Cory's Corner: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could have LeRoy Butler season
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was brought to Green Bay to provide stability in the backend of the secondary.
Now in his third year, Clinton-Dix has the chance to mimic one of the Packers’ safety greats.
In LeRoy Butler’s third year as a starting safety, he blossomed into an All-Pro. That kind of jump is within reach for Clinton-Dix, not just because of his ability to cover and break up a pass. But one of his most valuable features is his uncanny ability to mix it up at the line of scrimmage and disrupt the running game and attack the quarterback.
Which sounds a lot like Butler back when he was perfecting the Lambeau Leap on a chilly Dec. 26, 1993 day against the Raiders.
What makes it easier for Clinton-Dix is that he has Sam Shields, easily the best cover corner in the NFC North and one of the better cornerbacks in the NFC. That’s comparable to Doug Evans who tallied five interceptions in his fourth season — which is one of the reasons the Packers’ defense was so formidable in the magical season of 1996.
Quarterback and left tackle remain the two most important positions in football. After that, it’s the entire secondary because if you get limited in the passing game, you’re going to have a hard time winning in this league.
Clinton-Dix was thrown into the fire as a green 22-year-old rookie and showed flashes. The encouraging thing last year was that he made the sophomore jump instead of regressing into the sophomore slump. He has been great at getting his nose into the pile and knowing when to take a chance on a ball and when to lay back.
“I think to have two safeties who can do everything, that can cover, play the middle of the field, play zone, tackle, play in the box, is a blessing,” said Clinton-Dix about himself and his safety teammate of Morgan Burnett. “You never have to worry about, ‘You go up there this time and cover him.’ You both can play both sides of the field and feel comfortable doing it.”
Obviously he also knows that the Packers have their sights set on another Super Bowl trophy. The offense has been retooled, the defensive line has been stabilized and the offensive line has depth. That leaves the secondary — namely a hard-hitting safety that makes receivers and running backs think twice about chewing up yards against this defense.
The Packers are expecting a production leap out of Clinton-Dix. Whether that means channeling the Lambeau leaping founder is up to him.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
__________________________
Comments (17)
NickPerry
July 05, 2016 at 06:57 am
In the 2014 Draft I couldn't believe the Packers luck when the Jets took Calvin Pryor, the Packers had a chance at the best Safety in the draft and actually took him. Now the Packers have one of the best safety tandems in the NFL without question and a possible Top 5 pass defense. Like Butler he's good around the LOS and he had 3 sacks last year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him have 5 sacks this year and double his turnovers.
This is for Cow... He'll be the Best Safety in the NFC North this season and one of the best in the NFL!
Bearmeat
July 05, 2016 at 07:54 am
HHCD is a beast. Glad he's a Packer. Actually, the entire Packer secondary is full of beasts. Gonna be a lot of picks tallied off the terrible NFCN QBs this year.
Since'61
July 05, 2016 at 09:26 am
I like HHCD and I hope that he continues to develop as a safety. However, unless we get better play from our LB corps, especially the ILBs, our opponents will have success running and passing in the middle of then field. It's long overdue for our ILBs to achieve a level of play at least close to the level being achieved by our safeties. Thanks, Since '61
NickPerry
July 06, 2016 at 06:17 am
Help is here Since '61, Blake Martinez will be that guy.
jeremyjjbrown
July 05, 2016 at 10:18 am
I am expecting to see the Packers best defense since 2010 on the field this season. And I am hoping to see the liberal use of the Psycho package against the filthy Seagulls.
Their like rats with wings you know ;P
DrealynWilliams
July 05, 2016 at 11:20 am
"...I am hoping to see the liberal use of the Psycho package against the filthy Seagulls."
I. Am. Too.
It makes too much sense. Our LBs are better pure pass rushers than our current DLs and we have at least 2 LBs who SHOULD (key word) be pretty good in zone coverage off bat.
Clay
Peppers
Perry/Datone
Ryan (more pass rush) /Martinez (more coverage)
Elliot (more pass rush) /Fackrell (more coverage)
http://media.jrn.com/images/imageforapp90412.jpg
Of course, the DB play as a whole will play a part in going with this formation or not. Can they be trusted with little to no help? In a 4 WR set, can a Safety drop down and man up a WR? We will find out. I like our chances.
jeremyjjbrown
July 05, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Despite Mr Woodson being in there the current depth chart for this package looks so much better!
NickPerry
July 06, 2016 at 06:19 am
Any Package without Bush in coverage has to look better! : )
RCPackerFan
July 05, 2016 at 11:08 am
I mentioned it above but I think Clinton-Dix could be special. He has everything you look for in a safety. Can play in the box, play deep, has really good range.
I think we might see the best Safety play we seen in Green Bay this year. Burnett is a bit underrated and the pairing of him and Clinton-Dix really makes the defense flexible and strong at the Safety position. Both can play up in the box or play deep.
DrealynWilliams
July 05, 2016 at 12:48 pm
I think he can be special too. A part of his game that I feel is overlooked is his pass rush ability. I don't see a bunch of wasted steps trying to juke a blocker with him like sooooo many other blitzing DBs do in the NFL. He's going to either run past you, engage and disengage or spin move (he put a BEAUTIFUL move on RB last season...I forgot who it was, but I'll find the clip).
Found it!!! Playoff game against Washington:
Play it in slow-motion. The timing, the setup, the spin -- niiiiice.
https://youtu.be/85P8umw03MI?t=2m37s
unfortunately, it was a quick/short pass.
Doug_In_Sandpoint
July 05, 2016 at 11:33 am
Loving the positive vibe of these posts. You guys are getting me excited. Can the season start today?
EdsLaces
July 05, 2016 at 02:43 pm
I'll keep rocking my HHCD jersey on GameDay till I have to get his pro bowl jersey...
Pulpfriction01
July 05, 2016 at 03:10 pm
I think the combo of haha and Morgan is pretty good. I don't think haha is special though. Nick Collins was pretty close to special, but never had a good partner back there with him. I was happy with the pick, and I am happy with the player. I don't think he is an elite safety but maybe someday.
Grandfathered
July 05, 2016 at 08:29 pm
"The offense has been retooled, the defensive line has been stabilized and the offensive line has depth. "
How has the offense been retooled? Adding Cook?
Point-Packer
July 06, 2016 at 06:08 pm
Straight up blind homer talk. That's how.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 06, 2016 at 12:01 am
Dix and Burnett form a good safety combination. They are not interchangeable. IMO, Burnett has coverage limitations, and was the 13th highest paid safety (14th now) in the NFL, roughly about where he belongs. I think Dix can reach the really good but not elite or all-pro level this year.
They are both under contract through 2017 (though Burnett's $7M cap hit might give the FO some pause), and of course Dix will have his 5th year option exercised or receive an extension. We are in pretty good shape for the next 2 or 3 seasons.
Point-Packer
July 06, 2016 at 11:35 pm
HHCD is a bright spot in TT's high draft choices the last five years, that's for sure. Dude has a high ceiling and would not surprise me if he's a pro bowler this year. In short order, we'll hopefully see him progress to the teams leader in the secondary.