A Patriots fan's favorite Colt: Dallas Clark
I get asked this question a lot during blogging exchanges: if you were to pick one player on our team to wear a Patriots jersey, who would it be? Ugghh. Invariably, I usually miss totally on this question. If I pick my favorite player, I then get hammered because it isn't usually based on a need; it's simply because I like the guy. Conversely, if I pick based on need, I may miss an obvious talent.
If I were to pick based on need, it would be Dwight Freeney. Now, I know the thought of Dwight Freeney in a Patriots uniform will make many of you hurl, but just hear me out for a second. The Patriots have been struggling mightily with pass rushing duties. OLB Adalius Thomas is decent enough at sealing the edges, but he hasn't been the rusher we thought he'd become. In the off-season, you may have noticed a much rumored play for DE Julius Peppers that never came true, or a very aggressive play for Jason Taylor (who, IMO, made the right move by going back to Miami). We ultimately brought back ex Patriot Tully Banta-Caine and traded some picks for Oakland's Derrick Burgess. Both these rushers, like Thomas, are serviceable, but not game changers. Dwight Freeney is one of those rushers that can cause serious problems for an offense. He would be my vote, IF I was choosing based on need. I am not.
Dallas Clark is the man because I'm choosing solely based on who I like.
This is not a fickle opinion based on Clark's impressive 2009 numbers. I've always like him. I even said so in an interview with KingRichard during the offseason:
Can I have two, pretty please? ;-) Given the Patriots' need for a strong, young ILB, I'd have to choose Gary Brackett. Granted, he's an MLB in a Tampa-2 style D, but I don't think it'd be that much of a stretch to move to ILB in a 3-4. Besides, pairing him with Jerod Mayo would be a lesson in silliness.My number two would be Anthony Gonzalez. He's young and already tremendously talented. Putting Moss, Welker, and Gonzalez on the field at the same time would scare defenses crapless.Ok, three: Dallas Clark. I love the guy, when he's not playing against us, that is. Of late, NE has rarely utilized their TE's for reception duties, opting for blocking type ends. Clark would change all that. There's nothing I like more than a big tight end steam rolling a little defensive back.
Well, I put him at three but have since altered my opinion. As far as the Pats' ILB situation, it's very much improved since the off season; ILB Jerod Mayo was knocked out 7 plays into the MNF season opener against Buffalo and backup ILB Gary Guyton had to step in. He did an excellent job and is now a mainstay in 4-3 rotations with Mayo and stands next to Jerod in our 3-4 packages.
Anthony Gonzalez I still like, but I believe Dallas Clark would be the weapon I would choose right now. The Patriots' Benjamin Watson is very dangerous, but he's more of a secret weapon than one of Tom Brady's mainstays. Like Brady and Wes Welker, I believe Clark is a frequent look for Peyton Manning, especially when Manning is in trouble and needs to checkdown.
You guys know Clark better, but I think it's too simplistic to label him a TE exclusively. Sure, at 6-3 252 lbs he has the body type of an end, but his speed and elusiveness (clearly demonstrated by his YAC), puts him in more of a hybrid TE/WR category. Don't get me wrong - I love Benjamin Watson and how well he's doing this year, but Clark would eliminate that incessant "who's your third receiver" question. With Clark in a Pats uniform, it wouldn't matter.
Wes Welker, Randy Moss, and Dallas Clark. Wow...
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shake, can you please put this story on the front page
Everyone needs to see this.
"Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."
u know whats a better WR line up?
Wayne, Moss, Clark….the end to all defesive secondaries
They look at me and say Why? I stare back and say Why Not?
Hmm...
I feel like having Wayne and Moss would be the same as having Boldin and Fitzgerald. You need to diversify your portfolio, if you catch my drift. I’d take a 4 man set if you add Welker in there.
by Richard Hill on Nov 12, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
Is Freeney big enough?
Aren’t 3-4 DE supposed to be big around 300lbs? Then again with Vince Wilfork in the middle eating up blockers like no one’s business it might work.
Freeney would be a 3-4 OLB
they are the edge rushers
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 12, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
We've offered as much 4-3 this year as 3-4. BB will match his strategy to his personnel, and I'd take him in a second.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Nov 12, 2009 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
Lets make an all star colts/pats team:
Here my O:
Peyton Manning (QB)
Donald Brown (RB)
Reggie Wayne (WR)
Randy Moss (WR)
Wes Welker (WR)
Dallas Clark (TE)
Matt Light (LT)
Ryan Lilja (LG)
Jeff Saturday ©
Logan Mankins (RG)
Charlie Johnson (RT)
Defense:
Assuming 4-3:
Dwight Freeney (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)
Vince Wilfork (DT)
Eric Foster (DT)- with Wilfork taking up so much space we can afford to have a smaller DT alongside him
Jerod Mayo (LB)
Gary Brackett (LB)
Clint Session (LB)
Kelvin Hayden (CB)
Jerraud Powers (CB)
Brandon Meriweather (S)
Antoine Bethea (S)
DID SOMEONE SAY CHAMPIONSHIP
I like it
but I’d find a way to work Bullitt in there.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Nov 12, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
Trust me i tried
Was trying to be more neutral than a homer. but yeah i would have no problem starting Bullitt in there.
DID SOMEONE SAY CHAMPIONSHIP
I would
take out Brown and add Addai…. he’s still got it its just the colts arent a run team and those Linemen from the Pats would certainly be an upgrade over the Diem and DeVan.
They look at me and say Why? I stare back and say Why Not?
Add in Addai's skills in pass blocking
and receiving to the mix, and that makes him a better RB than Brown.
Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.
Man, I need a life...
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This is my dad's favorite scene from one of my all-time favorite shows. Full of win, IMO.
I'd take Kazcur before Johnson and Vollmer before Light.
Lilje is def. an improvement over Neal. Saturday and Koppen is almost a draw, but Jeff gets the nod, definitely.
I like your D, though I’d be tempted to sub Guyton for Session and McGowan for Bethea. I think Ty Warren is a better DT than Foster.
As to the QB, I have no idea. I think it depends who your OC is.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Nov 12, 2009 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Foster
is a great great player. He’s one of my favorite Colts. This year he has stepped up and is playing very well. I dont watch many Pats games, but I think I would take Foster from what I have seen from him thus far.
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
Johnson's been playing very well at LT
went up against Mario Williams, the only 08 Pro Bowl DE in the AFC that isn’t on the Colts. Williams got a sack, but if Pollak hadn’t gotten blown up on the play Peyton could have stepped up out of the pressure. That’s really Johnson’s worst play of the half season. A sack that would have been avoided if a teammate hadn’t screwed up at the same time.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 12, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't realize that Jeff Saturday was copyrighted.
Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.
Man, I need a life...
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This is my dad's favorite scene from one of my all-time favorite shows. Full of win, IMO.
Good choices
FIrst of all, Freeney would be an upgrade to practically everybody’s roster. Can anyone here think of a team that couldn’t find a way to use him? Off the top of my head, I can’t. And regarding Dallas: He might cost you a little bit in the blocking department – he’s only so-so in that regard, not openly weak, but not outstanding either – but as far as being another target, he gives a team great flexibility. H-back, slot, coming out of the backfield, yes, he can do it all. The team has even used him on reverses. He’s an excellent choice as a guy to “steal” away. And unless a team absolutely needs a stud blocking TE, he’d upgrade any roster.
Speaking of which, what teams would truly need an awesome blocking TE that badly? Again, I can’t think of any. And if any exist, I’d argue that they have a problem that’s too fundamental to be addressed with who they play at TE. The Patriots certainly don’t have that problem, not as far as I can tell.
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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
Clark can block
He is not the best blocking end in the league, but he is by no means a slouch when it comes to keeping Peyton upright.
Anyone who has a problem with Joseph should stop watching Colts football. It's unfair to expect a back to replace Edge, and Addai has been excellent in all areas when he is healthy.
by DontHateAddai on Nov 12, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
Love the Post
First, thanks for the write-up, the cross posting stuff is fun.
Second: If Tom Brady had Dallas Clark – yikes. Honestly, scary.
Third: I have to admit the notion of Freeney in a Patriots uniform did make me throw up in my mouth.
Ha ha — fun article. Again, thanks. :D
Colts!!!

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