Would You Trade For This?

Do other GMs see the warning signs like we do?

In the wake of the Gaines Adams trade there has been speculation, notably from ProFootballTalk.com and JoeBucsFan.com, that Michael Clayton could be next. And while we would LOVE to see #80 leave, consider this. If you were an NFL General Manager with a fiduciary duty to improve your team, could you (in good conscience) trade anything for Michael Clayton?

If you looked at it by the numbers, you'd see that he broke out his rookie year catching 80 passes for 1,193 yards and 7 touchdowns. OK, so far so good, but what happened next?

Clayton then went on what you might call a dry spell. Specifically, he went on a touchdown drought that went through his entire sophomore season and beyond. In total it lasted for 651 days. Think about that, that's 1 year, 9 months, and 13 days. And keep in mind, he was actually playing during that time. It's not like he was on IR or anything.

OK, so what happened next? Did he get back on track and go back to his rookie form?

Well . . . not exactly. Actually, he followed up his 651 day drought with another drought. But this time he outdid himself. Instead of a measly 651 days, his next drought lasted 805 days. Yup, 805 days. That's 2 years, 2 months, and 13 days. Again, he was not on IR, he was actually on the field during most of the Bucs games.

(Imagine if you went to work, set your lunch bag down on your desk, got comfortable in your chair and then instead of doing some work, you just sat there. Doing nothing. Everyday. For 2 years, 2 months, and 13 days.

That's the type of employee that the Bucs signed to a brand new 5 year deal worth more than $25 million with $10 million guaranteed this offseason, on the heels of that stellar drought.)

So did Clayton take the new money, and the new head coach, and the new offensive coordinator, and the new quarterback, and his new confidence and burst on to the scene as a scoring machine?

Not exactly. He's actually working on a new drought that is currently at 293 days and counting. During that time he has recorded 10 catches and 7 drops. How long will this scoring drought last? Will he set a new personal record? History says he can and he will.

So if you're an NFL General Manager charged with improving the talent on your team, could you trade for Michael Clayton? Could you look at those numbers and somehow twist them into believing that Clayton could help your team? And how would you explain it to your fans who are undoubtedly reading 80Sucks.com and laughing about how terrible Clayton is? How do you spin it so they believe Clayton will stop making excuses and start producing?

We're not sure any GM in the league could do that or would do that. What do you think?

The Gang @ 80Sucks.com