Steelers Sign FS Ryan Clark

[83-Steelers-43]

"Also this afternoon, former Redskins starting safety Ryan Clark agreed to a four-year contract with Pittsburgh, according to his agent, Joel Turner. Clark, who went from obscurity to become a regular contributor on one of the NFL's premier defenses, spoke with Washington for the better part of a year about a contract extension, but a deal could never be reached.

Clark's first visit was with Pittsburgh yesterday -- he was the first free agent entertained by the Super Bowl champion Steelers as well -- and final details of the contract were settled around 2:30 this afternoon. Clark came to Washington in 2004 after being cut by the New York Giants and was not expected to make the team but ended up getting a starting spot.".

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...031400957.html

[RushHard34]

beat me to it. i've never heard of this guy, but i guess the redskins fans loved him. he should be a good aquisiton.

bye hope.

welcome clark

[83-Steelers-43]

Basic information about Ryan Clark.........

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/303349

[Livinginthe past]

Looks like a solid signing from what I can gather on a brief tour of Redskin forums.

NM

[BB2W]

I always thought Tyrone Carter could step in for Hope, but I think I like this signing. Here are some quotes I found while doing some searches. I like what they say.



Clark is a speedy and versatile player who excels in coverage on defense and is not afraid to come up and make a tackle on a running back.

Despite his humble beginnings in the NFL, Clark has emerged as a leader on the defense. While middle linebacker Lemar Marshall helps get the front seven make adjustments at the line of scrimmage, Clark often helps the secondary get in position before the snap.

Said Marcus Washington of the 5-11, 200-pound Clark: "Ryan thinks he's a linebacker out there. He thinks he's a lot bigger than he is. He's probably one of the hardest workers on the team. A lot of times, he stays late after practice, putting more film work in. He's definitely a leader out there."

"He's got a fire to him," end Renaldo Wynn said. "He's out there just blowing people up."

"A lot of people say I play with a chip on my shoulder," Clark said. "I don't have a chip. I'm in the NFL; there's no chip. I'm just excited to be playing, and excited to get the chance I've been given here. And I want to keep making the guys who gave me a chance look good, and the people who didn't look bad. I do relish that, but I've been proving people wrong for a long time."

"He has the mentality of the whole team," safeties coach Steve Jackson said. "He does whatever he's asked to do, he never complains about anything. He just goes out there and performs to the best of his ability. He's what you call a football player. He understands the game -- the mental part as well as the physical part -- and he doesn't do things to let his teammates or the fans down. He doesn't showboat. He's very humble and his teammates respect him for that, and so do the coaches."

[klick81]

Does that mean hope is pretty much gone?

[Koopa]

well i'm gonna miss hope but i'll welcome this guy with open arms, i like those things you put there bb2w, i hope he can do what hope did which isn't much just allow troy to do his thing and don't get beat deep all the time. and i too think carter could do a good job even though he's what 5'8"?

[RushHard34]

he just about fits the definition of: A Pittsburgh Steeler

he'll fit right in

[83-Steelers-43]

Originally Posted by klick81

Does that mean hope is pretty much gone?

In my opinion, there is no doubt.

[83-Steelers-43]

I'm just hoping this guy is good at tackling. In my opinion, if there was one part of Hope's game that was questionable, it was his tackling ability.