Bennett vs Clark

QuahHawk · Apr 9, 2019

Who do you this is/was better? I'd love to not only hear your subjective opinions but very interested in some objective statistics.

Popeyejones · Apr 9, 2019

Today as football players I think everyone would prefer Clark just because he's eight years younger than Bennett, who is closing out his career.

Better, I don't know.

On the football field I have a slight preference for Bennett just because he was a movable chess piece.

In watching them I think Bennett is more of a fox (very good at many different things) whereas Clark is more of a hedgehog (excellent at just one thing).

I think beyond pressures/sacks Clark isn't a liability in other areas anymore, but he's still, in my view, a pass rushing specialist who you can now at least keep on the field when it's not exclusively a pass rushing situation.

Ultimately though, what Clark is really good at is really valuable, so for me it really just comes down to preferences.

To use an NBA example, do you prefer a Draymond Green type who does everything very well, or do you prefer a great scorer who doesn't really get many rebounds, assists, or play much defense?

I don't think one of those is by definition better than the other.

It's a good comparison in that it's a really fair one IMO, and gets to the heart of what someone wants from a player.

Clark, to me, is like a slightly superior Cliff Avril. I obviously see the value in that, but just prefer Bennett as a matter of taste.

EDIT: If we take it out of a vacuum and have to consider what it costs to have a peak Bennett vs. a peak Clark, I think that leans me even a little bit more to Bennett (operating under the assumption that they're equivalently valuable players, but the thing that Clark is superior to Bennett in gets paid more).

sdog1981 · Apr 9, 2019

Clark for the talent.
Bennett for the price.

Ad Hawk · Apr 9, 2019

I can see the Avril-Clark comparison, but it seems as if (and I'm not looking at stats here, just overall impressions which are certainly skewed) Avril was more involved in plays consistently where Clark may disappear for a while then really show off some incredible moves or tackles.

In his prime, Bennett would be my easy choice.

Now? I'd take Clark.

iigakusei · Apr 9, 2019

In his prime Bennett no question.

HawkGA · Apr 9, 2019

I didn't particularly like Bennett for a variety of reasons, but as a player, I don't think Clark is at Bennett's level yet.

chris98251 · Apr 9, 2019

Popeyejones":3hrhs65l said:
Today as football players I think everyone would prefer Clark just because he's eight years younger than Bennett, who is closing out his career.

Better, I don't know.

On the football field I have a slight preference for Bennett just because he was a movable chess piece.

In watching them I think Bennett is more of a fox (very good at many different things) whereas Clark is more of a hedgehog (excellent at just one thing).

I think beyond pressures/sacks Clark isn't a liability in other areas anymore, but he's still, in my view, a pass rushing specialist who you can now at least keep on the field when it's not exclusively a pass rushing situation.

Ultimately though, what Clark is really good at is really valuable, so for me it really just comes down to preferences.

To use an NBA example, do you prefer a Draymond Green type who does everything very well, or do you prefer a great scorer who doesn't really get many rebounds, assists, or play much defense?

I don't think one of those is by definition better than the other.

It's a good comparison in that it's a really fair one IMO, and gets to the heart of what someone wants from a player.

Clark, to me, is like a slightly superior Cliff Avril. I obviously see the value in that, but just prefer Bennett as a matter of taste.

EDIT: If we take it out of a vacuum and have to consider what it costs to have a peak Bennett vs. a peak Clark, I think that leans me even a little bit more to Bennett (operating under the assumption that they're equivalently valuable players, but the thing that Clark is superior to Bennett in gets paid more).

What is this NBA you are referencing ?

themunn · Apr 9, 2019

Bennett in his prime for sure. But Clark is only one year older than Bennett was when he was drafted, it was another 4 years or so before he hit his peak - hopefully Clark is still a Seahawk when he gets to that age and we can see him in his prime - at which point I think we may have a more difficult comparison.

WestcoastSteve · Apr 9, 2019

iigakusei":21e99tz5 said:
In his prime Bennett no question.

Yeah, Bennett plays the run and pass really well. The only thing I didn't like about Bennett were the penalties.

Clark is pretty disciplined and doesn't pick up many RTP's or offsides.

I agree Clark is more similar to Avril. Frank gets to the QB more but man was Cliff the master at forced fumbles

MontanaHawk05 · Apr 9, 2019

I don't think there's really any argument that Bennett was the better player.

knownone · Apr 9, 2019

From a pure talent/production stand point prime Bennett was the most disruptive inside out pass rusher in the league outside of JJ Watt.

Frank is just entering his prime, but as of today, Frank is not as complete a player as Bennett was in his prime.

12AngryHawks · Apr 9, 2019

Bennett for sure, he was more consistent, and good against both the run & the pass.

Sgt. Largent · Apr 9, 2019

Pure unadulterated explosiveness and relentlessness, Clark.

But who's the more well rounded dependable and consistent lineman? It's Bennett. Other than the mandatory jumping offsides twice a game, Bennett had no holes in his game.

Clark still has upside though, so this is really a conversation for 4-5 years from now. It's not really fair to compare two players that are 8 years apart in age and career.

IndyHawk · Apr 9, 2019

12AngryHawks":24ofgb1t said:
Bennett for sure, he was more consistent, and good against both the run & the pass.

My thought as well.

DomeHawk · Apr 9, 2019

Bennett could do more things and was disruptive even when he wasn't getting sacks but took a down off now and then.

Clark is a pure pass rushing machine who has a motor that NEVER takes a down off.

Who's better? Kind of apples and oranges.

Spin Doctor · Apr 9, 2019

Bennett was the better football player, period. Bennett was a guy that could play every position on the D-line, and was a very disruptive force from the middle, and at the DE position. Teams had to account for where he was on any given snap. One play he'd be on the outside, the next he'd be running a stunt at the DT position. He didn't have the gaudy sack numbers, but it seemed he always made plays happen. He was always blowing up plays at the LOS, and getting consistent pressure.

Frank Clark on the other hand is a more specialized player. Rushing the passer is about all he is good for. Clark isn't that great at much else. One thing that I've noticed is he is not very good at stopping the run. He seemed to be washed out on running plays quite frequently. Stats bear this out too, look at his TFL compared to the other probowl pass rushers for the NFC: https://www.fieldgulls.com/2018/12/19/1 ... elen-jones

As a pass rusher, Frank Clark also didn't seem to pop out. He got big sack numbers, but he never seemed like a disruptive force. There were too many games for my liking that I completely forgot he was even playing. I don't see the guy as top tier talent. Between Bobby, Russ, and Clark, I would let go of Clark. His play just doesn't pop like some of the other top tier D-lineman. I understand that he plays arguably the second most important position in football -- but if you're going to pay a DE over 100 million dollars they better be special. I think he is a good player that is really rough around the edges.

chris98251 · Apr 9, 2019

Spin Doctor":154nj554 said:
Bennett was the better football player, period. Bennett was a guy that could play every position on the D-line, and was a very disruptive force from the middle, and at the DE position. Teams had to account for where he was on any given snap. One play he'd be on the outside, the next he'd be running a stunt at the DT position. He didn't have the gaudy sack numbers, but it seemed he always made plays happen. He was always blowing up plays at the LOS, and getting consistent pressure.

Frank Clark on the other hand is a more specialized player. Rushing the passer is about all he is good for. Clark isn't that great at much else. One thing that I've noticed is he is not very good at stopping the run. He seemed to be washed out on running plays quite frequently. Stats bear this out too, look at his TFL compared to the other probowl pass rushers for the NFC: https://www.fieldgulls.com/2018/12/19/1 ... elen-jones

As a pass rusher, Frank Clark also didn't seem to pop out. He got big sack numbers, but he never seemed like a disruptive force. There were too many games for my liking that I completely forgot he was even playing. I don't see the guy as top tier talent. Between Bobby, Russ, and Clark, I would let go of Clark. His play just doesn't pop like some of the other top tier D-lineman. I understand that he plays arguably the second most important position in football -- but if you're going to pay a DE over 100 million dollars they better be special. I think he is a good player that is really rough around the edges.

D lineman flourish when you have guys a team has to play honestly, how many times have we focused on one guy and worked away from the rest or went right at them because they were just not as good. Teams do the same with us. Ford, Reed and a threat on the other side will bring out Clarks best performances.

TheLegendOfBoom · Apr 9, 2019

Clark has yet to get into his "prime." Clark is coming along nicely. And he'll get there.

Bennett in his prime was almost unblockable. Ask Belichick.

Compare them after Clark's prime.

Clarks best football is still yet to come.

John63 · Apr 9, 2019

Bennetts dunderhead offsides always annoyed me, it was like for everything good he did, he did something bad that often hurt us, that and his mouth.

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