Hilliard. And maybe that was the problem all along: Clayton's not a No. 1 receiver, but is at his best when he's the second or third option. Of course, playing on a winning team and regaining your confidence don't hurt, either.