Possible hope replacement?

The Steelers have begun looking at possible replacements for free agent free safety Chris Hope, starting with former Washington safety Ryan Clark.

Clark is an overachiever from LSU who won a spot in the NFL as a rookie free agent with the New York Giants. Ironically, he was released by the Giants two years ago when they signed former Steelers' starter Brent Alexander.

That turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to Clark, who signed with the Redskins, becoming a two-year starter in Washington.

Hope, meanwhile, will meet with the San Francisco 49ers later this week.