1) Introduction: Clinton-Dix fell to the Packers with the 21st overall pick in the 2014 draft and filled an immediate need at safety. After a slow start, Clinton-Dix entrenched himself as a starter and improved steadily throughout the season.
2) Profile:
Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix
- Age: 22
- Born: 12/21/1992 in Orlando, FL
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 208
- College: Alabama
- Rookie Year: 2014
- NFL Experience: 1 year
3) Expectations coming into the season: As a first-round pick, Clinton-Dix was expected to contribute right away at a position that had been one of great weakness for the Packers over the past several seasons. While he began the season behind Micah Hyde on the depth chart, the hope was that Ha Ha could supplant Hyde and claim the starting safety spot opposite Morgan Burnett.
4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: In the season opener, Clinton-Dix lacked the necessary fundamentals and was found out of position on several occasions against the Seattle Seahawks. He did, however, secure his only sack of the season in that game so the low-light goes elsewhere. In week 17 against the Detroit Lions, Clinton-Dix played a fair number of snaps but failed to log a single tackle or pass defensed. In a game where the defense needed to step up, Clinton-Dix was nowhere to be found on the stat sheet. Clinton-Dix’s season came full circle when he reeled in two interceptions in the NFC championship game in Seattle and gave the Packers two big opportunities to build on an early lead and pave their way to Super Bowl XLIX. A close second was his goal line tackle of Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett at the end of the first half in a week four game that kept the Bears out of the end zone and allowed the Packers to go on to a route in the second half.
5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success: Clinton-Dix showed constant improvement throughout the season and was one of the better tacklers in the secondary, an impressive feat for a rookie. Ha Ha brought some much needed range and play-making ability to a secondary that lacked it and helped greatly reduce the number of explosive plays the Packers gave up in 2014 compared to the past year years.
6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs: Ha Ha had two big interceptions in the NFC championship game and, along with Morgan Burnett, was one of the big reasons why the Packers had a great chance to come away from Seattle with a huge road playoff win and a trip to Glendale, Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX. The rookie safety picked the best game of the season to elevate his level of play.
7) Intangibles: Clinton-Dix showcased some of the football intelligence he was lauded for coming in as a rookie. His solid work ethic paid off and he looked like a polished veteran by the time the conference championship game rolled around. There is a lot to look forward to with this player in the Packers defensive backfield for years to come.
Season Report Card (Player Grades):
(B+) Level of expectations met during the season
(B) Contributions to team’s overall success.
(A-) Contributions to team during the playoffs
Overall Grade: B+
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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Clinton Dix had an excellent season as a rookie safety. He solidified a position which had been the Packers biggest question mark prior to the beginning of the 2014 season. Since he was a rookie I may have given him an A grade. Dix has a bright future and his level of play now combined with a full season of NFL and playoff experience means that we don’t have to worry about the safety position for 2015. Thanks, Since ’61
Jason, in reviewing HHCD, have you come across anything where he explained what happened on that two-point conversion?
I’m not going to bag on someone for missing a play, but I am curious as to what he saw and why he did what he did – lost the ball, coverage confusion, rookie mistake, etc.
Yes, that would be interesting to hear. I thought for a moment that he sliped on the surface and because of that he was late to the player and ball. But it would be nice to have his explanation!
I haven’t and I wonder if he even gets asked about it now that the season is over and turned out the way it did. If we see anything like it from HHCD again, we have a worrisome trend developing and we don’t want that!
That one really got me too! Wondering what he was looking at? Air ball that hung up for so long. Reminds me of the old saying, “Sometimes when I close my eyes – I cannot see”. Still love the guy, lots of potential. Was my second choice behind C.J. Mosley.
Jason fails to mention Clinton-Dix’s “low light” for the year. Ironically, it came in the NFC Championship game in which he had two interceptions. He had the opportunity to make a play on the pass for a two point conversion. If he makes that play, Mason Crosby’s subsequent field goal puts the Pack in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, he didn’t. He looked indecisive and flatfooted on that play. It could have been a “Malcom Butler” moment, but wasn’t.
I didn’t list that as his low light because while it was a very important miss, he contributed more than any other defender that day. He was literally a zero in week 17, when the Packers needed everyone to show up at their best to secure the 2 seed. They did, but HHCD wasn’t a part of it at all.
Yes, it was “a very important miss,” to say the least. Perhaps he will use his memory of that play and the resulting horrendous roar of Seattle’s 12th man to his advantage in the future. If it were me, I’d regard it as my “low light” for a career, not just the year.
all i hear about is nick collins this nick collins that look at the stats HaHa had better rookie stats than collins and his best is yet to come i can see him being a top 5 safety by his 3rd year
Ha’ Ha Clinton Dix..Will be one of the primary factors in helping the Green Bay Packers, not only get to the SuperBowl in 2016..but in ensuring they win they leave the Field as World Champions…
Ha, Ha had an Overall Good Productive Rookie Season in 2014 and in the 2 Playoffs Games…..If you know of Clinton Dix’s History of always being the best at what he does ; You must be sitting on th edge of your seats for the 2015 Season to begin…Ha’ Ha will be “taking no prisoners” …most likely achieving the status of one of the Top 3 Safeties in the NFL….Check out this Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN67oxQ-4r8 Ha Ha..