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Former Raven Chuck Clark Requested Trade Last Year, 'Excited to be Here' with Jets
Chuck Clark's wish was finally granted.
The Baltimore Ravens traded the veteran safety to the New York Jets for a 2023 seventh-round draft pick in March, completing a deal more than one year after his initial request.
"Yea, I saw it [the trade] coming. I asked for that last year and they wouldn't do it last year," said Clark after Tuesday's OTAs practice with his new team in Florham Park. "I was ready to get out of there."
Clark, who said he "wasn't being respected" in Baltimore, takes his talents to a Jets defense that ranked fourth in the NFL last season.
"I knew about the defense for sure," said Clark. "I'm excited to be here."
As to where he'll be on the field, Clark showed the ability to play multiple roles within the Ravens' defense.
"Honestly, I just play wherever," said the 28-year old safety. "That's what I did when I was in Baltimore. I played from nickel to dime linebacker, strong safety, free safety, so I just had range to move around. I don't think you should limit yourself as a ball player."
In 2023, he'll likely slide into the free safety spot vacated by free agent Lamarcus Joyner while thumper Jordan Whitehead locks down the strong safety position.
"I think right now a lot of it's just off the field, just vibing and gelling and talking. It's been carrying over to the field," said Clark of his relationship with Whitehead. "He's teaching me a whole different thing right now. It's all been starting with our off-the-field communication. As we got out there on the field, it kind of seemed effortless."
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Jets' cornerback D.J. Reed gave an official public welcome to Clark via Twitter on Tuesday. Reed quote-tweeted a video clip of Clark's press conference with the message "Glad you with us bro [emoji]!"
Clark, a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, appeared in 96 games over six seasons with the Ravens. The Virginia Tech product isn't shy to step up into the box and stop the run if that's what's needed. He has made at least 73 tackles in each of the past four seasons.
The versatile safety totaled 101 stops in 2022.
"I feel like I prove what I could do last year. They essentially brought two other starters in last year, and I never got pulled," said Clark of his final season in Baltimore.
One year earlier, Clark set a career high by logging 12 passes defensed. For his career, he has recorded 384 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, five interceptions and 32 passes defensed.
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