Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis Colts (2 Viewers)

[Jason Wood]

2010 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we plan to publish more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Player Page Link: Dallas Clark Player Page

Each article will include:

[*]Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member

[*]Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads

[*]FBG Projections

[*]Consensus Member Projections

The Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

[*]Focus commentary on the player (or players) in question, and your expectations for said player (or players)

[*]Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"

[*]Avoid redundancies or ... this should be about incremental analysis or debate

While not a requirement, we strongly encourage you to provide your own projections for the player (players):

Projections should include:

[*]For QBs: Attempts, Completions, Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Attempts, Rush Yards, Rush TDs

[*]For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

[*]For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

Now let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

When the Indy offense is clicking, I don't think there's a better TE to have in the game than Dallas Clark. There are times when Peyton Manning and Clark hook up and it's simply impossible to stop due to their outstanding timing. When drafting Indy players, one has to at least entertain the idea that these players could be sitting at the end of the fantasy season but if Clark plays 16 games, he's a lock as a top 3 TE.

92 receptions for 1050 yards and 8 td's

 

[Routilla]

Another solid year for Clark. I will personally burn a pick in my draft if I think the Manning owner is about to grab him. 90 for 1100 and 12.

 

[baconisgood]

In 207 Clark had a big TD year (11) when Harrison fell off the map, in 2009 Harrison played but not nearly as well as he had- logging 5 TDs. Clark had a good year (848/6) but nothing crazy. In 09 with no Harrison at all he had a huge year 1100/10- at age 30 this was clearly his best year by a long shot. While he is a talented receiver he was 3rd fiddle and put up 3rd fiddle numbers when Wayne and Harrison were there. This year either Collie or Garcon could break out- maybe even both- and Wayne is still around, if you are drafting Clark you are implicitly betting on Collie and Garcon not breaking out substantially. To be the #1 TE in the league you need to be a top 2 receiving option on your team. Gonzo, Gates, Davis, Witten- being 3rd in line for receptions, even on a team like the Colts, is going to make it very very hard to put up numbers to match last year's production.

Personally believe Clark is very overrated this year and he comes down from his career year last season and has a season very similar to 2008. 800-900 yards, 5-7 TDs, certainly nothing to sneeze at but also not worth his ADP.

 

[Scooby1974]

For the same reason baconisgood mentioned, I think Clark will be just fine. I see Collie/Garcon/Gonzo fighting for playing time and therefore unable to nail down the "timing" issue that Clark and Harrison before him had established with Peyton. Those guys might draw more passes, but Clark is a no-brainer security blanket for Peyton. He'll get his

1000 and 9 TD's

 

[Shutout]

In 207 Clark had a big TD year (11) when Harrison fell off the map, in 2009 Harrison played but not nearly as well as he had- logging 5 TDs. Clark had a good year (848/6) but nothing crazy. In 09 with no Harrison at all he had a huge year 1100/10- at age 30 this was clearly his best year by a long shot. While he is a talented receiver he was 3rd fiddle and put up 3rd fiddle numbers when Wayne and Harrison were there. This year either Collie or Garcon could break out- maybe even both- and Wayne is still around, if you are drafting Clark you are implicitly betting on Collie and Garcon not breaking out substantially. To be the #1 TE in the league you need to be a top 2 receiving option on your team. Gonzo, Gates, Davis, Witten- being 3rd in line for receptions, even on a team like the Colts, is going to make it very very hard to put up numbers to match last year's production. Personally believe Clark is very overrated this year and he comes down from his career year last season and has a season very similar to 2008. 800-900 yards, 5-7 TDs, certainly nothing to sneeze at but also not worth his ADP.

The "other side" of your statement is why I will make a case for him being a SOLID top 3 yet again.What you say about what makes a top TE in fantasy is true but its the uniqueness of the Colts that makes this case FOR Clark instead of against him. For the Colts, 2 circumstances exist that make the difference:1) Clark isn't like a TE on most teams; an athletic TE that can exploit mismatches. On the Colts, he is a key component of the offense that the system is predicated on. They use the mismatches that he creates in very specific ways that cause spacing and timing issues.2) The Colts, by and large, don't (admittedly, even the GM will straight up say in interviews) use a running game as anything more than something to keep defenses honest. They know where their bread is buttered and that Manning is what is winning games for them and they have no problem using him. This creates a lot more chances for Clark AND greatly decreases the need for Clark to ever stay in and block as many TEs do. Result: He's a live receiving option everytime they run a play that's not a run.Manning openly says that Clark and Wayne are THE important components of their offenses. The newer guys will get their looks but that's ok because there are plenty of balls to go around. At the end of the day, Wayne and CLark are ALWAYS the #1 and #1A option on this team and will get theirs.One of the real keys to Clark's numbers this year is playing time. This was the first year that Clark didn't miss time. He actually played in all the games this past year and even though his stats will say he played in 14 or 15 games most years, he actually didn't play during the games several times over the past few years because of various dings and scratches. We always assume all players will stay healthy and play and if Clark plays, he's going to produce in FF because he's a top receiving option on one of the best offensive teams in the league that has arguably the best QB in the game and they don't run a lot.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Worthy of a 3rd round pick?

 

[Exit 1]

What was his recent leg injury?