Ryan Clark in his own words: "I want to be here, my family likes it here. I want to finish playing with Troy."
by Michael Bean on Mar 2, 2010 4:20 AM EST
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PrintBelow is an interview with Ryan Clark and Mike Logan that aired on The Drive on 1250 ESPN Pittsburgh this afternoon. Clark specifically wanted to call Logan - who he says he feels comfortable talking to - to clear the air about how contract negotiations are going with him and the Steelers. Well, apparently nowhere because, according to Clark, there has been no offer whatsoever made to Clark, not even a low-ball offer that he might have to consider passing on at his age.
I've transcribed the portion of the interview below. I'll let you form your own judgments, but I will say that it's worth listening to Clark speak passionately rather than merely reading the transcription. On the one hand, it's apparent Clark really wants to remain in Pittsburgh, to be shown love by the Steelers organization. On the other, Clark's passionate demeanor seems to occasionally make him abrasive or overly intense/aggressive in his characterizations. Remember him lashing out at the media and Steelers fans last season when the team was on it's mid-season slide?
Anyway, here's how I see it as of today. If the organization has truly not offered Clark any sort of deal and have already opted not to use the transition tag on Clark for the 2010 season, then the organization must have their eye on some free agent out there that they're willing to pay for. I suppose they could also be eying some high draft pick to play significant time right away alongside Polamalu, but that seems a bit less likely considering the mental demands necessary at that position.
We'll see. I love Clark when he's playing with #43. Regardless of what happens, I'll remember him fondly for the role he played on our nasty 2008 defense, and for the all-out abandon he played with every time he took the field for the Steelers.
Here's the quotes I found most intriguing, followed by a link to the entire interview.
***************
"To be honest with you guys, I haven't had an offer yet. Nothing put to paper or even said verbally. You know, we want to get this deal done. I've bent over backwards to get it done. You hear so much you being a priority and things like that, and if you think about it, there's been a number of guys who've signed contracts, and I haven't been offered one. There's been Heath Miller, Justin Hartwig, Brett Keisel, Casey, Jeff. So it's not like it was one guy got signed, the well ran dry and there was nothing they can do. It hasn't been that, so if you think about priorities and prioritizing, I was way down on the list."
"I'm going to ask the $6.5, $7 million a year - I wouldn't do that. I know how much Troy makes, and I know how much respect I have for Troy as a player and how much I love him as a friend. I don't see myself as Troy, I don't see myself as having to get that type of paid. So it's not a situation of me saying you gotta pay me how Troy's being paid. I'd be a fool to do that."
"You know, they showed their level of commitment to Jeff, even though it's one year. $2.8 million dollars. Heath Miller, Justin Hartwig - all these guys have been shown some type of love that says 'you know what, we want you here. We're willing to work to get you here.' I haven't gotten that. I'm frustrated and the reason I agreed to come on, but also to do it to someone I was close to, was because I felt like some things needed to be cleared up."
"I'm specifically saying I'm not asking for $6.5 - $7 million dollars. It's not a situation to where people were saying where they didn't transition tag him because they don't feel like he's worth that much, he's not going to get paid that much. Well, we didn't ask for that much. It's not a situation where we're being unreasonable, or I'm being unreasonable. I want to be here, my family likes it here. I want to finish playing with Troy. Some of my best friends are on this team and in this city. But right now, what I'm saying is it's not in my hands."
Listen here to Clark's full interview with Mike Logan on 1250 ESPN Pittsburgh
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"some free agent out there that they're willing to pay for"
.
Someone outside of UFA-CBA worries? Hard to come by. I had been hoping for Will Allen, but he was just re-upped, and he is 28 already…
If the CBA comes through, maybe we could get Gerald Sensabaugh since Jerry Jones would love to draft Taylor Mays. I love the idea….
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." TR
Thanks Blitz
Good interview I would have missed.
I think the Steelers are keeping their options open. Clark or some other mid level FA S will be there after the draft. I think first thing is to see who is available. If the Steelers get Eric Berry or Taylor Mays etc, then possibly they think he can step right in and play however doubtful. Possibly they are eyeing a 2nd tier FA S that can bridge the gap cheaper than 25. Maybe they want the future #1 to compete with Mundy? It will all play out.
After the draft, if we haven’t taken a S or the FA crop is dwindling Clark will still be there. He is a solid player. He is also aging and sans spleen. The Steelers will take a “wait and see” approach with the secondary. Perhaps you are correct and they are eyeing a different FA S. Or perhaps they are eye balling a potential FA DB to compete with Gay?
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
I would have a sad if Clark went on to another team
However, the team is in desperate need of quality safety depth. Tyrone Carter is most likely gone, and I doubt anyone really thinks Ryan Mundy is the answer at FS. Mundy’s highlight this last season was when he knocked Willie Gay out, so we could see what Burnett could do.
I forsee a low key S FA signing, and at least one FS drafted, and possibly a SS to groom behind Troy. As much as I love His Hairiness, he will not play forever.
This I predict: There will be a defensive backfield shift this upcoming season. The only constants will be Troy and Ike, with Clark getting less time in favor of ________ (fill in the blank). Knockout will still be here, but in a lesser role.
"OOH! A piece of candy. OOH! A piece of candy."
-James Woods
Doubt it's an FA
Making personnel on the hopes that you can nab a certain FS in an uncapped year is not the Steelers style and, most likely, not the style of any franchise outside of Washington, D.C. It is infinitely more likely that the Steelers feel comfortable enough with someone on their roster to let Clark walk or, alternatively, feel the drop in play versus the difference in pay between Ryan Clark and this backup is worth letting him walk.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Mar 2, 2010 10:43 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
That is where Clark came from
so it’s not without precedent
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
All in good time
I confess that I didn’t like the tagging of Reed, but now that they’ve tagged him it seems like they’ll try to extend him for 3yrs before moving on to other players. They did that last year with Starks. It seems like the Steelers move very deliberately in the off season, they take care of their business in the order of importance. Clark isn’t going anywhere until the Steelers have their say. He knows this system, this is a system he can thrive in, when the team is ready to discuss Clark they’ll discuss Clark.
my take is with sparco's above
a couple of things that stuck out to me:
clark says “i’m not complaining cuz the steelers are the best and they obviously knows how to do this”. then follows it up with his quote above about how many ppl other ppl the steelers have signed since going into re-negotiations with clark back in june/july. -um, that’s complaining in my book.
his whole, “i could talk about the love i’ve shown this organization…that I had my spleen and gallbladder removed, but i’m not going to bring that up. it’s a business of winning to these organizations and they’re going to run it as such.” —when you talk about something that wasn’t mention in the conversation until then, isn’t that bringing it up?
-“you know, i’ve tried up keep up with things and there is a lot going on. my neighbors give me newspaper clips and i try to read things in the papers…it seems everyone else knows more of what’s going on than me” -seems like you have a problem with communication with YOUR agent. doesn’t seem like the organizations fault.
-the broadcasters then say “well, did your agent go to the combine and are they meeting with the steelers?” clark answered, “Yeah, he went and they’ve had meetings…[followed by the quotes above about him not getting an offer and not asking for 6.5-7mil].”
thank god clark, it’s really good to know you’re not asking to be one of the highest paid safeties in the nfl {insert eye roll here}.
my (uniformed & biased) take: the steelers have said publicly clark is a priority & they are doing negotiations with clark…in fact, he is the only player the steelers are currently going negotiations with. they want clark back. but the reason why they “haven’t said a number” is probably because clark’s asking price is way way too high. “i’m not asking for 6.5-7mil.” Clark, anything above 4mil is way too high. Why would the steelers make you an offer if your agent is saying the lowest we’ll go is 4.5/year? i’m sure their counter is, “that’s far too high you need to lower your asking price.” I’m sorry, you’re a solid safety and put some awesome hits on ppl, but if you dont lower your asking price…well, it was nice watching you play in the black in gold the past several years.
"I'm not asking for 6.5-7 mil a year"
I think he was talking about tagging. I could be wrong though…
"OOH! A piece of candy. OOH! A piece of candy."
-James Woods
I think he's off his rocker
The negotiation tactics of he and his agent are only going to manage to pave his way right off the roster. I enjoyed watching Clark as well, however, he can be replaced. IMWO he can be replaced rather easily as well. Steelers replaced Hope, no? Same situation. Thanks for donating your spleen to the cause Ryan. Good luck with your new team.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Mar 2, 2010 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
How do we know?
What are the negotiating tactics of him and his agent? How much was their starting number? What was Omar’s response?
I suspect that none of us have the first clue about what negotiations have gone on to date.
If Clarks comments are any indication
then negotiations haven’t gone well at all.
There was a post about his agents comments a couple days ago…
Clark believes he belongs among the best safeties in the league and surely will want to be paid as such.
“He’s offering himself at hometown discount, so to speak,” agent Joel Turner said. “We’re not asking for more than most people would. Keep in mind, Ryan is the best free safety not only in unrestricted free agency but restricted free agency. He’s the best free safety in the business … he does a marvelous job of quarterbacking the defense. This is not a situation where this is some average guy. Ryan is superior at his position.”
From tannofsteel84’s “Ryan Clark Update” 4 days ago
"OOH! A piece of candy. OOH! A piece of candy."
-James Woods
i agree with your take. i think clark could’ve gone about this a lot better & you could definitely hear his frustration start to come through in the interview.
when’s the last time a steeler has complained how negotiations are going? not said “they don’t want X to happen. or they arent happy with Y.” that’s not necessarily complaining to the media and just more being honest. i really dont know. did faneca complain before he left? i know he asked to be released. did ward complain before his camp holdout like 6 years ago?
Footyball players are only human themselves
If things don’t go your way, of course you’re going to get frustrated and maybe lash out at the thing you think is causing trouble for you.
"OOH! A piece of candy. OOH! A piece of candy."
-James Woods
You are right, I know nothing of any precise numbers
however, the comments in the press, which seem to be increasing daily, are included in negotiating tactics. Much of the rest is indeed speculation. Such as the fact that the Steelers haven’t made any offers because Clark and his agent set the bar too high. While that is speculation, it is a very educated conclusion.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Mar 2, 2010 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
i think it was in reference to the post gazette articles where his agent said
He’s offering himself at hometown discount, so to speak. We’re not asking for more than most people would. Keep in mind, Ryan is the best free safety not only in unrestricted free agency but restricted free agency. He’s the best free safety in the business … he does a marvelous job of quarterbacking the defense. This is not a situation where this is some average guy. Ryan is superior at his position.
and even though the agent said in another article that they’re not looking to be paid on the level of ed reed, the article implied he could be asking to be paid close to but under troys level. you could be right because the agent also referenced that clark wouldn’t complain being tagged, which some ppl may have misinterpreted as him thinking he’s worth that much.
regardless why he was saying it, even if he was asking for 4.5mil/year thats still far too much. and that’s probably what’s happening.
I think you caught it
I believe his agent isn’t communicating with him intentionally, creating an atmosphere of confusion that will lead clark to another team hoping they will pay more.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 2, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
Clark has been talking a big game . . .
But not playing up to it last year. That being said, I love the guy and hope we can get him back at a reasonable price.
He really has been very vocal this year, which can be a good thing. In his case though he’s just sounding selfish and defensive.
Steelers letting market set Clark's value ...
which is what they usually do for someone who they would like back but are not going to overpay.
I think Clark’s play (including the entire secondary) really slipped this past year and his best days might very well be behind him. I think not having Troy there further exploited his declining skills. Our D needs some younger legs and unless Clark comes down a little in his demands (or the Steelers come up in there offer), the new blood on D could start at the FS position.
I expect something to be worked out with Clark, but we’ll see.
Joel Turner
is doing an old agent trick on Ryan Clark. As an agent you don’t care about what your player ‘wants’. You tell your player what he wants and manipulate the situation so that the player believes what you want him to believe. So you don’t reveal the whole negotiation process to him. You only show him what you want to show him. So it seems clear that Clark’s agent has told Clark that there has been no offer but that may not the case. I cannot believe that the Steelers have not offered Clark anything yet. He is their last priority. There is no one else who they are talking to, surely they had a number that they wanted to offer. If they didn’t want Clark back he would not have been a priority. So it stands to reason that the agent is withholding information from his client or lying to his client so that his client becomes frustrated and want to test the open market and hope for a bigger deal. I doubt that Clark will sign with the Steelers. Clark may not be looking for a pay day but his agent is.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
True.
Isn’t it also true that the agents get a percentage of whatever the player makes? Of COURSE the agent is going to be looking for more money for himself. Why would he care what happens to Clark or the team?
"OOH! A piece of candy. OOH! A piece of candy."
-James Woods
Agents
do get a percentage, how much of I’m not sure, but they do get some. It reminds me of what Drew Rousenhouse did with a player before. Someone posted it on this site but the player was talking about how Drew had only let him hear the part of the negotiation where Drew had already set a high bar (that the player didn’t know about) but the player got to eaves drop on the convo (courtesy of Drew) and heard how the steelers saying that the player wasn’t worth ‘that’ much.
He created resentment in the player so that the player will take a deal with another team. A team that will pay more, that team in that case was jacksonville at the time. Who knows what this team will be.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 2, 2010 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
I think the agents percentage is agreed upon before the player signs with them(the agent)
I sincerely hope that’s not what’s going on with Clark. I dislike people who try to play both ends against the middle.
"OOH! A piece of candy. OOH! A piece of candy."
-James Woods
I think clark
has no clue. Some agents believe its their job to play both ends against the middle.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 2, 2010 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
the player you are refeting to
Is Leon Searcy. I remember that article vividly.
Also, I beleive std agent fee is between 3-4% of what the player makes. I am pretty sure I read that in SI last year, I’ll try and find the exact source.
It all starts in the trenches.
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Mar 2, 2010 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Thats
exactly who it was. Thanks.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 4, 2010 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
are you really
suggesting that Clark’s agent is engaging in fraud and breach of fiduciary duty by not telling Clark about an offer that has been made?
Do you think he would gamble his ticket and career that way?
Yes, I do
I am confident that this is going on by the circumstances, Clark says people reading the newspapers know more than he do, and the precedent set by other agents, the Leon Searcy experiment with Drew Rosenhaus (sp?).
Like I said before the players have no clue and they are up against lawyers. I’m sure the agent knows of a loophole that he can argue with in the event that someone complains. We fans sit here and scratch our heads about why a player would leave, what happened to loyalty, and we have no idea what goes on in these private meetings. After reading the Leon Searcy story my eyes were open to how the process goes. How his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, manipulated the situation to get what he wanted not his client. This has lead to Drew Rosenhaus flourishing career and why he is regarded as one of the best agents out there, he gets the big bucks for his client right….? Right?
What’s even better is that most of the time the consequences falls on the players. The fans see the players as greedy and only concerned about money with no loyalty. When that may not be the case. The agent is absolved from most of the negative blow back of contract negotiation when the he is responsible for all of it; and the players has no clue what is going on. That is why I knew McFadden was gonna be gone last year as soon as I knew his agent was Drew Rosenhaus. Some of these agents only care about themselves. We currently have no one on our roster represented by Drew now because we don’t pay out. It seems like this Joel guy is following in the foot steps of Drew.
All I can say is that I hope I am wrong and we have Clark back next year, but that may not be the best case, I think the agent is trying to use our lack of depth against us and the steelers will not like the agent set the market value of a player. If Mr. turner wants to insist that Clark is one of the best safeties in the league and should be paid that way we may need to draft three safeties in this draft and pick up a three agent.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 4, 2010 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
The agents job is to get the player as much guaranteed dough
as possible. You can do that a variety of ways. I don’t find it hard to believe that some agents are more straight-up than others. Clark is more than likely getting played by his agent. I agree that I want him back, but only at a reasonable number and who knows if they have someone in mind to fill his spot if he leaves? I basically trust the FO on this kinda stuff. Playing next to Troy P, you could probably plug a monkey in that spot and not notice. I bet a monkey could certainly wrap-up and tackle pretty well….lol
Drop the Hammer?
I’ll miss him.
Brian: Face it Peter, you get competitive about everything.
Peter: I am so not competitive. In fact, I am the least non-competitive. So I win.
We'll find out
soon enough if Ryan’s agent is not telling him about an offer that the Steelers made. Someone will leak the teams offer. If there was no offer made, then what is the agent hiding?
A lot of the Steelers big plays were given up over the middle, our defense puts the Safeties farther outside and leaves the deep middle to Farrior. That wasn’t working out too well. I’m not going to argue that Ryan is one of the best FS in the league, but he’s in the top 1/3 of the league.
We aren’t going to bank on a FS in the draft that can play right away, because that is out of our control. If the Steelers are sitting looking at the FS getting cut and have decided to let the market get set before jumping in, then they are just playing it smart. You don’t want to pull an Oakland and sign somebody early to much more than you could have got them for.
As for Clark, I don’t think he’s being unreasonable. He’s in good shape and has been healthy, our whole defense was exposed last year, not just him. If you look at the other contracts being handed out this year and last, he’s no different from others who got good contracts, why should he expect less? Especially when the Steelers say he is a priority. I think Ryan came out and talked because his agent’s statements were taken so negatively by the fans and media. He’s trying to get his side out, which is he is a good player worth a good contract and the Steelers say they want him but haven’t offered anything.
Personally I think Ryan is a +FS and was an important piece of the best defense in the NFL two years ago. If he is declining it isn’t much, and no Troy doesn’t make any FS look good. Anthony Smith proved that. Ryan Clark has to pull his own weight or he’d get attacked, that teams didn’t go after him and have much success in 2008 shows that he is doing his job well.
he is gone.
The steelers are moving on, they will sign a stop gap fs in free agency and draft one this year. ALSO watch some of the db’s today, really like the kid from rutgers McCourty quick feet and runs fast and looks like a football player.
As long as their answer for free safety doesn't involve the name Taylor Mays
I completely trust whatever they end up doing will be the right decision.
"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'
it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.
Another guy
who apparently had his stock fall greatly due to combine performance, or lack thereof.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Mar 2, 2010 8:35 PM EST up reply actions
Meh
I doubt it was the combine, it was probably falling before that. A lot of people see him as Roy Williams part II. He just has no coverage skills, his best bet would be either as a MLB in a pure cover 2, and who runs that anymore, or as a big safety in a team committed to running a 3-3-5 on more than just five and long, which is like no NFL team. At this point he just doesn’t look like he’s going to play every down in any scheme. And why would you use a top pick on a player who’s not going to play every down.
"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'
it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.
five and long should be third and long
please don’t ask me where five came from.
"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'
it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.
Wishful thinking, I expect
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Mar 2, 2010 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
5 and long
changing the rules on us?
Seriously, great reasoning. I am not in favor of drafting any of the available talent at CB in the first. I very much think the 1st round needs to be spent on the DL or FS if the Steelers can get the top talent there. Odrick from PSU might be nice at 18 if he’s still there.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Mar 2, 2010 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
?
I thought his combine helped him get drafted in the first round to the raiders…… lol
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 4, 2010 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
I like Clark but just being a sincere and nice guy doesn't win football games.
How many times have we seen him drop back for a big hit instead of keeping on the guy he’s supposed to be covering? How many interception opportunities has he missed for the big hit?
I love seeing him play, he really leaves it on the field, but his style of play will catch up soon, and his instincts and decision making are suspect.
I say let him go, or sign him to a one-two year contract and start looking.
I’ll ALWAYS remember his hit on McGahee in the AFCCG though.
We increased our offensive production by 1,000 yards but our points by only 3 touchdowns?
-Johnny_S
Bungles
Tank
Stupidly like
Clockwork
Chris Hope and Anthony Smith did the same thing
maybe it’s not the players, maybe it’s who the steelers target? When they drafted Smith they talked about the hard hits he put on players, not his coverage abilities.
"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'
it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.
And thats a problem.
Big hits are fun for replays, but most receivers and backs have extraordinary ball control skills and are basically trained to hold onto the ball even after being knocked unconscious (dont ask me what school Mendenhall went to to study this)
I would rather have someone like Troy or Darren Sharper getting interceptions and breaking up passes then a guy who hangs back 5 yards to get a running start at someone after they catch the ball.
We increased our offensive production by 1,000 yards but our points by only 3 touchdowns?
-Johnny_S
Bungles
Tank
Stupidly like
Clockwork
Would have been nice to land Sharper last year
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Mar 2, 2010 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
God yes.
We get a compliment to Troy like that and NOBODY will be able to throw on us. Hell, might be the first team to have 30 interceptions in one season.
Oh wait, our CBs…..
We increased our offensive production by 1,000 yards but our points by only 3 touchdowns?
-Johnny_S
Bungles
Tank
Stupidly like
Clockwork
LOL 30....
meant to say 50
We increased our offensive production by 1,000 yards but our points by only 3 touchdowns?
-Johnny_S
Bungles
Tank
Stupidly like
Clockwork
Oh I agree
my point is that’s a problem with the steelers philosophy, bringing back clark or not bringing back clark isn’t going to change things because they’ll likely just replace him with a similar player.
"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'
it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.
At the same time though
a big hitter makes receivers and backs have their heads on a swivel when they come into the area. That kind of second guessing slows them down just enough to reduce their effectiveness.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Mar 2, 2010 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
Not as much.
maybe in High School and a little in college, but most of these guys are well trained enough to do their job regardless of how worried about another player they are.
I would rather see a receiver get pissed off because he isn’t even allowed to touch the ball (like Revis’ victims) then know they can make the catch and sacrifice their body for a play.
We increased our offensive production by 1,000 yards but our points by only 3 touchdowns?
-Johnny_S
Bungles
Tank
Stupidly like
Clockwork
I'll buy that
leave the heavy hitting to the LBs.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Mar 2, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
Tell that to
alligator arms Randy Moss or TO, face it no matter how trained you are, you get a big hit on you, you gonna freeze up the next time you go in there, a la Reggie Wayne letting the ball slide through his hands in the Super Bowl… over the middle. If its in your head, you can’t help it.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 4, 2010 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
Meh I think that's pretty overstated effect.
I mean can you really think of that many instances where an otherwise solid catching receiver dropped a ball because some big hitter was looming?
"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'
it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.
Yes
I’ve seen it happen frequently against our secondary… Ocho Cinco tends to get alligator arms later in the game. Randy Moss has quit trying before. Terrell Owens doesn’t extend.
I’ll grant you some of these guys are not known for trying that hard anyway, but the hits still need to be made.
by Chicago Steeler on Mar 3, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
Ocho Cinco and Moss were affected
but how about their over the middle guys, the ones you’re talking about are mostly down field threats and aren’t really expected to be taking many big hits to begin with. Welker and Housh, before this year, how did they fair against our secondaries and Clarks big hits? I imagine whatever we gained in the few plays Johnson, Moss and Owens, who we’ve played like once in the last year, we gave back in the numerous receptions guys like Welker and Housh made against a safety more concerned with hitting them than breaking up the pass.
"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'
it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.
Yea
how many passes did welker catch after clark’s hit last year……. :) just sayin
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 4, 2010 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
lol
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Something here....From Yahoo Sports
Taylor Mays clocked at 4.19 40 yard dash…
Source: Taylor Mays ran 4.19 at USC
WOW!
Taylor Mays was timed as fast as 4.19 seconds in the 40-yard dash by former USC coach Pete Carroll when the NFL safety prospect and the new Seattle Seahawks coach were on campus, according to a league source.
Mays’ official time today was 4.43 seconds after unofficial times of 4.24 and 4.34 seconds.
There’s no question that Mays is fast.
What’s more important is how the athletic 6-foot-3, 230-pounder plays.
Per a source, Mays received strong reviews from NFL teams this week at the NFL scouting combine.
Among the NFL brass that were high on Mays: San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary, the former Chicago Bears middle linebacker.
One source predicted that Mays will be drafted in the top 10 selections of the first round in April.
"OOH! A piece of candy. OOH! A piece of candy."
-James Woods
There are also reports in SI.com that state that Mays is only straight line forward speed, and that his flow and movement while performing drills was not at all a reflection of that speed, and that change of direction was a problem. As someone else said: no coverage skills.
It all starts in the trenches.
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Mar 2, 2010 11:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
School 40 times are complete lies
According to Florida Hadon ran a 4.33, the same Hadon that ran a 4.55 and a 4.6 at the combine. School 40 times are completely useless.
"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'
it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.
from the post gazette
“They haven’t put actual dollar figures on paper,” Turner said. “We’ve put together several different proposals of various levels and at this point, it’s probably going to be a test of wills.”…His agent said while there have been no offers from the ballclub, they have talked in “parameters. They’ve talked with us almost ad nauseum, and it’s not like parameters haven’t exchanged hands,” Turner said. “That’s how you negotiate. But obviously at this point, we have different values than the organization. I feel he’s the best free safety out there and, if the Steelers do not sign him, it will leave a gaping hole in their defense.”
so once again it’s clark and his agent twisting words. clark has been given “offers” as in we want to pay you X and his agent says we will only accept Y. and they’re probably off by a lot…so why would the steelers bother putting their deal on paper and giving a “written offer” if clark won’t accept it? keep whining clark, keep whining.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10062/1039776-66.stm#ixzz0h7sRxWAn
Its his agent whining and twisting facts
not clark, Clark has no clue what is going on, at least thats what he says. His agent is a joke – the best safety out there? Talk about hyperbole. Again the agent is trying to use the lack of depth in the Steelers Roster against them, can we say Ryan Mundy anyone? I hope so because more than likely he will be starting next year, unless whoever we draft is a stud.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Mar 4, 2010 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
i think it's a group effort on clarks & his agents part
but i have nothing to prove it. i’m generally really annoyed with clark in this process & some of the things he said at the end of the season & during negotiations. i actually had this ridiculously long thing typed up to reply to you (more me complaining about clark’s actions than replying to your comment) & realized it was absurd. so here’s the short version:
clark knew enough to make a couple points & repeated them during the interview 1) no written or verbal offer. nothing they could put on paper he could sign 2) he wasn’t asking for 6.5-7 mil 3)he wasn’t complaining.
all of those are true statements (except the complaining part). it wouldnt have surprised me if his agent recommended clark do an interview & make those points, hoping that it would generate public support & it help in the negotiation room. and if he woulda kept it to a short an sweet interview it would’ve been fine and he wouldnt have been complaining. but he didnt, he skewed the facts, and he began complaining (that’s how it seemed to me). and that’s what his agent was trying to correct for.
for example, it’s naive to think clark doesnt realize “perimeters” were discussed back in negotiations even way back in in june/july.
A couple of things not mentioned
I think Clark’s agent (not Clark) is playing a bad hand. He’s negotiating too high considering 1) by naming figures that are close to what Troy makes per year, he’s opening up the possibility of Troy going after much higher numbers the next cycle (or even earlier if they demanded renegotiation); 2)As ‘healthy’ as we all feel Clark is, he is only player I know who may not be able to play in one NFL city (Denver) because it constitutes a health risk. That issue alone should cause some adjustment of his value.
I like Clark and hope they figure out some way he can stay, but I agree with those who believe that he’s being played by a greedy and shortsighted agent who clearly doesn’t ‘get’ the Rooneys or the Pittsburgh market. He’s doing a serious disservice to his client, or, at best, has misjudged the FA market on the cusp of an uncapped year.
by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Mar 3, 2010 4:05 PM EST reply actions
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