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Trying to figure out why the Patriots would kick the tires on veteran tight end Dallas Clark 05.18.12 at 1:14 pm ET
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Dallas Clark reportedly visited with the Patriots on Tuesday. (AP photo)

The Patriots had tight end Dallas Clark visit Foxboro on Tuesday, according to Shalise Manza-Young of the Boston Globe. Clark, who will turn 33 next month, has impeccable credentials — the former All-Pro has 427 catches in nine years in the NFL, including a whopping 100 in 2009. As the old core continues to be dismantled in Indy, it appears that the free agent will be the next to officially leave the Colts.

Despite Clark’s resume, on the surface, it appears to be a puzzling move — New England has two premiere young tight ends in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and they added a veteran in Daniel Fells over the course of the offseason. But one thing worth noting is that the 6-foot-3, 252-pounder is represented by agent Neil Cornrich, who has worked very closely with Belichick in the past. How closely? Cornrich has worked as Belichick’s lawyer in the past, and has steered some relatively under-the-radar players in Belichick’s direction before, including Stephen Neal (after the former college wrestling champion was looking for a place to play professional football) and Mike Vrabel, who was working as a backup linebacker in Pittsburgh before he signed with the Patriots prior to the 2001 season.

Whether it’s Belichick doing a favor for a friend or genuine interest on the part of New England, it’s not a big surprise that the Patriots would at least bring him to kick the tires and see what he has left. If he can still play and the money is right, New England would find a spot for him. The Patriots have added wide receivers at a dizzying pace this offseason — why not an extra tight end or two? After all, Clark passes what we call the Rosevelt Colvin test: Belichick has raved about him over the years, often unprovoked. Check out this quote from Belichick on Clark from 2009:

“He’s a terrific player, very hard to defend,” Belichick said of Clark. “He pretty much can do everything that you would ask a tight end to do. He’s a great vertical receiver. He can get open on the short and intermediate routes. He’s a good possession receiver on third down and in the red area. He’s good after the catch. He does a good job blocking.”

Read More: Aaron Hernandez, Dallas Clark, Daniel Fells, Mike Vrabel Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Bbndenial

    please just  NO  under the defanition of DONE in dictionary you will see his face  

  • http://twitter.com/unityisstrength Spaga Aris

    That’s what they do go after whashed up players with injury issues,  thats willing to come here and play basically for free. Because they don’t like to pay anybody. Look what they doing with Wes Welker, they lower the price now.  He has been the best WR in the history of the New England Patriots. They just a cheap organization, thats who they are. Welker deserve every penny he’s asking for. He worked really hard for it. its a shame.

  • Jonmay11

    Im glad they run the organization and not you

  • Chuckchamp

    Wes is going to make 9.5 million dollars this season,I’m sorry but that’s not chumpchange! Also WW didn’t have too sign the tender noone twisted his arm and said you must sign here….

  • johnhenryhatesbaseball

    All signs point to welker being traded out of New England

  • Rfalonge

    First of all let’s put their offer in perspective. WW is getting $9.5 million for one year. At the end of next year he becomes a free agent and is able to test the waters to see his worth to other teams. He will find out that teams don’t pay 33 yr old system slot receivers a lot of money so he probably signs again to stay with Brady to insure his HOF path he’s on. Reality

  • http://twitter.com/chickenbaconran james flannery

    Not buying any connection with Welker here. Rather, we might be looking at Clark as a Kevin Faulk-type guy short yardage pass catcher. So many guys in camp though who knows how this will shake out.

  • Barry-joe

    This could be more about keeping him away from a division rival and jacking up the price for them if they do want to sign him. I would not go as far to say he’s done might have one year left in him and  if the price is right may be worth it. 

  • Moneyball

    9.5M Cheap. That is the highest based on FA. There is a budget. There is a cap.

  • smarta

     what signs are those!? jack a%s

  • UDFA

    Yeah Jonmay11, you are so right. When you take a good hard look at the wining records the New England Patriots have had under the watchful eye of Billy B, one should think twice and maybe three times before opening mouth and inserting the foot. I heard it said, ” You play the game to win”. Whatever it takes except of course using foul play. I think the Patriots have a very intelligent group of coaches and ownership that think a lot and think things through. Of course they will not be able to keep all the people they have signed. That is just a no-brainer, but with that said, I do think they will have once again, a very good team this year. Tell me something, do you just buy a new pair of shoes, or do you try them on first to make sure they fit. The Patriots are looking for good fits and the Patriots fit players together to play as a team. They are not interested in players who want to bring attention to themselves, no matter how great they have performed.

  • Mjc2370

    get a clue donkey

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