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OCTOBER 22, 2012
By Joe Smith
When veteran tight end Dallas Clark was signed in the offseason, both coach Greg Schiano and quarterback Josh Freeman insisted he'd be a huge part of their offense.
But throughout the first five weeks, Clark, 33, was quiet production-wise, with a combined nine catches for 81 yards, including getting targeted zero times against the Chiefs.
That changed in a big way Sunday against the Saints, with Clark catching a season-high five passes (on six targets) for 51 yards and a touchdown, becoming one of Freeman's favorite options in the second half comeback.
Freeman indicated that coverage often dictates who gets the ball, especially the leverage of the safeties. With WRs Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson making big plays, it can open up the underneath areas for Clark.
"A lot of things go into who gets the ball," Freeman said. "But I know that Dallas (Sunday) did the exact same thing he has been doing the entire season. And I know it's good to see him get involved. He's a big-time playmaker late in the game when we needed a play, fourth down, he comes up big for us. I'm really happy with Dallas, and how he played and excited about the growth and the understanding of his sort of game and us sort of gelling in the future."
