Ryan Clark doesn't regret hit on Victor Cruz, suggests he bailed out of crossing route later in the game

Steelers safety Ryan Clark confirmed what we mentioned in our second half review of the Steelers at Giants game in Week 9: Victor Cruz wanted nothing to do with the Steelers' secondary.

Appearing on NFL Total Access with Jay Glazer, Clark was asked about a personal foul penalty he received for allegedly hitting Cruz in the head in the end zone. Replays clearly show Clark was nowhere near his head, but Clark felt it was worth it.

It set the tone for the rest of the game.

"The reason I don't regret it, later on in the third quarter, Victor Cruz had the opportunity to catch a crossing route where Eli Manning threw it leading it toward me, and he kinda stuck one hand up and fell down," Clark said. "And I felt like that was for a reason.

"I feel like because guys know if they come in here, 25 is still going to strike you, he's still going to continue to play football the way he's played it, and actually within the rules."

That's the best part of this. Clark may have picked up the flag, but his hit was completely legal. After laying in such a position where a chalk outline could have been drawn around him, Cruz got up, applied a pair of alligator arms and was ineffective for pretty much the rest of the game.

This kind of thing is probably what Bengals receiver A.J. Green is referring to when he mentioned the Giants defense has a lot of holes in it. It drew the ire of Giants safety Antrel Rolle.

"If he sees me, he better duck. That's it."

Actions speak louder than words, Antrel. Just ask your teammate.

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