Ravens sign Dallas Clark

**RavensRule21215** · 08-12-2013, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by alien bird

It will be LJ Smith all over again.

Are you saying you think Clark is injury prone the way LJ Smith was?

**LukeDaniel** · 08-12-2013, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Harbs and Ozzie have long records of having UDFA make the team...

Jameel McClain
Dannell Ellerbe
Deonte Thompson
Bobby Rainey (he bounced back and forth a bit, but was on the 53 man last year)
Albert McClellan
Josh Bynes
Omar Brown
LaQuan Williams
Justin Tucker

and those are all in Harbs' tenure alone. And just about all those players made the club as rookies. Did they start? No. But who said Furstenburg was going to start?

Good post. Off the top of my head, I also think Bryan Hall and Chavis Williams get added to the list too. One note is that McClellan and Bynes (same with Hall) didn't really make the team as a true UDFA. They were all UDFAs who spent a year on the practice squad before making the roster in year #2.

It is a bit of a testament to the Raven approach that the most dramatic win in Raven history ended on the foot of a UDFA (Tucker). Our 2nd Super Bowl ended on a tackle by another UDFA (Bynes). Perhaps the biggest hustling tackle in Ravens history was also by a UFA (Ellerbe).

Also, if we go back to the 2011/2012 AFC championship game in Foxboro, the turning point in that game came after a fumble forced by UDFA Laquan Williams was recovered by UDFA Emanuel Cook. That ultimately won't be remembered 10 years from now as a defining moment in our history, but it was a huge moment in that game.

**Bigfish** · 08-12-2013, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

Cmon now. If there is any front office in professional sports today that panics less, I'd be intrigued to know who they are.

:word

**Bigfish** · 08-12-2013, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

Good post. Off the top of my head, I also think Bryan Hall and Chavis Williams get added to the list too. One note is that McClellan and Bynes (same with Hall) didn't really make the team as a true UDFA. They were all UDFAs who spent a year on the practice squad before making the roster in year #2.

I'm pulling Adrian Hamilton right now. He was a Dallas UDFA initially that we picked up after they cut him last year. He impressed in the first preseason game.

**leachisabeast** · 08-12-2013, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by celticrob

No I said ufa. Read the thread

Get your squirrely ass out of here.

**GOTA** · 08-12-2013, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by AirFlacco

Or maybe Dickson's injury is worse than we thought and they're not taking any chances.
Don't forget, NE and PIss wanted Clark too but we had Caldwell for him to re-unit
with.

I haven't heard any other team being interested in Clark. The Pats lost Hernandez months ago and had Gronk undergoing a 3rd surgery, They could have signed Clark all summer and didn't. I could be that Clark would only play for Caldwell but I don't remember seeing anything about him turning down any other teams. Last year he went to a very young Bucs team with a rookie head coach because he needed a job. I'm not so sure that if anything changed this offseason for him.

**RavenScallywag** · 08-12-2013, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

I haven't heard any other team being interested in Clark. The Pats lost Hernandez months ago and had Gronk undergoing a 3rd surgery, They could have signed Clark all summer and didn't. I could be that Clark would only play for Caldwell but I don't remember seeing anything about him turning down any other teams. Last year he went to a very young Bucs team with a rookie head coach because he needed a job. I'm not so sure that if anything changed this offseason for him.

Just yesterday morning, there was an ESPN report linking possible interest from the Steelers.

**JAB1985** · 08-12-2013, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by houstonravensfan

On the other hand, if we really had "good young talent" at TE and WR, we wouldn't have to sign these antiquities. Who is Oz's asssistant who's digging up these guys, Indiana Jones?

good young talent doesnt necessarily mean ready to start right now. It means longterm theyd give more to this team than these vets on their last legs or even that they could contribute now. They just as easily could outplay them if they really do drop off quick due to age also. We lose a Furst for Clark, I do not see how that makes us better 3 years from now. Thats also speaking as somebody that thinks he could play significant time for us this year and was alright with Juice getting the plays that i feel Clark will be getting now. This effects both of those young guys. Furst for making the team and Juice for getting much PT. Not to mention that a move like that could also result in losing a young player at an entirely different postion. If youre commited to a youth movement... I think you need to stay committed and let them earn their stripes.

**GOTA** · 08-12-2013, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Just yesterday morning, there was an ESPN report linking possible interest from the Steelers.

2 days ago NFL Network had the Ravens interested in Laurent Robinson. The Steelers had a TE hurt so therefore they must be interested in a name TE. These teams aren't talking to the media

**BigPlayReceiver** · 08-12-2013, 09:06 AM

I have a feeling that we will see little of Dickson all year. Take an unreliable, underperforming guy then slap a nagging injury on him..? Well, I just don't see any significant contribution coming from that equation.

**Tolucaraven** · 08-12-2013, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by BigPlayReceiver

I have a feeling that we will see little of Dickson all year. Take an unreliable, underperforming guy then slap a nagging injury on him..? Well, I just don't see any significant contribution coming from that equation.

Has more to do with Shiancoe and then not having to rush Dickson back hastlily. Then add Caldwell factor, Clark is à receiving TE running the dame system the colts used made him à Raven. Also, teams called on Clark weeks ago but my GUESS he wanted to avoid TC.