Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy addressed the media after the team's last practice of the offseason on Thursday and singled out second-year defensive lineman Kenny Clark. His comment was that Clark may be the most improved of the second-year players on the roster.

We've heard McCarthy heap praise on numerous players during the offseason before and honestly, what else is he going to say to the media about his team? It's his job to send a positive message to and motivate his players and most naturally respond well to complimentary speak.

But let's hope the head coach really means what he's saying about Clark. A first round pick in 2016, Clark came along slowly while putting up modest numbers. For defensive linemen in a 3-4 scheme, stats aren't abundant. Clark saw action in all 16 games last season, tallying 21 tackles, two for a loss, two fumble recoveries and two passes defended.

Let's keep in mind that Clark was only 20 years old for part of last season. The maturation during the season and adjusting to NFL life has proven to be quite a challenge for many young players. Clark has quickly picked up on what it takes to improve in the NFL. Back in May, McCarthy remarked how Clark had been hitting the weight room hard and lauded his preparation for this upcoming season so far.

First round picks have been more on the slow side of "slow and steady" in recent years. Some aren't even with the team. Going back to 2012 the Packers selected Nick Perry, Datone Jones, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Damarious Randall and Clark with their first round selection. Perry finally came on in year five and better late than never. Jones wasn't brought back and is a Minnesota Vikings. Clinton-Dix just went to his first Pro Bowl in year three. Randall regressed in 2016 after injuries kept him from playing at full strength and enters year three with question marks.

Of those, none really blossomed in year two for whatever reason. Clark would become an exception to recent history is he's able to put himself firmly on the Packers defensive map in 2017. With the loss of Jones and Julius Peppers and a four-game suspension for Guion, Clark's number will be called early and often this year.

He'll get many opportunities and while we've seen players fail to meet their offseason hype in recent years, Clark seems to be on the right path to proving his head coach right. The Packers also wouldn't mind getting the most out of their young defensive lineman while his contract is very team-friendly.

Clark's 2017 stat sheet should look different and full of bigger numbers than they were last season.