Tag: Ryan Clark

Legendary Steelers safety credits his NFL career to Danny Smith

Ex-Steelers safety Ryan Clark credited his former special teams coach Danny Smith with giving him his first NFL start.

When fans think of a Steelers legend who consistently poured his heart and soul out on the field for the team, they look no further than former safety Ryan Clark.

Clark is regarded as one of the many great safeties to come through the Steel City, and none of it would have been possible without one coach in particular. The former safety turned ESPN analyst credited Danny Smith, who is now the Steelers special teams coach, with giving him his first shot in the NFL with the Washington Redskins.

Smith made headlines last week on “Sunday Night Football” when he displayed his passion for his unit’s elite set of plays, one of which was incorrectly called back.

Clark’s admiration for Smith speaks volumes about the type of environment that Pittsburgh has fostered for generations.

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Ryan Clark praises Broncos CB Riley Moss in entertaining video

“This is a minority at the position!” Clark said of Riley Moss. “He became the first white cornerback to have an interception in 22 years!”

During a recent episode of Inside the NFL on the CW, former NFL safety Ryan Clark named Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss his “Football Guy” of the week.

Clark praised Moss for his play and mentioned what has been a trending topic in Broncos Country: Moss is a rare white cornerback.

“I’m going to read to you some of his stats: 19-for-31 when targeted, only 179 yards allowed on the entire season,” Clark said. “He has three pass defensed. He also had an interception last week against Gardner Minshew. He is one of 15 cornerbacks that have been targeted 30-plus times because he plays opposite Pat Surtain.

“But, wait, guys! I buried the lede! He’s white! He is a white [cornerback]! This is a minority at the position! Do you know the struggles this man had to go through? … He trusted the dream and this week when picking off Gardner Minshew, he became the first white cornerback to have an interception in 22 years! Since my teammate in 2022 Jason Sehorn.”

Clark then joked to Bill Belichick that the former coach was “like the Rosa Parks for [Moss].”

Clark played in the NFL from 2002-2014, winning Super Bowl XLIII with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. Moss was picked by Denver in the third round of last year’s NFL draft out of Iowa. A first-year starter, Moss has had an excellent start to the 2024 season.

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Justin Fields has ended the QB controversy: Former Pro Bowl Steelers’ safety agrees

Justin Fields made a strong case to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback after a standout performance in Week 3, earning support from former Steeler Ryan Clark.

The battle for the starting quarterback position began to take shape when the Pittsburgh Steelers traded with the Bears to acquire Justin Fields in the 2024 offseason. The Steelers, having signed quarterback Russell Wilson just a day prior, seemed to have a quarterback competition on their hands.

However, it was clear that Wilson was favored over the younger, less experienced Fields, as the veteran was getting first-team reps while Fields worked with second-team unit. All of this changed when a re-aggravated calf injury prevented Wilson from starting in the regular season.

Through the first two weeks of football, Fields looked uninspired and hesitant. However, his play took a significant leap in Week 3 against an elite defense, throwing for 245 yards and one touchdown, and recording a rushing touchdown as well.

Former Steelers legend, Super Bowl champion, and Pro Bowl safety Ryan Clark saw what we all saw and stated what most of us want: Mike Tomlin to name Justin Fields as the starter moving forward.

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Ryan Clark to Mike Tomlin: ‘Let’s not play this game anymore’ with QB situation

ESPN analyst and former Steelers safety Ryan Clark posted a tweet asking Mike Tomlin to name Justin Fields the starter over Russell Wilson.

Interception aside — his first of the season — Justin Fields had the most complete outing of his Pittsburgh Steelers career in Week 3. And this with very little help from the ground game.

Fields has been far from electric, no thanks to the Steelers’ conservative game plan, but he’s improved every week and appears light-years ahead of where he was with the Chicago Bears. Fields He’s done nothing that should point to Mike Tomlin going to Russell Wilson once he’s healthy enough (if he ever is).

ESPN analyst and “Pivot” podcast host Ryan Clark tweeted yesterday that Tomlin needs to stop playing games with the quarterback position.

Clark, a former Steelers safety, encouraged Tomlin to name Fields the starter after the win on Sunday, but that never came — not a surprise given how close to the vest Tomlin operates.

“Let’s not play this game anymore,” Clark tweeted. “Love Russ, but this isn’t about him. The young man has shown he is capable. What a difference a situation makes.”

https://twitter.com/Realrclark25/status/1837936912310718737

It’s tough to predict whether Tomlin will stop playing games with how he addresses the quarterback situation. It’ll be something to watch for when he takes to the podium for his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

While Fields is still developing, he’s shown real promise to be the face of the Steelers franchise for the remainder of his career — exactly what general manager Omar Khan and company were hoping for when they traded for him.

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Ex-Giant believes rookie Dru Phillips is going to be a ‘stud’

Former New York Giants DB Ryan Clark believes rookie cornerback Dru Phillips is going to be a “stud” with a long career.

The New York Giants have had few bright spots over the first two weeks of the regular season, but one is rookie cornerback Dru Phillips. General manager Joe Schoen took Phillips in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Giants were in desperate need of a playmaker in their secondary following the departure of Xavier McKinney, who left via free agency this past offseason.

Phillips was all over the field against both the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders, flashing as an impact player for Big Blue.

Because of his play, Phillips has caught the eye of a former Giants defensive back Ryan Clark.

https://twitter.com/Realrclark25/status/1835402659035050169

Clark, of course, began his career with the Giants in 2002 after going undrafted. He ended up having a lengthy career with the Washington franchise and Pittsburgh Steelers after his time with the Giants

Phillips has stood out not just because of his speed and physicality, but also because of his open-field tackling. If the Giants’ front seven continue to disappoint the way they have in the first two games of the season, the team will need their secondary to step up in order to be competitive moving forward.

In Week 1, Phillips forced a fumble on his very first NFL play and followed that up with an extremely impressive performance against the Commanders in which he recorded 12 tackles and a red zone sack.

With the Giants’ season quickly getting away from them, there will be an increased focus on Schoen’s draft picks and their development. He’ll need players like Phillips to remain hot so that his seat stays cool.

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WATCH: Dom DiSandro gifts Jason Kelce a South Philly Tuxedo ahead of Eagles-Falcons

WATCH: Dom DiSandro gifts Jason Kelce a South Philly Tuxedo ahead of Eagles-Falcons

Jason Kelce has a new job after retiring from the NFL, and it involves a much more business-casual style of dress, a distinct change from the guy who wore sweatpants and flip-flops on most game days.

During his first night on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown in Week 1, Kelce made national news after forgetting his suit and tie in his truck. With Philadelphia and Atlanta on the docket for Week 2, Eagles security Chief Dom DiSandro ensured Kelce was adequately outfitted, gifting Kelce with a South Philly Tuxedo.

Kelce will appear on Monday Night Countdown weekly alongside anchor Scott Van Pelt and fellow analysts Marcus Spears and Ryan Clark. Week 2 shows that Kelce doesn’t necessarily have to buy into the idea of a suit and tie.

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WATCH: Jason Kelce had to purchase a shirt from the mall prior to MNF debut

Jason Kelce had a slight suit and tie setback prior to his Monday Night Countdown debut and had to hit the mall for another dress shirt after leaving his in the truck

Jason Kelce has a new job after retiring from the NFL, and it involves a much more business-casual style of dress, a distinct change from the guy who wore sweatpants and flip-flops on most game days.

Kelce makes his debut appearance on the “Monday Night Football” pregame show every week alongside anchor Scott Van Pelt and fellow analysts Marcus Spears and Ryan Clark. ESPN wants Kelce to be Kelce, and he started things off in true offensive lineman fashion, forgetting his dress shirt and ensemble in the truck.

The future Hall of Fame center admitted on Monday night that he had to visit a local shopping mall to purchase a shirt from Lulumon, Ryan Clark joked.

Kelce will appear on Monday Night Countdown every week alongside anchor Scott Van Pelt and fellow analysts Marcus Spears and Ryan Clark, and it’ll be interesting to see if Kelce buys into the idea of a suit and tie.

Notre Dame’s busy morning on ESPN includes new uniform unveiling

Like the new look?

Continuing their ESPN rounds from the day before, representatives from Notre Dame’s football team had even more to share. The most significant segment came when [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Clark[/autotag] appeared on “First Take”. One secret badly kept recently was that the Irish were planning on wearing new home uniforms in 2024. The secret officially was out after this appearance:

Shortly thereafter, the program revealed a more proper image of the uniform on social media:

Earlier in the morning, Freeman, Clark and [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] appeared on “Get Up” with Mike Greenberg and Ryan Clark, Jordan’s father. The roundtable discussion began this way:

Later in the segment, the focus shifted to father and son:

The Irish came to New York with the purpose of hyping up their season for the Worldwide Leader in Sports. They certainly have done that, and they’ll take in a Yankees game later with Freeman throwing out the first pitch. This will be a trip to remember for those involved.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Where did Ryan Clark put the New York Jets in his power rankings?

Ryan Clark ranks the New York Jets in his power rankings with Mina Kimes.

NFL analyst Ryan Clark has the New York Jets in a spot to make the playoffs this year. This, despite the fact that the Jets are the third-ranked team in the AFC East Clark’s rankings.

Clark made his projection about the Jets while appearing on the ‘Power Hour’ show with ESPN’s Mina Kimes. Clark, a Super Bowl winner who made the Pro Bowl in 2011, played 13 years in the NFL as a safety.

Much of the optimism about the Jets for Clark very obviously centers on a healthy Aaron Rodgers. Clark believes that if Rodgers is healthy, then the Jets can take that next step and be a solid team in 2024.

In talking about the Jets, Clark made sure to single out that head coach “Robert Saleh is a damn good defensive football coach. He really is.” He compared the situation of Saleh with that of former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick:

“He had Tom Brady so there were times he could be hands off offensively and make sure he got stops Robert Saleh needs that and maybe Aaron Rodgers is that because Nathaniel Hackett is there because Aaron Rodgers is there. But if Aaron is healthy, you add in another young wide receiver so you’re at least are trying to give Garrett Wilson some opportunities to get one-on-ones. And if he’s not getting one-on-ones, you have people now who can get open with a quarterback who is among the best we’ve ever seen.

“So, I feel like it is good. We are where we were with the Jets last year, right? Last year with the Jets, we were like ‘This team is going to go to the Super Bowl, they’re going to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs.’ I believe where we have them now is about where they should be.”

Clark has the Buffalo Bills as the sixth team in his ranking and the Miami Dolphins at No. 10

Steelers legend Ryan Clark on the WWE: ‘Let me fight another analyst’

Ryan Clark isn’t opposed to the idea of getting in the ring with the WWE.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark attended his first WWE event on Friday night and he came away very impressed. Clark was interviewed after the event and was very impressed with the spectacle’s showmanship, athleticism and physicality.

The conversation then turned to whether or not Clark would ever want to join in on the action like many other former and current professional athletes have done in the past. Clark spent 13 seasons in the NFL and developed a reputation for being one of the most physical hitters in the league. Clark was with the Steelers from 2006-2013 and was part of arguably the best defense in NFL history since the Steel Curtain defenses of the 1970s.

But Clark understands he’s 44 now and would need to be mindful of how he did it. Clark noted he did not want to get into the right and fight any of the guys who get paid to be there but he said they need to let him fight an analyst. Do we want to see Clark in the ring?

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