Farewell to Dan Clark??

Farewell to Dan Clark??

Published: Thursday, Feb 16th 2023, 1:02am

by Alex Dormuth (@RealAlexD)

 

When I first looked at the list of Saskatchewan Roughriders pending free agents a few months ago, I saw Dan Clark’s name. He’ll be back, no doubt. Even if he isn’t signed by the time free agency opens, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be back. They have a contract signed and in the drawer with the salary spot blank, just waiting to see what the team has left in the salary cap to bring Clark back.

 

The Riders bring in Peter Godber from the BC Lions on day 1 of Free Agency. Ok… so maybe they put Clark at Right Guard again, bumping out Evan Johnson and leaving Logan Bandy as the 6th O-Lineman. I’m not to worried, they’ll bring him back during the second wave of free agency.

 

Wrong (… at least, so far)

 

Riders General Manager Jeremy O’Day told media on Wednesday that it is unlikely that Clark will be back with the team by the time training camp begins. Whoa. Did we already witness Dan Clark’s final game as a Rider? Did the team move on from him?

 

Now, I’m far from the biggest Dan Clark fan, but I’m really starting to question this. I’ve had wonderful interactions with him on the phone in a previous life and there’s not many more people in this world that bleed greener than him. He is a sure fire Plaza of Honour inductee the second he is eligible. I know the team needed to upgrade their O-Line significantly, but to do so by not bringing back the heart and soul of the team in some capacity? Not sure I like that. I feel like Clark has earned the right to go out on his own terms. 

 

I’m curious though as to the next step. Is it a wait and see thing? Hey Dan, stay ready and if something happens to one of the projected starters in Training Camp, you’re our first call and you’ll be back on the team. Is THAT the plan? If so, I’m not too bothered by it… it’s a numbers game, I guess. But if the Riders are really done with Dan Clark, I wish he could have gone out and done it his way. He deserves a proper sendoff at Mosaic Stadium.