What Has Happened With Dallas Clark?
October 10th, 2012A top pick-up for the Bucs after tight end Kellen Winslow decided he wouldn’t toe the line was the signing of stud pass receiver/tight end Dallas Clark.
With the addition of Clark, along with receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams, the Bucs looked to have a strong passing game. That hasn’t happened.
Clark has been virtually invisible. Sure, the guy has made a play now and again, but seemingly too few and too far in-between.
Veteran NFL reporter eye-RAH! Kaufman of the newly sold Tampa Tribune weighs in on the subject in a (also newly sold) TBO.com Bucs Q&A.
Q: Why don’t the Bucs throw more to Dallas Clark?
– Elden Landolt, Livermore, Iowa
A: The Bucs expected more production out of Clark through four weeks. He has nine catches for 81 yards, but he hasn’t scored and he hasn’t been targeted very often by Josh Freeman in the first month. He isn’t the Dallas Clark of 2006, but he still has reliable hands and he knows how to get open. After a bye week to reflect on their first four games, the Bucs hope to get Clark more involved in the offense as he builds a trust with Freeman.
– eye-RAH! Kaufman
Well, that’s part of the problem: Freeman not looking his way. It also doesn’t help that the Bucs have been a two-yards-and-a-cloud-of-field-turf-pellets kind of an offense through much of the first four games. Even Woody Hayes would have broken out in a cold sweat.
It’s fair to suggest that if a team is loathe to pass the ball, one can’t expect a passing offense to click, much less target a talented tight end more than twice a game.
October 10th, 2012 at 9:05 am
Its simple, just watch game film! Eighter freeman is looking down the reciever and the deffence knows who is getting the ball or the reciever are just not getting open!If freeman goes through his progression, I see the wr doing much better. With the wr doing much better the running game will open up!
October 10th, 2012 at 9:11 am
I really think this is a non story. If you look at the Giants offenses of the last few years, the TE just doesn’t get a lot of looks. I expected that would be the case this year with Clark. Nice player, but not in an offense that is going to use him much.
October 10th, 2012 at 9:31 am
Here’s a hint….. The Bucs need to ditch the Pop Warner playbook.
October 10th, 2012 at 9:32 am
I think it comes down to blocking more than anything. The O line is struggling so the Bucs are forced to Max protect with TE’s. Clark has proven he can still make the tough catches which is why I don’t understand his lack of use on third downs. If you look at the Patriots & Texans; they know how important it is to have a TE who can catch especially in 3rd down situations. These guys keep the chains moving!
October 10th, 2012 at 10:10 am
A big reason he hasn’t been getting the ball is because Freeman isn’t Peyton Manning.
October 10th, 2012 at 10:38 am
The offense we are running does not call on the TE often.
October 10th, 2012 at 11:39 am
If the Bucs are building for the future, keep an eye out for Colt Lyerla, freshmen TE/H back out out Oregon. Possibly the best ever!
When in the red zone, Lyerla gets into the end zone, goes up and catches TD’s that no other player can get to. I’ve seen his vertical leap of 62″ on Youtube. Imagine a 6’5″ kid with long arms jumping 62″ for a TD pass. Going against DB’s that are under 6′ with 30″ leaps, he presents a target with sure hands that is over 3′ above the competition. A faster Gronkowski, who can fly.
In the NFL, in a close game, he will be unstoppable, but at Oregon (52ppg) he’s just another weapon.
He can also play fullback, runs a 4.5.
October 10th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Part of it seems to be the play calling, and part would seem to be on Josh. Believe it was the Giants game when we were moving down the field with 3 straight passes to Clark near the end of the game, but other than that he was invisible for the entire game before/and after that. When given the chance he does make plays. Another part seems to be on Josh. Last home preseason game, Bucs do a bunch formation and Josh hits Jackson in double coverage for an 10 yd gain when Clark is wide open for an easy score 10 yds to his left. Still believe Josh is having trouble reading the field and seeing all his options. Hopefully Sully can help him work through this.
October 10th, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Freeman sees only one receiver on the field.