MIAMI — Dallas Clark cherished every second of his interview session.
While he had to contend with the requisite interrogations regarding his no-stoplight hometown and his religion, the Indianapolis Colts' tight end viewed this experience as a luxury.
Two months ago, on a nationally televised prime-time game, Clark feared his season was over after Philadelphia's Sean Considine (former teammate at Iowa) wrapped him up low. As Clark rolled over, he grabbed his right leg and writhed in pain before finally limping into the locker room.
The first diagnosis was grim: a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
``I thought, for sure, the season was over when I got hurt,'' he said Tuesday. ``Every play, every practice since then has been a bonus for me.''
The next day, team doctors advised coach Tony Dungy not to put Clark on injured reserve because they thought he just needed rest.
Five weeks later, Clark was back on the field and playing. Indianapolis hasn't lost since.
During the playoffs, Clark carved out his own niche in a star-studded offense by using the middle of the field to make diving receptions, catches in traffic and many big plays. It's exactly what team president Bill Polian envisioned when he took Clark in the first round of the 2003 draft.
Still, getting to this point has taken time and patience.
``My rookie year, I remember saying to myself many times that there is no way I'm going to learn this offense,'' Clark said. ``I would learn one section of it and think I got that. Now, four years into it, it's become routine.''
In Tom Moore's system, Indianapolis' standard one-back formation requires four receivers to put pressure on opposing secondaries. If a defense drops extra players into coverage, it opens up running lanes for Joseph Addai or Dominic Rhodes. If it crowds the line of scrimmage, one of the receivers must exploit the middle of the field.
It's complex.
``You might think that Marvin is getting double covered, but it could be Dallas,'' Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne said, referring to Marvin Harrison. ``You have to be prepared for anything.''
Originally, the possession receiver's job was split between Clark and Brandon Stokley.
But with Clark out and Stokley battling injuries most of the year before rupturing his right Achilles' tendon on Dec. 10, the Colts asked late-season acquisition Ricky Proehl to fill the void. When Proehl injured his hamstring, Clark had to assume the No. 3 job when he returned against Miami in the regular-season finale.
He's delivered masterfully.
In three playoff games, Clark has been the Colts' top receiver, catching 17 passes for 281 yards, an average of 16.5 per grab.
Against Chicago on Sunday, his primary job will be either pulling defenders off Wayne and Harrison or backing linebackers out of the middle.
The Bears understand the predicament because Clark is not a typical tight end.
``He's got great hands, and I look forward to it, if I get him,'' linebacker Lance Briggs said.
Clark has brought more than speed to the Colts' offense.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and a generous 252 pounds, Clark has proven an adequate blocker when asked. At the University of Iowa, he began at linebacker before getting switched to tight end, a move Colts safety Bob Sanders — a former college teammate of Clark's — said turned him from a fourth-string player into an NFL prospect.
``He was OK, but he was a better tight end than linebacker,'' Sanders said. ``I don't think he really wanted to play tight end, but it was a really good move for him.''
It also worked out for the Colts.
Clark's upbeat attitude has provided a unifying influence in the locker room, too. And while his most notable contributions have come on the field, without him the Colts may not have made it to the Super Bowl.
``The coaches did a good job of being patient with me,'' he said, ``and I finally reached the point where I could play, and now I feel great.''
While he had to contend with the requisite interrogations regarding his no-stoplight hometown and his religion, the Indianapolis Colts' tight end viewed this experience as a luxury.
Two months ago, on a nationally televised prime-time game, Clark feared his season was over after Philadelphia's Sean Considine (former teammate at Iowa) wrapped him up low. As Clark rolled over, he grabbed his right leg and writhed in pain before finally limping into the locker room.
The first diagnosis was grim: a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
``I thought, for sure, the season was over when I got hurt,'' he said Tuesday. ``Every play, every practice since then has been a bonus for me.''
The next day, team doctors advised coach Tony Dungy not to put Clark on injured reserve because they thought he just needed rest.
Five weeks later, Clark was back on the field and playing. Indianapolis hasn't lost since.
During the playoffs, Clark carved out his own niche in a star-studded offense by using the middle of the field to make diving receptions, catches in traffic and many big plays. It's exactly what team president Bill Polian envisioned when he took Clark in the first round of the 2003 draft.
Still, getting to this point has taken time and patience.
``My rookie year, I remember saying to myself many times that there is no way I'm going to learn this offense,'' Clark said. ``I would learn one section of it and think I got that. Now, four years into it, it's become routine.''
In Tom Moore's system, Indianapolis' standard one-back formation requires four receivers to put pressure on opposing secondaries. If a defense drops extra players into coverage, it opens up running lanes for Joseph Addai or Dominic Rhodes. If it crowds the line of scrimmage, one of the receivers must exploit the middle of the field.
It's complex.
``You might think that Marvin is getting double covered, but it could be Dallas,'' Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne said, referring to Marvin Harrison. ``You have to be prepared for anything.''
Originally, the possession receiver's job was split between Clark and Brandon Stokley.
But with Clark out and Stokley battling injuries most of the year before rupturing his right Achilles' tendon on Dec. 10, the Colts asked late-season acquisition Ricky Proehl to fill the void. When Proehl injured his hamstring, Clark had to assume the No. 3 job when he returned against Miami in the regular-season finale.
He's delivered masterfully.
In three playoff games, Clark has been the Colts' top receiver, catching 17 passes for 281 yards, an average of 16.5 per grab.
Against Chicago on Sunday, his primary job will be either pulling defenders off Wayne and Harrison or backing linebackers out of the middle.
The Bears understand the predicament because Clark is not a typical tight end.
``He's got great hands, and I look forward to it, if I get him,'' linebacker Lance Briggs said.
Clark has brought more than speed to the Colts' offense.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and a generous 252 pounds, Clark has proven an adequate blocker when asked. At the University of Iowa, he began at linebacker before getting switched to tight end, a move Colts safety Bob Sanders — a former college teammate of Clark's — said turned him from a fourth-string player into an NFL prospect.
``He was OK, but he was a better tight end than linebacker,'' Sanders said. ``I don't think he really wanted to play tight end, but it was a really good move for him.''
It also worked out for the Colts.
Clark's upbeat attitude has provided a unifying influence in the locker room, too. And while his most notable contributions have come on the field, without him the Colts may not have made it to the Super Bowl.
``The coaches did a good job of being patient with me,'' he said, ``and I finally reached the point where I could play, and now I feel great.''
