Under the previous Dallas Cowboys regime, the back-end of the secondary was mostly an afterthought, with the team relying on steady hands like Barry Church and Jeff Heath to hold down the safety position. But one of the first things Mike McCarthy did in Dallas was bring in someone he’s very familiar with, who can ideally provide an element to the defense that’s long-been lacking. Enter HaHa Clinton-Dix.
The former No. 21 overall pick of the 2014 draft spent the first four and a half years of his professional career playing for McCarthy’s Packers. A college teammate of Amari Cooper at Alabama, Clinton-Dix has made a name for himself as a quality safety with a knack for finding the ball, and now looks to do the same in Dallas.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix INT no. 2! 🔥🔥#CHIvsWAS
(via @ChicagoBears)
— PFF (@PFF) September 24, 2019
New Cowboys safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on what he brings to the Dallas defense: “Leadership. I like to take the ball away. I’ve been in the league for seven years, never missed a snap, never missed a game.” pic.twitter.com/i2GUrtFVPz
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 15, 2020
Playing last season for the Bears, Clinton-Dix played over 1,000 defensive snaps, recording 78 total tackles (62 solo), two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. Over his first six seasons, he’s played in 96 games (90 starts) and made 19 interceptions (including playoffs). As a team, Dallas has averaged just over 10 interceptions per season since 2014, and will aim to increase that total in 2020.
However, Clinton-Dix has been a bit of a nomad in recent years, with the Cowboys being his fourth team in three seasons. He was traded at the 2018 deadline to Washington for a fourth-round pick, and has settled for one-year deals in back-to-back offseasons. But reunited with McCarthy, Clinton-Dix is intent on winning a championship, and feels more at home than ever. Said Clinton-Dix during training camp:
“Just trying to find my home, I think,” Clinton-Dix said as to why he’s bounced around. “After leaving Green Bay, I had a great time in Green Bay, going down to Washington where I was not familiar, didn’t know anything. And having a chance to play in Chicago with a great defense. A great coaching staff and I kinda got my feet back up underneath me. And [now] I had the option to come and play for Coach Mike [McCarthy], a guy who is familiar with me, he knows me, he drafted me, man. This is a blessing and a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Despite all the recent movement, there’s no denying what Clinton-Dix brings to a defense; rangy and savvy. On a team desperate for defensive play-making, Clinton-Dix should have plenty of opportunities to create turnovers and end opposing offense’s drives.
Some impressive range from HaHa Clinton-Dix here. Covers serious ground to get the PBU from the opposite hash: pic.twitter.com/GYGgfQRWSD
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 13, 2018
Don't let anyone fool you, this was a great interception by Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. He began to jump on this route before Vernon Davis even passed the first down marker. #Bears pic.twitter.com/yDaYnjtwqX
— Dan DeYoung (@CoachDanDeYoung) September 24, 2019
The question is whether he’ll emerge from training camp with the starter’s role. Early in the install portion of practice, reports are that he has been outplayed by journeyman safety Darian Thompson.
Cowboys signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in March to be their starting safety. Based on camp so far, that won’t be the case. Darian Thompson more impressive so far. This competition will continue to unfold. Clinton-Dix signed a one-year contract with $2.25M fully guaranteed.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 23, 2020
In addition to that tidbit comes the very public scenario where Earl Thomas has been released by the Baltimore Ravens. The connection to Dallas is obvious, as the two have been intertwined over the last three offseasons, but failing to make a marriage work.
Joining Clinton-Dix and Thompson in the back of the secondary has been Xavier Woods, a similarly versatile and talented DB who’s grown each year during his first three seasons. But playing on the last year of his rookie deal, Woods is set to become a free agent after the season, leaving the future of the safety position in Dallas in doubt. The team also has 2019 sixth rounder Donovan Wilson, a player who got his feet last year, and continues to flash potential during training camp as well.
Clinton-Dix, who will play most of this year at just 27-years-old, anointed by some to be the unifying figure in the group, will have to step up his game in the coming days, and his window to impress may have already passed him by.
This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown.Â
| Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill | Jalen Jelks |
| Dontari Poe | Randy Gregory | Gerald McCoy | Dorance Armstrong |
| L.P. Ladouceur | DeMarcus Lawrence | Blake Jarwin | CeeDee Lamb |
| Cole Hikutini | Dalton Schultz | Noah Brown | Sean McKeon |
| Ventell Bryant | Jon’vea Johnson | Blake Bell | Justin Hamilton |
| Cody Wichmann | Tyron Smith | Ladarius Hamilton |
| Neville Gallimore | Terence Steele | Joe Looney | La’el Collins |
| Zack Martin | Brandon Knight | Ron’Dell Carter | Wyatt Miller |
| Connor McGovern | Tyler Biadasz | Adam Redmond | Luke Gifford |
| Leighton Vander Esch | Justin March | Connor Williams |
| Bradlee Anae |Â Sean Lee | Jamize Olawale | Joe Thomas |
| Sewo Olonilua | Francis Bernard | Rico Dowdle |Â Reggie Robinson |
| Darius Anderson |Â Chris Westry |Â Donovan Wilson |Â Daryl Worley |
| Trevon Diggs | Anthony Brown |
[vertical-gallery id=652882][lawrence-newsletter]