Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Colts franchise Clark

Well, we knew it was coming: The Colts slapped the franchise tag on Dallas Clark. The price is totally reasonable <5 Million a year. If anyone wants to sign him, they give up 2 first round picks. I think we'd all do a little dance if that happened.

We've been critical of Dallas, but this is pretty clearly the right move. They can use him for one more year, and then wait until they have a first round pick in 09 to draft his replacement. The team might still negotiate a long term deal to lower the cap number, but it's not mission critical.

UPDATE: Ok, so I'm not sure what I think of this, but the Colts have now reupped Clark for 6 years. For his sake, I hope he doesn't drop the pen as he goes to sign the deal.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nothing relieves stress like busting a full clip out of an Israeli made Desert Eagle .50

Wanna talk about recoil?? Straight up hand cannon man.

Get on that.

coltsfanawalt said...

It looks like we also signed Lilja. I'm glad.

Oh, and great game, Hoosiers! Now we wait.

Anonymous said...

Forgot to mention that lilja was also signed to a 5 year deal today. Its a good move but i would have preferred signing scott

Bob M. said...

I've commented in Clark's favor all season, so no need to repeat. Like the D the past 2 seasons, Clark's 2008 will be make or break--either the drops of 2007 were an aberration or a symptom. Was it the over-reliance and pressure due to Marvin being out (which would lessen with MH returning and Gonzo taking up more slack), or a physical problem possibly resulting from an injury or too many concussions? Jesus, I just implied Belichick would take him and throw him in the Ted Johnson meat grinder. Didn't mean to, but what's done is done. Sometimes I hate myself.

Anybody else recall (and like) Vanderjagt's old nickname for Clark: Dyslexic Salad. That Vandy... never a dull moment.

Deshawn Zombie said...

The Lilja thing is weird. It didn't show up on any of the reports. I had to go to Colts.com to find it. I'm not sure why they tried to hide that info.

Anonymous said...

Why is everyone "slapped" with a franchise tag? It's tiresome to read that being paid among the elite players has such a negative connotation. Obviously it has a long-term financial risk for the player. But can we agree that 5 mil is more than fair for a player who runs hot/cold?

Deshawn Zombie said...

The player is slapped becuase it's a worse deal than they could get otherwise. It's not a good deal for Clark. You can argue that he's not worth it in terms of production(I have from time to time), but you'd have about 15 other teams saying you're wrong and giving him more money.

Anonymous said...

I think we're of the same mind regarding Clark's ability/value. I just think getting $4.5 mil now and his next (probably inflated) contract are nothing to feel bad for him over. Dallas has been a great teammate and he will get overpaid by someone. Solid players from great teams do very well in free-agency. Look no further than Dominic Rhodes and Cato June. The only downside is possible injury.

Deshawn Zombie said...

That's totally true...unless he blows out his knee and is finished, he's ok. Then he will have made about 5-10 million less for his career than he would have without the tag. The problem is, that risk of injury is VERY real. That's why guys hate it. Make your money today; tomorrow you won't be able to walk.

JC-your comment reminds me of Snatch...
Because yours says replica on the side. And mine says "Desert Eagle point five-oh"

Poor Guy Ritche. Why did he have to marry Madonna and start sucking.

Jake S. said...

It's nice to have clark back... Wish they could've gotten a long term contract done with him though... Watch out for them to draft a "mini-clark" fairly early in the draft.

Unknown said...

dallas signs 6 year deal

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7821222/Colts-lock-up-Clark-with-6-year-deal

funtime42 said...

OK - late in the game for this link (the original column is dated 14 Feb) - but is Pat Yasinskas in need of a medication adjustment?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3244611

If Marvin is healthy, he isn't leaving the Colts, if he isn't healthy, no one else will take a flyer on a 36 year old gimpy WR.

Deshawn Zombie said...

yeah, we hit that a few days ago in the comments section. I read it when it first came out, but was way too ignorant to comment on. Marvin's value is impossible to quantify. I don't think there is any cap reason to cut him, so it's probably just not going to happen.

Bob M. said...

hmmmm, ever as a big Clark fan I think that the tag might have served the team better.

Hey, at least I don't have to get that "44" tattoo burned off the side of my head... yet.

HeatherRadish said...

Hrm, I expected the Des Moines paper to have a few words to say about Clarkie setting records, but they're too busy kissing the asses of Adam *spit* Haluska and Kirk "My kid steals from poor people" Ferentz.

Here's an old Daily Iowan article, though.

Bob M. said...

Oooh, the pain. I just read that the deal is the biggest ever for a TE. Have you guys poisoned my mind against Dallas, or is he worth it? Even before this season I might have had reservations, but now even more so. They money could be spent elsewhere.....

Deshawn Zombie said...

You know, I can see that, but the Colts are actually in amazing cap shape. If Clark solves the drops, his value is over the top. I keep hoping the problem this year was from the wraps on his hands. Next year, the only free agents are Saturday, Hagler and Hayden. That's pretty managable considering that we'll finally be rid of the Cory Simon money.