Dallas Clark will get an opportunity to remain in the league, as the veteran TE was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.
The 32 year old TE made a name for himself as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. Despite contending with WRs Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, Clark proved to be one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets. In 2009, Clark hauled in 100 receptions for 1,106 yards and 10 TDs.
Clark's career hit a skid when in 2010, he was forced to miss all but six games due to a pinched nerve in his wrist. He promptly struggled upon his return in 2011, thanks in large part to the absence of Manning. He recorded a mere 34 receptions in 11 games. His longest reception of the campaign (a career low) was a 21 yard gain.
Clark will take the spot of former Bucs TE, Kellen Winslow. Winslow was traded on Monday to Seattle.
The Clark signing is a win-win for new coach Greg Schiano and the Bucs. Clark's 1-year deal does not even guarantee that he survives training camp, but if he can prove to be a reliable weapon, than he certainly adds a needed veteran presence at the position.
It was made clear last year (and to some it may have already been obvious) that a bulk of Clark's success was thanks to the man he had feeding him the ball.
While Josh Freeman is no Manning, he is certainly an upgrade over the carousel of either retired or unqualified QBs that the Colts threw into the lion's den last season.
It had appeared that perhaps Clark's days in the NFL were coming to a close. In recent years, stars such as Terrel Owens and Randy Moss have gone from the envy of the league to out of the league almost instantneously. Moss, who sat out 2011 after a dismal 2010 season which saw him compete on three seperate teams, will be returning this year with the 49ers. Meanwhile, former star, Chad Ochocinco was unable to crack the top three of the Patriots receiving corps last season.
Clark, who at one time had been considered one of the best TEs in the game, had fallen from relevancy before being granted a tire kicking in New England last week.
Schiano made his name in college football as the man that brought the Rutgers football program to relevance. Taking advantage of the weakest conference in Division I college football, Schiano helped the Scarlet Knights torpedo a 3rd ranked Louisville squad in 2006.
Now taking over a team that has been mired in the NFL's mid-card for the past few seasons, Schiano is looking to speedily push Tampa into serious playoff contention while Josh Freeman is still young.
Adding a veteran weapon with experience can't hurt that cause.
