Ryan Clark returns to Steelers, Dolphins FS search must continue

When Ryan Clark landed in South Florida it seemed as if the Dolphins had identified their future starting free safety and all that needed to happen was a little solid negotiatin' and the deal would be done.

Well, the deal isn't done.

And the deal isn't getting done, not in Miami anyway.

Clark is re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source tells me. His visit with the Dolphins, cordial, was productive, but not enough. Clark told the Dolphins he wanted to remain with Pittsburgh.

[Update 7:12 p.m.: Various media outlets are now reporting Clark agreed to a four-year deal with the Steelers.]

So what do the Dolphins miss out on? Check it out.

Comments

[mr1313]

Easy come easy go. What about the kid from the Rams Mando? Are the Dolphins interested?

[Marc]

Yeah, that was a wicked hit...Guy's a beast

[MDPhinfan]

No Saving Ryan!!
Major bummer. I love the Trifecta, but how did we screw this up? Looked like a done deal. He wanted us, we wanted him..no brainer, right?
We must have made a seriously low ball offer.
This is a big setback in my view

[Mark in Toronto]

Meh, no big loss. Let's go on.

[Brian]

Darren Sharper?

[bobbyd12]

Too bad, now we have to face this guy again this year

[Po White Trash]

Hmmm?

[Woe Is Us]

Oh no, the world has ended !! Miami didn't
get the safety who doesn't know how to wrap up and tackle, only going for the big hit. Jump little lemmings off the bandwagon.

[farley]

So we didnt get a guy who couldnt cover.

hahahahahahahaha! watch the opines change now.

obamalandmedia

[Sprock]

Not a good day...first lose Ryan Clark and Antonio Bryant visiting the Bengals tomorrow. Could miss out on 2 key player additions for this free agency.

[miami1354]

glad they were focused on signing him as was tweeted earlier by i do believe darlington....hmmm

[Sergio]

Good player, awesome in stop gap ability, awful in coverage, at-least now we can start thinking about
Oshiomogho Atogwe, if we are able to trade for him, he will immediately fill that safety gap. The guy would be a better pick up then Rolle. Lets just see what happens.

[robert]

Seems like Clark used Fins for leverage, what a little turd.

[Manuel]

At the time he arrived in Miami the offer was almost in place and discussed with the agent, so it has to be a physical issue or some clause on the contract, he's good but I sti;; prefer Otogwe

[MiaFins1]

He used the Fins to get a better offer from Pitt. So bye bye

[figuro]

f..k ryan that little punk

[carlito from golfito]

This is good news... The Dolphins didn't need another Free Safety with questionable coverage skills

[cuban menace]

OHHHH well.......

[Sebasmo]

Parcells and Co. = ZzZzZ

Miami 2010 season will be: 5 - 11 !

Zero upgrades WR, DB or pass rusher.

[carlito from golfito]

sebasmo

you are not smart

[ALoco]

the search must go on .

[PhinsFan54]

Clark can eat a dick... what a little fuckwad.

[carlito from golfito]

Dez Bryant also not working out at Oklahoma State pro day

[H8dpats]

How fing cheap are these guys if you want good players you gotta pay.

[ALoco]

sebasmo

I AGREE W/YOU , THE FINS WILL BE 4/12

[Carlos]

I love how everyone suddenly says Clark can't cover. He had 3 picks last year and according to football focus, only 38.5% of passes attempted on him were completed last season. Statistically, he had a he'll of a year in coverage last season. Sucks that he was only using the fins to get the steelers to the negotiating table, but it doesn't change the fact the guy is an above average safety.

[H8dpats]

Clark can be a dirty player too most of the time he hits a receiver to knock them out with his helmet. He is a concussion maker!

[Big Nasty13]

Atogwe and Brodney Pool are RFA with no draft compensation. Maybe with a big fat poison pill in the contract we could get one of them.

[ALoco]

THIS ONE IS NEW ( A CONCUSSION MAKER ). LOL

[ALoco]

Oh well, I wouldn't eat off his stomach anyways. We should get Sharper before he loses his 6 pack. Don't you just cleaning out each ripple of a stomach's 6 pack filled with whip cream with your tongue.

[figuro]

haw baot wi brin bak lues oliber he beta dan gabil wison

[ALoco]

THAT'S FUNNY FAKE ALOCO.TELL ME MORE .

[Senor Winces]

This failure by the Dolphins Brass will set back the team for years to come.

Major bummer & Epic Fail.

Is it to late to get Wilson back at a discount?? That may be the only route left.

[Po White Trash]

Wilson at a discount?

What the f*ck?

Damn son.....

[ALoco]

MAMA MARIA IS COOKING A MEATBALL PASTA .

[Po White Trash]

Why do Jetdouches haunt this blog?

[carlito from golfito]

Carlos,

People aren't "suddenly" saying Clark isn't good in coverage, this has always been the major knock on him. He is a over 30 safety that has coverage issues, but hits hard... sounds alot like the description of the Gerbil. Trust me, it is no tragedy that the Dolphins didn't sign this guy.

[Kingtito]

Best thing that could have happened.

[ALoco]

NO IDEA ,PO .

[BoulderFinFan]

I bet clemons is gonna be a player. And what if we have a chance to take berry or thomas with the 12th pick?

[Po White Trash]

Where are B12 & NJ when ya need em?

[allen]

this is great newsssssssss

sharper
jamal williams
greg elliss

trade the 1st for marshalll

[Mark in Toronto]

Otogwe is Canadian so he's obviously better :)

[carlito from golfito]

Senor Winces,

If they put a 2x4 on a string they could move from the sidelines it would be a better coverage option than Gerbil Wilson. I am working on the patent for this device.

[ALoco]

MARK, ARE YOU SAYING A CANADIAN FOOTBALL PLYER IS BETTER THAN AN AMERCIAN ? ARE YOU DUMB SON ?

[Po White Trash]

Mark,

If they let em play with a hockey stick I will agree.

[fishypete]

Boo Hoo...Ryan played the Dolphins...like that hasn't been done before...and will be done many times to come...it's business, not personal. Ryan was nothing more than a stop gap player...lets get that straight. I rather not have the weasel...who needs a 30ish safety playing for the Dolphins...it's time to get young...either tade for one or draft one...and please stop crying about money or draft picks, or should I remind everyone about J. Allen and Ginn...how that work out? The draft is a crap shoot...so do you spend on a player that hasn't played yet in the NFL...or do you use them every once in awhile for a player that has shown he can get it done. Choose wisely.

[ALoco]

TO BE OR NOT TO BE, THAT'S THE QUESTION MY FELLOW DONKEYS .

[bigalfy]

This is INCREDIBLE...Clark stated categorically that he was "praying" to end up in Miami...I beleive him...somethings happened...i dont beleive it was leverage with the Steelers...thats plain stupid....we must have NOT IMPRESSED him with a decent offer...
Thats 3 errors that the TRIFECTA have made in FA..

1. Boldin should have been signed.BIG mistake there.
2. Resigning Pennington who has maybe ONE decent year left in him, maybe and will no doubt see Thigpen as trade bait leaving us with White and an ageing CP10 next year...MISTAKE unless they trade him.
4. Missing out on Clark who has GREAT stats and is a HARD NUT player from a successful team....and he wanted the Phins...

I love Parcells et al...but they are making many many mistakes along the way...see WHITE,TURNER,NALBONE,WILFORD,WILSON,GREEN...etc..etc...and some incredibly DUMB non moves...ie Marshall/Boldin....mediocrity here we come..!!!

[ALoco]

BIGALFY , YOU SAID IT , WE DIDN'T IMPRESS HIM W/ OUR OFFER .
ROSS SAID IT LAST WEEK ,( MONEY DOESN'T BUY YOU VICTORY ) .

[nickfury99]

Clark is a headhunter,and not good in coverage, thats what let the steelers down last year,secondary coverage.

[carlito from golfito]

Bigalfy shows how smart he really is when he counts 1. 2. 4.

[Joe]

antoine bethea should be our safety. solid.

[Po White Trash]

Haaaaaaaaaaaa!

Funny sh*t Carlito!

[nickfury99]

sign Sharper,and draft fs next,or give Clemmons a chance.

[Jrljr2]

How could they not see this coming from Clark. For anyone who doubts Clark's ability, ESPN has him rated as a better safety than Rolle in the Free Agent ratings. They need to sign a player at a need position before the draft to make this a successful draft. Why the penny pinching in some areas and crazy spending on guys like Wilson or Wilford.

[ALoco]

CARLITO, YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND TO NOTICE THAT .LO

[carlito from golfito]

I think its good that Clark didn't get signed... It shows that the front office will not overpay someone that isn't a great fit just because we have a need in that position... Tuna gave him an offer so low that he went running back to his old team

[figuro]

lets try pat white at FS, he can be a baller

[Joe]

The fins need to make a big move here...we need a safety, DB and a WR. I am getting more frustrated with no movement on WR. We will NOT move forward with a drafted WR...this is where we need some FA guts. If need be, go draft for safety...or trade for Bethea!