Freak Play Friday: Frank Clark's dip and rip
Looking a little more closely at Clark's go-to move in 2019
It’s no secret that Frank Clark wasn’t healthy through the first half of 2019.
Of course, it was a bit of a secret at the time, as fans became restless during Clark’s relatively quiet start to the season. Clark was traded for and then paid with the expectation that he’d be a game-wrecker, and though he was quietly more effective than the general narrative (I refuse to argue about this again) he didn’t put up nearly the stats that come with the territory of a big contract. He also didn’t play at the level he had throughout his career prior to coming to Kansas City.
It was only midseason when fans became aware that Clark had been fighting through a nerve issue, which explained why his style of play had changed from previous seasons. In years prior, Clark was a power rusher with the ability to win in multiple other ways. In 2019, unable to generate as much power in his upper body, he’d relied on finesse.
While Clark ended up sitting several games to try and rest the injury, a look at his production make it apparent when the injury at least became relatively manageable.
While Clark came roaring back down the stretch (that 2.73 sacks/hit per game is right alongside the best in the league), he did have to alter his playing style in order to adjust to his injury. While he’s always had a plethora of rush moves, his inability to utilize his usual go-to stuff (long arm and bull rushes, and the countermoves that stem from them like push/pulls and swim moves) resulted in some refining of moves oriented on his explosion and surprising athleticism.
One particular move that he came to use with extreme efficacy, even once he got healthy, was a variation of one of the oldest tricks in the book: the dip and rip. Clark’s unique combination of explosion, technique, strength, and athleticism allowed him to execute this move at a, ahem, freakish level once he got healthy.
There are a few things to note from this angle that make this move successful. Clark closes the distance on his blocker quickly. Watch as it slows down how he flashes his left hand high to try and distract the tackle and hopefully bait him into a high punch. Clark also uses that same hand to slap downward in case the tackle’s left arm can come around.
The tackle reaches out to make contact and Clark shifts right into the “dip,” lowering his shoulders while pivoting to try and turn the corner underneath the tackle’s reach. Once he gets an angle he then utilizes a rip (the upward chop of his left arm) to prevent the tackle from grabbing/holding him on his path to the quarterback. Because of his strength, he’s able to keep from being pushed wide as he corners.
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The broadcast angle demonstrates a few other traits necessary to make this move work (plus it’s another fun view of Phil Rivers getting smacked).
Clark is a unique pass rusher in that he’s varied in his approach. While he leans towards power, he possesses the speed, flexibility and technique to win quickly in a variety of other ways. Several offensive linemen I spoke to told me that this is what makes Clark such a handful: Even though he has elite strength traits, he’s good at blending moves and there’s no one way to prepare for him rush by rush.
Most power rushers can’t get a good jump off the line the way Clark can.
Clark was firing off just before the ball was snapped here, and he has enough burst to get a jump that’s in front of everyone else. That includes Chris Jones, who (despite being an interior lineman) has a fantastic first step. Other “strength” edge rushers like Alex Okafor and Emmanuel Ogbah lack the first step and the ability to get ahead of the tackle’s set.
Another trait Clark showed in 2019, after being forced for half a year year to win without overpowering tackles, was a little more fluid bend than in previous seasons. Whether it was a matter of learning how to better lean into opposing tackles to maintain balance or Clark simply worked on his flexibility while knowing he had to change up his game, the result was in Clark cornering better than in previous years.
While Clark is still upright here, his hip flexibility lets him still change his direction quickly. That ability to turn the corner allowed Clark to instantly close on Rivers rather than circling back, and resulted in a big hit that was a near strip/sack.
It will be very interesting to watch Clark in 2020. He was forced to adapt his game to limitations he didn’t previously have for part of 2019, and the result seemed to be an improvement in his overall game. As a player who was already one of the most varied at his position in the league, that’s a fun prospect and could account for his exceptional productivity down the stretch last season.
There are plenty of strong players. There are plenty of athletic players. There are quite a few players with great technique. But only a handful blend those traits the way Clark does on the edge. Also, there’s this.
Outstanding
That video with Frank after the AFC Championship is legendary. I love it so much. I'm glad he's on my team.