Steelers Sign FS Ryan Clark

[BB2W]

Here is an article from November titled "Safety Clark a Big Hit"

When receiver Santana Moss, who's generously listed at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, joined the Redskins in March, he was a little skeptical on hearing that 5-11, 200-pound safety Ryan Clark was a big hitter.

"I kind of looked at Ryan and I was like, 'Are you sure?'" Moss said. "Then in our (Aug. 6) scrimmage against the Ravens, I saw him fly around and throw his body (around) ... It was very impressive, seeing his size. Better him than me."

That's just fine with Clark. Despite missing the first two games with a sprained knee suffered during preseason and the Denver game with a bruised spleen suffered against Seattle, Clark has 25 tackles, fifth on the team.

"I've never been scared to hit," Clark said. "I go up and try to hit. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I lose. Lately, I've been winning more than losing. I had a good friend tell me, 'You're either going to be the hammer or the nail.' I might be a small hammer, not a sledgehammer."

Brian Westbrook got a quick taste of that last Sunday when Clark put the Pro Bowl running back on his butt after a 1-yard gain to end Philadelphia's first series.

"Ryan thinks he's a linebacker," linebacker Marcus Washington said.

Clark hasn't forgotten being told by New York defensive coordinator Tim Lewis "they think you can't tackle" before the Giants cut him in the winter of 2004. Clark made a career-high 14 tackles and his first career interception two weeks ago against the Giants.

"Ryan plays with a chip on his shoulder," safeties coach Steve Jackson said.

That's unfortunate for opposing ball carriers.

Said Jackson, "Ryan goes out with the intention of, 'It's either going to be you or it's going to be me. One of us is going to be the fly. One of us is going to be the windshield.' That's the way he approaches every tackle, every bit of contact."


link: http://redskins.scout.com/2/465176.html

[FanecaFan66]

what was Hope's asking price?
anyone know? Because I'm not sure why we signed Clark unless a deal with Hope was out of the question in terms of $$$


remember Clark has to learn a new system of defense. I'm not too excited about the best saftey tandem in the league being split up

[clevestinks]

I like the sounds of him so far! We`ll see.

[Koopa]

Originally Posted by FanecaFan66

what was Hope's asking price?
anyone know? Because I'm not sure why we signed Clark unless a deal with Hope was out of the question in terms of $$$


remember Clark has to learn a new system of defense. I'm not too excited about the best saftey tandem in the league being split up

yeah i think he said he wanted to be paid like a top five saftey which he doesn't deserve, but i was hoping he'd come to his senses and stay on a winning team and be part of something special with that young backfield

[Stlrs4Life]

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree, this will be interesting. Would like to see the next interview by Hope.

You think there is room for both of these guys? But why when you got the draft coming up to.

[MNsteelers]

I've seen him play a few times, and to be honest, he's pretty much exactly like Hope. Their size, their athletic ability, their play-making skill...either one of them MIGHT get a pro bowl season at some point, and will be a solid contributor. If he's costing less than Hope, let him join Randle-El and go somewhere else.
Welcome aboard, Ryan!

[SalukiSteelers]

Well, it's tough to question Pittsburgh's front office when it comes to letting players leave via free agency. I just hope that it's the right choice and that the learning curve for LeBeau's defense isn't too steep for Clark to step in and contribute. Too bad about Hope though. He was really coming in to his own the last couple seasons.

[Suitanim]

It looks like Clark is a film monster, just like Troy, so the two should get along well...

[MNsteelers]

Originally Posted by 83-Steelers-43

In my opinion, there is no doubt.

Obviously, they aren't going to keep both of them. We still need another safety in the draft. I know Tyrone Carter is a fan favorite and everything (I'm from his alma mater Minnesota), but he's just not going to cut being anything more than a dime back.

[Prosdo]

I like what I'm hearing about Clark.