Behind the Steel Curtain: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Voodoo Five for South Florida Bulls Fans!

Should we have a free safety controversy?



Reaching back last year, in three starts at free safety, Tyrone Carter has five picks, two of them returned for touchdowns. While that kind of production is spectacular, I don't believe it tells the whole story, but I figured it warrants some kind of feedback by the BTSC faithful. Personally, I'm a big fan of Ryan Clark but he has been very quiet on the interception front and splash plays are an important part of the game. Should Tyrone Carter be given a shot at the job? I'll let you guys fight it out!

Poll
Should Tyrone Carter start at free safety?
Yes
4 votes
No
105 votes

109 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 26 comments  |  Add comment

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

no

Tryone made some nice plays, but Clark is faster, stronger, a better tackler and a much better hitter.

As for Tyrone he had a very nice week, but I for one don’t think he was even the defensive player of the week on the Steelers. That award is a toss up between Brett Kiesel, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.

Of course the latter two compete for it pretty much every week.

by SteelerBuddha on Nov 11, 2009 7:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I’m actually not a fan of the way Clark tackles. Don’t get me wrong, he hits like a frickin’ freight train, but he rarely wraps as he hits. Most of the time Clark’s hits are more than enough to flatten whoever they’re aimed at, but every once in a while somebody is gonna be able to shrug it off and make a play.

Personally, was hoping Clark would get a shot to deliver one of his hits to AP just to see what would happen. I mean seriously, what if it’s Clark that’s coming to tackle AP instead of Gay near the end of the Vikes game? The immovable object vs. the irresistible force…

Also, I think we should just all be happy we have a very competent backup at FS in Carter. His struggles to fill Troy’s shoes should also make us appreciate just how incredible 43 is.

by BluegrassSteeler on Nov 11, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm glad we didn't see that

I think it would’ve torn a hole through the space-time continuum

by TomlinsPuffyJacket on Nov 11, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Thats what I was thinking

It would probably resemble the mushroom clouds over japan.

But nice poast in general blue grass. Its very true that Carter looked better filling in for Clark, which just goes to show how good Pola is as you mentioned.

But to me, I just love Clark’s style of play. And its effective.

by Mechem on Nov 12, 2009 10:32 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Well Said

Clark is a poor tackler as you said. He doesn’t wrap and just goes for the big hit (the Panthers Nate Salley was the poster boy for this at OSU in college). If Troy wasn’t such a great safety, Clark would actually be a liability back there. But he’s definitely better in short to mid-coverage than Carter.

by upabob on Nov 12, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

That is saying something

about Carter when a guy like Ryan Clark is considered “faster” it really doesn’t matter which of those two guys are the starters, they are both slow and liabilities in coverage. Until we get some youth and some speed at the free safety position we’re going to continue to get burned like toast in the secondary.

by BubbyBrister6 on Dec 7, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Reposting a comment from another thread:

Clark doesn’t make those picks because he plays his position. I don’t think Carter was supposed to be where he was for the first pick six. There were two receivers behind Carter on that play, both in single coverage. Now, I don’t know the play call (maybe they were running the D different because Denver couldn’t throw deep against Baltimore), but I can’t recall seing Ryan Clark play 10 yards off the line when there are two receivers further down the field, one running a deep route.

Not trying to knock Carter’s big game, but cheating up like that and trying to anticipate against a QB like Carson Palmer will get you eaten alive. Carter may be one of the best back up FS in the NFL, but Clark is still who you want in there.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Nov 11, 2009 7:59 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Check the “Chalk Talk” video on steelers.com. There were 2 receivers deep, but on the far side of the field where Troy had the deep coverage. The only receiver to release on Carter’s side was Moreno and Chris Hoke was left covering him short.

I would not give Carter all the credit, however, as Ziggy Hood fought through a double team to force a bad throw by Kyle Orton.

by pghnorthside on Nov 11, 2009 11:08 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yep

Carter waited on top of the pattern, broke it and made the play once he had recognition, no mistake there IMO…

by Steelfrog on Nov 11, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

No

Not a bad thought, but Clark is much more able and well-rounded. Ryan Clark may also be one of the most underrated safeties in the game. All I ever hear is how he’s not that good, or his play is suspect. I really just don’t see it. Sure he has his bad plays, but everybody does. I see him as a very well-rounded safety who lays some serious pain on unfortunate receivers and running backs. That being said, Carter’s no slouch either, but hands down, I’ll take Clark starting any day of the week.

BTSC Obituaries

OldManSteeler, ominously died two days before Superbowl 123 where the Ravens are set to attempt their 7th superbowl win, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was 86. His last words are believed to be "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Nov 11, 2009 10:59 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I wouldnt mind hearing the thoughts of the person who voted Yes

No controversy whatsoever. Tyrone Carter had a great game sure, but he is just not on the same level in terms of youth, speed (particularly speed) and tackling ability.

Clark has proved to be a brilliant compliment to Troy, and his abilities allow Troy to play his reckless style that we all love

Props to Carter though, he had a great game

Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever

by Steeler_ on Nov 12, 2009 1:30 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

We never want any Controversy

No Controversy . Of any kind. That is something losing teams have.

Winning teams have moving parts of a well-oiled machine. That’s what the Steelers have going right now.

Clark is the Starter. Carter still gets his reps. Both bring important skills to the table. Clark and Troy work very well together, and whatever it is that keeps 43 running needs to be kept. (Might be the hair. Never cut it Troy… never cut it!)

by MarkJoel66 on Nov 12, 2009 6:45 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

What we ...

have is a safety blessing.

by tenthmtnman on Nov 12, 2009 9:51 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

W?

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 12, 2009 10:25 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

A?

"Chris! That's a terrible word! Pussywillows..."
-Lois Griffin

by SteelFever on Nov 12, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

V!

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 12, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

E.

You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"

by steelguy99 on Nov 12, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

W

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 12, 2009 9:09 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Erg

wanted to go here

E

by Steel in FL on Nov 12, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Harf harf...

Ryan clark is quietly an excellent free safety. While I agree that Carter fills in nicely for him, remember too how carter filled in for Polamalu. Quite poorly. He is a good safety but not a complete safety.

Clark works great with Polamalu. And have you ever seen a FS that hits people so hard? I mean he hits harder than a lot of linebackers.

by Mechem on Nov 12, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Three persons have so far..

…voted Yes. I’m curious as to the reasoning?

by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Nov 12, 2009 5:12 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

The way the question was worded

The way the poll question is worded, the answer is no. Clearly. Ryan Clark was given the nod by the coaching staff at the start of the season and has done nothing to merit being replaced.

It is possible that those three who voted yes could have been reading the line directly above the poll as it is worded differently. It asks “Should Tyrone Carter be given a shot at the job?”

The answer to that question IMO would be yes. I think the evaluation process of the players on the team should continue throughout the course of the season. If the coaching staff believes that Carter’s level of play has taken off and that Clark’s has tapered off then he would and should clearly be given a shot at the job at that point in time.

Of course, as already stated, I don’t believe that to be the case. I almost voted yes until I reread the poll question again.

by King Coebra on Nov 12, 2009 7:10 PM EST reply actions   0 recs


User Tools

Welcome to BTSC, a blog dedicated to the SIX-time world champion Steelers.

"Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history."

Art Rooney Jr.

"Level-headed thinking." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Start posting about the Steelers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

Comcast NFL RedZone Moments from SB Nation

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
BTSC 2010 NFL Mock Drafts : Updated 03/16 (4 round edition)
Fear_the_turtle_small
2009 Offensive Third Down Efficiency
09_mc501_hemlet_105270_small
A Look Ahead at the Offseason and Five Four-Round Mock Drafts
Small
BTSC Predict the Pick
Franco72_small
Ben's Version

Recent FanPosts

92_avatar_small
South Park and #7
Ronniebrownjuke_small
Franchise Players
Small
Tomlin in FL looking at Tebow...
Steelersmascot_1_front_75933_small
Does Steeler Nation want Ben as our QB???
Ward_sketch_small
Christmas is over.
932050048_l_small
Maika Polamalu
Small
Larry Foote
Vaca_mexico_068_small
Kyle Wilson Is Going To Wear Black and Gold

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Niners Nation
Golden Nuggets: Well that was unexpected.
Pride Of Detroit
Thursday Notes: Ndamukong Suh to Visit Lions Today
Turf Show Times
Random Ramsdom: 3/18/2010

SPONSORS

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Photo

Florida's Joe Haden Improves Forty Yard Dash Time

Photo link

Falcons Hosting Pre-Draft Workout With Mizzou LB Sean Weatherspoon

Photo link

Bills Will Meet Pre-Draft With Texas QB Colt McCoy

More from SBNation.com >


Site Founder & Editor

Me2_small Michael Bean (Blitz)

Steelers Historian

Steeler_small maryrose

Bringing You Your Daily Six Pack

Plainview_small drinkyourmilkshake