Clark Savoring Chance To Lead

June 8th, 2012

Dallas Clark talked about his unfamiliar new role last night on NFL Radio

As Greg Schiano drills discipline and details into the Buccaneers at a frantic pace, it’s almost necessary to have accomplished veterans around to be seen buying in and giving their all so the weaker-minded Bucs are less likely fall out of step.

Speaking last night on SiriusXM NFL Radio, new Bucs tight end Dallas Clark said he thoroughly investigated the New Schiano Order before signing with Tampa Bay. And the opportunity to be one of Schiano’s hard-working lieutenants and lead the young Bucs was an opportunity he craved.

“That’s the part that I recognize and something I haven’t been a part of,” Clark said. “My whole career I’ve been part of a veteran-based team. It kind of excited me to be that leader and that role player on a team, a team that is full of young talent that can flat play ball. It’s been exciting to get out here in practices and learning the system and getting to know these guys. It’s a lot of fun. It’s an exciting and energetic environment.”

Clark went on to call Greg Schiano “a special coach,” and interestingly he described Josh Freeman as “good,” referring to his play, but said Freeman “is a great leader of this team.”

The choice of words got Joe thinking how great it is to have Vincent Jackson and Clark, two guys who have played years with exceptional quarterbacks and will no doubt hold Freeman to extraordinarily high standards.

7 Responses to “Clark Savoring Chance To Lead”

  1. flmike Says:

    Here’s my hope, I hope Free is asking each of them “What would Payton do in this situation? or What would Rivers do?” and not them coming up to Free and saying “here’s what Payton would have done, or here’s what Rivers would have done” there’s a big difference in those two scenarios.

  2. TrueBlue Says:

    Either one would be better than constantly telling Freeman “throw me the ball”.

  3. OAR Says:

    I hope Freeman is more concerned with what Freeman would/will do. I understand it’s nice to have those players inputs on what Manning and Rivers would do, but at the end of the day it’s not really coming from them(kinda of second hand advice, too me) and it’s only about what Freeman does.

  4. OAR Says:

    I have no problem with a player wanting the ball, all good ones do. But agree, it’s different when they’re complaining/bitching and being a distraction.

  5. thomas 2.2 Says:

    What an improvement of zero leadership and Kellen “Can’t seperate” Winslow.

  6. Have A Nice Day Says:

    Got to be weird coming from Manning and Rivers to Freeman. Big jump in quality of AB. I’m sure Freeman will be there someday, though. Heck, Manning didn’t really have his first great year till he was 24. Freeman i still just 23.

  7. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    I only know of Kellen complaining 1-2 times tops. He was not a locker room issue at all.

    And out goes the theory that Freeman wanted rid of him, since Freeman has stated that he and Kellen were best friends.

    Maybe it was what it was supposed to look like…Kellen just did not fit the system coming in…and shaving his salary was a good benefit to letting him go. Bet he excels this year though.

    So far as getting separation…with the way this team was playing, no one was able to get separation…especially not the go-to guy. He sure managed it in 2010.