Tag: Kenny Clark

Packers optimistic about getting deal done with Kenny Clark this offseason

GM Brian Gutekunst said it’s important for the Packers to get a new deal done with Kenny Clark this offseason.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is “optimistic” about completing a new deal for Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark.

A first-round pick in 2016 and a first-time Pro Bowler in 2019, Clark is scheduled to enter the fifth and final year of his rookie deal in 2020, but getting a new deal done this offseason would ensure he’s in Green Bay long term.

The Packers want to get that done in the next few months.

“I think it’s important. Kenny is a big part of what we do, very important to our defense,” Gutekunst said Friday. “I’m optimistic we’ll be able to come to some agreement at some point. These things don’t happen quickly usually. The idea was always to, some time this offseason, approach that, and we will.”

Clark, who is still only 24 years old, has emerged as one of the NFL’s best interior defensive players.

Over the last two seasons, Clark produced 12.0 sacks, 17 tackles for losses and 16 quarterback hits over 29 games. He finished the 2019 season ranked second among NFL interior defenders in total pressures, trailing only All-Pro Aaron Donald.

Under his current contract, Clark would make just under $8 million in 2020.

Clark wasn’t selected to the initial Pro Bowl roster but was added as a replacement earlier this week. The recognition was probably overdue for a player who has performed at a high level each of the last three seasons.

It’s likely Clark will want a deal equal or better than the four-year, $68 million extension Grady Jarrett signed with the Atlanta Falcons last summer. Jarrett’s deal included $38 million guaranteed at signing.

Secret superstars of the divisional playoffs

Though any are unknown, every player in the postseason has the opportunity to turn that around. Here are eight such players.

Every NFL postseason has its share of surprise performers. Whether it’s Otto Graham in the Browns’ first year in the NFL schooling the Los Angeles Rams in the 1950 championship game, or L.C. Greenwood — perhaps the least-known member of the Steel Curtain front four — racking up four sacks against the Cowboys in Super Bowl X, or then-Bills backup quarterback and current Colts head coach Frank Reich authoring the biggest comeback in NFL history against the Houston Oilers in the 1992 wild-card round, or Washington running back Timmy Smith shocking the Broncos with 204 rushing yards in Super Bowl XXII, it’s just as likely that the most important postseason performance comes from a guy whose name you’re not familiar with just yet.

This postseason is no exception, and there are all kinds of potential stars you might not know who are mere hours away from their breakout performance. Here’s one potential secret superstar for each of the eight divisional round teams this weekend.

Danielle Hunter | Dee Ford | Harold Landry III | Matthew Judon |
Duke Johnson, Jr. | Charvarius Ward | Poona Ford | Kenny Clark

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Packers vs. Seahawks injury report: Key Packers replacements for divisional playoffs

The Packers listed DL Kenny Clark as questionable for Sunday’s playoff showdown with the Seahawks.

The Green Bay Packers will go into Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round showdown against the Seattle Seahawks with one big question mark but a relatively healthy team.

Standout defensive tackle Kenny Clark is officially listed as questionable with a back injury. He missed Wednesday’s practice and was a limited participant both Thursday and Friday.

The good news for the Packers: Roughly 80 percent of players listed by the team as questionable have gone on to play in the game this season.

The bad news: Clark is a key part of Mike Pettine’s defense and will clearly be limited if he can play Sunday.

The Packers rely on Clark, one of the game’s most disruptive interior linemen, to clog running lanes and collapse the pocket from the inside. Not having him available would limit Pettine’s ability to stop the run on early downs and pressure Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Only All-Pro Aaron Donald had more pressures among the NFL’s interior defensive linemen this season.

If Clark couldn’t go, the Packers would need more from backup Montravius Adams, rookie Kingsley Keke and run-stuffer Tyler Lancaster, who is also questionable (illness).

The Packers have been hopeful all week that Clark would be able to fight through the back issue and play against the Seahawks.

Fullback Danny Vitale and running back Dexter Williams are also questionable due to an illness that has affected several Packers players the last two weeks.

In Week 17, the Packers used rookie tight end Jace Sternberger as an H-back option in place of Vitale, who has pass-catching value for the Packers offense. Williams is a third- or fourth-string running back and was likely to be inactive regardless of health on Sunday.

Packers DL Kenny Clark ‘really limited’ in return to practice Thursday

Packers DL Kenny Clark returned to practice on Thursday but was “really limited” by a back injury.

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark returned to practice on Thursday, but coach Matt LaFleur confirmed he was limited by a back injury during the session.

“He was really limited, but we’re hopeful he’ll be alright,” LaFleur said Thursday.

Clark, the Packers’ disruptive interior lineman, missed Wednesday’s practice.

The Packers will release official injury designations on Friday, two days before they host the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Clark played in all 16 games in 2019. He finished with six sacks, tying a career-high set last season, plus nine tackles for losses and seven quarterback hits.

Only one interior defensive lineman – All-Pro Aaron Donald – produced more total pressures than Clark this season. He figures to have an attractive matchup against Seahawks center Joey Hunt on Sunday.

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If healthy, Packers DL Kenny Clark could dominate against Seahawks

Packers DL Kenny Clark could take over Sunday’s showdown with the Seahawks.

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark has an aching back, but watching Fletcher Cox systematically dismantle Seattle Seahawks center Joey Hunt during last Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Round must be relieving some of the pain.

Clark, the Packers’ best interior defender and arguably the best pass-rushing nose tackle in football, could be a dominant force during Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round game against the Seahawks.

Hunt, who took over at center for starter Justin Britt, couldn’t handle Cox, the Philadelphia Eagles’ powerful inside presence. He was too big and too strong for the undersized and overmatched Seahawks center.

Fran Duffy of the Eagles chronicled some of the destruction below:

Clark, one of the most productive interior rushers in 2019, will be a similar mismatch for Hunt if he’s ready to go Sunday.

Clark’s health is a concern. He missed Wednesday’s practice with a back injury, and he wasn’t the same every-down terror when he was dealing with back and lower-body injuries earlier this season.

Still, for most of the year, Clark dominated in the passing game. He finished second among all interior defensive linemen in quarterback pressures in 2019, trailing only Aaron Donald. He heated over the final four games, tallying 4.5 sacks and a big chunk of his total pressures.

The Packers will feel good about any obvious passing situation that gives Clark chances to rush the passer against one-on-one blocks, especially if Hunt – who lacks the size and length to handle No. 97 – is the matchup.

Clark will also be a big part of the Packers’ attempt to stall the Seahawks run game. Cox’s interior dominance helped the Eagles limit the Seahawks to just 64 total rushing yards, which included just 19 yards from running backs.

Also, keep in mind: Hunt has been battling a leg injury. Like Clark, he missed practice on Wednesday, so even if the Packers defensive lineman isn’t 100 percent, he won’t be facing healthy opposition.

The deep and talented front of Packers should have a sizable advantage against a beat-up Seahawks offensive line. Clark might not be 100 percent, but he could still wreck the game for Hunt and the Seahawks Sunday.

Kenny Clark listed as DNP on Packers’ first injury report of week

Kenny Clark missed Packers’ practice on Wednesday with a back injury.

The first injury report of the NFC Divisional Round featured good and bad news for the Green Bay Packers.

First, the good: right tackle Bryan Bulaga, center Corey Linsley and right guard Billy Turner all practiced on Wednesday, and Bulaga and Linsley were both full participants. The offense should have all five starters along the offensive line available on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, the bad: star defensive lineman Kenny Clark missed practice with a back injury.

It’s unclear at this point if Clark will be stressed to play on Sunday. He dealt with a back injury earlier in the season and it likely affected his production.

The Packers will need Clark, their best interior defender, at full strength as they attempt to make a Super Bowl run over the next two weeks.

The Packers were also without third-string running back Dexter Williams, who is dealing with an illness, but fullback Danny Vitale, receiver Allen Lazard and outside linebacker Preston Smith all practiced in a limited capacity.

The Packers will release official injury designations on Friday.

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The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

 

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

Every year, a group of undeserving players are named to the Pro Bowl. Here’s this year’s list, and the players who should replace them.

If you think the Pro Bowl is a meaningless exercise, don’t tell the fans, players, and teams when somebody on their side is snubbed in the process. Every year, there are deserving players who aren’t voted to the Pro Bowl roster, and every year, there are players who get on more through previous reputation than current performance.

Here are the most egregious omissions in the 2019 voting, with thought on which players these unfortunate snubs should replace. Because if you’re going to complain about a player who’s wrongly off the Pro Bowl roster, you should be able to find a guy who’s taking up space. That’s where things get a bit more difficult!

Quarterback (NFC)

In: Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins
Out: Aaron Rodgers

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Either Prescott or Cousins would be a better fit on the NFC roster than Aaron Rodgers, who had just three games with more than 300 passing yards this season, three games with less than 200 yards passing, and eight games with one or zero touchdowns. Cousins has been on fire after a rough start to the season, and Prescott ranks first in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics. Not that Rodgers has had a bad season, but this seems much more like a reputation pick than anything else.

Receiver (AFC)

In: Julian Edelman
Out: Jarvis Landry

(Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Landry has been one of Cleveland’s few bright spots on offense this season, but it’s kind of ridiculous to have him in over Edelman, who was part of a total snub of New England offensive players that hasn’t happened since 2003. Yes, Landry has 74 catches on 1,018 yards and five touchdowns, but Edelman has 92 catches for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns in an offense so broken, opposing defenses can bracket him on just about every play. Edelman has faced more double teams than at any other point in his career, and he’s having arguably his most productive season.

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Packers DL Kenny Clark sets career-high for pressures in win vs. Panthers

Clark had 10 pressures on Sunday against the Panthers, setting a new career-high.

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He didn’t have a sack, but Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark put on a pass-rushing show on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

According to Pro Football Focus, Clark tallied 10 total pressures, setting a new career-high for a single game.

At least three different times, Clark had a chance to sack Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen but couldn’t finish the play. In the second half, his instant interior pressure helped Preston Smith sack Allen on third down, forcing a punt. He also nearly delivered a sack on a three-man rush on the Panthers’ final drive.

Clark was productive as a pass-rusher, stout on the inside against the run and aware in the screen game. He ended up as the Packers’ highest-graded player, per PFF.

It was the kind of breakout game the Packers needed from Clark, who was uncharacteristically quiet during the month of October.

The Packers now head into the bye week with the momentum of a dominant performance from the defensive front. Not only did Clark produce big pass-rushing numbers, but Za’Darius Smith consistently found his way into the backfield and Preston Smith delivered two third-down sacks.

Don’t be surprised if Clark comes on strong over the final six games. He’ll get a chance to get his body healthy and rested during the bye week, and appealing matchups loom, especially down the stretch within the division. The Packers need Clark, their best interior player by a mile, to be a difference-maker as Matt LaFleur’s team attempts to win the NFC North and secure a first-round bye.

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