Should we have a free safety controversy?
by Steelfrog on Nov 11, 2009 7:25 PM EST
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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!
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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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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 Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Nov 11, 2009 10:59 PM EST reply actions
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
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!)
W?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
V!
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
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"
W
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
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.
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
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.
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