Agent says Clark still awaits offer from club

post gazette

Ryan Clark likely will become an unrestricted free agent Friday, his agent believes, and may do so without receiving an offer from the Steelers.

Joel Turner told the Post-Gazette Tuesday that "If I had to take an educated guess, I'd say the probability of him being a free agent is greater than him being signed."

Turner began negotiating for a new contract for the Steelers' starting free safety one year ago and said he has never received an offer. With two days left before Clark can begin free negotiations with other NFL teams, the sides are nowhere near a deal.

"They haven't put actual dollar figures on paper," Turner said. "We've put together several different proposals of various levels and at this point, it's probably going to be a test of wills."

Clark told ESPN Radio 1250 that even though the Steelers identified him as a "priority" he does not feel that way because of how the negotiations have gone. He pointed to a number of Steelers who signed contract extensions last year as well as the new contract reached last week with Casey Hampton and the franchise tag placed on Jeff Reed.

"I haven't had an offer yet," Clark told the radio station's The Drive show.

"Nothing put to paper or said verbally. We want to get this deal done."

Steelers executives, including director of football operations Kevin Colbert, announced their three priorities to sign before free agency began were Clark, Hampton and Reed.

"You hear so much about being a priority and things like that," Clark said. "I mean, if you think about it, there have been a number of guys who have signed a contract and I haven't been offered -- Heath Miller, Justin Hartwig, Brett Keisel, Casey [Hampton], Jeff. So it's not like one guy got signed and the well ran dry and there was nothing they could do. It hasn't been that. If you think about priorities and prioritizing, obviously I was way down on the list as they go."

Clark said he is not asking for an average of $6 1/2 or $7 million annually in a new contract. Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu signed a new five-year contract in 2007 worth $33 million or $6.6 million annually.

"I know how much Troy makes and I know how much respect I have for Troy as a player and how much I love him as a friend," Clark said. "I don't see myself as Troy's [equal], I don't see myself having to get that same type of pay. So it's not a situation, 'Oh, you have to pay me how Troy's getting paid.' I would be a fool to do that. "

Clark complained that he is not getting the same kind of "love" shown other players who signed new deals with the Steelers.

"They showed their love and commitment to Jeff even though it's only one year, $2.8 million [and] Keisel, Miller, Hartwig, all these guys have been shown some type of love that says 'You know what, we want you here, we're willing to work with you to get you here.' I haven't gotten it."

Clark reiterated that he and his family want to remain in Pittsburgh but that it is out of his hands. His agent said while there have been no offers from the ballclub, they have talked in "parameters."

"They've talked with us almost ad nauseum, and it's not like parameters haven't exchanged hands," Turner said. "That's how you negotiate. But obviously at this point, we have different values than the organization. I feel he's the best free safety out there and, if the Steelers do not sign him, it will leave a gaping hole in their defense."



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Ryan Clark is not the best FS in the NFL. He was exposed as an average at best safety in Troy's absence. Instead of being part of the solution when Troy got hurt, he was part of the problem.

Clark's agent is obviously setting such an unrealistically high asking price for Clark that the Steelers aren't even bothering to make a counter-proposal offer. Let Clark test the free-agency waters and if some other team wants to overpay Clark so be it. We let Chris Hope go, we'll let Ryan Clark leave too.

[quote=Clark's Agent]I feel he's the best free safety out there and, if the Steelers do not sign him, it will leave a gaping hole in their defense."[/quote]

If Ryan Clark covered a gaping hole this past season it must have been a chasm the size of the Grand Canyon. The Steeler secondary appeared to have a gaping hole with him back there this past season. I'm not sure his agent is doing him a service with that statement.

Pappy

[quote=hawaiiansteel]Ryan Clark is not the best FS in the NFL. He was exposed as an average at best safety in Troy's absence. Instead of being part of the solution when Troy got hurt, he was part of the problem.

Clark's agent is obviously setting such an unrealistically high asking price for Clark that the Steelers aren't even bothering to make a counter-proposal offer. Let Clark test the free-agency waters and if some other team wants to overpay Clark so be it. We let Chris Hope go, we'll let Ryan Clark leave too.[/quote]

I don't think Clark is the best FS in the NFL. I think he would probably make the top 5. He fits what the defense likes its FS to do. Can't have the best player at every position in the league. I don't believe he was "exposed" as some suggest. Just as Troy was not "exposed" when Clark was out in 2007. The tandem is what makes them a formidable pair.

I don't know what Clark's agent is asking. Maybe the Steelers are setting an unrealistically low asking price? Maybe they are offering him the league minimum? Maybe they don't have enough cap space to offer him a fair deal? Those are real possibilities. I am sure Clark thinks he deserves a fair deal. Clark may be more difficult to replace then some think if he decides to walk.

[quote=BURGH86STEEL]

I don't think Clark is the best FS in the NFL. I think he would probably make the top 5. [/quote]

Really?

[img]Maybe%20they%20don't%20have%20enough%20cap%20space%20to%20offer%20him%20a%20fair%20deal?[/img]

Can't be...there is no cap.

If the Steelers don't re-sign Clark, it'll be due to either his recent health concerns, his play with Troy out of the team, the Steelers decision to draft a FS this season, or...


his agent & him are asking too much for the value the Steelers place on him, and they'll let him test the market while they interview possible replacements. Looks like the Steelers version of 'the strong arm' to get him to a deal they like.

[quote=steelblood][quote=BURGH86STEEL]

I don't think Clark is the best FS in the NFL. I think he would probably make the top 5. [/quote]

Really?[/quote]

You don't have to agree. The bottom line is Clark has been a good fit for the defense since he became a Steeler.

[quote=Chadman][img]Maybe%20they%20don't%20have%20enough%20cap%20space%20to%20offer%20him%20a%20fair%20deal?[/img]

Can't be...there is no cap.

If the Steelers don't re-sign Clark, it'll be due to either his recent health concerns, his play with Troy out of the team, the Steelers decision to draft a FS this season, or...


his agent & him are asking too much for the value the Steelers place on him, and they'll let him test the market while they interview possible replacements. Looks like the Steelers version of 'the strong arm' to get him to a deal they like.[/quote]

There is a cap for the Steelers. They are not the Redskins, Cowboys, or Pats.

I personally want Clark to be retained simply for the fact that this is a talented defensive class in the draft. Clark has 2 years left in him where he could be highly productive. If they retain him before the draft, the Steelers really could stockpile talent in the BPA direction. They could get quality Ss from the second half of the draft to groom. Sign Clark...At the right price...Makes sense!

I don't think his agent is saying he's the best FS in the NFL but the best that's OUT THERE (as a free agent)..
even clark doesn't think he should be paid like a top 5 guy.
and is there anyone that would rather Mundy or Carter starting? cause you know a rook won't.

[quote=JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]I personally want Clark to be retained simply for the fact that this is a talented defensive class in the draft. Clark has 2 years left in him where he could be highly productive. If they retain him before the draft, the Steelers really could stockpile talent in the BPA direction. They could get quality Ss from the second half of the draft to groom. However, at the right price![/quote]


:Agree :Agree :Agree

Best Player not position

[quote=Oviedo]

:Agree :Agree :Agree

Best Player not position[/quote]

Could come down to that in the 1st with Clark under contract. Now, when I say BPA vs need there is more behind it. You know need is #1 consideration going into the draft for everyone. Where it seperates is when you are on the clock. If there is a guy you like graded where you pick who fits the need, still on the board...Of course you pull the trigger. If a guy who you thought wouldn't be there still is on the board...You might consider him over need and address later. Where many teams make the mistake is needing a position and they are on the clock. There highest graded player at that need is on the board but they have him graded over 10 picks back. You try to find a trade partner to move back and still get him. When you can't find anyone...You overdraft the guy & reach for need instead of taking the best player on the board. If you can't move back...Take BPA. I'm all for that!

Looking at who they met with I get the feeling the Steelers are going to be busy in the 1st trying to move back. There are names like Pouncey, Iupati, Odrick, Graham, Mccourty, Wilson, Campbell etc. who will be all on the board in the 20's. If Clark returns, their immediate concerns have to be at C & ILB. Closely followed by OT & CB if Colon is not in the long term plans and with the uncertainty of what we have in Lewis & Burnett. That being said...If they could trade back in the 1st and get another 3rd...

1. Pouncey-C
2. Spikes-ILB

Where's the Gator fans?


I think the Steelers would like to see a Berry, McClain, Williams x 2, Bulaga, Haden, Spiller, Mays, or Thomas, fall...I don't know if it will happen.

[quote=JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]I personally want Clark to be retained simply for the fact that this is a talented defensive class in the draft. Clark has 2 years left in him where he could be highly productive. If they retain him before the draft, the Steelers really could stockpile talent in the BPA direction. They could get quality Ss from the second half of the draft to groom. Sign Clark...At the right price...Makes sense![/quote]
:Agree

My concern here is that his agent, and thus his, expectations are too high.

If he'd agree to a 3 year deal worth 10.5 mill with about 6 guaranteed. I'd say, done.

any more than that... pass.