Can Mark Clayton Emerge As A Great Reciever

[twilightraven2723]

im really wondering if mark clayton can be a great reciever. hes a good route runner. and for the most part ive seen him catch the ball greatly. forget the patriots game. thats long gone. he really needs to step up like that every week. i mean he has the speed to get deep and that is what joe flacco needs.im excited to see what hes gonna do against the packers defense

[MagicianCamille]

We have a Clayton thread already.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='twilightraven2723' date='02 December 2009 - 12:24 AM' timestamp='1259731494' post='300447']
im really wondering if mark clayton can be a great reciever. hes a good route runner. and for the most part ive seen him catch the ball greatly. forget the patriots game. thats long gone. he really needs to step up like that every week. i mean he has the speed to get deep and that is what joe flacco needs.im excited to see what hes gonna do against the packers defense
[/quote]
Jurys still out and this is brought up every other week......

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='twilightraven2723' date='02 December 2009 - 12:24 AM' timestamp='1259731494' post='300447']
im really wondering if mark clayton can be a great reciever. hes a good route runner. and for the most part ive seen him catch the ball greatly. forget the patriots game. thats long gone. he really needs to step up like that every week. i mean he has the speed to get deep and that is what joe flacco needs.im excited to see what hes gonna do against the packers defense
[/quote]

you know... I'm gonna put this out as honestly, and open minded as I can...

NO... he will not be good in the #1 receiver position if he tends to disappear in the #2 receiver position, however he might be able to perform in the slot on a more consistent basis

[Purple Punishment]

#1 receivers arent sporadic in their performance like Mark Clayton. I think he can become a better receiver than what he is, but not a #1

[flynismo]

When did Clayton become a great route runner and "catch the ball greatly", whatever that means? I musta missed something.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='flynismo' date='02 December 2009 - 02:46 AM' timestamp='1259740013' post='300477']
When did Clayton become a great route runner and "catch the ball greatly", whatever that means? I musta missed something.
[/quote]

Yeah, maybe he thought he saw a 9 instead of a 5 on Masons jersey.....

[codizzle]

id be happy if he just shows some consistency... im not looking for a breakout or a sudden superstar game.. i just want a consistent reliable WR.. he's been here long enough. he should be able to be on page with flacco and be able to hold on to the ball...

[Radinho84]

he wasn´t able to become a great reciever in 5 years. he will never get it done!! he is the most inconstant player i´ve ever seen. should only play the slot in the 3 reciever set but we don´t run that very often. would prefer to see a lot more of washington instead of him!!!

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

I'll hold out hope... but won't hold my breath!!!

[Chi_Town_Raven]

Okay, I know exactly why he would excel in the slot. But it seems to me that everyone just repeats the same thing over again, because they hear other people say it. So, I want to hear, why would he be good in the slot?

[H8R]

[quote name='Chi_Town_Raven' date='02 December 2009 - 07:34 AM' timestamp='1259757265' post='300498']
Okay, I know exactly why he would excel in the slot. But it seems to me that everyone just repeats the same thing over again, because they hear other people say it. So, I want to hear, why would he be good in the slot?
[/quote]


Only real reason I could think of is that he's be facing a weaker DB

[BloodRaven]

As long as he isn't making more than a million a year Im happy, we don't pay him much and there are much worse WRs out there.

[H8R]

I agree with BloodRaven, Clayton has made some big catches and is a decent player. I can't tell you how many times Joe just didnt see him open or just locke din on someone else.

[ravensfan160]

I think something needs to be said about the QB. I don't think its any surprise that after Cam and Harbaugh got on Joe for looking at Mason too much the very next game Clayton goes for 120+ yards. Sure top level CB shut down Clayton but they also shut down Mason and other receivers. I don't think Ward and Holmes did much against the Bengals either.

We should wait out the rest of the season and maybe since Joe is being told to look more his way now we can see the true Clayton emerge. I'm willing to give him that.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='Chi_Town_Raven' date='02 December 2009 - 07:34 AM' timestamp='1259757265' post='300498']
Okay, I know exactly why he would excel in the slot. But it seems to me that everyone just repeats the same thing over again, because they hear other people say it. So, I want to hear, why would he be good in the slot?
[/quote]

like H8R said, Weaker DB, maybe even a LB... more of a YAC position, which is probably one of Clayton's better attributes

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='02 December 2009 - 09:47 AM' timestamp='1259765276' post='300546']
like H8R said, Weaker DB, maybe even a LB... more of a YAC position, which is probably one of Clayton's better attributes
[/quote]
Exactly. I'm not saying Clayton would be the next Wes Welker but I do think most people would agree that Wes Welker wouldn't be nearly as effective on the outside as he is in the slot.

[samic]

Someone hit on it when they mentioned the QB staring down Mason and Rice all the time. It is not only Clayton that is disappearing. What about Heap and Washington? Face it; our passing game has become one dimensional. Everything has been going through Mason and Rice. Flacco even threw to Rice in triple coverage! Even though a receiver is covered, you can throw the ball to where only he can catch it. Joe hasn't mastered that yet. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt because of the ankle and not being able to step into his throw properly. But these guys were spoiling us early in the season when we were lighting it up and everyone was getting in on the fun. To get back on point, I think if Flacco builds a better relationship with Clayton they have the potential to put up great numbers. You don't see Clayton dropping the ball often. The Patriots game was so glaring because it cost us the game. But otherwise unless the ball is uncatchable, Clayton normally comes down with it. We need to get him, Washington and Heap more involved in the passing game. Teams are beginning to lock in on Rice and Mason.

[McBoller]

[quote name='1/28/01' date='02 December 2009 - 12:27 AM' timestamp='1259731646' post='300450']
Jurys still out and this is brought up every other week......
[/quote]
actually I think its more like twice a week

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='flynismo' date='02 December 2009 - 12:46 AM' timestamp='1259740013' post='300477']
When did Clayton become a great route runner and "catch the ball greatly", whatever that means? I musta missed something.
[/quote]
last sunday night

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='samic' date='02 December 2009 - 08:01 AM' timestamp='1259766095' post='300555']
Someone hit on it when they mentioned the QB staring down Mason and Rice all the time. It is not only Clayton that is disappearing. What about Heap and Washington? Face it; our passing game has become one dimensional. Everything has been going through Mason and Rice. Flacco even threw to Rice in triple coverage! Even though a receiver is covered, you can throw the ball to where only he can catch it. Joe hasn't mastered that yet. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt because of the ankle and not being able to step into his throw properly. But these guys were spoiling us early in the season when we were lighting it up and everyone was getting in on the fun. To get back on point, I think if Flacco builds a better relationship with Clayton they have the potential to put up great numbers. You don't see Clayton dropping the ball often. The Patriots game was so glaring because it cost us the game. But otherwise unless the ball is uncatchable, Clayton normally comes down with it. We need to get him, Washington and Heap more involved in the passing game. Teams are beginning to lock in on Rice and Mason.
[/quote]
Ive tried the it takes two to tengo(sp? hombre)thing before... but your gonna get jumped for questioning "the chosen one" but i have yet to see a productive reciever emerge from an eratic thrower. Last sunday night we saw a little of what happens when joe puts it on the spot.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='02 December 2009 - 06:08 AM' timestamp='1259759338' post='300502']
As long as he isn't making more than a million a year Im happy, we don't pay him much and there are much worse WRs out there.
[/quote]

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Mahatma_Sloth' date='02 December 2009 - 12:44 PM' timestamp='1259775858' post='300682']
Ive tried the it takes two to tengo(sp? hombre)thing before... but your gonna get jumped for questioning "the chosen one" but i have yet to see a productive reciever emerge from an eratic thrower. Last sunday night we saw a little of what happens when joe puts it on the spot.
[/quote]
Joe isn't as accurate as everyone seems to think he is even before his ankle injury. He throws high a lot on shorter routes and the long pass to Clayton would have been picked off if Polamalu was playing because he woefully underthrew it. He also overthrew Mason for a sure TD as well. The media seems to consider Joe an accurate passer especially with the deep ball but I think they just think that because of his strong arm. I do think he thorows the out pattern as good as anyone. So certainly some of Clayton's inconsistencies can be explained by Joe's inconsistencies.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='02 December 2009 - 12:50 PM' timestamp='1259776232' post='300685']
Joe isn't as accurate as everyone seems to think he is even before his ankle injury. He throws high a lot on shorter routes and the long pass to Clayton would have been picked off if Polamalu was playing because he woefully underthrew it. He also overthrew Mason for a sure TD as well. The media seems to consider Joe an accurate passer especially with the deep ball but I think they just think that because of his strong arm. I do think he thorows the out pattern as good as anyone. So certainly some of Clayton's inconsistencies can be explained by Joe's inconsistencies.
[/quote]

Very true.

I don't think Clayton will ever become a [i]great[/i] receiver but I'll be surprised if 2006 goes down as the best year of his career when his career is over. That isn't a great answer but it's just too tough to tell. Clayton could turn into the next Derrick Mason or he could continue to be the slightly above-average player we see now.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='02 December 2009 - 12:29 AM' timestamp='1259731797' post='300452']
you know... I'm gonna put this out as honestly, and open minded as I can...

NO... he will not be good in the #1 receiver position if he tends to disappear in the #2 receiver position, however he might be able to perform in the slot on a more consistent basis
[/quote]

THANK YOU! His style BEGS to be played in the slot. He could do exactly what Wes Welker does, as long as he and Flacco are on the same page and make the same reads. And once he gets the ball, if he's got 2 seconds, he can make people miss.

I'm itching to see Clayton in the slot, and if Mason retires... then have Kelly Washington and Demetrius Williams(or whoever ends up here... Justin Harper, etc.) on the outside.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='02 December 2009 - 12:50 PM' timestamp='1259776232' post='300685']
Joe isn't as accurate as everyone seems to think he is even before his ankle injury. He throws high a lot on shorter routes and the long pass to Clayton would have been picked off if Polamalu was playing because he woefully underthrew it. He also overthrew Mason for a sure TD as well. The media seems to consider Joe an accurate passer especially with the deep ball but I think they just think that because of his strong arm. I do think he thorows the out pattern as good as anyone. So certainly some of Clayton's inconsistencies can be explained by Joe's inconsistencies.
[/quote]

Those short passes out to the flat KILL me. If the receivers didn't have to jump, or wait until the lob comes down... they might get 5 yards. But because the pass is high, the defense is there by the time the ball gets there. The short passes are supposed to be easier, Joe!

[FerrariFan87]

One good game doesn't mean anything.. I need to see that type of performance week in and week out. Don't forget he fumbled, which could have cost us the game.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Mahatma_Sloth' date='02 December 2009 - 01:37 PM' timestamp='1259775454' post='300676']
last sunday night
[/quote]


Oh, forgot, the same night his fumble nearly cost us another game.

But wait, since when does one good week (against Randall Gay haha) make you a good route runner? I always thought you look at the entire body of work, not just focus on the rare occassions that he performs decently.

[MsMarvel73]

Boy I'm really conflicted in trying to answer this question. I was freaking ecstatic when I found out we drafted him (I remember it distinctly: I was in grad school at the time...early morning the Sunday after the draft, I was reading a newspaper, saw Mark Clayton on our draft list and started doing a happy dance in the Shippensburg laundromat)..


but...

I know he's had injury issues...like I said somewhere else, we cut Dan Cody for basically the same reason..

BUT

he's had his chances. Can he get out of the streaky and be GOOD streaky? I don't know. The drops..the loss of focus at key times...I'm vastly disappointed. I think we need to draft a WR at some point if he doesn't start manning up a hella lot more.

[catty112]

Its seems to me that Clayton is poised to take over Masons spot if Mason retires after this year. In my opinion Clayton and Mason are almost identical receivers based on tangibles. Mason obviously has an edge over him with the intangibles he possesses but that stems mostly from experience.

slightly off-topic but still relevent:
I think that our offense would benefit from rotating our receivers around, usually we just see the same formation

2 wide w/ Clayton and Mason
3 Wide w/ clayton and Mason outside, Washington slot

why not switch it up a bit? like people have said put clayton in the slot, or mason

when we come out with 2 wide why not have kelley washington in w/ clayton or mason?

Maybe see a little more DWill out there?

We need to utilize our receivers to the best of their ability and the requires us to rotate them to keep the matchups in our favor and the defense offbalanced.

but back to the OP, I can see scenarios where after Mason retires Clayton is able to pick up the slack and match his prodcution, but like others have mentioned and as been extremely overstated he needs to be more consistent. Consistency is what you know you will get from Mason week in week out. If clayton ever wants to take over the reins he needs to do the same