(S24) - PT 4 - Trial by Fire

[Cheech65]

Growing up in a football family, Clark Boyd was taught the game from a young age. Initially, he played quarterback for pee-wee leagues. Once he entered high school, he was made a backup. After gaining some mass and growing a few inches up, Clark switched positions to tight end, and never looked back. His senior year, he made All-Group, All-Conference, and All-State teams, and committed to his local school, Rutgers University. In college, he had moderate success, usually taking quick and short routes to score. His best season came his junior year, but the drop off in stats as a senior hurt his scouting efforts, causing him to decide very late on whether or not to pursue a professional career. Obviously, he chose yes.

He was added from waivers to Myrtle Beach, where he saw his debut in S22. That first game was an eye opener. The Bucs took on the Portland Pythons, and Clark saw 2 catches for 6 yards, and a single rush for no gain. His time off the field had taken its toll. Not only was he new to the scheme, he was TE2 to boot. But, as the season progressed, his skills returned and improved. In the last game of that season, against the Norfolk Seawolves, Clark managed 4 catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. The following season, he was called up to the Sarasota Sailfish.

Once again, the season opener left Clark shell-shocked. Once again the skill and play level were overwhelming and Clark, as a pro rookie, only made 1 catch for 8 yards. Again, the grind of a professional team brought his level of play up. In Week 16 against the Baltimore Hawks, he made 6 catches for 58 yards and 1 touchdown, leading the team's receiving core in all 3 categories.

Season 24 is proving difficult. As perhaps the weakest receiver skill-wise on the pass-heavy Sailfish team, Clark has seen a stagnation in his performance. But the season is far from over, and he is looking to step it up as playoffs loom.