Clayton feeling healthy, ready for new deal with Rams

NFL.com
June 30, 2011

Mark Clayton is pleased with his recovery from the knee surgery that prematurely ended his 2010 season, and now he's looking forward to signing a new deal with the St. Louis Rams.

Clayton was back on his old campus at the University of Oklahoma last week, catching passes from former Sooners Heisman Trophy winner Jason White. Clayton and White were the co-hosts of Adrian Peterson's annual youth football camp in Norman.

Clayton had hoped to have a new contract signed with the Rams before the NFL lockout hit March 12, but the two sides ran out of time.

"I can't worry about it because I can't do anything about it," Clayton told the Tulsa World for a story in Tuesday's editions. "But where we were was good. The conversations and talks were good. My agent had proposed something really good to me, and I liked it. But the lockout came and cut those talks short.

"Now we wait to resume those and see where we're at."

Clayton was traded from the Baltimore Ravens to the Rams before the 2010 season, and he appeared on his way to being a key contributor in St. Louis after he caught 10 passes for 119 yards in the season opener. His season was cut short, however, when he torn the patellar tendon in his right knee during a Week 5 game against the Detroit Lions.

Clayton said his recovery from the injury has been successful.

"The knee is doing wonderful," Clayton told the Tulsa World last week. "I broke my training regimen to come (to Peterson's camp), because I've got my (knee) back. I actually came here recently and ran some routes with Sam (Bradford, the Rams' quarterback and another former Sooners Heisman Trophy winner)."

Clayton hopes his time in St. Louis will be lasting.

"I would love to stay," he said. "I love playing with Sam. The organization is great. (Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo), I love him. I love his passion. He's a real fiery dude. He's a defensive guy, and I play offense. Opposites attract, I guess."