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TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts

HT: 6-3, WT: 257, Born: 6-12-1979, College: Iowa, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 24

2008 Projections

Best Case

Being a big target near the goal line for one of the league's most prolific offenses has its advantages. Clark led all tight ends with 11 touchdowns in 2007, and turned in a top five fantasy performance. Clark will fill the same role this season, and could enjoy the same success.

Worst Case

Before 2007, Clark had never gained 500 yards or caught more than 5 TDs in a season. A return to his customary production of 400-500 yards and 4-5 touchdowns would likely leave him outside the top ten.

Outlook

Clark had somewhat of a breakout year in 2007, but there's no reason to think his 58 catches for 616 yards were a fluke. Clark is a talented pass-catcher in a productive offense. His 11 TDs from a year ago, however, will be difficult to duplicate. Expect a drop to around 6-8 TDs, and a corresponding drop to around the #7-#8 range among fantasy TEs.

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Clark got an early first down in the game on a nine yard reception in the first quarter. Clark had his one big play of the game with less then two minutes left in the first half with a catch up the middle for 39 yards that led to a Colts field goal. He got his first league rushing attempt on an end around play for 13 yards and another Colts first down.

Week 2 - Manning took what the Titans' defense gave him and targeted Clark ten times for seven receptions, 69 yards and a touchdown.

Week 3 - Clark was open on pass plays over the middle during the game, providing Manning with a reliable outlet. His touchdown came on a two yard pass in the back of the end zone on the first Colts drive.

Week 4 - In an interesting twist, Dallas Clark lined up many times in the second half as the right wide receiver, a position usually occupied by Marvin Harrison, when Harrison went out with an injury. Clark managed to beat Champ Bailey for a 27 yard gain in a man coverage situation. Clark posted 76 yards on six receptions, including touchdown grabs of nine and three yards.

Week 5 - Clark started the night very well, opening the game with three catches including a touchdown in the first drive. There was a scare that Clark was hurt on a hard hit when Manning led him over the middle, but he returned during the next series. Clark often lined up from the slot during the game.

Week 7 - Clark was frequently open over the middle, and his 35 yard TD catch late in the fourth quarter salted away the Colt victory. He might have had a huge game if the Manning had had more need to throw the ball.

Week 8 - Clark was targeted eight times but only caught two passes for 22 yards. Both of his catches came on third down and extended drives that resulted in touchdowns. Manning tried to hit Clark deep a couple of times during the game.

Week 9 - Clark was targeted four times, catching two passes for 15 yards. The Patriots made it a point to find Clark downfield all game long, and his production was clearly hurt by the absence of WR Marvin Harrison. On his second reception, Clark made a nice catch right at the sideline for a first down with two defenders draping him.

Week 10 - Dallas Clark was inactive for this game with a concussion.

Week 11 - Clark saw the majority of his targets due to the pressure applied to Peyton Manning by the Chiefs linemen. In the first half he served as the hot read when Manning was under pressure, but the passes were usually off target. He was the target on the interception that was the result of a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage. He did drop two catchable balls in the second half, one of which was on a leaping attempt that he got both hands on just before being hit.

Week 12 - Clark saw seven targets which he turned into five catches, one of which he brought into the end zone. Most of his catches were short, averaging 9.8 yards per catch. He moved over to slot on several plays as per usual.

Week 13 - Clark found open spots in Jacksonville's defense throughout the game thanks to excellent route running. He turned those short routes into longer gains by running well after catching the ball. In addition to his two touchdowns, Clark was targeted in the end zone on a pass that was intercepted, and could have added to an already stellar game.

Week 14 - Clark only managed to haul in one of his targets.

Week 15 - Clark only managed to catch one pass, even though he was moved to the slot occasionally to get better match ups.

Week 16 - Clark turned in one of his best games of the year in a season that has become a career year for him. He snagged two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning, and in so doing he set Indianapolis records for most receptions and touchdowns by a tight end in one season. He also added a 15 yard run on an end-around and became the number two option in the passing game once rookie Anthony Gonzalez left the game with an apparent foot injury. Clark was very much a focal point of the offense, as evidenced by his first touchdown reception being a designed play specifically for him to be the first option.

Week 17 - Clark saw limited action as the Colts only played their key starters for a little over a quarter.

Week 19 - Clark scored on a gorgeous double move on the Colts' first possession of the game. The move caused S Clinton Hart to stumble over his own feet, and he was clearly no match for Clark's athleticism on the play. Clark would go on to grab five more passes totaling 70 yards in the game, several of them clutch grabs coming in key situations. But it was the one that got away that was the signature play in the game for Clark. Facing a fourth and five from their own 37 yard line and the season on the line, Manning lofted a ball towards the sideline in Clark's direction. The ball was tipped off his outstretched fingertips and fell incomplete, giving the Chargers the victory and ending the defending Super Bowl champs season.