Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell called Clark “a tremendous plus for us all year long.”
“Obviously, he’s been that way throughout his career,” Caldwell said. “He's a guy that’s extremely explosive. He gives you some real difficult matchup problems.”
Those matchup problems over the last several seasons have become critical to the Colts' offensive success. Whereas the offense in the early part of the decade centered largely around WR Marvin Harrison, QB Peyton Manning and RB Edgerrin James, in recent seasons – as Harrison aged and then was released and as Clark and WR Reggie Wayne developed – the scheme increasingly became based on the latter two players.
Clark, the Colts' first-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft, typically was the third – and often the fourth – option in the passing game in 2003-2005, when Harrison, Wayne and WR Brandon Stokley formed a potent three receiver tandem. With Stokley out of the lineup entering the 2006 postseason, Clark's production rose dramatically, and he led the NFL in receiving yards that postseason, which was capped by the Colts' victory over the Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
Since then, Clark has been a critical cog, primarily because teams must make the choice of either doubling him and therefore creating opportunities for the Colts' wide receivers or playing him in single coverage. If he is singled, he's a difficult matchup for a linebacker – and even a safety – because of his speed.
Clark is unique and productive enough that he does create one tricky situation for the Colts in that there really isn't a backup on the team that can duplicate his abilities. If he misses time, the offense must adapt accordingly. It didn't happen this past season, when Clark played all 16 games, and if it would happen, the Colts are deep enough at receiver with not only Wayne, but Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez, that they can adapt and be productive. Jacob Tamme, a third-year veteran from Kentucky, is similar in style to Clark, but lacks the experience of Clark, and it's unlikely Manning would have the same comfort level with Tamme.
Which is really one of the biggest factors Clark brings to the offense. In the last three or four seasons, he has become far more than the cliched “tight-end security blanket," developing into a cornerstone of one of the league's best offense.
It's not a role Clark ever imagined, but like his spot in the Pro Bowl, it's here now, and it's a reason tight end is a big-time strength of the franchise.
BREAKING DOWN THE TIGHT END POSITION . . .
* The roster: Dallas Clark (8), Gijon Robinson (3), Jacob Tamme (3), Tom Santi (3), Colin Cloherty (2).
* The breakdown: Clark without question is one of the NFL's best receiving tight ends. His blocking often is called into question, and some analysts believe the lack of a big, bruising tight end is a reason the Colts sometimes struggle in short yardage, but Clark has improved in that area and is productive in the Colts' blocking style. Robinson has started the last two seasons, primarily playing an H-back role, and while Tamme has shown flashes at tight end in the preseason and has developed into one of the team's top special teams player, because of Clark, he has yet to get significant time in the offense. Tamme is a key player because he brings some of the same attributes as Clark and can fill in as a backup without the Colts having to change style there, but if Clark is out for an extended period, it's more likely the team would shift to three wideouts with Robinson remaining the H-back rather than have Tamme play an extensive role. The Colts' philosophy is to get the best players on the field rather than stay committed to certain schemes. Santi has played well as a blocker and receiver in sports, but has finished each of his first two seasons on injured reserve and Cloherty is an undrafted free agents who finished the season on the active roster after injuries hurt the team's depth at the spot.
* What the offseason might bring: In terms of the above players, likely not much. Clark is entrenched as the Colts' top tight end, and considering he had the best year of his career – and one of the best statistical receiving years for a tight end in NFL history – he's obviously going to remain as such. Robinson, Tamme and Santi are all still under contract, with Robinson and Tamme seeming more solid than Santi, who has played in well in spots, but who has finished each of his first two seasons on injured reserve. The only question at this spot is if the Colts could bring in another front-line player at the sport, which leads us to . . .
* Feeling the draft: There is speculation that the Colts could use an early selection on the position. They're in no way displeased with Clark, but they historically like having two productive tight ends and used a first-rounder on Clark in 2003 when veteran TE Marcus Pollard was still very productive. The Colts draft 31st, and while it's often difficult to find a big-time left tackle or defensive lineman – either of which seem to be possible needs – at that spot, it is possible to find a big-time tight end. Colts President Bill Polian's philosophy is to take productive, talented players over need in the first round, and that could make the tight end position intriguing for the team come April.
* Free agency status: As is the case pretty much everywhere on the Colts' offense, there likely won't be much movement in free agency on of off the team at the tight end position.
DAILY DIGESTS: WRAPPING UP POST-SUPER BOWL TALK: HERE A REFRESHINGLY ACCURATE READ ON PEYTON MANNING. HERE ON TEAM OF DECADE AND ED JOHNSON. HERE OFFSEASON PRIMERS: THE QUARTERBACKS. HERE. THE RUNNING BACKS. HERE.
THE WIDE RECEIVERS. HERE.
MORE COLTS NEWS POLIAN: THE PAST IS PROLOGUE. HERE.
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