Receiver Michael Clayton says his pride was hurt by being benched in the season opener at New Orleans.

The former first-round pick was inactive against the Saints but says he was physically ready to play.

"Anytime you have an opportunity taken away from you, it's a blow to your pride,'' Clayton said Wednesday. "But as a man and a professional, you have to stay positive and put it behind you.'

Making things worse for Clayton is the fact that he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and his value won't increase unless he is on the field.

"If I don't get the opportunity and everything stays the same this year, what more do I have to do?' Clayton said. "I don't mind starting over with a team that would like to let me play.''

Clayton said he has no idea whether the Bucs plan to make him active Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

"It's tough man, it's tough not to play,'' Clayton said. "It's tough not to get the win. It doesn't make anything better to add fuel to the fire and that definitely won't happen by me. I'm not that kind of guy.''