Ryan Clark comments on Tom Brady

[thor75]

When players take on the offseason television junket in preparation for their post-football careers, it can lead to some down-the-road bulletin-board material.

On Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark was asked on ESPN's "NFL Live" to dissect the New England Patriots, who play the Steelers in Week 9.

Clark broke down the post-Wes Welker era, questioning "fragile" replacement Danny Amendola and injury concerns for the Patriots' tight-end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. He also discussed the best way to beat Tom Brady:

"When Tom Brady gets pressure and when you're man-to-man and bumping those guys and making it hard for him to throw, he sees ghosts," Clark said, via CSNNE.com. "Even when guys aren't around him, even when he's not about to be sacked, when his clock goes off in his head that the ball should be out, we'll see him duck, we'll see him flinch. When you get Tom Brady doing that, the whole New England Patriots mystique goes away."

None of what Clark said was exactly revolutionary. Brady himself in the past has discussed his propensity to avoid tacklers who don't exist.

That doesn't mean that in the week leading up to the Steelers-Patriots matchup at Gillete Stadium, Clark's words won't be dredged back up, thumbtacked to cork board and dissected by every media member.

Those are the breaks for a guy playing analyst while still donning a helmet.

Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.
[url]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000167620/article/ryan-clark-tom-brady-flinches-under-pressure[/url]


This should make the week 9 match-up a little more exciting.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

I was always a fan of being almost overly complimentary of your opponent or combatant. The media knows where to dig in the yard for poop when it wants to catch the whiff of it.

[flippy]

Mark this game a loss and Brady going after Clark for a bunch of TDs.

[phillyesq]

After the Anthony Smith debacle, I'd rather not see another Steelers safety call out Tom Brady.

I don't disagree with Clark's assessment, but I'd rather he just stay quiet.

[Slapstick]

Cool.

Now, maybe Tom will refuse to bob and weave...he can take the hits from actual tacklers...

[NorthCoast]

uhh... don't fool yourselves. Last I checked, the idea is to not take unnecessary hits from 240 lb behemoths, be able to stay in the game and play a full season. Wish Ben could make that a part of his game now (it looked like it was happening last season, but then the injury...). Brady will likely last far longer than Ben in the NFL if he can't change his game.

[flippy]

uhh... don't fool yourselves. Last I checked, the idea is to not take unnecessary hits from 240 lb behemoths, be able to stay in the game and play a full season. Wish Ben could make that a part of his game now (it looked like it was happening last season, but then the injury...). Brady will likely last far longer than Ben in the NFL if he can't change his game.

The problem is Ben is bigger than most defenders and that's why I think he's fearless. It's only a matter of time until we get to the era of QBs built like Julius Peppers.

[SteelSpain]

After the Anthony Smith debacle, I'd rather not see another Steelers safety call out Tom Brady.

I don't disagree with Clark's assessment, but I'd rather he just stay quiet.

You´re absolutely right. They have to talk on the field. Although Clark isn´t Anthony Smith they better stay away from this stuff.

[steelblood]

Mark this game a loss and Brady going after Clark for a bunch of TDs.

And then trash talking anyone he can. Brady is a complete jerk.

Clark was dumb to poke the bear though.

[skyhawk]

uhh... don't fool yourselves. Last I checked, the idea is to not take unnecessary hits from 240 lb behemoths, be able to stay in the game and play a full season. Wish Ben could make that a part of his game now (it looked like it was happening last season, but then the injury...). Brady will likely last far longer than Ben in the NFL if he can't change his game.

Exactly. Ben has no such clock in his head. An alarm should be installed inside his helmet

[Dee Dub]

...."When Tom Brady gets pressure and when you're man-to-man and bumping those guys and making it hard for him to throw, he sees ghosts," Clark said, via CSNNE.com. "Even when guys aren't around him, even when he's not about to be sacked, when his clock goes off in his head that the ball should be out, we'll see him duck, we'll see him flinch. When you get Tom Brady doing that, the whole New England Patriots mystique goes away."

Are you guys kidding me? Ryan Clark didn't say anything that wasn't true. In fact, here is a fun game. Replace Tom Brady's name with any other QB in football and tell me that quote doesn't apply. Here, try it....

"When ___________ gets pressure and when you're man-to-man and bumping those guys and making it hard for him to throw, he sees ghosts," Clark said, via CSNNE.com. "Even when guys aren't around him, even when he's not about to be sacked, when his clock goes off in his head that the ball should be out, we'll see him duck, we'll see him flinch. When you get _____________ doing that, the whole ____________ mystique goes away."

[SteelerOfDeVille]

dodging tacklers with Manti Te'o

[fezziwig]

Clark still hard at promoting his career in broadcasting. For the most part Clark walks the talk or whatever the saying is but, I'm tired of hearing his mouth. There is the old saying, " less said, best said. "

[DukieBoy]

Clark still hard at promoting his career in broadcasting. For the most part Clark walks the talk or whatever the saying is but, I'm tired of hearing his mouth. There is the old saying, " less said, best said. "

Had the same thought about self-promotion. And also to not wake sleeping bear, not a good idea. Better to practice the subtle art of sandbagging.

[Flasteel]

Are you guys kidding me? Ryan Clark didn't say anything that wasn't true. In fact, here is a fun game. Replace Tom Brady's name with any other QB in football and tell me that quote doesn't apply. Here, try it....

"When Brandon Weeden gets pressure and when you're man-to-man and bumping those guys and making it hard for him to throw, he sees ghosts," Clark said, via CSNNE.com. "Even when guys aren't around him, even when he's not about to be sacked, when his clock goes off in his head that the ball should be out, we'll see him duck, we'll see him flinch. When you get Brandon Weeden doing that, the whole Cleveland Browns mystique goes away."

Well...to be honest, it doesn't quite have the same effect.