Dallas Clark “Going In A Different Direction”
May 3rd, 2013
Yesterday, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik appeared with Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan, co-hosts of “Movin’ the Chains,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
(Joe was busy at One Buc Palace yesterday and was tipped off to the interview, so he stayed up past 2 a.m. to record the rebroadcast.)
Now Joe knows some Bucs fans screamed for Dominik to draft Tyler Eifert, tight end from Notre Dame, almost as bad as they were pining for slot receiver Tavon Austin, until Dominik used the No. 13 overall pick to land star corner Darrelle Revis.
Still, Bucs fans are rumbling about the tight end position and this also gathered interest from Ryan, who peppered Dominik with a question about the Bucs’ tight ends.
Tim Ryan: Take a peek at the guys you’ve got [at tight end]. Luke Stocker is coming back. I think a fourth-rounder a couple of years ago. I like the [Tom] Crabtree signing. He’s got some nastiness to him as far as certainly having the desire and is a pretty good at blocking. Who is the flex guy? Is there still an opportunity for the door to be open for Dallas Clark and his return? Who is your flex tight end if you had to name one right now?
Mark Dominik: We have a couple of guys we are looking at. Dallas is a free agent. You know, I haven’t talked to his agent – we talked after the season and it sounds like that is going in a different direction. So for us, that’s why we went out and – when Tom Crabtree did not get tendered, we were aggressive with his agent in trying to get him on the team. We see what you see: an aggressive blocker who is untapped down the field. I think he is going to be able to do both. We are excited about the uses of a dual guy who can detach a little bit and go “H” and even some stuff in the backfield.
We have a couple of guys that we like and want to see develop. We picked up the other Zach Miller. We have some young guys, [Danny] Noble and Evan Landi, excited to see how they go through.
It seemed obvious that if Clark wasn’t around by now, he likely wouldn’t come back. And it sure seems Dominik has turned the page on Clark.
The key element here is Crabtree. Yes, he’s a solid blocker, as many Packers beat writers documented since his release. But Crabtree was in a log jam — ard to get playing time when you are behind Jermichael Finley.
The Bucs really believe Crabtree has the skills to split defenses over the middle. We shall see.
The rest of Dominik’s interview with Kirwan and Ryan Joe will have next week. Way too much Bucs news now.
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:27 pm
I want someone to sooth my concerns about Right Tackle and depth on the o-line.
Can anyone serve me some koolaid? Because I am not quite “soothed” with those non-editions. Unless that is, the UDFA’s have some upside.
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:27 pm
*additions
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Exactly my concern as well, post draft. I think we ought to look at a veteran tackle to compete with what we have. At least get some depth there.
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:48 pm
good work Joe.
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:51 pm
any news on Ronde Barber? I thought there was supposed to be a decision on whether he was going to return or not this week.
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:55 pm
“Joe was busy at One Buc Palace yesterday and was tipped off to the interview, so he stayed up past 2 a.m. to record the rebroadcast.”
why not just set the DVR and watch in the morning?
May 3rd, 2013 at 2:58 pm
^^believe it was radio not TV
@Joe did he or did he not mention Revis number in the interview…we must know
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Joe, I know this is off topic, But it relates to prior topics. I just got an email from buccaneers.com offering me free shipping on #23 mark barron and #24 darrel revis jerseys.
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:40 pm
@Joe,
How can we be sure the number 24 Revis is wearing shown in the picture floating around the Web is not a mirror reflection and the number is actually 42? What assurances can you provide this is not fake photography?
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:54 pm
I don’t know why this is so hard everyone that played on the offense of line were our back ups. ,
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Since he is still a free agent, Clark might want to reassess the direction he is going if he still wants to play football. It appears the bucs have moved on, hopefully one of the TE’s we have can emerge as a legit receiving threat.
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@Joe
It’s official… Revis will wear #124. Nahhh! Just joking, it’s 24.
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Hard to use a DVR to watch a satellite radio show.
You know, SiriusXM NFL Radio?
May 3rd, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Andrew:
‘Nope. When Joe knows, you will know.
May 3rd, 2013 at 4:07 pm
I don’t think our offense involved the tight end enough for Clark’s liking. He was somewhat of a liability as a blocker. So it was a choice between a decent blocking tight end with mediocre to below average receiving skills (Stocker) or a terrible blocker but with above average receiving ability (Clark). In a run first offense you can take the wild guess as to which has more perceived value on the field. Not to mention Stocker actually has upside where Clark is most definitely on the decline.
I think Stocker and Crabtree will get it done. Not expecting a huge year from any of our tight ends though.
May 3rd, 2013 at 4:12 pm
I called that one wrong. I thought for sure they would resign him after the draft.
May 3rd, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Well said West. I really liked Clark but your analysis is likely on target. I do like the new TE possibilities; fit well with a run-oriented offense as you said. I think we are OK at that position.
May 3rd, 2013 at 5:21 pm
Seems to me, this offense uses the TE as a way to pick up 3rd down conversions to keep the chains moving. Using the same guy for blocking (keeping the D honest). Sticker may develop into that guy.
May 3rd, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Good Job Joe!
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:40 pm
Clark play’s to much like Lois.
May 4th, 2013 at 6:07 am
Stocker can deff. give u a legit 55 catches and 7 or 8 tds if given the full time start. With decent blocking sounds like a productive season from our TE’s no?