Jason Wood's Thoughts

The Indianapolis Colts are somewhat of a throwback in that their base offensive formation features two tight ends. The team has been afforded this luxury thanks to the presence of an impressive group of two-way (i.e., blocking and catching) tight ends during Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore's era. Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark have now replaced the original tandem of Ken Dilger and Marcus Pollard, but the offensive philosophy remains intact.

Take a look at the offensive production of the Indy TE tandem during Tom Moore's reign:

• 1998 - 612 yards, 5 TDs (Dilger-303/1, Pollard-309/4)
• 1999 - 853 yards, 6 TDs (Dilger-479/2, Pollard-374/4)
• 2000 - 977 yards, 6 TDs (Dilger-538/3, Pollard-439/3)
• 2001 - 1082 yards, 9 TDs (Dilger-343/1, Pollard-739/8)
• 2002 - 548 yards, 6 TDs (Pollard-478/6, Davenport-70/0)
• 2003 - 881 yards, 4 TDs (Pollard-541/3, Clark-340/1)

Any way you slice it, the Colts utilize the TE position as much as anyone in the league, and there's no reason that will change in 2004. Take a close look at the 2002 season, the only year when the Colts didn't really have two quality pass catching options at TE (Dilger departed in free agency) and you can see that although Pollard was a rock, the overall productivity of the position was hindered.

If this were any other position, a few hundred yards receiving and three or four touchdowns would hardly be cause for celebration, but at the TE position, we're looking at top 10-12 numbers if you can crack the 60-point mark for the season.

So before we compare Pollard and Clark against one another, remember that either is worth drafting this year. But, if you had to choose between the two, who would be the wiser selection:

Positives for Clark

• Clark is young (25) and a physical prototype; he's the future of the position in Indy with Pollard being 32 years old



• Last year, as rookie learning the system, he was on pace for 46 receptions and 545 yards



• Should be sent into slightly more pass patterns than Pollard, as Clark isn't yet as good a blocker

Negatives for Clark

• Outplayed by Pollard in the games they started together



• Only scored one touchdown in 10 games, must prove that he's a reliable target for Manning



• Missed time with an injury last year, he must show an ability to stay healthy

Positives for Pollard

• Outplayed Clark in the limited time both were active last season
• Ranked among the top 10 fantasy TEs three years and counting
• One of the best yards-per-reception (YPR) among TEs in the last decade

Negatives for Pollard

• At 32 years old, Pollard is likely at (or near) the downturn of his career



• As the better blocker, he may be kept back to block more than Clark for that reason



• Missed time and scored only 3 touchdowns last year, tied for his career low as a starter

Final Thoughts

The players are similar in many ways. Physically, they are almost identical (both are 6'3" and weigh approximately 250 pounds); both came into the league known more for their pass catching, but are certainly adequate blockers. Pollard is currently a better blocker, by virtue of his nine years of NFL experience, but Clark has committed to improving that aspect of his game this offseason. Pollard, with a career 13.2 yards per catch, ranks among the best of his generation at getting downfield at the TE position. Clark, in limited playing time as a rookie, averaged a respectable 11.7 YPC and projects to the same type of receiving production given time.

So which player should you choose? Frankly, the only real difference is their ages. You can go with the experience of the 32-year old Pollard, who is as integral a part of the Colts offense as anyone not named Manning & Harrison, or you can go for the uber talented youngster Dallas Clark, who could well be a better version of Pollard sooner rather than later. In any event, both are sure to see enough targets to finish among the top 20 fantasy TEs, and are worth rostering. The one caveat is the Dallas Clark is currently being drafted 10th in mock drafts, whereas Pollard is going 14th, for that reason I would recommend Pollard slightly more as he represents better value.

Dave Shick's Thoughts

Entering the 2004 season the Indianapolis Colts will start two tight ends in their base offense. Deciding which of the two starting tight ends in Indianapolis will be the better fantasy producer is one of the more complicated questions. Both Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark can stake a solid claim to this honor.

Over the past three seasons the Indianapolis tight ends have averaged 69 receptions for 856 yards and 7 TDs. These numbers took a significant hit in 2002 when the Colts relied more heavily on Pollard as a lone starting tight end, but Pollard still produced at the same clip as he did the year previous when sharing the field with Ken Dilger.

Pollard shared the starting job with Clark again last season and still was the leading tight end on the Colts roster with similar numbers to the two previous years except for a decrease in touchdowns (that are more likely to ebb and flow from season to season).

The statistics from last season show Pollard held an edge in receptions, yards, touchdowns, and yards per catch, but the statistics aren't so overwhelming that guarantee Pollard over Clark is a certainty.

Perhaps a better analysis would look at only the seven games that Pollard and Clark played in together.

Final Thoughts

Marcus Pollard - Pollard is entering his tenth season in the NFL. His best season was in 2001 when he shared the field all season with Ken Dilger. Both players played in all 16 games that season when the two combined for 79-1082-9. Pollard was (and still is) the best receiving tight end in Indianapolis. He is a known quantity and should be considered the TE1 for the Colts.

Dallas Clark - Clark is being taken about two rounds before Pollard in most fantasy drafts. It's understandable why fantasy owners would fall in love with the upside and potential. Clark is a quality tight end, and might be worthy of top 5 tight end status if not playing alongside Pollard. As fantasy owners we like to predict and see the change in the NFL coming ahead of time. Viewing Dallas Clark as the number one receiving tight end is the more sexy view as he is younger and the more unknown variable, but reality suggests its still a bit premature to crown Clark the top receiving TE in Indianapolis.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

To view the entire Player Spotlight thread (there's a ton of fantastic commentary in there), click here.

KKrew:
"In the years that I don't take a highly regarded TE - 3rd through 5th rounders - I usually lock into one guy who could be a gem if lightning struck. Of the two, Clark would be the guy I'd like to grab in the 10th round or later."

Winning IS Everything:
"I think we will see a changing of the guard this year. I see Clark becoming the primary pass catching TE and Pollard will become more of the blocker.

Pollard: Big reliable target that has done everything asked of him and more. Manning has been able to trust him and still can if needed. Age and competition are catching up and Indy will need his blocking prowess this year. 28- 290- 2.

Clark: Decent size and great hands. Could use help with blocking but they have Pollard for that. He will be the intermediate target and outlet for Manning and should flourish in this role. 35- 357- 3."

Iwannabeacowboybaby!:
"Fact: Indy likes to use their tight ends more than most teams in their offense. Not only do they just use them, they go to them for big plays. With Marvin Harrison always stretching the field and defenses worried about play action with Edge, the middle is wide open for a TE running straight down field. Marcus Pollard took advantage of slow linebackers on him for years and cheating safeties looking for the run.

Now it's Dallas Clark's turn."

VICK-IS-GOD:
"Dallas Clark is NOT a blocking TE. He was drafted in the 1st round in 2003 to primarily be a receiving weapon. He was starting to get involved in the passing game quite a bit when he broke his leg. Pollard was seeing less and less throws his way as Clark developed and prepared to take over.

Pollard 15/155/1 TD
Clark 65/700/8 TDs

Pollard will become mainly a blocking TE this year allowing Clark to use his strengths which are getting downfield and catching the ball."

loser:
"A lot has been said here about Dallas Clark's receiving prowess, but where is the love for Pollard?

Few tight ends have Pollard's big play ability. He creates nightmare matchups in the secondary, and linebackers cannot cover him. At 250, he's a load to bring down, AND he's a better blocker than Clark. Pollard's been a big part of this team for years, and at 32 is hardly washed up. I fail to see why he'd become second fiddle now.

Clark is an amazing talent, but let's not forget he has only started 33 games as a tight end. EVER. In clutch situations, who do you think is going to be called on to get the job done?"

Marcus Pollard Projections

Dallas Clark Projections