Ryan Clark

[JoeRedskin]

I would love to have Clark back at the right price and in the right place. BUT - He seems to want to be a starter and feels he earned some love from the team. B/c he worked hard and really bought into the team concept, I can see how he may feel betrayed.

But, just b/c I think I understand his feelings of betrayal, doesn't mean I agree with them.

The term "core Redskins" apparently gets thrown around a lot by Gibbs. He probably uses it to talk about putting team first, etc. Fair enough.

What I bet is included in the description but what Clark and some others may not hear is that the Skins will always try to improve themselves and that, when a player who can help comes along, we will make the effort to get him. In those cases, we won't throw "core 'Skins" to the curb BUT we aren't going to pass up the opportunity to improve and, even for "core Skins", we are not going to pay you more than we believe your worth. We will make a fair offer (a la' Smoot, Pierce) - but we have a plan. We would like to include you in it but not necessarily at the price your asking.

I doubt Clark can get big bucks from anyone, maybe moderate ones along with a starter's role somewhere. If so, then he has his own choices to make. I like him, I hope he stays, but he is not someone for whom we should break the bank.

Bottom line, he is probably overvaluing himself as a player and as a component on the Skins.