Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 23, 1993 TAG: 9303230125
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JIM DUCIBELLA LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CLARK SPLITS UP `THE POSSE' 'SKINS RECEIVER SIGNS WITH CARDINALS
The Posse lost one of its main riders Monday.Gary Clark, the third-leading wide receiver in Washington Redskins history with 549 receptions, signed a three-year, $6-million deal with NFC East rival Phoenix. Clark, who earned $706,000 last season, becomes the NFL's second highest-paid receiver, behind San Francisco's Jerry Rice.
"The Cardinals are on the verge of becoming a real good football team," said Clark, who recently bought a home in Phoenix and had vacationed there the past several off-seasons. "They need a few people at key positions to help them. They have some young, talented players. They need some vets to come in and show leadership."
Clark, who played at Pulaski County High School and at James Madison University, leaves his best friends, receivers Art Monk and Ricky Sanders, the rest of "The Posse."
Clark's departure ensures that Redskins management will go hard after Monk, also a free agent. And it means that last year's rookie dud, former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, may be forced into the starting lineup.
Redskins coach Richie Petitbon and general manager Charley Casserly were at the league's winter meetings in Palm Desert, Calif., and were unavailable for comment.
Clark's defection came at the start of what could be a long, sobering week for the Redskins. As many as four other starters from last year could be changing workplaces soon.
Among them are cornerback Martin Mayhew and strong safety Danny Copeland. Mayhew is considering offers from Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Copeland is weighing an offer from the Falcons, who last week lured away Redskins defensive tackle Jumpy Geathers.
The Redskins figured they had lost Mayhew last week but asked him to consider one last offer. They haven't heard back from him. If he leaves, veteran A.J. Johnson will move into the starting lineup opposite Darrell Green, with Alvoid Mays moving up into the nickel corner's slot.
They desperately want to keep intact their safety duo of Copeland and Brad Edwards, who re-signed last month. They have no top-quality backups for either.
Then there are defensive end Fred Stokes and defensive tackle Tim Johnson. The Redskins want both back.
Stokes has narrowed his candidates to the Redskins, possibly Denver and the Rams, the team that drafted him. Johnson seemed set to re-sign with the Redskins for about $1 million per year until the Bears made a last-minute pitch; now the 49ers, having lost Pierce Holt to the Falcons, are said to be willing to come in at about $1.5 million a year.
In eight seasons, Clark totalled 8,742 yards and 58 touchdowns.
Clark said coach Joe Bugel was the main reason he chose Phoenix.
"I like Joe in every way, from when he was back in Washington," Clark said. "The way he attacks this game. This is a very aggressive team that wants to win. I fully expect us to get in the playoffs next year. I have no doubt we'll be there."
Bugel, in Palm Springs, admitted Phoenix promised Clark he would be the star of their attack.
"We made Gary lots of promises," Bugel said. "I told him if there are 50 snaps, 48 would be to him. We're delighted to have a player like him; he's probably one of the top two or three receivers in the NFL. The guy can score and make plays."
Clark, whose arguments with Gibbs were well documented, countered: "Joe promised he'd get me the ball; I promised I'd keep my mouth shut."
Keywords:
FOOTBALL