Hard Feelings If Former Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan Clark Heads To Ravens?
Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs over Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark (25) during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers passed on re-signing Ryan Clark. They never really said that in so many words to the general public, but with the signing of former Panthers safety Mike Mitchell it was pretty much crystal clear at that point. Many of us probably thought and dead panned that Ryan Clark would be headed off to the NFL retirement home known as ESPN in Bristol. Clark has spent quite a bit of time at the studios – just as much time there now as he did during the football season in fact. However, this horse still wants a chance around the track instead of heading off to the glue factory.
The Baltimore Sun reported on Monday that the Baltimore Ravens are interested in multiple safeties – one of them being Ryan Clark. It’s a strange series of events this free agent period. It seems as if the Carolina Panthers, Ravens and Steelers are all vying for each others’ former players in a move to somehow gain an advantage over the other when they face each other this season (the AFC North will battle the AFC South in 2014). The Ravens are thin at safety, and Clark could bolster that position. Clark will turn 35 during the season, and even though his mouth runs quickly his speed on the field has dropped considerably. His pursuit and ability to tackle in the open have also declined.
I’m usually in the school of don’t go to your former team’s rival if you are going to play for someone else. I was a little miffed when Harrison selected to play for the Bungles last season. However, with Clark there is a feeling of indifference. I don’t really think he will suddenly become this huge impact player if he lands in Baltimore (let alone any other team in the NFL). The Ravens are looking for a centerfield type safety and Clark can do that modestly at best. My hatred runs deep for those damn Rat Birds, but my admiration for Clark ended about a season and a half ago. Now if Antonio Brown were to head over there, that would be a completely different story….
As I stated when it appeared that the Steelers weren’t going to bring him back – Best of luck. Thanks for the years of service.
Now you can enjoy getting bowled over by Ray Rice during practice on a regular basis.
How do the rest of you feel about Clark potentially becoming a Rat Bird?