Denver Broncos Free Agent Review: Chris Clark

by KaptainKirk on Feb 16, 2012 10:00 AM MST in 2012 Denver Broncos Offseason

Quarterback Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos stands in the huddle with teammats Chris Clark and Brandon Minor during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Continuing the review of Denver Broncos Free Agents, we come to Offensive Tackle Chris Clark. Signed by Tampa Bay as a college Free Agent in May 2008, Chris was released in Training Camp and then signed to the Minnesota Vikings Practice Squad, where he resided until becoming one of the last roster cuts by the Vikings September 4, 2010. The Broncos claimed him off waivers the following day and he played in Denver’s final eight games in 2010, mostly on Special Teams. In 2011, the Broncos often used Clark as an extra lineman in place of a Tight End or sometimes even a receiver for a jumbo blocking package. He was also the backup at both Tackle spots and played most of the 4th quarter at Right Tackle in the Lions game when Orlando Franklin was benched.

Chris Clark

#75 / Offensive Tackle / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-5

Weight: 315 (Age: 26)

Born: Oct 01, 1985

College: Southern Mississippi

Overview:

Clark appeared in all 16 games and Started 6 times in 2011. Eleven of those games he graded out well. The Lions game in Week 8 had to be the low point of Chris' season. He relieved Orlando Franklin at Right Tackle for the 4th Quarter because Franklin was doing poorly in pass protection. He didn't get a lot of run blocking reps due to the fact that the Broncos were behind and forced to pass a lot. Still, Franklin got beat 5 times and Clark got beat 3 times and surrendered a Sack. He had outstanding games at Miami and Minnesota, including a couple of pancake blocks in the 2nd level. Chris had two penalties called on him (one False Start, one Hold) and allowed one Sack all season.

Scouting Report

Clark is a good presence along the line. He has a feisty demeanor and excellent technique, good balance and stands tall in pass protection. He is also fairly athletic for is size. However, overall his game is limited and he isn't a mauler. He lacks lateral mobility and initial punch to create room. Can be slow to react. Overall, Chris is a decent rotational Tackle.

Free Agent Options

Clark made $405,000 and is currently an Exclusive Rights Free Agent. Going into his 3rd season in 2012, Clark's minimum Salary will be $615,000. I don't think it will be much over that considering he went Undrafted. Chris is sure to be re-signed due to his Exclusive Rights status. It's hard to fathom that the Broncos would bring in even a moderate priced Free Agent since they have Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris and last years draft pick Orlando Franklin. There is always the outside chance that a Tackle would fall to them in the draft, but this shouldn't be considered a position of need.

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Comments

Sign Him for Another Year

Might as well have him around for another year. He did well in jumbo packages. I don’t think the Broncos are set at tackle though. They should either sign a vet that is better than Orlando at pass blocking or draft a rookie that is a better tackle and move Orlando inside.

by FtCoNative on Feb 16, 2012 10:44 AM MST reply actions

Orlando got better as the season went on, especially if he gets in a rythm with run blocking

he wears down his opponents which allows him to better pass protect

~ "It was nice being young, when players were heroes and the NFL wasn’t such a business." ~ McGeorge

by Broncs55 on Feb 16, 2012 10:47 AM MST up reply actions

That could have been a possibility

If Franklin wasn’t 6’7" thats way too tall for a guard

by MILEHIGHMILLER on Feb 16, 2012 11:39 AM MST up reply actions

No question - sign him for 1-3 years

he’s a good rotational player and can fill in several spots on the line when needed. I don’t think tackle is a position of need, and he’s cheap. Guard on the other hand…

~ "It was nice being young, when players were heroes and the NFL wasn’t such a business." ~ McGeorge

by Broncs55 on Feb 16, 2012 10:46 AM MST reply actions

If you don't think tackle is a need

then be prepared for some New England style blowouts this year. Even if Tebow improves this year, his passing game is still gonna be long passes not dink and dunks.

And that requires far better than average tackles. Not a combo of good, injured, rookie who’s never going to be a blindside tackle, and rotational.

by yibberat on Feb 16, 2012 10:57 AM MST reply actions

I'd say there is a good chance we have one excellent tackle already (Clady) and

one tackle with tremendous upside (Franklin). The big concern for Franklin was that he was primarily a run blocker who was not asked to pass block a lot in college. I think we saw him progress faster than expected in the passing game as the year went on. His footwork was really coming around, this is always the concern for tackles and some just don’t have the ability and agility to develop NFL caliber footwork and technique…with Franklin we found out he does have that capability. The future is bright for him… he’s strong, got an attitude, and we already know he’s a beast for the run game. Feeling good about our O-line for yrs to come!

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

by rubincarterrocks on Feb 16, 2012 4:46 PM MST up reply actions

Magazu disagrees

You’ve vastly underestimated the talent at the tackle position for the Broncos. Franklin was an Elway pick. He saw the same thing in Franklin that he saw in Gary Zimmerman. This line has lacked attitude for a long time and Franklin brings that. He started as a rookie and played well with some rookie mistakes. Cut him some slack and see how he progresses? Continuity and an actual off season program is going to help all those guys.

"You’re only great if you win something. I mean, Alexander wasn’t Alexander the Mediocre or Alexander the Average. He was Alexander the Great, and there’s a reason for it."-Shannon Sharpe

by CH74 on Feb 16, 2012 5:51 PM MST up reply actions

Great job by Clark this year

He worked as a 6th OLineman several plays during the season and made a great job. Must sign.

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by Fabio Broncos on Feb 16, 2012 12:54 PM MST reply actions

Definitely re-sign Clark, he made strides last year and at 26 may even get better with the OLine as depth on the chart...

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by bfree2bronc on Feb 16, 2012 4:50 PM MST reply actions

Sign him

Then we can roll Jumbo with a 4 tackle set and crush the opposition!

"You’re only great if you win something. I mean, Alexander wasn’t Alexander the Mediocre or Alexander the Average. He was Alexander the Great, and there’s a reason for it."-Shannon Sharpe

by CH74 on Feb 16, 2012 5:52 PM MST reply actions