Ex-Steelers safety Ryan Clark says former team will miss playoffs

PITTSBURGH — Ryan Clark spent eight years wearing Black & Gold.

The 13-year NFL veteran, who just recently announced his retirement, knows the Pittsburgh Steelers about as well as anyone.

So it should come as no surprise that he’s asked often about what he thinks of this Steelers team.

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Speaking on First Take, the ESPN NFL analyst said he doesn’t think his former team will make the playoffs this year.

“I’m really, really trying to get away from my heart, because my heart says as long as Mike T is there and some of those guys, like Joey Porter coaching,” Clark said. “I love the organization and the Rooney family, so I want to say the Steelers will get in, but they’re not.”

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The Steelers’ defense will look very different this year than it did when Clark shared the field with guys like Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, and Brett Keisel -- not to mention names like Casey Hampton and LaMarr Woodley.

“You lost all that leadership on defense, and then you lose the head man in Dick LeBeau. So now you’re retooling and rebuilding a defense,” Clark said.

Things weren’t all negative from the man who had 12 career interceptions while playing in Pittsburgh.

“Ben Roethlisberger is going to be great this year. Le’Veon Bell is going to be a fantasy stat-stuffer. Antonio Brown, pound-for-pound, for me, is the best wide receiver in the NFL,” Clark said.

WPXI