When the New York Jets have the football Sunday in the AFC Championship Game fans of the Jets and New York Giants will be able to look across the line of scrimmage and see a couple of familiar players. Starting safety Ryan Clark (Giants) and linebacker James Farrior (Jets) began their NFL careers in New York.
Clark is a nine-year veteran who made the Giants’ roster as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and spent two years with the Giants, starting four games. He was released by New York and spent two years with the Washington Redskins.
Clark then found a home in Pittsburgh, where he has been a starter for the Steelers since 2006. He is ‘the other safety’ next to Troy Palomalu.
Farrior is a 14-year veteran drafted in the first round (8th overall) by the Jets in 1997. He spent five seasons with the Jets before leaving as a free agent and signing with the Steelers. He has made the Pro Bowl twice in Pittsburgh. This season he compiled 138 tackles and six quarterback sacks.