Clark Agonized, Picked Bucs Over Pats & Chiefs
May 25th, 2012
New Bucs tight end Dallas Clark had serious options in the free agent market, so he told Doug Gottlieb of BSPN Radio this week.
In fact, Clark said it was no quick decision to come to the Bucs with offers from the Chiefs, and Bill Belicheat, on the table.
“All three very, very good organizations. I had a feeling that when I was going to make the decision it was just going to be easy and it was going to be clear cut. But man, when you have these three teams involved and these three organizations, it was extremely hard,” Clark said. “You know, it took me a few days, but at the end of the day it just felt right down here in Tampa.”
Now Joe has no clue which team offered Clark the most money. Perhaps it was the Bucs? Or perhaps Clark saw Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez on the Patriots’ roster and wasn’t confident he’d get off the New England bench? Or maybe Clark was mesmerized by the New Schiano World Order?
Clark did gush about the Bucs coaching staff and said he hoped Josh Freeman would lead him to a great season (versus the other way around, Clark also cited the Bucs being “full of talent” as a reason he chose Tampa.
“The whole vibe was really an exciting aspect of coming here,” Clark said. (Joe suspects the “vibe” took on new meaning when the Bucs whispered to him that Kellen Winslow would be sent packing.)
Regardless, the Bucs won the services of Clark, and Joe’s comforted by the fact Clark was in high demand.
In jersey news, Clark mentioned that he officially has snatched his favorite No. 44 from Erik Lorig for an undisclosed arrangement.
May 25th, 2012 at 8:34 am
Then I looked at the competition and thought about playing time and Bingo!
May 25th, 2012 at 8:38 am
Money talks! He knows his time is short in the NFL… His leadership will be huge this season for #5!
I say we finish 8-8 or better! D-line still worries me 🙁
May 25th, 2012 at 9:17 am
Gronkowski, Hernandez and Tony Moeaki > ant TE we have(d) including Winslow.
May 25th, 2012 at 9:19 am
You nailed that Joe, I have no idea why he would even consider the Pats. Barring injury Hernandez and Gronk would be locks to keep him totally off the field. Not sure about KC though, I can’t even think of who their tight end even is at the moment.
May 25th, 2012 at 9:23 am
I think it was a combination between lack of playing time in Foxboro and not wanting to live in another boring city.
May 25th, 2012 at 10:12 am
A lot of people are pooping all over this signing but I like it. Just the leadership alone will be worth it.
Is it August yet?
May 25th, 2012 at 10:36 am
I believe we released Winslow before Clark signed. Perhaps that sealed the deal?
May 25th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Dew Nope, we traded Winslow and signed Clark in the same night. Also there was already an offer out to Clark before the trade.
May 25th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Maybe this guy isnt afraid of boats.
May 25th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Hard choice? I doubt that, I’m sure it was the easiest decision he has ever mad. Go to Pats and be a 3rd stringer, go to the Chiefs with a very average QB, or go to the Bucs and have an opportunity to become a feature player in a young and upcoming offense. Hmmmm..
May 25th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@Eric…Good one!
@Lion, that sounds about right.
May 25th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@ lion Pow right in the button