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Katherine Smith, The Tampa Tribune, published 3 January 2005
Jon Gruden made his way through the linemen in search of Michael Clayton in the Bucs' locker room after Sunday's 12-7 loss to Arizona. Gruden got to the rookie receiver and stuck out his hand. ``Keep your chin up,'' Gruden said. Clayton smiled and responded, ``I love that guy.''
It's a mutual feeling with Gruden. Clayton gives Gruden something positive to focus on in an offseason where the aftershocks of a 5-11 season will linger. Injuries and a holdout by former receiver Keenan McCardell forced Clayton into the lineup a little sooner than expected, but the rookie flourished, becoming one of the few bright spots in a dismal season. He broke every rookie franchise record and led the team in receiving in eight different games.
He established a career-long reception Sunday against Arizona with a 75-yard catch and run in the third quarter for the Bucs' only score. ``It was actually a hitch, five- step and stop,'' Clayton said. ``We knew that their cornerbacks weren't that physical. They were bumping and getting off us early in the game, so we knew it would be there. I got some blocks downfield and was able to make a play. When the guy ran up on me, I made my way to the end zone and it just happened that I was able to keep my feet in and score.''
The 75-yard touchdown moved Clayton into third place on the Bucs' single-season list with 1,193 receiving yards. It's the fifth-most in NFL history by a rookie. Clayton's score was the second-longest by a rookie in franchise history. Tyji Armstrong holds the record with an 81-yard touchdown reception in 1992 against the Los Angeles Rams.
But Clayton's drop on fourth-and-2 with 2:05 remaining in the game is what he will focus on the most. It ended Tampa Bay's comeback hopes, and Clayton never got the ball again, so that was his last play of his rookie season. ``That's going to be something that will haunt me in the offseason,'' Clayton said. ``I had a great year, but to go out like that, it's just not me, to drop a pass like that. I was wide open, so maybe I was thinking a little too fast. It was a dropped ball, and it was my mistake. Next year, I'm going to work on that all year. I never want to feel like that again. It's a situation a receiver doesn't want to be in.''
Because it rarely happened this year, the drop stood out. ``It is stunning,'' Gruden said. ``He has great hands, he has had a great year, and it's just unfortunate that that play had to happen.''
Next up, Clayton plans to return home to Baton Rouge, La., to spend time with his family, including 3-year-old daughter Madison. ``I'm going to spend some quality time with my family,'' Clayton said. ``They've missed me all season, so I can't wait to go back home.''
Then it will be back to work. Just like last offseason, Clayton plans to spend some time at the IMG Academy in Bradenton working on specific skills. ``I know exactly what I have to do to get better,'' he said. ``I know exactly what I have to do. I know exactly how much rest time I have. I'm the type of guy who can't sit down too long. I have to stay in tune.''
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