Giants Sign Michael Clayton (Not George Clooney)
Giants starting wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is out for the next three weeks with a leg injury that came out of nowhere to shock fans of the NYG. Today the Giants signed receiver Michael Clayton of the UFL’s Omaha Nighthawks to try and add depth after the surprising loss of Nicks. Clayton will reportedly not be played by George Clooney, but rather by the Michael Clayton who last appeared in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Bucs.
The Giants were able to sign Clayton away from the UFL without paying a $150,000 transfer fee because he was in the league for less than four weeks. He worked out for the team today and signed shortly after. They were also planning to work out veteran free agent Kevin Curtis who is trying to make it back to the NFL after battling testicular cancer. Curtis had to cancel his scheduled workout because he needed an emergency root canal on Monday.
Clayton burst onto the scene as a rookie with Tampa in 2004 accumulating 1193 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season. Over the next five years he would never top 484 yards and one touchdown in a season and maintained his starting job only because of his exceptional blocking.
The NYG will start Mario Manningham and Derek Hagan at wide receiver on Sunday against Jacksonville, but Clayton will undoubtedly be active for depth. He could also see work on early downs due to his prowess in the run game, although this may tip off the Jaguars defense that a run play is coming.
The Giants now have four of their top five receivers from opening day out with injury including the two starters (Smith, Nicks, Cruz, and Barden). The injury plagued WR corps is reminiscent of the 2008 Seattle Seahawks who had so many injuries at receiver that they were forced to rely on the likes of Logan Payne, Michael Bumpus, and Jordan Kent (aka: Who?). With any more injuries the Giants will certainly be in that territory, although they are bringing in mostly veteran receivers as opposed to unproven players. Hopefully Clayton will be able to recapture some of the magic from his glory days, or this sequel will get cancelled before it starts.
