Clayton vs. Gessner

Oh, how Mike Clayton has fallen. The once promising 2004 #15 overall pick, who some Buccs fans argued until blue in the face for Rookie of the Year, has worn out his welcome for this Buccs fan. If you go back and read my blog, "Mapquest: From Boston to Tampa" I made a case for a scenario that had David Boston and Maurice Stovall both leap frogging Clayton in the depth chart. Not only does it seem that that has come to fruition, but another player appears to be on the verge of dropping Clayton even lower on the depth chart.

After a stellar performance in the first pre season game of 2007, Parris Warren looks to be knocking down Clayton's door to the #4 spot on the depth chart. If that's the case, then it is clearly time to cut ties with Mike Clayton and shop him for a draft pick. It doesn't matter what we get in return for him, as long as we get something.

Chas Gessner is a wide receiver some Buccs fans have been pulling for, and other Buccs fans couldn't care less about. Gessner is the guy who should replace Clayton on the roster. I'm not going to sit here and try to tell you Chas Gessner is a better player than Mike Clayton, that would just be a waste of time. What I will tell you is why I think he deserves a shot.

Chas Gessner stands 6' 5" and weighs 225 lbs. He has nice size, and is fierce blocker. I would say he's as good of a blocker or maybe even better than Mike Clayton. Gessner hailed from the Ivy League's Brown University where he re-wrote the record books. Chas is the Ivy League's second all time receptions leader where he reeled in 292 receptions and 3,383 yards and 36 TD's. He averaged 9.14 receptions per game and 114 yards. He broke Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice's NCAA Division II single game record by brining in 24 receptions for 207 yards and 3 TD's vs. Rhode Island in 2001.

With Clayton's plummet to the bottom of the depth chart, I will argue that Chas Gessner as the 6th WR on the depth chart is much more valuable to the Buccaneers at his minuscule salary than Clayton is at #5 on the depth chart earning $1.75 million this season. Let's be honest with ourselves, how often will Mike even see the playing field? Will he be good for 3 plays and 1 reception per game? Will he even have a ball thrown his way? There is only one football, and a lot of hands it could be in on any given play. That low on the depth chart, Clayton could possibly go without a reception all season. Mike's biggest impact will be on special teams where he has displayed a knack for great blocking. Chas Gessner is as devastating a blocker as Mike Clayton or any of the other great blocking wide receivers. In that role laid out before you, what's more valuable? Mike Clayton the special teamer at $1.75 mil or Gessner the special teamer at $150,000 and an extra maybe 3rd or 4th round draft pick Clayton could land the team?
...JJC/ABuccsFan