An open letter to Michael Clayton...

[RyanLeaf16]

well, i can just ask you right here.

I always kind of wondered what you think the Bucs should do moving forward as a team. Where to improve/what moves to make etc etc.

First move I would make is to fire the head coach and the GM. After that, I focus on hiring a head coach and GM who can work in concert with one another and who compliment each other with their philsophies for roster make-up.

Specifically, I look for someone who is going to build from the ball out. Meaning focusing on the lines first. Currently, the Bucs may have one of the best young offensive lines in football and they are currently being misused in a ZBS. The offensive line is a force when in a man-blocking scheme.

As for the defensive line, I focus on acquiring a top-notch nose tackle. I also move back to a single gap assignment for my defensive tackles which will make reads much easier on the linebackers. Getting a pass-rushing end is crucial to building the success of your team. So I also focus on drafting, or trading for, a rush end.

You also want a strong MIKE in the pipe (MLB). Currently, Barrett Ruud has proven himself a product of hype. Coming into the season, I was a big Ruud fan, without Brooks - Ruud is still getting tackles, but, he is not getting them at the line and his coverage game has been lacking. Ruud would be replaced with a free-agent or a draft pick.

When it comes to the secondary, I build around Tanard Jackson and Aqib Talib. Talib takes on the role of a press-corner and Jackson continues to play the free safety spot. Ronde is moved to a nickel corner and rush corner spot with limited playing time and only in long DND situations.

Clayton is cut if I make the calls. Leftwich is gone and so is Freeman. I build around a solid #1 back. No more committee work. Cadillac has shown the best overall ability, however, he still has yet to prove he can stay healthy. Graham is a power rush back that is versatile and can play fullback too. Ward is the pass-receiving back out of the backfield. If I had to select one to keep right now I would select Cadillac.

I make it a point to lock-up Antonio Bryant long-term, I continue to develop Josh Johnson and I have a philosophy of building through the draft while supplementing my talent pool with free-agent activity that results in the acquisition of difference-makers. We build our depth through the draft and add the final pieces in free agency.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Clayton has dropped off so sharply, I can only think of three players to compare him to....Germane Crowell, Marcus Robinson, and Eddie Kennison.

Crowell & Robinson both had 1400ish yard seasons in 1999, and neither ever came close to matching that production, much like Clayton's great rookie year.

Kennison had 50+ rec and 900+ yards his rookie year, and two years later his production had dropped to 17 catches in 16 games. He had more drops than receptions that season.

Crowell was destroyed by injury. Robinson was big lanky guy who read his own clippings and thought he was Randy Moss. Kennison was a speed guy who changed his game and became a saavy route runner and revived his career in KC.

I'm not sure where Clayton fits in. He's slow and has questionable hands. His comments make me question his work ethic.

 

[nflman2033]

Clayton has dropped off so sharply, I can only think of three players to compare him to....Germane Crowell, Marcus Robinson, and Eddie Kennison.

Crowell & Robinson both had 1400ish yard seasons in 1999, and neither ever came close to matching that production, much like Clayton's great rookie year.

Kennison had 50+ rec and 900+ yards his rookie year, and two years later his production had dropped to 17 catches in 16 games. He had more drops than receptions that season.

Crowell was destroyed by injury. Robinson was big lanky guy who read his own clippings and thought he was Randy Moss. Kennison was a speed guy who changed his game and became a saavy route runner and revived his career in KC.

I'm not sure where Clayton fits in. He's slow and has questionable hands. His comments make me question his work ethic.

yeah, its hard for me to talk bad about Kennison he was a very solid player toward the end of his career, in fact his best seasons all came in KC went over 1,000 twice.

 

[MRN]

http://www.backstagegfx.com/forum/uploads/U177-1255479514.png

 

[NAHSTE]

Clayton has dropped off so sharply, I can only think of three players to compare him to....Germane Crowell, Marcus Robinson, and Eddie Kennison.

Crowell & Robinson both had 1400ish yard seasons in 1999, and neither ever came close to matching that production, much like Clayton's great rookie year.

Kennison had 50+ rec and 900+ yards his rookie year, and two years later his production had dropped to 17 catches in 16 games. He had more drops than receptions that season.

Crowell was destroyed by injury. Robinson was big lanky guy who read his own clippings and thought he was Randy Moss. Kennison was a speed guy who changed his game and became a saavy route runner and revived his career in KC.

I'm not sure where Clayton fits in. He's slow and has questionable hands. His comments make me question his work ethic.

Kennison was more of a deep threat than Clayton ever will be though. Plus Kennison played late into his 30s and had a nice resurgence with the Chiefs at one point.

Michael Clayton is/was a very strong, physical WR. In college he was known as a very good blocking WR, and after his rookie season I thought he had a chance to be a great possession WR, but for some reason he just doesn't seem to care anymore. Which is completely opposite of how he played in college.