Saints sign OT Chris Clark

Saints sign former Panthers starting left tackle Chris Clark LINK

The New Orleans Saints added some depth to their offensive line Monday by signing free agent Chris Clark, his representatives at Allegiant Athletic Agency announced. Clark logged 818 snaps in 13 games for the Carolina Panthers last year, predominately at left tackle. The ten-year veteran also has experience on the right side, offering some versatility as a potential backup in New Orleans.

This addition comes just days after the Saints placed reserve lineman Ulrick John on injured reserve, following his injury in their first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. They wanted to add another prospect with NFL experience to the rotation even before starters Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk missed most of training camp practice on Monday.

Clark should immediately compete for a spot on the opening-day roster with other veterans like Marshall Newhouse and Patrick Omameh, both of whom joined the Saints earlier this summer. Beyond the top six spots along the line (Armstead, Ramczyk, guards Larry Warford and Andrus Peat, centers Erik McCoy and Nick Easton) there’s two or three positions up for grabs. Clark’s odds of earning one of them are as strong as anyone’s.

I think it's underrated as well. Kind of odd how we just casually wound up with him & probably convinced him to take vet league minimum.

We might not have even tried to sign him if Ulrick John never got injured. The funny thing is that he's a better OT than Newhouse, Ulrick John, & Ola. He's probably not what I would call a legit starter, but he's very legit for a backup.

We're kind of lucky to have him. He was the last legit OT left in free agency besides Jermey Parnell (probably costs more than league minimum). Parnell would probably get close to what Donald Penn just signed for in Washington...2019 cap # - 1.467 mil. If Clark or Newhouse don't work out for backup OT...Parnell is the last legit option that doesn't require a trade. Anything 2 mil or less is pretty cheap imo.

His contract just got released Spotrac

2019 cap # - 645 k...that's damn good value. I know he's 33, but still.

LINK Damn good article. Apparently, he had opportunities with 3 other teams & turned them down.

Chris Clark needed to come home this past weekend, as his family and friends celebrated his mother's 60th birthday.

The McDonogh 35 alumnus and former Southern Miss offensive lineman had been training in Houston since his one-year deal with the Panthers expired, but fate kept him in New Orleans long after all the cake had been cut.

Clark's phone rang while he prepared for the party, and the Saints were on the other end.

"It was like, ‘Do you want to come in for a workout?’ I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m all for it. I’m already here.’ "

Saints coach Sean Payton said the team values Clark's experience.

"He’s a guy that can come in right away without as much of a transition maybe as some others," Payton added.

The seasoned veteran previously spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008) and the Minnesota Vikings (2008-'10) before making the Denver Broncos' active roster from 2010-'14. In 2015, he was traded to the Houston Texans and played the 2015-'17 seasons there.

Since Clark began his stint with the Texans, he's amassed at least one fumble recovery per season. He also started in 26 of the 37 games he played in for Houston.

Clark comes to the Saints after he suited up for Carolina in 2018, as he joined the Panthers as a late signee following injuries to Panthers linemen Matt Kalil and Daryl Williams.

Playing for Carolina wasn't easy for him though. Clark's a Saints fan, and he always has been.

"It was tough for me last year playing for the Panthers because I was a Saints fan," Clark said with a laugh. "Like what do I do? I’m in a rock and a hard place, and so I got hurt that game. I was in a win-win situation with that.”

He started 13 games at left guard for the Panthers last season, playing on 77.32 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps. He also saw action on 12.44 percent of his team's special teams plays. He also recovered a fumble against the Seattle Seahawks.

Despite the production last year, Clark wasn't chomping at the bit to sign with just any team. He said he declined three opportunities from other teams, one of which being Tampa Bay, but he kept the faith for a team he truly wanted to be with.

A team like his childhood favorites.

"Man, that’s amazing," Clark said of playing for New Orleans. "It’s a dream come true, literally living the dream. So, I’m excited about it. It’s something that I wished for longer than playing in the Super Bowl, so I get a chance to do both.”

I thought He was pretty fair. He didn’t say he thought that he thought Brees had actually declined.