Beleaguered Bucs' receiver Michael Clayton said he told coach Jon Gruden he didn't like being pulled out of a game during their sideline spat Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

   Clayton dropped a pass and fumbled following a reception two plays later at the end of the first half and was removed from the game for Maurice Stovall.

   Clayton had words with Gruden, at one point briefly grabbing hold of his shirt.

   "I told him, 'don't do that to me,'' Clayton said Wednesday. "Hell no, I don't ever want to come out of a game again.

   "(Receivers coach) Richard Mann, he pulled me out for a few plays and let me get my head back.''

   Clayton has just two catches this season but has been effective as a run blocker. He said he understood why he was replaced by Stovall.

   "You've got to secure the ball,'' Clayton said. "It's a shame that those plays happened so close together. But I love that (quarterback Jeff Garcia) came right back to me. And he's going to do that. If he sees you, he's going to throw it.

   "He told me to get my head out of my a-- and that was that.''

   Clayton said despite the slow start and last week's incident, he never lost confidence.

   "I don't go in the jar, man,'' Clayton said. "I'm too positive and mentally focused. I don't go in the jar.''