OT - Mark Clayton Retires

**Reed 'Em and Heap** · 05-15-2013, 10:00 PM

I understand where the "bust" talk comes from, but I don't necessarily put that label on him. He looked primed to at least live up to some of his potential as the most "NFL-ready" WR in the 2005 draft class (as per Torry Holt, who was serving as a draft analyst at the time) in the only year he had a competent QB/offense. That was in 2006, just his second season, and McNair's first with the Ravens. 2007 was a crap year for everyone, and no disrespect to Flacco, but he was a rookie in 2008 and the offense was hugely conservative (and rightfully so; that was the only time Cam Cameron tailored the offense to suit the talent on the field). After a couple of electric passing games to open 2009, Cameron went into the hole that he would live in for the following 3+ seasons, and Mark's fate was more or less sealed.

Because I prefer to remember good people fondly, I will choose to forget the dropped pass in Foxboro and instead remember the diving TD catch he made from McNair in 2006 at Heinz Field to help secure the team's first ever first-round bye.

**ravenjoe** · 05-15-2013, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

By all accounts, he was a great guy, but no one will ever forget fourth down in Foxborough.

You took the exact words right out of my mouth....one of the many opportunities (early on) that Joe had of registering a 4th quarter comeback, only to be let down by one of his teammates; but then it is a team sport!

**akashicrecorder** · 05-16-2013, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by cjandrze

He could have been a better receiver here if he had a better QB, that is a shit excuse, but i believe it.

His perfectly thrown fourth down drop against the Patriots came from none other than Joe Flacco.

**kris21054** · 05-16-2013, 02:00 PM

ROH Candidate?

Just messing with you guys.

**TheSpiderWebb** · 05-16-2013, 03:02 PM

Clayton was never worth the 22nd pick, sure. But he was a decent enough #2, and probably would have made a great number 3 if we had better WRs and QBs during his time here. Always seemed like a good guy though, wish him luck in the future.

**RavenScallywag** · 05-16-2013, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by kris21054

ROH Candidate?

Just messing with you guys.

He can go in the "Edwin Mulitalo Ring of Good Guys" that weren't good enough for the RoH.

**Real Fan Dan** · 05-16-2013, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

He can go in the "Edwin Mulitalo Ring of Good Guys" that weren't good enough for the RoH.

That's funny right there. The EMROGG lol.

**RavensDomination** · 05-18-2013, 02:00 AM

Just curious, but I have heard some Ravens fans say he was lazy in Baltimore and didn't work very hard. Any truth to that? It seemed like he played video games a lot and had a laid back personality so I guess that is where people are getting this from.

I had high hopes when he was drafted. Still remember being in Padonia station for the WNST draft party and being excited to finally have a solid young WR. I remember the story that Ray Lewis talked to him shortly after the draft and said "you're going to be my playmaker." Didn't work out that way, unfortunately. I always felt like he was a younger version of Mason.

**The Excellector** · 05-18-2013, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by RavensDomination

Just curious, but I have heard some Ravens fans say he was lazy in Baltimore and didn't work very hard. Any truth to that? It seemed like he played video games a lot and had a laid back personality so I guess that is where people are getting this from.

I had high hopes when he was drafted. Still remember being in Padonia station for the WNST draft party and being excited to finally have a solid young WR. I remember the story that Ray Lewis talked to him shortly after the draft and said "you're going to be my playmaker." Didn't work out that way, unfortunately. I always felt like he was a younger version of Mason.

As far as we know, his work ethic was never a question. Nor was his character. The question was his hands.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 05-18-2013, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

As far as we know, his work ethic was never a question. Nor was his character. The question was his hands.

His hands were fine. Almost every WR we've had here has had a bad drop at some point. ..but he wasn't out there dropping a lot of balls.

His problem was that he was an undersized WR that didnt have any of the essential special skills needed to be a high quality starter when you are small...exceptional speed, quickness, and or just the veteran scrappiness to just know how to get open.

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**HKusp** · 05-18-2013, 09:25 PM

I liked him, he just was almost a duplicate of Mason without the resume'. 2 Mason's on the team weren't necessary or functional. He was having an outstanding beginning of the season that year in St. Louis and I felt really bad for him when he got injured.

Btw, (as I have posted before) just for some perspective on the loss of Boldin, Clayton's best season statistically he matched Boldin's average numbers here. No one was flipping out when they let Clayton go.