Chargers pick offensive tackle

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Sunday, Apr 27, 2008
By By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com

Texas A&M offensive tackle Corey Clark said he had two dream teams entering the draft.

Naturally, as a kid from Texas, one was the Dallas Cowboys. But it was his other dream team that picked him in the seventh round Sunday of the NFL Draft -- the San Diego Chargers.

“Everybody has been asking if I could be drafted by any team, who would it be,” Clark said. “I always said Dallas and San Diego.

“I love San Diego for a lot of reasons. For one, I’d love to block for LaDainian Tomlinson. He’s such an awesome player. I’ve been to San Diego twice, and I didn’t want to leave either time.”

One trip to San Diego was for the 2006 Holiday Bowl when Texas A&M lost to Cal. The other time was on a trip to visit friend Darla Donaldson, a volleyball player at Texas A&M who resides in Temecula.

Clark, a 6-foot-6, 315-pounder, was a second-team All-Big 12 pick in 2007 and honorable mention all-conference in 2006. He was a strong side tackle, meaning he has played on both the left and the right sides of the line.

“He’s a height, weight and speed guy that played in a good league against good competition every week,” said Buddy Nix, the Chargers’ Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel. “He’s an effort guy and a good character guy. He’s got the size and the intangibles to make a run at it.”

Clark was known as a drive blocker in Texas A&M’s run-oriented offense, but Nix said he has pass blocking skills.

“They’re not out of balance,” Nix said. “He can do both.”

Added Clark, “I can do both, but I know I can improve, too. I’m going to come out there and work hard.”

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