The road to the NFL is one that is not always successful for those who travel it. Making the 53 man roster is a major accomplishment for some players. Such is the case of the recent signing of RB Thomas Clayton.
Like most players in the NFL, he had a stellar high school career. He enrolled at Florida State University in 2002. He left after the season and went to Kansas State University. He sat out the 2003 season. He returned in 2004 to rush 14 times for 71 yards. He lead the team in rushing in 2006 with 637 yards. In 2006, he played in only five games, rushing for 338 yards.
The San Francisco 49er's selected him during the 6th round of the 2007 NFL draft. He spent the season on the practice squad and most of 2008 before getting called up to the 53 man roster for three games.
He tore his ACL in 2009 and was placed on Injured Reserve. The 49er's did not offer him a contract. The Pats signed him earlier this summer and released him twice, including the final cut. The Cleveland Browns signed him to their practice squad before the Pats re-acquired him.
The public doesn't always get to see this side of the game. Every team has a group of players who are fighting just to claim one of the rosters spots. They get signed and released more times than they can remember. They might never make the big money, but sometimes they stick with a team.
Former WR Troy Brown is a case in point.
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