http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/1556 Recent articles about Mark Clayton en-us Over the weekend I was talking football as I usually do with my family and the eldest of the clan wanted me to answer this question. Why should I watch preseason football? It is hard to get anything meaningful watching the first team play about a quarter or two and then spending the rest of the game sifting through athletes who will end up either on special teams or the practice squad. Most of the vets, if they are even playing, are simply hoping not to get hurt. It's not as if the teams are really playing to win anyway. I guess that's why it's also called an Exhibition game. Valid points. But, I guess for me it signals a few things. An end to summer, which means that baseball no longer matters, a return to the classroom, and it means that football will be on television again. It has uniforms and everything. There is nothing more exciting than going to a football game and I can only remember when I took my brother to his first game in 1996. You see he had been deprived since the Colts snuck out of town. We sat at PJ's pub about 9:30 in the morning and got warmed up before the walk over to Memorial Stadium to see the new team take on the Bengals. He just looked at me and couldn't stop saying, "This is awesome!" Football is special. The men, who play it, make it so. So here are a few things to look for to help you enjoy your experience as our Blackbirds matchup against the Videotapers. 1. QB Competition: The battle between the three will be at the top of every fan's list. Kyle Boller gets the nod to lead the first squad, which makes perfect sense since he does have the most NFL experience of the three. Troy Smith should follow with Joe Flacco finishing it out. I have my own feeling about how things will finish in this but, I will be looking to see who leads the team in the huddle and on the field. 2. Offensive Line: Most fans will play close attention to the line with the retirements and injuries that have affected it. Chris Chester needs a good game as he has been slow to grasp things in camp. The interior of the line with Jason Brown, Ben Grubbs, and Marshall Yanda will need to establish themselves as the situation with the tackles still needs to be straightened out. 3. Offensive threats: Ray Rice, a second round pick that many people questioned has really opened eyes in camp. He's been drawing also sorts of praise and with Willis McGahee shelved for this one he will get a chance to run with the first group. The receiving corps will also need to show what they can do, Mark Clayton needs to get going in Coach Cameron's offense, while Marcus Smith and Yamon Figurs will be getting some looks as well. Demetrius Williams is still on the injured list. 4. Young and Hungry Defense: Nothing gets the vets in gear like a hungry rookie that wants playing time. Some names to get acquainted with are Tavares Gooden, who some are already saying will replace Bart Scott if he leaves next season. Haruki Nakamura who coaches have said exhibits Reed-like instincts has sparkled, as well as Antwan Barnes who has shown speed to spare and an ability to cover. 5. The Harbaugh Era: There will be a few firsts as the new coaching staff makes it's way through the season; this is the first pre-season game. It will seem odd not seeing Billick pace the sidelines. Will Harbaugh's team show a bit more attention to detail and shy away from costly penalties that have been the club's forte for years? A new offense is sure to have kinks that will need to be worked out. The club has needed a new message how will they respond on the field when they are hitting players not in purple. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:09:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302230 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302230 Scrap Pile We've profiled the Big Dog WRs, Second Tier WRs, Third Tier WRs, and Serviceable WRs, now it's time to examine the final wave of wideouts. These are guys you'll use during bye weeks and as injury replacements. Bobby Engram/Nate Burleson/Deion Branch - Engram is the Old Guy in the Club. He had a great season last year. Nate is the underachiever. Branch was voted Least Likely to Stay Healthy. They all could be used at times next year though. Derrick Mason/Mark Clayton - Mason had kind of a turn-back-the-clock season. I don't see him repeating it, but he could have some decent weeks. I think Clayton can make the leap to decent WR this year. I thought the same thing last year though. D.J. Hackett - Like Clayton, I was huge on Hackett last year. He produced when he was healthy, but ankle injuries can simply derail a season. We'll see how he does opposite Steve Smith and Mushin. Donte Stallworth - Stall is moving on once again. He should have opportunities as Braylon and Winslow should open things up for him. Patrick Crayton - He has the luxuyr of playing opposite of T.O. , plus Jason Witten takes plenty of attention. Crayton should have a decent year. Ted Ginn, Jr. - I don't know why, but I think Ginn could be a decent play at times this year. I love his speed, but he'll need to be able to take some hits. Sidney Rice - I liked Rice last year as a rookie. If T-Jack can actually hit him when he's open, he'll have a decent year. At 6?4?, he's a big target in the red zone. Vincent Jackson - Everyone was on Jackson last year like white on rice. He didn't live up to the hype. He's the 4th option (LT, Gates, Chambers) this year, which may hurt (not enough touches) or help (less defensive pressure). He's also a big target. Bryant Johnson/Isaac Bruce - The 49ers brought in two new WRs and Martz. They should be good for some decent yards. Obviously, I'm higher on Johnson. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:27:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/297998 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/297998 After the first few days of Ravens camp the buzz has centered around a few things; Terrell Suggs absence, Joe Flacco's progress, and how different camp has been (in a good way) compared to Brian Billick. But, one story that hasn't been discussed much but will be key in the Raven's success this year is from the receiving corps. Enter Mark Clayton. Clayton was drafted 22nd overall in 2005 out of Oklahoma, and had high credentials as a two time All-American. He set all-time records for receptions and touchdowns at the football power. So the hope was that he would be an impact player on the offensive side of the ball for the purple and black. The last guy named Mark Clayton was a five time Pro Bowler for the Fish in Florida, so there was alot in his corner. In 2006, he was an emerging downfield threat amassing almost 1,000 receiving and catching 67 balls with 5 touchdowns. It looked as if he would be ready to switch roles with long time vet, Derrick Mason as the go to guy on the outside. Then the sophomore jinx hit hard. He had a high ankle sprain, then turf toe, which limited his availability on game day. He was dealing with personal issues with his family as well. He didn't catch his first pass until week three and as Ravens spiraled down the standings things never got on track for the promising star. He even considered a leave of absence to get things right. Now as he heads out to camp he is reporting for 2008, 100% healthy. He was one of the Ravens that took Coach Harbaugh and new offensive guru, Cam Cameron's hiring as a sign of a fresh chance. He worked diligently to get his body sound and his mind got a workout absorbing the new playbook. But, he appears ready for a chance to prove himself. As long as he is healthy he should be able to build on the 2006 campaign and dismiss last season as a bad dream. The Ravens vanilla offense for years has lacked that dynamic game changing type player. The guy that other defenses are afraid of. So, with Todd Heap returning (please stop lobbing balls up to him so he can cold cocked every third down) and hopefully Demetrius Williams healthy as well, whomever starting behind center will have some legit weapons to toss to. Clayton has the pedigree and the tools to be that breakout threat that the Ravens so desperately need. All he needs is to show up on the field. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:18:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296798 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296798 After the first few days of Ravens camp the buzz has centered around a few things; Terrell Suggs absence, Joe Flacco's progress, and how different camp has been (in a good way) compared to Brian Billick. But, one story that hasn't been discussed much but will be key in the Raven's success this year is from the receiving corps. Enter Mark Clayton. Clayton was drafted 22nd overall in 2005 out of Oklahoma, and had high credentials as a two time All-American. He set all-time records for receptions and touchdowns at the football power. So the hope was that he would be an impact player on the offensive side of the ball for the purple and black. The last guy named Mark Clayton was a five time Pro Bowler for the Fish in Florida, so there was alot in his corner. In 2006, he was an emerging downfield threat amassing almost 1,000 receiving and catching 67 balls with 5 touchdowns. It looked as if he would be ready to switch roles with long time vet, Derrick Mason as the go to guy on the outside. Then the sophomore jinx hit hard. He had a high ankle sprain, then turf toe, which limited his availability on game day. He was dealing with personal issues with his family as well. He didn't catch his first pass until week three and as Ravens spiraled down the standings things never got on track for the promising star. He even considered a leave of absence to get things right. Now as he heads out to camp he is reporting for 2008, 100% healthy. He was one of the Ravens that took Coach Harbaugh and new offensive guru, Cam Cameron's hiring as a sign of a fresh chance. He worked diligently to get his body sound and his mind got a workout absorbing the new playbook. But, he appears ready for a chance to prove himself. As long as he is healthy he should be able to build on the 2006 campaign and dismiss last season as a bad dream. The Ravens vanilla offense for years has lacked that dynamic game changing type player. The guy that other defenses are afraid of. So, with Todd Heap returning (please stop lobbing balls up to him so he can cold cocked every third down) and hopefully Demetrius Williams healthy as well, whomever starting behind center will have some legit weapons to toss to. Clayton has the pedigree and the tools to be that breakout threat that the Ravens so desperately need. All he needs is to show up on the field. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:18:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296798 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296798 In our earlier article on breakout wide receivers we looked at statistics and used criterions to improve our chances of finding a breakout wide receiver. In this article we looked at the candidates for 2008 and tell you which ones we believe are most likely to breakout and which are worth drafting based on their average draft position. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:38:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296776 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296776 There's much talk in the city regarding the Baltimore Ravens' quarterback situation, and rightfully so. A town that's never boasted a reliable starting quarterback deserves to clamor about regarding the new age movement at the position. But at some point, that question will be answered and a new question will take its place; who will be the team's go-to receiver? The obvious answer would be a tested veteran, and quickly lends itself to the portfolio of Todd Heap. But while he's been one of the most talented tight ends in the NFL, he's also been among its most injured. There are no statements from him or from the team that indicate he is back to 100 percent. Don't be surprised if this season, Todd Heap is again sidelined for a considerable amount of games. And then there's Derek Mason. The most reliable of the receiving corp, Mason led the team in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2007. But Mason is also the oldest member of the corp, and the potential to lose a step is present in the minds of those clamoring for an offensive outbreak in 2008. Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams offer the best potential for big play output, but have been limited in their opportunities by subpar quarterback play.They combined for 68 catches and 821 yards receiving, but zero touchdowns in 2007. Hard to gauge individual ability in such a small amount of exposure. So what's the answer? It's a veritable toss-up, but the nod goes to Derrick Mason. There's no telling the true scope of Heap's injuries, and the tandem of Clayton and Williams just haven't had the chances to show what they are all about. Look for Mason to continue being a deep threat for the Ravens, along with his ability to be a possession receiver. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:29:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294923 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294923 In this new top ten we look at sleeper candidates for the 2008 season. Our top ten sleepers are players that could breakout and most are also very safe bets to outperform their average draft position. Find out why Leon Washington is number one on our list and who else we believe will surprise in 2008. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:50:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291022 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291022 After an impressive 2006 season, in which the Baltimore Ravens finished tied for the second best record in the NFL at 13-3 and came up just short against the potential Super Bowl Champs, the Indianapolis Colts, in an AFC divisional playoff game, 2007 began with high expectations. After all, the Ravens had the number one ranked defense in the NFL heading into 2007, so it appeared just a little more offense would do the trick and get them to the next level. Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:39:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275508 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275508 2005 had its share of stars in the 1st round but also had a handful of busts check to see where your teams pick did............. 1. Alex Smith, quarterback, 49ers: When the first overall pick is competing three years later with Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan for the starting job, that's by definition a BUST. 2. Ronnie Brown, running back, Dolphins: After a so-so first year, Brown has been solid. A torn ACL derailed his opportunity to have a strong third year. Though he hasn't lived up to the billing of the No. 2 overall pick, we're not yet ready to call him a bust. (But we could be after 2008.) 3. Braylon Edwards, receiver, Browns: Edward is becoming one of the best receivers in the league. Clearly, not a bust. 4. Cedric Benson, running back, Bears: He's been a disappointment on the field, and his arrest conjures memories of past incidents in college. Without question, he's a BUST. 5. Cadillac Williams, running back, Buccaneers: Williams made a huge splash as a rookie, but can't stay healthy. After rupturing a patellar tendon in 2007, he might not play again. If he does, he might never be the same. Based on his top-five selection, he's a BUST. 6. Pacman Jones, cornerback, Titans: BUST 7. Troy Williamson, receiver, Vikings: We once tried to throw Williamson a compliment, but he dropped that, too. BUST. 8. Antrel Rolle, cornerback, Cardinals: When a cornerback might be shifted to safety at only age 25, it's not because he's a great cornerback. BUST. 9. Carlos Rogers, cornerback, Redskins: He's on the path to being declared a bust. We'll give him one more year. 10. Mike Williams, receiver, Lions: Maybe he wouldn't have been a BUST if the Lions had made him an offensive lineman. 11. DeMarcus Ware, linebacker, Cowboys: A 2006 Pro Bowl + a 2007 Pro Bowl = not a bust. 12. Shawne Merriman, linebacker, Chargers: He could still be a bust if he gets suspended again for steroids (or blown up on a regular basis by a pint-sized running back); for now, though, Merriman is clearly not a bust. 13. Jammal Brown, tackle, Saints: The Pro Bowler in 2006 slipped a bit last year, and the Saints were rumored to be shopping him. Still, he's not a bust. 14. Thomas Davis, safety/linebacker, Panthers: He's not spectacular, but he started 16 games in 2007. Not a bust. 15. Derrick Johnson, linebacker, Chiefs: Johnson made a splash as a rookie and hasn't taken it quite to the next level in two years since, but he's not a bust. 16. Travis Johnson, defensive tackle, Texans: When the biggest hit of your career is one that you unknowingly put on a quarterback's head with your knee, you might be a redneck. And a BUST. 17. David Pollack, linebacker, Bengals: Though he was on his way to becoming a great player, a neck injury ended his career early in his second season. Unfortunately, he must be declared a BUST. 18. Erasmus James, defensive end, Vikings: Knee problems have slowed his development, but barring injury to Jared Allen and Ray Edwards (and maybe Brian Robison), James won't be a starter in his fourth season. BUST. 19. Alex Barron, offensive tackle, Rams: The Rams wouldn't have been dreaming of Jake Long sliding to No. 2 if they thought that Barron was the long-term solution on the left side, or the right. BUST. 20. Marcus Spears, defensive end, Cowboys: Yeah, he has been a three-year starter. But he was rumored to be on the trading block earlier this year, and his impact hasn't reflected his stature as one of the top 20 players in the draft. BUST. 21. Matt Jones, receiver, Jaguars: This much-hyped quarterback-turned-receiver isn't very good, and doesn't seem to care. The Jags would have been wise to let him play quarterback — for another team. BUST. 22. Mark Clayton, receiver, Ravens: The thinking in NFL circles is that a player destined to be a high-end receiver performs like one by his third NFL season. For his third season, Clayton had 49 catches for 531 yards, and no touchdowns. BUST. 23. Fabian Washington, cornerback, Raiders: Being traded for a fourth-round pick after only three seasons automatically qualifies him for BUST status. 24. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, Packers: He has looked good when he's gotten a chance to play, but the jury is out on whether he's a bust. Get back to us in a year. 25. Jason Campbell, quarterback, Redskins: Campbell is on his way to becoming a solid starter, and could evolve into one of the better signal-callers in the conference. Not a bust. 26. Chris Spencer, center, Seahawks: If he'd been taken higher, Spencer might qualify for strong consideration as a bust. But he started every game in 2005, and the Seahawks have gotten decent value out of him. Close, but not a bust. 27. Roddy White, receiver, Falcons: White was on his way to being a bust after his first two years. He broke out in 2007, which coincidentally was his first season without catching one-hoppers from Mike Vick. Not a bust. 28. Luis Castillo, defensive tackle, Chargers: Solid defensive linemen despite some injuries. Not a bust. 29. Marlin Jackson, defensive back, Colts: Steady but unspectacular Tampa Two corner. He might be another Jason David in a defense that requires him to cover wideouts down the field. But his performance allowed the Colts let guys like David walk away. Not a bust. 30. Heath Miller, tight end, Virginia: The Steelers arguably reached on a guy who wasn't healthy in the months leading up to the draft. They ended up with a solid tight end. Not a bust. 31. Mike Patterson, defensive tackle, Eagles: The Philly chapter of PFT Planet will revolt if we were to call Patterson a bust. Not a bust. 32. Logan Mankins, offensive lineman, Patriots: Solid contributor on the offensive line. Besides, we can't call anyone who paid $7,500 for the privilege of punching a guy in the crotch a bust. Thu, 08 May 2008 07:30:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264689 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264689 Teddy Lehman walked onto the first tee box and aligned the driver perfectly with the ball. He smoothly motioned the club back and then forward, whacking the ball all of about 2 inches. The second annual Tommie Harris Celebrity Classic didn't exactly woo Tiger Woods to Belmar Golf Club on Saturday. Still, the weekend's charity event featuring several ex-Sooners now in the NFL reeled in roughly $270,000 for both the Boys & Girls Club of America and the Tommie Harris Foundation, which raises funds to help prevent child abuse. Sun, 04 May 2008 15:19:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263344 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263344 Though the Baltimore Ravens have struggled to find a top-notch quarterback since relocating from Cleveland 12 years ago, the Ravens also have had precious few talented wideouts. Four years ago, that almost changed with the attempted acquisition of Terrell Owens. They've also had a couple of cracks at Randy Moss over the years, but have never made a serious run at him. Instead, they've relied on the draft, which has yielded largely forgettable names like Jermaine Lewis (fifth round, 1996), Pat Johnson (second round, 1998), Brandon Stokley (fourth round, 1999), Travis Taylor (first round, 2000), Ron Johnson (fourth round, 2002), Lamont Brightful (sixth round, 2002), Javin Hunter (sixth round, 2002), Devard Darlin (third round, 2004), Mark Clayton (first round, 2005), Demetrius Williams (fourth round, 2006), and Yamon Figurs (third round, 2007). Currently, the roster consists of Figurs, Williams, Clayton, Matt Willis, and Derrick Mason. And so the Ravens are apparently looking for an upgrade in the 2007 draft. Per Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times, the Ravens will meet privately with receiver James Hardy of Indiana and Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly. Also, the Ravens reportedly spent time with receiver Devin Thomas of Michigan State at the Scouting Combine. The Ravens hold the eighth overall pick in the 2008 draft — probably too high for any of the guys in this year's draft pool. Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:31:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/229496 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/229496 As the curtains close on a very disappointing season for the Baltimore Ravens, fantasy owners have a mixed bag of results to sift through. If you were invested in anyone throwing the ball, you were likely reaching for a crying towel. If you were an early investor in RB Willis McGahee or managed to sneak in WR Derrick Mason onto your 2007 team, then it wasn't such a bad year. With that being said, expect major personnel changes in Baltimore during the off-season. Their 5-11 record, despite a veteran-laden team resulted in the disposal of Coach Brian Billick and the subsequent hiring of incoming Head Coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh is expected to bring a hard nosed attitude based on his previous job as secondary coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:47:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/81511 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/81511 Every season it happens – a key player gets injured or one of your fantasy studs underperforms. As a result, there are many long faces and many championships lost around the world of fantasy football. Often times, these are unforeseeable factors that directly affect our dreams of fantasy glory. With the 2007 regular season all wrapped up, FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter takes a look back at Ten of the Biggest Fantasy Letdowns from the '07 Season. Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:29:24 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/58220 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/58220 Baltimore, MD -- 11/18/07. Where were you when you first heard that Phil Dawson's last-second game-tying field goal was good? In your car? (Judging by the empty seats in the upper deck during OT, I'm guessing that at least 10,000 of you fall into this category.) In the locker room? (Where most of the Ravens and some of the coaches sat, taking off their cleats and taking a deep breath after seemingly surviving a scintillating game.) In a corporate suite? (Where I can only assume Hollywood stars Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Connelly were watching as they were in town for the filming of "He's Just Not That Into You" and were VIP guests of the team – more on them later.) Me? I was running across the field following this week's Wired Raven, Mark Clayton, through his congratulatory tour of former teammates when Derek Anderson came up to us to tell Clayton that the game wasn't over – the field goal was good. At first we laughed at his unbridled optimism. Okay Derek, I bet they're going to make us play overtime too. Good one! As it turns out, Derek Anderson sucks as a comedian. His exuberance was no joke. And after a 10-minute emotional roller coaster that took all of the energy and some of the fans out of M&T Bank Stadium, the game was back on. The game was back on despite the SmartVision boards reading, "Final Score: Baltimore 30, Cleveland 27". The game was back on despite the fact that members of both teams had already conducted their post-game prayer session at mid-field. The game was back on despite the impassioned pleas from the men in purple – both Adam Terry and Willis McGahee were standing near me when the refs made the fateful ruling and both were convinced that the game was still over. And who could blame them; technically the game had already come to an end. I didn't want to be the one to tell them they were wrong so I backed away slowly and let the shower of boos from the stands tell the story. Throughout the course of overtime a pit in my stomach began to grow. By the time Dawson knocked through the winning field goal, I not only felt feverish, but I couldn't bring myself to words (Lauryn can confirm). Only once before had I experienced such a devastating loss and when I say experience, I mean as a fan, not as an actual member of a team – professionals tend to deal with these things better, they are, after all, professionals. I, on the other hand, was 13 at the time and other than getting a girl in homeroom to look at you, not much else matters to an 8th grade boy. As previously mentioned in the blog, I was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys at the time and according to tradition, the 'Boys play on Thanksgiving each year, which conveniently allowed the rest of my family to bare witness to my teenage fanaticism. One particular game galvanized my reputation and resembled the turn of events that took place yesterday. To revisit the 'Leon Lett Game' and find out why I still may have an advantage over Fallon and Connelly, visit www.coffeeonthe50.com. Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:06:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/37067 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/37067 Well, it's Week 11, so the bye weeks are over and in one of my leagues a few teams have already clinched the playoffs. There is a chance that your team could be out of the running by now, or that it has secured a playoff spot and you are looking to re-enforce your roster for the last few weeks. The tough part though, is that by this point in the season, most players have pretty much established themselves in terms of fantasy value. I can't promise you anything from the players below, but there's a possibility that they could help your team overcome an injury or a bad match-up, so here are your waiver-wire suggestions for this week... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:28:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/35800 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/35800