Why Is Michael Clayton On The Bucs – Part 1

Don't worry Coach, we'll help you figure this out

Raheem Morris issued his infamous challenge after the week 1 loss to Dallas in which he dared someone to write an article about why Michael Clayton is on the team.  Here is our response to that challenge (Part 1).

Why is Michael Clayton on this team?

We will actually go out and find the hard stats on this stuff in the upcoming week, but by our account, Michael Clayton was thrown to today 12 times. 

Of the 12 throws that came his way, he dropped 3 of them.  That's three drops in one game.  Even by Clayton's horrible standards that is impressive.  Coming into the game he was averaging 1 drop per game, so he outdid himself today.  We've heard reports that the Bucs had four drops on the day, so if that's accurate, Michael Clayton accounted for 75% of the teams drops.

Of the 12 throws that came his way, he caught 3 of them.  Josh Johnson completed passes to 8 different targets today and Clayton caught more than only Tight Ends John Gilmore and Jerramy Stevens and Offensive Lineman Donald Penn.  Actually, in the first half Clayton and Donald Penn had the same number of receptions but Penn had more yards, NO DROPS and he wasn't even technically thrown to.  (Note: their receiving stats for the New York and Washington games were identical)  But regardless of how much better Donald Penn's hands are, a #2 receiver needs to catch more than 33% of the passes coming his way.

Of the 12 throws that came his way, 5 were incompletions.  By far the highest number of any of the targets Josh Johnson was throwing to.  In fact, Clayton accounted for only 11.5% of Josh Johnsons completions but 20.8% of his incompletions.  Something doesn't add up there. 

Of the 12 throws that came his way, 1 was intercepted.  He was there, he could have laid out for it, but he didn't.  He just quit on the play.  And as a result, Josh Johnson's pass got intercepted, the drive ended, and Philadelphia took control of the ball.

So let's summarize why Michael Clayton should not be on this team. 

1. Drops - after this week I'm sure Clayton will be the league leader in this category (and for those keeping score, that is not a category you want to be a leader in).  Maybe Clayton should stop complaining about his "opportunities" when they are bouncing off his hands at this alarming rate.  If the ball hits your hands you should catch it, no excuses.  And when the drops happen on critical 4th down situations you are costing your team the chance to continue drives and score points.
2. Reception percentage - Josh Johnson completed over 50% of his passes but Clayton only caught 33% of the ones that came his way.  So who is the problem?  Obviously someone is catching these passes, so let's keep sending "opportunities" their way. 
3. Quitting on plays - from the opening play when he tried to "one hand" a Josh Johnson bomb to the final interception that he stopped short on, Clayton repeatedly costs this team with his lack of effort.  Josh Johnson needs receivers that are going to bust their butts so his passes will be caught, his rythm will improve, his confidence will build, and his stats will look better.

Coach Morris, you wonder why people ask why Michael Clayton is on this team?  How about this.  If Clayton stayed at home today, Josh Johnson would have been 23-0f-38 (60.5% vs. 52%) for 215 yards with 2 Touchdowns and 2 Interceptions (1 less turnover). 

Without Clayton, your team would be better.  That's why we wonder why he's on the team.  We all want the Bucs to be better, but Clayton is holding you back.

The Gang @80Sucks.com