Danny Clark Possibly Not Starting? (1 Viewer)

[Beaumont]

Raiders | Clark not listed as starter on initial depth chart

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 06:08:02 -0700

Bill Soliday, of the Oakland Tribune, reports Oakland Raiders LB Danny Clark, the team's leading tackler the last two seasons, is not listed as a starter on the team's initial training camp depth chart. "Danny is an integral part of this football team," head coach Art Shell said. "We are looking at players. Nothing is etched in stone. We don't know where we'll end up for sure. We have a long ways to go through training camp."

 

[Weiner Dog]

Not to mention, Howard is listed as the starting WLB! This will change a few IDP drafts.

Raiders | Howard a starter heading into training camp

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 06:22:48 -0700

Bill Soliday, of the Oakland Tribune, reports Oakland Raiders rookie LB Thomas Howard is listed as the team's starting weakside linebacker heading into training camp.

 

[tkrull]

Who is currently listed at MLB and SLB?

 

[helix]

Who is currently listed at MLB and SLB?

It will be interesting to see if this holds-Raiders | Morrison a starter heading into training camp

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 06:22:15 -0700

Bill Soliday, of the Oakland Tribune, reports Oakland Raiders LB Kirk Morrison is listed as the team's starting middle linebacker heading into training camp.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Woohoo!

 

[gregjcross]

Clark is a steady player though and a veteran leader.

I wouldnt rule out his returning to the starting lineup if one of htey youngens fails to impress and then see Morrison shift back to WLB

Woohoo!

 

[Jene Bramel]

Clark is a steady player though and a veteran leader.

I wouldnt rule out his returning to the starting lineup if one of htey youngens fails to impress and then see Morrison shift back to WLB

Agree.The happy pickle was more in response to the fact that Raiders apparently see Morrison as the middle backer long term and not the strong side backer as some had feared.

 

[sholditch]

Are any of these replacements starter worthy? Or just guys to keep an eye on in camp?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Well, I finally found a backdoor to the primary source through a Raider message board. Here's some text from beat writer Jerry McDonald's blog...

Remember Greg Biekert?He was considered a leader, a smart defender and a good team guy. And he got moved out by rookie first-round draft pick Napoleon Harris just before the 2002 season began.Now comes Danny Clark. He’s considered a team leader, a smart defender and a good team guy. He could be on the verge of being shown the door, Biekert style.Clark, according to coach Art Shell, is running second to Kirk Morrison at middle linebacker. Morrison, the NFL leader in tackles as a rookie third-round draft pick, was moved inside so the Raiders could get a look at rookie second-round pick Thomas Howard and Sam Williams on the field at the same time.“Danny Clark is an integral part of this football team,'’ Shell said.Clark also has a salary cap figure of just over $2.7 million - the ninth highest number on the team.When the Raiders moved Harris into Biekert’s sport, they gave the veteran linebacker the opportunity of staying if he would agree to a substantial salary cut. Biekert said no, and wound up being released, signing with the Minnesota Vikings.With the Raiders just $1.8 million under the cap entering the weekend, you wonder if they’re considering the same kind of move with Clark. Releasing Clark would save nearly $1.4 million against the cap.

I'll continue to try to get into the Tribune website (currently down). KFFL quotes Art Shell as saying -- in his usual very helpful way --

"Danny is an integral part of this football team," head coach Art Shell said. "We are looking at players. Nothing is etched in stone. We don't know where we'll end up for sure. We have a long ways to go through training camp."

 

[Jene Bramel]

Some additional speculation:

Michael Huff is not listed as a starter on the opening depth chart. Not much to read into that just yet. If he's still a backup a couple of weeks after he signs a contract, then I'd think twice about investing in him in a redraft league.

I can't see them cutting Clark unless Howard and Bing are really impressive in camp. It's really hard to see Williams surviving anything close to a full season as a starter. And Clark has experience at OLB from his days in Jacksonville. So I think the cap casualty angle is a reach -- for now.

Howard was knocked for being raw and needing coaching by many scouts, but most had good things to say about his coverage skills, so he may be able to handle a nickel role. If he can be successful in that role, he and Morrison likely mean the end of the Big Nickel package as a major part of the Raider defense. If Huff earns a job at safety as expected, that pushes either Gibson or Schweigert into a reserve role.

 

[massraider]

Dang it, I was hoping this news wouldn't get out till I was able to pry Howard away from my leaguemate.

My take: My first guess is that they are impressed with Howard, and want to see how he runs with the first team, and want to see Morrison at MLB. Morrison made the plays he needed to at WLB, but didn't make many impact plays.

But I think we are a long way from seeing Williams-Morrison-Howard (SLB-MLB-WLB).

1. Williams makes Hart Lee Dykes look like an iron man.

2. Clark could go back to OLB, but WLB for him seems like a stretch. I have to think the reason they want to look at Howard at WLB is to get more speed on the field, and try and get more impact plays from that position. Problem is, he mainly worked at SLB, as his coverage was what the Raiders seemed to be focusing on. This is not Clark's strength.

3. Assuming Williams stays healthy, I can't see the best lineup for this season being Williams-Morrison-Howard. You'd have three guys with about 3 games experience at those positions. Williams-Clark-Morrison has two guys who at least know those roles. For Howard to cause that kind of a shakeup, he'd have to be a total phenom in camp, on a Derrick Johnson-type level. maybe, but odds are against it.

 

[AtomicDogg97]

Does Morrison's value skyrocket now?

 

[Weiner Dog]

The most confusing tidbit in this whole thing is the fact that Howard has already been annoited as a starter, while Huff is not.

That just doesn't jive with me.

 

[cr8f]

I thought as much when I was offered Clark in a trade for Kawicka Mitchell.

 

[Biabreakable]

I don't see this expiriment going well..

But if Clark loses starting MLB that really sux 4 me

 

[Pick]

Saw the little blurb in that article where it says Huff isn't "penciled in" either.

 

[Rozelle]

Howard better suited to play sam. From what I hear, he can rush the passer and cover (better at man than zone). His speed made up for his shortcomings in college, not sure it will in the pro's. No doubt ... a tremendous athlete, but not what you would call a real good football player ... at least yet. His lack of football intel and instincts should be concerns. With the right coaching he may turn out to be a very good player. If by chance he starts, best chance should be at sam.

 

[cracKer]

Raiders | Williams a Starter Entering Camp - from www.KFFL.com

Sun, 24 Jul 2005 10:42:09 -0700

Bill Soliday, of Inside Bay Area, reports Oakland Raiders LB Sam Williams will begin training camp as a starter at right outside linebacker.

He ended the 2003 season on the IR. He spent much of the 2004 season injured but showed enough when healthy to be considered as a starter. He tore his ACL less than a month after the above report came out and didn't play a snap last year.

jump to 2006...

Raiders | Williams a starter heading into training camp - from www.KFFL.com

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 06:23:53 -0700

Bill Soliday, of the Oakland Tribune, reports Oakland Raiders LB Sam Williams is listed as the team's starting strongside linebacker heading into training camp.

I'm having a very hard time showing the same optimism towards Sam Williams that the Raiders are. He's played just 10 games in 3 NFL seasons.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Some additional speculation:

Michael Huff is not listed as a starter on the opening depth chart. Not much to read into that just yet. If he's still a backup a couple of weeks after he signs a contract, then I'd think twice about investing in him in a redraft league.

Saw the little blurb in that article where it says Huff isn't "penciled in" either.

Huff signed today. Shouldn't have too much trouble beating out Derrick Gibson for a starting gig now that he'll be in camp from day one.

 

[ATC1]

Clark might be cut: http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/?p=55

I'm thinking a motivation move. Radiers aren't dumb enough to cut it's most talented veteran. Or, are they?

 

[WildRover]

The most confusing tidbit in this whole thing is the fact that Howard has already been annoited as a starter, while Huff is not.

That just doesn't jive with me.

I think this was more about getting Huff into camp on time than anything else.

 

[Biabreakable]

Clark might be cut: http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/?p=55

I'm thinking a motivation move.  Radiers aren't dumb enough to cut it's most talented veteran.  Or, are they? 

Great way to manage a team Al Clark is not even old. As bad as the defense has been this is no way to rebuild it. Are they trying to free up money to jettison Porter?

Crud.

I think Danny Clark will start for another team if the Faiders do cut him.

ETA- a B in bad coz thier D has stunk. Thats why I like Clark there due to the lack of other playmakers.

 

[massraider]

Clark might be cut: http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/?p=55

I'm thinking a motivation move.  Radiers aren't dumb enough to cut it's most talented veteran.  Or, are they?  

Great way to manage a team Al Clark is not even old. As bad as the defense has been this is no way to rebuild it. Are they trying to free up money to jettison Porter?

Crud.

I think Danny Clark will start for another team if the Faiders do cut him.

ETA- a B in bad coz thier D has stunk. Thats why I like Clark there due to the lack of other playmakers.

Come off the ledge. This is a guy's blog, not a beat writer with a quote from Al Davis.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I think the Raiders will go with this lineup eventually:

WLB - Thomas Howard

MLB - Kirk Morrison

SLB - Danny Clark

 

[WisWolvrns]

If it was the 2nd to last preseason game... and clark wasn't the starter, then I'd be worried. but in this, the first pre-season game, oakland knows what it has in clark, so why not play the other guys to figure out if any of them work in the different positions. One has too be careful in gauging preseason "starters". I agree with the one poster though, 2007 Morrison in the middle does seem to be something the raiders are hoping to find out via more playing time in the pre-season this year...

 

[massraider]

Very little to be taken from the first preseason game.

Morrison barely got his jersey dirty, Howard and Williams both looked quick, and Clark got a few reps with the 2nd team.

Darnell Bing actually looked very active. Missed a tackle badly, but stuck his nose in there a few time.

FWIW, I saw no switching of the LB's, aside from one play, when Williams blitzed. Just Howard at ROLB, and Williams at LOLB.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Very little to be taken from the first preseason game. Morrison barely got his jersey dirty, Howard and Williams both looked quick, and Clark got a few reps with the 2nd team.Darnell Bing actually looked very active. Missed a tackle badly, but stuck his nose in there a few time.FWIW, I saw no switching of the LB's, aside from one play, when Williams blitzed. Just Howard at ROLB, and Williams at LOLB.

I think there are a few things worth taking away. First, and maybe most important to the prospects of any of the Raider backers, is that Tommy Kelly looked bad. Morrison blew a tackle, but he was getting blistered by interior linemen with a running start on him. Agree with massraider that Howard, Williams, and Bing all looked pretty good. Bing in particular showed a willingness to mix it up and beat Clark to the play more than once. Howard and Bing both played in the nickel with their respective units. And if this game is any indication, all three backers may be blitzed on any down. Morrison narrowly missed a sack and Irons, Williams, and Howard all came on other downs.And, while I don't disagree with WisWolvrns that putting too much stock in preseason happenings is asking for trouble, I see no reason for the Raiders to move Morrison to the middle and give Howard first team reps from the first snaps of camp just to see what they have. Unless one of the current first teams is injured or flops horribly, Clark is a backup.Also, FWIW, Simoneau and Barber were the nickel backers for the Eagles and McCoy looked pretty good to me. Gaither also looked okay against the Raider twos, but got swallowed up one-on-one by bigger linemen more often than not. Looked to be pretty aggressive though.

 

[massraider]

Yes, the interior of the Raiders line looked bad on that first drive. Sapp and Kelly, neither did a thing. Which may mean more tackles for the backers, if that holds to form.

 

[dudaman]

At this point, I'd even start Alex Smith against this hapless group of defenders. Good luck, Art...I hope your offense can keep you in some games.

 

[massraider]

At this point, I'd even start Alex Smith against this hapless group of defenders. Good luck, Art...I hope your offense can keep you in some games.

Got that figured out from that one drive, huh?

 

[dudaman]

Do you disagree that (on paper) the Raiders have a bottom 5 defense?

 

[massraider]

Do you disagree that (on paper) the Raiders have a bottom 5 defense?

Nope.

 

[Slinger]

Do you disagree that (on paper) the Raiders have a bottom 5 defense?

Absolutely.

 

[Slinger]

I think the Raiders will go with this lineup eventually:WLB - Thomas HowardMLB - Kirk MorrisonSLB - Danny Clark

Has Danny Clark ever been a SLB?

 

[Beaumont]

I think the Raiders will go with this lineup eventually:WLB - Thomas HowardMLB - Kirk MorrisonSLB - Danny Clark

Has Danny Clark ever been a SLB?

Danny Clark is way too slow to cover a TE ...

 

[Slinger]

I think the Raiders will go with this lineup eventually:WLB - Thomas HowardMLB - Kirk MorrisonSLB - Danny Clark

Has Danny Clark ever been a SLB?

Danny Clark is way too slow to cover a TE ...

Yeah that's the impression that I got too. Much like Demirrio Williams, down in Atlanta, Clark seems to have put up some nice FF stats, not because he's overly talented, but because the team had no one else to play besides him. If the other 3 LB's in Oakland this year are more talented than Clark then he might be worthless this year.

 

[massraider]

I think the Raiders will go with this lineup eventually:WLB - Thomas HowardMLB - Kirk MorrisonSLB - Danny Clark

Has Danny Clark ever been a SLB?

Danny Clark is way too slow to cover a TE ...

Clark played OLB in Jax. I disagree that he's "way too slow". I wouldn't call him fast, but he's fast for a MLB. He hasn't practiced as OLB in camp, tho, so it may be a moot point.It would just be speculation to suggest he'd move to SLB if (when) Williams goes down again, as there's a chance the Raiders would keep him at MLB, and go with Howard and Morrison as the OLB. Tough call. Let alone who would be the nickel backers.As of now, Clark is on the bench, and his value is definitely low right now.

 

[ffchamp1]

I think the Raiders will go with this lineup eventually:WLB - Thomas HowardMLB - Kirk MorrisonSLB - Danny Clark

Has Danny Clark ever been a SLB?

He was the SLB in JAX before he came to OAKTom

 

[Slinger]

Thanks FFChamp1. I had yet to play in a single IDP league when he played for Jacksonville.

I don't know about the rest of you, but if he's not the starter by Week 1 I'm dropping him in my Zealot leagues.

 

[Slinger]

I'm looking at the game sheet for the Raiders last game and either Danny Clark didn't play at all or he just didn't make a single tackle, sack or INT.

 

[massraider]

I'm looking at the game sheet for the Raiders last game and either Danny Clark didn't play at all or he just didn't make a single tackle, sack or INT.

More important, Morrison looked good. Howard and Williams have gotten praise for their play this summer. Gonna be tough for Clark to be worth a roster spot, even with Zealots-size rosters.