Michael Clayton, in his brief time with the Giants, viewed the team and its coach, Tom Coughlin, as an all-business operation that values experienced players — an attitude he believes will help his chances for a return.
“As an older, veteran team, they really have a lot of respect for veteran players,” Clayton told the St. Petersburg Times. “We [veterans] set the standard. It’s a great feeling. Coach Coughlin is a great coach. He’s a no-nonsense guy. You know what you’re getting every single day. No politics, no [garbage]. You know what to expect.”
Clayton, 28, hopes his seven years in the NFL will mean something to the Giants, who appear well-stocked at receiver. When injuries depleted their wideout corps last season, Clayton was signed. But he didn’t add much, making just two receptions in six games.
With the ongoing lockout forcing NFL teams to brace for what likely will be a shortened training camp, Clayton said he thinks the Giants will put a premium on retaining veteran players.
“I think that the quick turnaround, it will help me,” said Clayton, who will be a free agent whenever the lockout ends. “I made a decision to go play in the UFL and I got picked up. I was prepared to go play in New York, and I was ready to go. They had young guys on their roster who had been there for two years who they still didn’t trust.
“To be in that predicament in New York, with the short amount of free agency that we’re going to have, I think that’s really going to benefit me when we get back to playing. Everybody’s job is still on the line, but I think after years in the league, coaches have a lot of respect for guys, especially when you’ve carried yourself the right way.”
Clayton was an active participant at Eli Manning’s passing camps this spring, and last week participated in a Buccaneers mini-camp. Clayton, a former first-round pick out of LSU, spent the first six years of his career with the Bucs, never living up to the promise he showed as a rookie in 2004, when he caught 80 passes for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns — all far and away career highs.