Dallas Clark is Cool in the Clutch

August 3, 2007

During the '06 season, Dallas Clark wasn't the Colts' go-to receiver, but in the playoffs he became an MVP

By Mike Chappell

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Five tight ends led their NFL teams in receptions in 2006. Not one answered to the name Dallas Clark.

It's a distinction the Indianapolis Colts veteran likely will never attain.

"In this offense, that's never going to happen unless Marvin and Reg take a leave of absence for 16 games," Clark said during a recent break in training camp at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. "And I'll still probably get 40 balls."

Clark knows his role in the Colts' diverse offense is more complementary than as a weekly go-to guy for his camp roommate, quarterback Peyton Manning. The tight end generally gets what's left over from Pro Bowl receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.

But anyone who downplays Clark's value hasn't been paying attention.

"He was the most valuable player of our postseason run," Manning said.

Clark contributed 21 catches during the four-game drive to the Super Bowl championship -- second most in the postseason to teammate Joseph Addai's 22 -- and a league-high 317 yards. Fifteen of Clark's receptions produced first downs, including a critical third-and-5 conversion with less than 4 minutes left in the AFC Divisional game at Baltimore.

"Probably the third-down conversion of the year," Manning said of Clark's sliding 14-yard reception that led to Adam Vinatieri's fifth field goal, a 35-yarder that sealed a 15-6 victory.

In the AFC title game the following week, Clark had six catches for a career-high 137 yards. That included three catches for 100 yards in the second half, in which the Colts scored 32 points to come from 15 points behind and beat New England 38-34.

"He was like a possessed man running down the field, play in and play out, creating huge plays for us in that comeback," Manning said.

And to think, it all almost didn't happen. After Clark sprained a knee ligament Nov. 26 against Philadelphia, the Colts made a last-minute decision not to place him on the injured-reserve list, allowing him to heal without surgery.

Clark, 28 and entering his fifth season, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. He insists that "however they want to use me, I'm open. Blocking, pass catching, whatever."

Still, he has wondered what it would be like to be more of a focal point.

His 30 catches in the 2006 regular season ranked sixth on the team. Tight ends who led their teams were Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City), Jeremy Shockey (N.Y. Giants), Antonio Gates (San Diego), Todd Heap (Baltimore) and Kellen Winslow (Cleveland).

"If he was in an offense where they really featured him and just made every effort to get the ball to the tight end, he could certainly do that," Colts coach Tony Dungy said.

Instead, Clark waits for his opportunity. When a defense focuses too much on Harrison and Wayne on the outside, Clark will gouge them down the middle. He's a match-up nightmare, whether he's working out of the slot or releasing from the line of scrimmage.

"We know what he's capable of," Dungy said. "I don't foresee an 80-catch season, but I do foresee some of those games where (defenses) really are determined to take away the outside guys where he could have a 10-, 11-, 12-catch day."

Whitner impresses at camp

How are the Bills?

July 31, 2007

CAMP OBSERVATIONS

Most impressive player at camp so far:

S Donte Whitner. Remember the shock when the Bills took him 8th in last years draft? The experts crushed them for “reaching”. How many teams in the NFL would reach on to the Bills roster and take Whitner right now?

Salley tackles bigger role

July 31, 2007

By Brett Borden

For most of the Carolina Panthers players, coaches and staff at training camp in Spartanburg, SC, this year isn’t much different than the one before. Or the one before that. Or the one before THAT.

But for Nate Salley, this year couldn’t be much more different than last year.

A fourth-round draft choice from Ohio State, Salley’s head was swimming in a pool full of X’s and O’s and checkoffs and coverages as a rookie last year. This year he feels a little more like the pool lifeguard, which is as a safety is what he needs to be.

“I’m picking up the plays,” he said. “Things are slowing up for me and I’m out there having fun playing ball, so I think things are going pretty well for me right now. You kind of know what to expect a little bit more your second time through. Last year I came in not knowing anything. I’m not saying I know it all now, but I have a better feel for what to expect.”

John Fox, who cut his teeth coaching up defensive backs in college and then for five years in the NFL before becoming the Panthers head coach in 2002, knows what he’s looking for on that part of the team. He says the team drafted Salley thinking he could one day possibly start.

“He’s a guy that we saw some promise in and he’s worked really hard,” said Fox. “It’s a tribute to him and his work ethic. He’s a lot more comfortable now in our system as far as the ’What to’s’ and ‘How to’s’. He’s making a case for himself now.

“I’ve been real impressed. Even late last year he showed signs and was close to getting an opportunity. He had a whole year to practice and unfortunately wasn’t able to get on the field quite as much but he’s come that much more ready to play this year.”

Getting asked to bring your playbook to the coach’s office will do that to a player.

“Last year I got cut,” said Salley, who was signed to the Panthers practice squad a day later. “My mind is on every day and every practice and every meeting to keep my spot. That’s my mindset. I’m not taking anything for granted. I know it’s a blessing to be on the team and I plan on making the most of it.”

As of now he is playing with the first team defense. If everything falls into place, there could be opportunities galore for Salley to make plays should he keep that status.

“I feel great about it,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me to make a name for myself in this League and certainly on this team. I believe we have a pretty solid team here this year and I’m just going to go out there and keep working to be a part of it.”