Why is Ryan Clark so disrespected?

[SMASHMOUTHFOOTBALL]

I understand we need a backup for the S position; although I do believe Mundy is going to step in just fine, so I wouldn't have a urge to draft a S in the 1st 4 rnds.
If you go to nfldraftcountdown they have us selecting D. McBath S TTU and they are quoted to saying he can compete for the free safety job. Am I missing something--Clark is turning 30--its old but not that old--He should have another 3-4 solid years left in playing that position. He to me is the most underrated player on our team ( Ike gets no love either) I truly felt like Ike and Ryan should of made pro-bowl last year.
So what gives; how can you be a major nfl draft projecter and not know what you are talking about. I also have heard others say we need to draft a replacement for Clark who is in his last year but we need to resign the guy, he won't break the bank and does more for our team than most others could imagine.

IT ALL JUST MAKES ME SO ANGRY!!!!

[steelz09]

agreed - I have really turned around on Clark. I think he's solid and is a very immportant piece to our D.

He is getting older but I don't think we draft a S within the first 4 rounds of this years draft.

[RuthlessBurgher]

There are a lot of reasons why we may draft a safety that aren't about disrespecting Clark.

Troy Polamalu has a long injury history prior to last season.

Ryan Clark's contract is up after this season and there are several other guys that they will want to sign as well so there may not be enough for everyone (Miller, Starks, Colon, Keisel, Ward, Hampton, Reed, etc.)

Tyrone Carter is 33 years old.

Ryan Mundy was released in training camp after a high ankle sprain and was only on our practice squad since 11-11-08.

Anthony Smith is on the Green Bay Packers.

[Oviedo]

There are a lot of reasons why we may draft a safety that aren't about disrespecting Clark.

Troy Polamalu has a long injury history prior to last season.

Ryan Clark's contract is up after this season and there are several other guys that they will want to sign as well so there may not be enough for everyone (Miller, Starks, Colon, Keisel, Ward, Hampton, Reed, etc.)

Tyrone Carter is 33 years old.

Ryan Mundy was released in training camp after a high ankle sprain and was only on our practice squad since 11-11-08.

Anthony Smith is on the Green Bay Packers.

I agree and I don't think drafting a safety is disrespect towards Clark. It is just a sound business strategy for shoring up a defensive secondray that isn't all that deep. If Mundy and Roy Lewis can perform the problem is far less. Just got to be prepared.

[SteelHead]

Ryan Clark is definitely an unknown commodity in this league. I was reading a mock draft somewhere a few weeks back and they had us taking Sean Smith out of Utah at FS/SS in the 1st , stating that Clark was only "serviceable" at the position. I agree the FS/SS position on our team does need to be addressed this or next year at the latest but Ryan is rock solid for us right now. Plus Troy trusts him back there and he has said many times how important that is to him on the field. Remember when Hope left. Our depth at both safeties is paper thin.

[SteelCzar76]

There are a lot of reasons why we may draft a safety that aren't about disrespecting Clark.

Troy Polamalu has a long injury history prior to last season.

Ryan Clark's contract is up after this season and there are several other guys that they will want to sign as well so there may not be enough for everyone (Miller, Starks, Colon, Keisel, Ward, Hampton, Reed, etc.)

Tyrone Carter is 33 years old.

Ryan Mundy was released in training camp after a high ankle sprain and was only on our practice squad since 11-11-08.

Anthony Smith is on the Green Bay Packers.

Good points Ruthless.(Though as i have always maintained, Troy is and remains the best in the game)

But,....the catch here (in terms of drafting a S) is,...this just so happens to be one of the poorest groups at the Safety position (Free and Strong) in years. And as such does the organization really want to draft any of these cats at any point ?

[RuthlessBurgher]

There are a lot of reasons why we may draft a safety that aren't about disrespecting Clark.

Troy Polamalu has a long injury history prior to last season.

Ryan Clark's contract is up after this season and there are several other guys that they will want to sign as well so there may not be enough for everyone (Miller, Starks, Colon, Keisel, Ward, Hampton, Reed, etc.)

Tyrone Carter is 33 years old.

Ryan Mundy was released in training camp after a high ankle sprain and was only on our practice squad since 11-11-08.

Anthony Smith is on the Green Bay Packers.

Good points Ruthless.(Though as i have always maintained, Troy is and remains the best in the game)

But,....the catch here (in terms of drafting a S) is,...this just so happens to be one of the poorest groups at the Safety position (Free and Strong) in years. And as such does the organization really want to draft any of these cats at any point ?

I agree that Troy is the best safety in the game (suck on that, Ed Reed supporters! Where was Reed in the AFC Championship game anyway? Probably trying to hide from Hines Ward and James Harrison, I would guess). However, if he does go down with an injury (as he has been prone to do throughout his career) it ain't pretty behind him right now.

[SteelCzar76]

There are a lot of reasons why we may draft a safety that aren't about disrespecting Clark.

Troy Polamalu has a long injury history prior to last season.

Ryan Clark's contract is up after this season and there are several other guys that they will want to sign as well so there may not be enough for everyone (Miller, Starks, Colon, Keisel, Ward, Hampton, Reed, etc.)

Tyrone Carter is 33 years old.

Ryan Mundy was released in training camp after a high ankle sprain and was only on our practice squad since 11-11-08.

Anthony Smith is on the Green Bay Packers.

Good points Ruthless.(Though as i have always maintained, Troy is and remains the best in the game)

But,....the catch here (in terms of drafting a S) is,...this just so happens to be one of the poorest groups at the Safety position (Free and Strong) in years. And as such does the organization really want to draft any of these cats at any point ?

I agree that Troy is the best safety in the game (suck on that, Ed Reed supporters! Where was Reed in the AFC Championship game anyway? Probably trying to hide from Hines Ward and James Harrison, I would guess). However, if he does go down with an injury (as he has been prone to do throughout his career) it ain't pretty behind him right now.

I most certainly feel you Ruthless,..but this years Safety Class "ain't much of a looker" either. Which (along with Smiths "release") leads me to believe that the Tomlin is relatively confident in Mundy ?

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Well, I'll be the dissenting voice in this thread.

I like Ryan Clark. I think he's a character guy and a hard-worker. He was better for us than Anthony Smith.

I don't agree that he's at "all-pro" level, however. A couple of big hits during the season don't confer that status. His soon-to-expire contract is reason enough to look for his replacement...but I believe we could upgrade the position, finding someone better in coverage and run support.

[RussBII]

Ryan Clark is definitely an unknown commodity in this league. I was reading a mock draft somewhere a few weeks back and they had us taking Sean Smith out of Utah at FS/SS in the 1st , stating that Clark was only "serviceable" at the position. I agree the FS/SS position on our team does need to be addressed this or next year at the latest but Ryan is rock solid for us right now. Plus Troy trusts him back there and he has said many times how important that is to him on the field. Remember when Hope left. Our depth at both safeties is paper thin.

Money. I think that's the biggest upside to Ryan Clark. That and the slobberknocker ability. I don't even care if he gets two or three 15 yard penalties on that this year. Folks should fear him... He hits harder than A.Smith ever did, and he's not a moron.