Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: 2015 Packers Players Report Card
By jasonperone
Ha'Sean Treshon "Ha Ha" Clinton-Dix
- Age: 23
- Ht./Wt: 6'1", 208lbs
- College: Alabama
- NFL Experience: 2 years
Expectations coming into the season: Clinton-Dix had a stellar day in the 2014 NFC Championship game, capping off a rookie season in which he earned a starting safety spot and played well. That all came crashing down when he poorly played a two-point conversion try in that same game against Seattle, helping propel the Seahawks past the Packers and into a Super Bowl. Still, the Packers expected Clinton-Dix to make a big jump from year one to year two and improve in his play and understanding of the defense. Clinton-Dix is also more of the play maker between himself and Morgan Burnett and the Packers were hoping to see some more big plays from the second-year safety.
Player’s highlights/low-lights: Ha Ha's best game came in one of the most disappointing losses of the season, at home against the Detroit Lions. He was credited with 11 tackles, one for a loss and also had an interception. His best play of the season came in week five against the St. Louis Rams when he secured a fourth quarter interception in the end zone to thwart a Rams drive that would have cut the lead to one possession. Clinton-Dix made a nice play on the ball, leaving his feet, making the catch and turning his body to land on his back with the ball secured. Ha Ha also had a big interception against the Arizona Cardinals in the divisional playoff game that he made a nice break on. He displayed some nice footwork, getting his feet inbounds to secure the turnover. Ha Ha's lowest point of the season can be debated. As a single incident, the sideline exchange between he and teammate Julius Peppers in the Carolina game was caught on television and was not a good look for Clinton-Dix or the Packers. In his on-field performance, his worst came during a three-game stretch late in the season in which he didn't contribute much to the defense at all. In weeks 14 - 16, Clinton-Dix managed just three tackles in each game and had zero passes defended.
Level of Expectations met: Clinton-Dix started and played in all 16 games and two playoff games in 2015. He did improve on his overall play in his second season, meeting the biggest expectation of becoming more of a contributor on the defense. He added in some sacks, showing some versatility and improved on his tackling throughout the season. He had some big plays much like he did the year prior and helped create some big turnovers.
Grade: A-
Player’s contributions to team success: Clinton-Dix was a key part of a defense that played very well in 2015 and kept the Packers afloat through the offensive struggles. His ability to become a solid contributor in year two gives the Packers a lot of hope that the secondary will continue to improve and keep opposing offenses out of the end zone. The Packers weren't bitten by the big play as often in 2015 as they have been in recent years and Clinton-Dix was a big part of the reason why. A solid year two for Ha Ha.
Grade: B+
Player’s contributions in the playoffs: Clinton-Dix had the interception against the Cardinals and defended two passes against Washington. His propensity for showing up big in playoff games is something that has to have the Packers and their fans very encouraged for future seasons.
Grade: A-
Intangibles/misc: Clinton-Dix appears to have a good head on his shoulders and likely on his way to following in Burnett's footsteps as a leader on this Packers team. His passion is a welcome sight on the field and hopefully the incident in Carolina was a learning experience for the youngster and he handles his frustrations and adversity better in future.
Grade: B
Overall Grade: B+
-------------------
Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (34)
zoellner25
January 25, 2016 at 11:24 am
HHCD improved a lot this year and will be a very good player. Maybe not Nick Collins-good, but pretty darn good. B+ seems pretty spot on to me, for a 2nd year player, I'll take it.
dobber
January 25, 2016 at 11:57 am
Agreed. The arrow is pointing up.
jeremyjjbrown
January 25, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Yeah, he doesn't have the physical abilities to be a Collins, but he's still much, much better than MD Jennings. He also seams to be a quality person, glad he's a Packer.
Bearmeat
January 25, 2016 at 01:55 pm
GB got lucky in the 2014 draft that HHCD fell into their laps. Same way they got lucky with Raji in 09.
Glad he's here for the long term.
zoellner25
January 25, 2016 at 02:13 pm
I think that was the draft I really wanted to get CJ Mosley or Ryan Shazier, but HHCD was a great pick in hind sight. I try to forget our bad our safeties used to be. Ugh
jeremyjjbrown
January 25, 2016 at 08:17 pm
Watching the NFC championship game you got to see what a fast linebacker like Shaq Thompson can do for a defense. The Packers need to stop abusing the OLB's on the inside and get a real 3 down Linebacker.
NewNikeShoes
January 25, 2016 at 02:15 pm
He's probably the main reason our D doesn't suck like it did in 2013.
I was hella high on him from the start, dunno why he fell at all.
Oppy
January 25, 2016 at 08:36 pm
You could say every single team that drafts a player that turns out 'got lucky' that the player picked fell into their laps... Except for the team with the #1 overall pick- that's the only player in the draft you can't accuse of 'falling into' a team's lap.
Bearmeat
January 26, 2016 at 07:37 am
Sure you could. But remember the 3 picks right before us:
1. PIT - Shazier
2. BAL - Mosely
3. NYJ - Big hitting SS with no range (I forgot his name).
We got lucky with HHCD. Mosely was the only one of the bunch that's been as consistently good as him.
EdsLaces
January 26, 2016 at 08:50 am
Pryor was the safety the Jets got. I wanted him over HaHa and wow I'm glad I didn't get what u wanted he is nowhere near as good as 21.
EdsLaces
January 26, 2016 at 08:53 am
I*
aj
January 25, 2016 at 02:46 pm
I expect our secondary to be top 5 at worst next year, barring injury. I also think HHCD will make that jump into the elite group of safeties next year. Kid is special.
DrealynWilliams
January 25, 2016 at 03:02 pm
Depends on how the other players around him plays.
I also believe our Defense will be a Top Defensive team. More like a Top 15 though. I'm much more confident in our secondary than D-Line.
If we are going to be a Heavy Nickel team (again) we must hit on a true MLB with decent speed in order to make that next jump. We only have 1 every-down LB (Clay).
zoellner25
January 25, 2016 at 03:19 pm
It's interesting watching other defenses and what they do with their guys. Like Carolina, I think we helped them with our tape of playing Carson Palmer. Carolina caught the INTs, we didn't. But that was the blueprint.
ben
January 25, 2016 at 08:46 pm
Bull Shit. A QB underthrowing a ball by 5 yards when your clearly burnt deep and a lucky tipped pass right into your arms doesn't qualify as a great 2014 NFC Championship Game. A down and up 2015 with average overall play. But perfect if your playing for 2nd place of the NFC North.
2016 53 Man Depth Chart
TRADE: { Clinton Dix, David Baktiari, Davonte Adams, Scott Tolzien, 2017 2nd Round Pick } for { Cleveland's LT:Joe Thomas, S!:Justin Gilbert, QB:Conner Shaw }
TRADE: { 2016 6th Round Pick } for { Colt's DT: Zack Kerr }
FA Signings: { TE: Coby Fleener, MLB: Bruce Carter }
QB: Rodgers, Hundley, Conner Shaw
RB: ( 2nd Rounder ), Lacey, Starks
FB: Kuhn, Ripkowski
WR: Jordy, Janis, Cobb, Abbrederis, Montgomery, ( Rookie FA )
TE: Fleener, Richard, ( 7th Rounder ), Backman
OL: Joe, Sitton, Linsley, Lang, Bulaga, Tretter, ( 4th Rounder ) , Vujnovich
DL: Pennel, Raji, Daniels, DE:285lbMikeNeal, Zach Kerr, Datone, Boyd, Ringo
LB: Peppers, Bruce Carter, Matthews, (1st Round OLB or ILB), Elliot, Perry, Barrington, Ryan
CB: Shields, Rollins, Randall, Gunter, ( 5th Rounder ), Goodson
S: Burnett, Hyde, ( 3rd Rounder ), Justin Gilbert
ST: Crosby, ( Rookie FA )
4thand1
January 25, 2016 at 05:19 pm
LMFAO.
DrealynWilliams
January 25, 2016 at 06:33 pm
*face palm*
jasonperone
January 25, 2016 at 07:20 pm
A welcome dose of humor in the com's!
dobber
January 25, 2016 at 07:58 pm
"TRADE: { Clinton Dix, David Baktiari, Davonte Adams, Scott Tolzien, 2017 2nd Round Pick } for { Cleveland's LT:Joe Thomas, S!:Justin Gilbert, QB:Conner Shaw }"
Apparently the kind of person nobody likes to play FFL with....
EdsLaces
January 26, 2016 at 08:53 am
You had me till you spelled Lacy wrong..
Gianich
January 26, 2016 at 01:33 pm
How can you trade Hot Shot Scott an unrestricted free agent?
Thegreatreynoldo
January 26, 2016 at 12:29 am
Somewhat above average starter but not a red chipper. My expectations were higher than the authors. Grade B for expectations. He was a better tackler, and better at limiting big plays this year. Still disappointed in his coverage range. Actual play was a B-. Really need to have a back up grade versus a starter grade. I give him a B.
ben
January 26, 2016 at 09:31 pm
ok , how about
2016 53 Man Depth Chart
TRADE: { David Baktiari, Davonte Adams, 2017 1st Round Pick } for { Cleveland's LT:Joe Thomas, S!:Justin Gilbert, QB:Conner Shaw, 2016 5th Round Pick }
TRADE: { 2016 6th Round Pick } for { Colt's DT: Zack Kerr }
FA Signings: { TE: Coby Fleener, MLB: Bruce Carter }
QB: Rodgers, Hundley, Conner Shaw
RB: ( 2nd Rounder ), Lacey, Starks, ( 5th Rounder )
FB: Ripkowski
WR: Jordy, Janis, Cobb, Abbrederis, Montgomery, (7th Rounder )
TE: Fleener, Richard, ( 4th Rounder ), Backman
OL: Joe, Sitton, Linsley, Lang, Bulaga, Tretter, ( 3rd Rounder ) , Vujnovich
DL: Pennel, Raji, Daniels, DE:282lbMikeNeal, Zach Kerr, Datone, Boyd, Ringo
LB: Peppers, Bruce Carter, Matthews, (1st Round OLB or ILB), Elliot, Perry, Barrington, Ryan
CB: Shields, Rollins, Randall, (Hyde), Gunter, Goodson
S: Burnett, Dix, Hyde, Justin Gilbert , (5th Rounder )
ST: Crosby, ( Rookie FA )
SpudRapids
January 26, 2016 at 03:17 pm
Why trade for Connor Shaw? I think Hundley will be fine as a backup
ben
January 26, 2016 at 07:48 pm
Hundley is special
holmesmd
January 26, 2016 at 03:36 pm
Sooo...you want to trade Bak for a 31 y/o L T who has played 9 NFL seasons? Not sure that makes sense? I am a fan of Badger Joe but come on. At this point of his career, that's a stretch.
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/1/4/10707920/joe-thomas-trade-browns-he...
Justin Gilbert? No thanks. I'm fine with HHCD. Gilbert wouldn't fit in with GB's locker room and he's not that much of an upgrade if any:
http://thebiglead.com/2015/11/30/justin-gilbert-of-the-cleveland-browns-...
Fleener would fit in well but at what price? I think I would rather spend money on either Starks or Forte' for a 2-3 year deal. Fleener is a 4th yr 2nd rd pick from Stanford who is smart & fast. Good size and runs a 4.5 but what would that cost the Packers?
Carter? Lol. No thanks.
http://www.bucsnation.com/2015/8/20/9176281/bruce-carter-is-the-buccanee...
ben
January 26, 2016 at 08:02 pm
Sooo..... yea a 31 year old lineman......what a stretch.
He's a year younger than Aaron Rodgers and has never missed a game. One of the best and most dependable Left Tackles ever. But for some reason your "not sure that makes sense?"
He's a frickin badger, a badger kind of guy, and he'd be protecting the blind-side of the franchise. He's gettable and a perfect fit at the 2nd most important position on the team.
"not sure that makes sense"? - classic cheeseheadtv homer nonsense. a great example of how packer fans on here are unable to objectively reason, or be honest with themselves or their team
Justin Gilbert is an elite talent being played out of position. He is need of a new start and is worth bringing in cheap, if only for depth, special teams, & as a potential future stud play-maker at Safety.
Fleener pretty much has been the #2 TE on his team. Pretty sure he'd like to be #1 and play with Rodgers. He may be the greatest NFL athlete at the TE position and would be perfect fit in Green Bay. He's a team player, can block, and would provide a vertical seam threat that the Packer's offense needs. No F'ing brainer, let peppers go if need be. Fleener would be that valuable of an addition. Aaron Rodgers, Joe Thomas, Jordy Nelson, & Coby Fleener would cornerstone the Packers offense for the next 5 years.
You have no idea how good Kwon Alexander is. You have know idea how good kwon Alexander will be. He's 1 of my favorite players in the league but you probably don't know who Kwon Alexander is. (or Lavonte David for that matter)
Carter is young (27), very athletic (4.55 40), aggressive (tackles for loss), & has been productive(5 INTs in 2014). Something the Packers haven't had since Nick Barnett, a long long time ago.
holmesmd isn't sure that Joe Thomas makes sense. holmesmd thinks Joe Thomas working out in Green Bay would be "a stretch.".................looks like holmesmd fits right in here
zeke
January 26, 2016 at 10:25 pm
"classic cheeseheadtv homer nonsense. a great example of how packer fans on here are unable to objectively reason, or be honest with themselves or their team"
Says the guy who wants to include Tolzien, an UFA, in a trade.
You should stick to the Daily Norseman, where the fans are more "honest with themselves or their team," whatever the hell that means. I'm certain you are the most respected voice on that site, although that bar isn't too difficult to hop over. Sort of like winning the award for being the tallest dwarf, I suppose.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 27, 2016 at 01:26 am
Mr. HolmesMD, Joe Thomas is a great player. He is also under contract for the next three years (which is longer than Bakh). His contract has no (I mean zero) guaranteed money. Downsides are that Thomas has cap numbers of $9.5, $10 and $10 million for those 3 years, and as you pointed out, he is 31 years old. We'd be a great team running left behind Thomas and Sitton, and pass pro would be extremely solid on AR's blind side. LTs often age well, and play at a high level until 33/34 or older. Sometimes they don't, though. At least he could be cut with no dead money, but we'd still be out the #27 pick.
I don't think it is a no-brainer to trade say a #1 pick for Thomas. I can see the risk. I certainly would not send Bakh in addition. It is a risk I would take, myself.
holmesmd
January 27, 2016 at 01:37 pm
I enjoy your posts. No way I would trade a #1 pick for Mighty Joe. I KNOW TT would never do that either;) I certainly wouldn't send Bak either way. Cap hit would be an issue as you pointed out and I think Bak will continue to get better. he was pretty darn solid in 2014. Here is an interesting link that may provide some additional perspective. Go pack!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/10/23/left-tackles-overval...
LASVEGAS-TOM
January 27, 2016 at 04:02 pm
holmesmd, With all due Respect, I disagree with you not wanting to give the 27th pick for Joe Thomas. I do agree with you on Bak. He's a Tough Guy, who will only get better.
IMO, you would be lucky to get a player the caliber of Joe Thomas with the 27th pick. I'm not sure Cleveland would take our pick even up, but if they did I think it would be our 1st building block to a SB.
Like it or not, Realistically we have a 3, maybe a 4 year window with AR.
JMO, but I don't think we can Draft our way into that SB. I believe we are going to have to, Again, Like It or Not, BUY our way there.
We need Solid Playmakers NOW!! I hope TT does every thing he can to go out and get them. If he doesn't, I'll be surprised if next year is as good as this year was. JMO
LVT
holmesmd
January 27, 2016 at 01:32 pm
Dude, why the hostility & personal attacks? Are you that intolerant of a differing opinion? Shave your knuckles, take a Valium, and R-E-L-A-X. Slow down when you read so you can respond more reasonably if you can? Did you read the links I provided? Did you offer anything to support your OPINION? I promise I would not criticize you if you had. Anyway...I am a huge Joe Thomas fan as I stated previously. My point was that the trade you proposed: A. Made no sense & B: would never happen in a million years. You don't get rid of a solid LT that is 6 years younger than one who is 31 y?o and would crush your cap. GB had one of the best OL's in the NFL in 2014, allowed very few sacks, and ran the ball very well. So because they were riddled with injuries this year and had little continuity, your answer is to fire sale a bunch of our young guys in a trade with Joe Thomas? Why am I a Homer for not agreeing with you? I went to Wisconsin by the way. Lol. If you promise to not go nuclear, i will share this interesting link that may provide some perspective on the matter.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/10/23/left-tackles-overval...
Gilbert is not described as a good teamate(link). Our safety play is fine and should be for the foreseeable future
I do know who Alexander is and he is a good young player. I am a bit concerned about this however:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000584631/article/bucs-kwon-alexand...
Anyway, the purpose of the site is to share opinions and be a catalyst for discussion. No need to be offensive or insulting, right? Sorry for the valium & "shave your knuckles comment;) LOL
LASVEGAS-TOM
January 27, 2016 at 12:45 am
Ben, I wanted to trade our #1 pick for Joe Thomas earlier in the year, & got shot down for it. I think we could have got him. I still would give our #1, but that would be about it.
I think Adams has Great potential, but will probably be hurt more than healthy. If healthy, he looks to me like he might be better than Cobb, who shows me very little, other than being injury prone.
I would either cut Shields salary in 1/2, or trade him. He can't catch, & he can't tackle. He's a good cover CB, but we did just as well without him, & maybe better.
At the 1st sign of injury in the preseason, I would do the same with Cobb, who I don't think will ever be 100% again.
My suggestion, is get Joe Thomas, & draft the Best WR's we can. Stand pretty much PAT with the Defense, & draft Offensive big bodies. JMO
LVT
holmesmd
January 26, 2016 at 03:21 pm
LOL, some real humor in this comments section. HHCD is a very solid NFL Safety already in year #2. Collins had generational size and speed with an incredible football IQ! I think it is unfair for that to be the metric by which we evaluate or safety play. having said that, HHCD is a young player who will get somewhat bigger and stronger as well as more experienced. I think he is going to go down as a very good player over the course of his career barring serious injury. I like the emotion and intangibles as well. Iv'e never seen him give up on a play( except for the bewildered SEA episode) and his play at the pylon of the end zone in the WASH game was a thing of beauty! I am very happy with the pick and think he's one heck of a player for a year #2 safety in Caper's complex defense. Go Pack!