Player Spotlight: Dallas Clark (2 Viewers)

[Jason Wood]

2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an 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 ProjectionsThe Rules

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

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[mlball77]

I like Clark and think he is a very good pass catching TE when healthy. I look for him to have a solid season this year. When Clark returned from his injury and produced big numbers in the playoffs last season (two 100 yd games), he showed me he can post numbers for Indy.

Recs: 40

Yds: 515

TDs: 5

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I like Clark and think he is a very good pass catching TE when healthy. I look for him to have a solid season this year. When Clark returned from his injury and produced big numbers in the playoffs last season (two 100 yd games), he showed me he can post numbers for Indy.Recs: 40Yds: 515TDs: 5

Never trust a guy with a Hawkeye helmet avatar in a Dallas Clark projection thread. j/k.I think those numbers are doable for Clark assuming he stays healthy, but the drafting of Anthony Gonzalez put to rest any ideas that he might ride that wave of production from the playoffs into a top 10 TE season in 2007.

 

[shadyridr]

TE fodder. The addition of Gonzalez will take away alot of his numbers and Bryan Fletcher also seems to be stealing some catches.

40 rec, 500 yds, 3 tds

 

[Fallerjw]

42 rec 496 yards 4 TD

I agree that the drafting of Gonzo will take away from his numbers. He'll still be a solid NFL player, but he'll become the #5 option for the offense.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I think that Dallas Clark by some is the most overrated fantasy TE in the league. He's NEVER played a full 16 game season and he's NEVER finished in the top 10 in fantasy rankings. What he does have is Peyton Manning throwing him the ball so that alone will get him drafted along with the fact many of the non-shark players have now heard of many of the Colt offensive players, making him even more of a target when you get past the top TE's in fantasy football.

I expect a typical Dallas Clark season:

12 games played

32 receptions

385 yards receiving and 5 td's

He'll finish somewhere around TE 15 and probably get drafted slightly higher in most leagues.

 

[djcolts]

I think Dallas Clark will have a non-descript FFL year. Too many possible weapons that may take away catches from the slot position. We know about Gonzalez - and he'll be the primary reason for this - but it wouldn't completely shock me if 5th round pick WR Roy Hall took away a few catches in the slot, too (especially in the red zone).

The Colts also have a bunch of undrafted FA TEs in camp - most will be camp fodder, but it is possible someone will emerge to complete with Fletcher and Utecht for backup TE time (I'd give that a 25% chance of happening).

Also, there's talk on Colts.com that Addai is runnning more routes in off-season work - so he'll probably be targeted more, too.

Considering all of that - I'd stay away.

30 Catches - 370 yards - 3 TDs.

 

[mlball77]

I like Clark and think he is a very good pass catching TE when healthy. I look for him to have a solid season this year. When Clark returned from his injury and produced big numbers in the playoffs last season (two 100 yd games), he showed me he can post numbers for Indy.Recs: 40Yds: 515TDs: 5

Never trust a guy with a Hawkeye helmet avatar in a Dallas Clark projection thread. j/k.I think those numbers are doable for Clark assuming he stays healthy, but the drafting of Anthony Gonzalez put to rest any ideas that he might ride that wave of production from the playoffs into a top 10 TE season in 2007.

Haha, yeah, I’m a bit biased. I do however think that some in this thread are giving too much weight to Gonzalez and thinking that any of his production will almost exclusively cut into looks for Clark. I think that is a lot of assumptions to be making at this point. I do agree however, that you can’t use Clark’s playoff production as proof that he will be an elite TE in 07. But I do think it shows what he can do with healthy and that he and Manning have developed a solid on-field rapport with one another.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I like Clark and think he is a very good pass catching TE when healthy. I look for him to have a solid season this year. When Clark returned from his injury and produced big numbers in the playoffs last season (two 100 yd games), he showed me he can post numbers for Indy.Recs: 40Yds: 515TDs: 5

Never trust a guy with a Hawkeye helmet avatar in a Dallas Clark projection thread. j/k.I think those numbers are doable for Clark assuming he stays healthy, but the drafting of Anthony Gonzalez put to rest any ideas that he might ride that wave of production from the playoffs into a top 10 TE season in 2007.

Haha, yeah, I’m a bit biased. I do however think that some in this thread are giving too much weight to Gonzalez and thinking that any of his production will almost exclusively cut into looks for Clark. I think that is a lot of assumptions to be making at this point.

The main reason I bring up Gonzalez is that Clark was getting some looks lined up in the slot when the Colts had no true WR3, and those days are over now.

 

[mlball77]

Fair enough...

 

[BigRed]

I think that Dallas Clark by some is the most overrated fantasy TE in the league. He's NEVER played a full 16 game season and he's NEVER finished in the top 10 in fantasy rankings. What he does have is Peyton Manning throwing him the ball so that alone will get him drafted along with the fact many of the non-shark players have now heard of many of the Colt offensive players, making him even more of a target when you get past the top TE's in fantasy football.I expect a typical Dallas Clark season:12 games played32 receptions385 yards receiving and 5 td'sHe'll finish somewhere around TE 15 and probably get drafted slightly higher in most leagues.

exactly

 

[Bull Dozier]

I'd concur the addition of Anthony Gonzalez severely limits his potential. His post season production was the result of playing the slot, and now that opportunity appears to be diminished. I'd expect him to go back to his pre-2006 levels of being a rather pedestrian FF performer with potential for the occasional big game.

31-437-4

 

[pizzatyme]

One point to consider is that the Colts had terrific success using Clark in the slot. So, I don't see them going away from it entirely. Many times you tip your hand when you have a WR3 in the slot. Clark still gives you a solid run/pass option.

With that said, I see Clark having 44/ 544/ 4.4TDs

Clark's Jersey #? 44 :grin:

 

[rzrback77]

I believe that Dallas Clark will be the poster child for underperforming in 07. The reason is that the Colts won the Super Bowl last year. Everybody watched them long after other teams' seasons had ended. And Dallas Clark was huge in the playoffs. Most fantasy players still remember those big games and Clark's performance and he will be drafted too high.

Dallas Clark was targeted six or more times in only three regular season games in 06. That is three games out of the twelve that he played. In the playoffs, he was targeted six or more times in all four games. In the regular season, he scored double digit points once, but in the four playoff games he had two 100 yard games.

There are just too many options for the Colts. Harrison and Wayne are huge players for the Colts. The running backs are utilized heavily by Manning. Dallas Clark has never caught more than 37 passes and last year Utecht caught seven more than he did in the regular season.

Last season, the Colts basically had two viable WRs and Clark had some value in the slot, but caught only 30 balls in his twelve games. This year, Gonzalez will capitalize on some of those "stokley" opportunities.

Dallas Clark 60 targets 38 catches for 440 yards and 4 TDs

 

[Sleeper 43]

Just getting down to the basic Dallas has been consistent when given looks while healthy. I'm not guaranteeing top 10 but i think its natural to expect Dallas to be used a little more each season until he becomes an official weapon. Even Reggie Wayne didn't come out of the gates an official weapon, took him a couple seasons to earn more looks. Dallas hasn't done anything skill wise to think he cant be a top 10 te, I believe its just a matter of staying healthy and having more opportunity, which I again I think can be earned over time. So far the numbers look like that's been the case if you add in games missed.

45/550/6