Clark to KC

[Balto 723]

Cap numbers are out!

2019:  $5.1M Cap hit

2020:  $28.3M Cap Hit

2021:  $22.8M Cap Hit

2022:  $23.3M Cap Hit

2023:  $24.8M Cap Hit

 

Veach MUST have something planned for this offseason still...A trade for a vet OR Jones/Hill new contract would be my guess.

[oldtimer 8,684]

according sport Trac he's cutable in 2022 and probably gone in 2023 

[Lamardirts 2,114]

Expensive but he’ll only be 31 when his contract is up.   I’m going to go ahead and predict Frank Clark has a monster year this year and will be well worth the contract when it’s all said and done.   With an aggressive new scheme and a high powered offense there will be plenty of opportunities to get after the qb.

[Balto 723]

18 minutes ago, oldtimer said:

according sport Trac he's cutable in 2022 and probably gone in 2023 

Hell the way things are going in 4 years that $23M cap hit will be peanuts haha

[liquidfriend 1,151]

Clark had a solid year in 2018 with 2 screwed up elbows.  Put that into perspective.

[xen 1,010,219]

10 minutes ago, liquidfriend said:

Clark had a solid year in 2018 with 2 screwed up elbows.  Put that into perspective.

Uh NO Sherlock.  Guys can't play in the NFL when they're hurt.

My buddy Dee told me, and he should know.

[kkuenn 3,597]

https://theathletic.com/942661/2019/04/24/frank-clark-film-review-is-chiefs-confidence-in-him-justified/?amp

[Lamardirts 2,114]

Hey kk I can only read part of the article.  Could you copy and paste it.  

 

[xen 1,010,219]

2 minutes ago, Lamardirts said:

Hey kk I can only read part of the article.  Could you copy and paste it.  

 

When the Kansas City Chiefs stunned the football world and traded for former Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark, comparisons to players who just departed were inevitable. Fans and analysts alike were quick to compare Clark to former Chief Dee Ford, as Kansas City chose to give up assets and give Clark a massive contract as opposed to simply paying Ford.

These comparisons are something that will haunt Clark and Chiefs general manager Brett Veach over the next few years. As reported by The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs view Clark as one of the best defensive ends in the league, considering him an upgrade and superior fit in new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system over Ford and Justin Houston, who also recently left the team.

The only thing to do now is go to the game film and see if Clark’s play justifies that sort of confidence. So I examined six games from last season, charting wins/losses/neutral plays against both the pass and the run, as well as pressures/hits/sacks, runs stuffed, effective double teams and chips drawn (a detailed explanation of those terms can be found here). Only by looking at every snap can a player’s impact and efficacy be gauged.

---

Fortunately, we’ve already looked at Ford’s film from last season (that’s here) as well as Houston’s (here). Thanks to that, I can tell you this without any hesitation based on observing and charting hundreds of snaps of each player: Clark was better than Ford or Houston in 2018, and it really wasn’t all that close.

There are a few major takeaways from these numbers. The first is that Clark’s numbers were remarkably consistent regardless of opponent. He never had a game with fewer than six “impacts” on the quarterback (a pressure/hit/sack), whereas both Ford and Houston had multiple games with fewer. This is why Clark had nine more impacts on the quarterback than either of the former Chiefs pass rushers in two fewer games charted.

A big reason for this impact was Clark’s win/loss percentage, which was markedly better than either Ford’s or Houston’s in 2018. Clark’s win and loss percentage are both elite for an edge defender, and are even more impressive when it’s taken into account how often teams chipped him or shifted protection his way. Seattle lacked any other legitimate threat to rush the quarterback, so Clark largely had to make plays himself. In the meantime, Clark rarely lost as a run defender and was able to consistently make plus plays in that department.

Clark’s pass rushing starts with his power, which jumps out immediately.

Clark has long arms and extremely powerful hands. He also understands leverage and pad level, working to get himself in position to jar opponents backward. Tackles who aren’t properly set routinely get forced backward quickly. Most power rushers “walk” the opponent back into the quarterback’s lap. In Clark’s case, it looks a lot more like throwing. This allows him to win quickly with his bull-rushes and collect wins other power rushers may not.

Clark’s favorite move is the long arm, and he’s highly successful with it. He has great hand placement and is generally able to swat away opposing tackles’ hands while getting his own hands inside their pads.

Here, Chiefs right tackle Mitch Schwartz attempts to get Clark caught jumping offsides. This gives Clark a split-second advantage to get his inside arm on Schwartz and move him backward toward the quarterback. Clark’s length and power help him move even an elite right tackle when given the opportunity, and he’s able to hit the quarterback — Patrick Mahomes gets rid of the ball because he’s a wizard — and prevent the play from developing.

Schwartz was among several top-end tackles who faced Clark in the games I reviewed, and he was the only one who consistently won against Clark. Both Andrew Whitworth and Tyron Smith had multiple snaps in which Clark was able to beat them. This is in part because Clark will transition his power moves if not successful in gaining leverage at the snap.

This snap is a good example of Clark transitioning when things aren’t going as planned. He initially starts to rush outside, but the running back is waiting to chip. So he plants his foot and drives inside to bull rush, getting his hands inside Smith’s pads and generating some push. However, Smith has his feet set and is able to hold his ground. For many rushers, the play would be over at this point.

Clark doesn’t quit, though, and immediately takes advantage of Smith pushing back against the bull rush by transitioning to a push/pull move. This allows him to take advantage of Smith’s momentum and get him off-balance. Clark then uses Smith to pull himself around like a slingshot toward the quarterback. This is the sort of cat-and-mouse game that’s required to beat great tackles, and Clark is able to get around Smith and hit the quarterback (though he can’t finish, as the slippery Dak Prescott wriggles away).

Clark is still not completely polished with his pass-rush plans, but he repeatedly showed that sort of thought on his snaps rather than sticking with one move. During the games charted, he utilized bull rushes, long arms, rips, spins, stutter steps, hand slaps, push-pulls and pure speed rushes. At only 25, he already has a wide variety of moves and seems to use them in a complementary fashion.

What makes Clark so difficult to block is that he’s not just a power rusher. He’s athletic for his size and can get a great jump at the snap.

Most power rushers don’t have a great first step. This allows tackles to cheat a bit and keep their weight focused on pushing back rather than quickly getting depth. The problem with doing this against Clark is that there’s a risk he’ll blow right past the tackle. Clark doesn’t possess great bend around the edge, but he has just enough to be functional when combined with his strength and hand-fighting. When he gets a good first step, he can be tough to stop, especially if the quarterback doesn’t see him coming and steps up.

Clark mixes speed rushes in with power rushes and doesn’t allow tackles to play him any certain way. He’s also able to adapt when it doesn’t appear he’ll get around the edge and will utilize both power and speed moves to works his way back inside. He catches tackles off-balance in this way.

Another method in Clark’s arsenal of pass-rush moves is a quick inside step, usually accompanied by a rip move or hand slap. This takes advantage of his speed at the snap and tackles who are preparing for him to go outside. Clark will generally take a step or two toward the outside to set up the tackle, then move inside too fast for his opponent to adjust.

In this case, Clark utilized a hand slap to keep the tackle away from him while he moved to the inside and was able to generate immediate pressure. The combination of his quickness and hand strength, along with the accuracy of his slap, led to a quick win.

The final move Clark will utilize is a spin to the inside after a fake speed rush or long arm. This move is still a work in progress, but it’s one he used with some success as the year went along.

This is exactly what pass rushing with a plan looks like. Clark shows that he’ll be working to the outside and even throws up his inside hand momentarily as though he’ll attempt to make contact with the tackle. When his opponent attempts to catch his inside hand, Clark immediately transitions into a spin. This works as a perfect counter to Clark’s usual array of rushes, but he’ll need to continue to refine it.

Another asset Clark brings to the table is experience in working stunts, which the Seahawks asked him to do quite frequently. When working inside on a stunt, Clark was tough for guards to stop on the inside due to his power.

Clark is a great fit for the Chiefs’ new scheme with his combination of athleticism and power. He and defensive lineman Chris Jones should be a nightmare to deal with when lined up on the same side.

Clark isn’t an unstoppable pass rusher, though; there are still areas he can improve. He tends to rely too much on his long arm and bull-rush moves, and at times he’ll get caught trying to push a tackle who is set up well and stonewalls him completely. Schwartz was able to beat him multiple times when the long arm proved ineffective, and Clark often wasn’t able to come up with an effective counter.

An additional issue Clark must deal with is his lack of elite bend. Because he can’t corner the way other edge rushers can, he will at times get pushed wide even when he has a good jump at the snap.

Given Clark’s size, it’s unlikely he’ll improve much in this area. He does possess good balance, which counters his lack of flexibility a bit, but he’ll never be an elite speed threat.

As a run defender, Clark brings a great deal to the table. With his long arms and power, he’s generally able to set the edge effectively. He also is athletic enough to do more than simply hold up at the edge, as he’s able to move blockers aside and attack the ball carrier as well.

That’s an aggressive block by one of the most powerful left tackles in the NFL, and Clark is able to not only keep himself from being moved off the ball, he’s able to jar Smith and open a lane to attack the running back. He hits and finishes, wrapping up a leg and allowing other defenders to come help.

When Clark is asked to hold up at the point of attack, he’s generally able to keep blockers off his body. He can be overwhelmed by multiple blockers and doesn’t possess the elite overall strength that Houston did at his peak, but he’s well above average in this area and is active and aggressive while keeping his eyes on the ball.

Clark is also a good gap shooter who will at times burst into the backfield and bring plays to a crashing halt. He’s fast enough at the line of scrimmage that when blockers are asked to move laterally to reach him, he’ll often beat them to the spot.

When asked to play in pursuit, Clark is not an elite athlete like Ford or peak Houston. He doesn’t have the speed to move down the line as quickly as either of them. However, he has good recognition and is relentless in how long he will chase down a play. There were several downs in which Clark made a tackle across the field 10 yards past the line of scrimmage after failures elsewhere along the defense. His motor doesn’t turn off when the ball is away from him, and he’s a strong tackler when he arrives.

The comparisons are inevitable: Clark vs. Ford. The reality is that, on film, Clark is a more consistent, well-rounded pass rusher who wins at a higher rate, loses at a lower rate and impacts the quarterback more often. He is also able to hold his own against elite competition in a way Ford was not. As a run defender, he’s significantly stronger at the point of attack and much more likely to assist in making plays at or near the line of scrimmage. He’s a superior player, much more comparable to Khalil Mack or Demarcus Lawrence than Ford.

With Clark on board, the Chiefs’ front 4 (assuming they signed Alex Okafor to a 3-year, $18 million deal to start) will consist of Clark, Derrick Nnadi, Chris Jones and Okafor. An argument can be made for that being one of the strongest groups up front in the NFL. Spagnuolo’s defenses have always been at their best with a strong and versatile front, and now the Chiefs have it (along with intriguing young rotational players).

Will the trade and contract be worth it? That’s impossible to say. The only thing that can be said now is that the Chiefs absolutely upgraded at the defensive end spot by acquiring Clark. It will be exciting to see how that plays out when the season begins.

(Photo: Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports

[dhitter 1,424]

5 hours ago, xen said:

Barnwell is using the Chase Stuart chart which places less value on high 1st round picks and more value on day 2 picks.  And he's not even reading that chart correctly.  Using the Stuart chart wed be about the same place as the Jimmy Johnson chart.

The other thing is, while I personally prefer Stuart's chart, teams don't use it; they use variations on the Jimmy Johnson chart.  

And again, he didn't even read the Stuart chart correctly.

Correct. And here is the thing....there are probably 15 players in this draft that actually deserve a 1st round grade. We picked at 29. Most teams picking after 20 are getting a 2nd round player posing as a 1st round talent because they have no other choice. I wasn't in love with picking 29 and actually thought the Chiefs would move out of the pick (up or down). Clark right now is better than any DE we could draft at 29. So I don't get too hung up on the picks we gave up. More like two 2nd rounders. I did think the compensation was rich but hey...it's not my money.

[liquidfriend 1,151]

1 hour ago, xen said:

Uh NO Sherlock.  Guys can't play in the NFL when they're hurt.

My buddy Dee told me, and he should know.

heh

[Balto 723]

1 hour ago, xen said:

Uh NO Sherlock.  Guys can't play in the NFL when they're hurt.

My buddy Dee told me, and he should know.

But Ford gets his advice from Berry soooooo

[liquidfriend 1,151]

Wasn't up for it spiritually

[kkuenn 3,597]

37 minutes ago, Lamardirts said:

Hey kk I can only read part of the article.  Could you copy and paste it.  

 

I downloaded the ap but it wanted card info etc. I went back to Chiefs Kingdom on FB but xen beat me to it. Thanks Xen!

[xen 1,010,219]

12 minutes ago, liquidfriend said:

Wasn't up for it spiritually

Hey listen, a wounded spirit hurts.  Just ask Phatal.  

I've actually written an epic poem about it:

Phatal's soul broke

Just as Alex's leg did

A single, salty tear rolls down his cheek...

 

[liquidfriend 1,151]

So how butthurt on a scale from 1 to 1 million will he be tomorrow when ol' Danny boy trades the entire Redskins draft to take his replacement

[xen 1,010,219]

5 minutes ago, liquidfriend said:

So how butthurt on a scale from 1 to 1 million will he be tomorrow when ol' Danny boy trades the entire Redskins draft to take his replacement

Oh that's gonna happen... 

And what comes after a billion?

[Fmbl2187 2,279]

5 hours ago, oldtimer said:

and visa versa

Yep.

[liquidfriend 1,151]

1 hour ago, xen said:

Oh that's gonna happen... 

And what comes after a billion?

a river filled with his tears  cry me a riverrrrrrrrrrr

[Calichief 3,016]

2 hours ago, liquidfriend said:

So how butthurt on a scale from 1 to 1 million will he be tomorrow when ol' Danny boy trades the entire Redskins draft to take his replacement

Hell be fine. He follow him to the end 

[kkuenn 3,597]

1 hour ago, Calichief said:

Hell be fine. He follow him to the end 

What the hell will he do when he is done and retires?

[Calichief 3,016]

9 minutes ago, kkuenn said:

What the hell will he do when he is done and retires?

Hell spend all his time hating on Mahomes. 

[liquidfriend 1,151]

38 minutes ago, kkuenn said:

What the hell will he do when he is done and retires?

Be the first one to start building the Alex Smith MVP library 

[sith13 1,746]

12 hours ago, Balto said:

Cap numbers are out!

2019:  $5.1M Cap hit

2020:  $28.3M Cap Hit

2021:  $22.8M Cap Hit

2022:  $23.3M Cap Hit

2023:  $24.8M Cap Hit

 

Veach MUST have something planned for this offseason still...A trade for a vet OR Jones/Hill new contract would be my guess.

2020 will be really tough. That being said I'm starting to think Veach won't be paying Mahomes until the new CBA, which Mahomes might be down for. 

[Docbarnabee 225]

On ‎4‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 11:49 PM, Fmbl2187 said:

Charges are dropped when there is less than 95% chance that he his guilty (known as "beyond a reasonable doubt") It is a very steep hill to climb before a jury is instructed to convict (Thank God).  But the league has no such burden of proof.  They have a fan base and a reputation to uphold, because advertising purchases are gigantic.  The league can suspend on much flimsier evidence, especially if it is a repeat.  You really ought to know your stuff before you make sarcastic remarks.

The problem these days is that "The Court of Public Opinion" , which everyone seems to want to go to for justice  will convict someone of a crime when there is considerable doubt and little or  no evidence of a crime being committed.