Steelers’ safety Ryan Clark is known for best known for his on-field aggression and reputation as a big hitter. Clark also has quite the outspoken personality when it comes to addressing the media about hot topics surrounding the NFL. Monday, Clark took to ESPN’s “NFL Live” to take a shot at the Steelers week 9 opponents, the New England Patriots.
In his analysis, Clark spoke on the post-Welker era in New England, questioning his replacement in Danny Amendola. The Steeler defender called him “fragile,” as well as speaking on the injuries to big-name tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.
Clark also didn’t pull any punches when it came to discussing NFL poster boy Tom Brady.
“When Tom Brady gets pressure ad when you’re man-to-man and bumping those guys making it hard for him to throw, he sees ghosts,” Clark said via CSNNE.com. “Even when those guys aren’t around him, even when he’s not about to be sacked, when his clock goes off in his head and that ball should be out, we’ll see him duck and flinch. When you get Tom Brady doing that, the whole mystique of the New England Patriots goes away.”
Clark’s latest revelation isn’t any headline news, seeing as Brady himself has brought up his ability to avoid tacklers who are non-existent.
The point remains that Clark has not been shy about providing plenty of bulletin board material for other teams, only heightening the intensity that will surround the week 9 meeting at Gillette Stadium between the Steelers and the Patriots.
Expect these quotes to be posted on Bill Belichick’s pre-game bulletin board and for Brady to involve the “fragile” Amendola early and often. Ultimately, injury concerns will factor into who New England will have on the field to test Clark and the Steelers D.
As for Pittsburgh, there will be no excuse to bring the heat against the Brady-led Patriots. The Steelers have garnered a reputation as hard-hitting and blitz-heavy defense, and as long as Dick LeBeau is in charge, that won’t change. Ryan Clark won’t use his comments as extra motivation to show up for the week 9 contest, but could look foolish if he doesn’t back them up with his on-field play. Still, the abilities of Clark and his teammates have afforded him some confidence and leeway when it comes to talking to the media.
