Seattle Seahawks: Frank Clark Selection Worth the Risk

The Seattle Seahawks had to be very patient during the 2015 NFL Draft. With their first selection slated to take place midway through the second day, you can bet that many targets came and went before they called in their choice at No. 63.

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When their first selection finally came in, it definitely raised some eyebrows across the league.

Seattle elected to go with Frank Clark out of Michigan, a defensive end with controversy surrounding him following a couple of incidents in college.

Clark was suspended from the Wolverines back in 2012 for felony second-degree home invasion (allegedly stole a computer). He was eventually allowed back on the team, but the 2012 incident wouldn’t be his last run-in with Johnny Law.

A second, more serious incident occurred late last season when police were called to a domestic dispute between Clark and his significant other.

The incident led to the defensive end being kicked off the team for good, and eventually landed him a conviction on a charge of fourth-degree persistent disorderly conduct. Domestic abuse was suspected in the altercation with his girlfriend, but obviously he was never convicted on that specific charge.

As far as the Seahawks are concerned, Clark is completely innocent of ever hitting a woman.

Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

“The mistake was that he put himself in an awful situation. There was a lot of arguing going on and yelling and screaming, and that’s why it was a disturbance of the peace, and the police were called… It was really a situation where we were so comfortable with all the investigating we had done. Like I said, talking to the other teams, and making sure that everybody’s had the same research from all the attorneys and the counselors and the D.A. and everybody involved. We knew there weren’t going to be any pass-rushers left, and we needed to grab one as soon as we could,” said Seahawks general manager John Schneider on 710 ESPN Seattle, via Daniel Rubens of seattlepi.com.

“Talking to the other teams, and making sure that everybody’s had the same research from all the attorneys and the counselors and the D.A. and everybody involved. We knew there weren’t going to be any pass-rushers left, and we needed to grab one as soon as we could.” – John Schneider

In the eyes of Schneider and the organization Clark has made some forgivable mistakes.

If they’re truly convinced that he’s never hit a woman and that he’s learned from his past – why not take a chance on him? Just based on football ability, he’s basically a steal at the end of the second round.

Dec 28, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Frank Clark against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The ultimate thing is that the Seahawks have a strong enough culture to take on a project like Clark. It’s a culture based on being dead serious about winning football games. You’re either all-in, or you’re out.

Sure, he needs to grow up and make better decisions. But that’s what some teams can do for troubled young players. They can provide serious structure, which often aids in the maturation process. At the same time there’s little room for further error. If Clark doesn’t realize that he’s one minor slip up away from being unemployed, then he just doesn’t get it. It’s a straighten up and fly right situation, or else.

Percy Harvin, as talented of a player-maker as there is in the NFL, was essentially kicked to the curb last season for simply not being a fit in the locker room. So you can bet that another run-in with the police would spell curtains for Clark.

With all that being said, Seattle is confident that he does get it. That’s really the bottom line at this juncture. Schneider and his team did their due diligence before the draft, and with a track record of way more hits than misses, fans will have to trust that the powers that be know what they’re doing.

Next: Tyler Lockett Worth It For Seahawks

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