Everything Nick Saban said following Alabama’s 10th spring practice

Everything Alabama football head coach Nick Saban had to say following the Tide’s 10th spring practice!

On Wednesday, the Alabama football team completed its 10th practice of the spring on the Thomas-Drew Fields. The Crimson Tide is scheduled to practice again on Friday before holding its second scrimmage of the spring on Saturday afternoon from inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Following Wednesday’s practice, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban would make his way over to the Mal Moore Athletic Facility where he would speak to the media.

Coach Saban would provide an update on how some of his new additions to the coaching staff are working out, as well as a few player updates.

Here is everything coach Saban had to say!

Former Packers first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix retires from NFL

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, a first-round pick and one-time Pro Bowler, retired from the NFL as a member of the Packers organization.

Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the Green Bay Packers’ first-round pick in the 2014 draft and a one-time Pro Bowler, retired from the National Football League on Thursday as a member of the franchise that originally drafted him.

The Packers selected Clinton-Dix at No. 21 overall out of Alabama. The Orlando native went on to play in 78 games with 72 starts (including playoffs) over the course of five seasons in Green Bay. An immediate starter as a rookie, Clinton-Dix tallied 14 interceptions, 25 passes defended, three forced fumbles and 5.5 sacks while with the Packers.

His best season came in 2016 when he intercepted a career-high five passes, made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro. He was also named to the All-Rookie Team in 2014.

The Packers traded Clinton-Dix to Washington during the 2018 season. He played nine games in Washington, 16 in Chicago with the Bears in 2019 and two games with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.

Overall, Clinton-Dix played 98 games and made 16 interceptions in his NFL career.

At the college ranks, Clinton-Dix won two national titles and was an All-American in 2013.

When they last met: Washington and Chicago

The last time these two teams met was in prime time, and it didn’t go well for Washington.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Chicago 31, Washington 15 – Week 03, September 23, 2019

This one was a Monday Night Football first-half blowout as the Bears led by 25 at the break and coasted by the Redskins 31-15 at Fed Ex Field.

HaHa Clinton-Dix who had played for Washington in 2018 via a midseason trade by Bruce Allen that defied logical explanation, now started at safety for the Bears and came up with two interceptions. In the opening quarter, Washington quarterback Case Keenum’s pass intended for Trey Quinn was overthrown, intercepted by Clinton-Dix, and returned 37 yards for a touchdown.

Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw three second-quarter touchdown passes to Taylor Gabriel from 3, 1 and 36 yards as the Bears embarrassed the Redskins 28-3 in the first half.

In the second half, Keenum connected with Terry McLaurin on a 15-yard pass and Paul Richardson from two yards, narrowing the wide gap to a more respectable final score.

Washington actually outgained Chicago 356 to 298. However, they lost the turnover battle, 5-1. Though Keenum passed for two touchdowns and completed 30 of 43 for 332 yards, he also threw three interceptions, was sacked four times, losing 45 yards, and lost two fumbles.

Keenum completed passes to eight different Redskins. Paul Richardson led Washington receivers with eight receptions for 83 yards, followed by Terry McLaurin (6-70), Trey Quinn (5-30) and Chris Thompson (4-79).

Trubisky finished his night 25-31, 231 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Gabriel concluded with 6 receptions for 90 yards and those three touchdowns, while Allen Robinson contributed 6 receptions for 60 yards.

With the win, the Bears climbed to 2-1, while Washington fell to 0-3.

 

Broncos allow contracts of 8 practice squad players to expire, making them free agents

The Broncos allowed the practice squad contracts of DBs Duke Dawson and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to expire, making them free agents.

After their 2021 season ended, the Denver Broncos signed six practice squad players to future contracts, giving those players a chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp in 2022.

Denver later signed another defensive lineman and a pass rusher from the CFL to future deals, bringing their future contracts total to eight players. Those players will be added to the team’s 90-man offseason roster when the new league year begins in March.

Meanwhile, the Broncos did not give future contracts to eight practice squad players, and their contracts expired on Monday. That means the following players are now free agents: DB Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, DB Duke Dawson, CB Rojesterman Farris, WR Rico Gafford, QB Anthony Gordon, OL Tristen Hoge, DT Akeem Spence and TE Caleb Wilson.

Those eight players will be joined in free agency by OLB Pita Taumoepenu, DE Carlo Kemp and DT Deyon Sizer, who were released from Denver’s practice squad earlier this month.

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Raiders elevate S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix from practice squad vs Chiefs

Raiders elevate S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix from practice squad vs Chiefs

From the time Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft thru last season, he didn’t miss a game. He’d also started every game at safety the past five seasons. But these days he spends his time on the Raiders’ practice squad, seeing action in just one game this season.

This weekend will make Clinton-Dix’s second call-up from the practice squad. The veteran has been elevated to the active roster for the game on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Raiders likely will be without three defensive backs with S Tyree Gillespie (hamstring) OUT and cornerbacks Amik Robertson (hip) and Keisean Nixon (ankle) both Doubtful. So, obviously they could use the depth.

Also OUT is LB Nick Kwiatkoski, prompting the Raiders to elevate LB Patrick Onwuasor as well.

Onwuasor was also only active for one game this season, and as it happens it was the same week three game vs Miami that Clinton-Dix was active. Both played exclusively on special teams in that game.

49ers add former 1st-round pick to secondary

The #49ers are adding a former 1st-round pick to their ailing secondary.

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The San Francisco 49ers are signing safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. With injuries limiting their numbers in the back end of the secondary, Clinton-Dix will provide depth in camp with a chance to make the roster.

The Packers selected Clinton-Dix 21st overall from Alabama in the 2014 draft. He spent his first four seasons in Green Bay and part of his fifth year before he was traded to Washington midway through the 2018 campaign. Clinton-Dix signed with the Bears in 2019 and didn’t play at all last year.

In six NFL seasons, Clinton-Dix played in 96 games with 90 starts. He’s hauled in 16 interceptions and tallied 33 pass breakups to go along with 522 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Clinton-Dix joins a safety room that’s thin on depth. Jaquiski Tartt is still on the Physically Unable to Perform list because of a toe injury, and Tony Jefferson recently went down with hamstring and groin injuries.

The signing will require a corresponding move to keep the roster at 91 once it’s made official.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signs with 49ers

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signs deal with the 49ers

Former Alabama standout and first-round NFL draft pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

Clinton-Dix spent last season with the Chicago Bears and has been looking for a new home this offseason.

The deal was announced by Adam Schefter moments ago.

Clinton-Dix was selected by the Packers in the first round back in 2014 and has played for three different teams over the past six seasons.

Clinton-Dix has 16 career interceptions, including two last season with the Chicago Bears.

In 2016 Clinton-Dix was selected to his only Pro-Bowl finishing the season with 80 tackles and 5 interceptions.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and all the former Crimson Tide stars!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Colts hold workout for S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, 4 others

The Colts worked out five players on Thursday, including S Ha Ha-Clinton-Dix.

The Indianapolis Colts held a workout for five players on Thursday, including veteran safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, per the league’s transaction wire.

The Colts are always kicking the tires on players via workouts. Clinton-Dix has been in the league for a long time so his name carries some weight in a safety room that already has established starters.

Here are the five players the Colts hosted for a workout on their day off on Thursday:

  • S Ha Ha Clinton Dix
  • WR Jonathan Adams
  • S Jordan Dangerfield
  • WR T.J. Jones
  • S C.J. Reavis

It will be interesting to see if Clinton-Dix winds up signing with the Colts as a depth move or whether they were just keeping tabs on the veteran. He hasn’t played since 2019 after he was cut by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.

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Signing this veteran safety named Panthers’ best last potential offseason move

According to Field Yates at ESPN, signing safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is the best last offseason move that Carolina can make.

The Carolina Panthers’ roster for the 2021 season is mostly set. As always, there will be some surprise cuts before the games begin, but we have a good idea of who will be on the field come Week 1.

One spot that we don’t have any real clue about is Tre Boston’s former position at free safety. Since releasing him for a total of $3.5 million in cap savings, Carolina hasn’t signed or drafted any proven replacement at the position. It’s possible one of the DBs currently on the roster will surprise us and turn out to be a solid starter. However, it’s not hard to see things going bad on the back end if no upgrades are made.

That’s why bringing in a veteran at this spot is a good idea. According to Field Yates at ESPN, signing safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is the best last offseason move that Carolina can make.

“The Panthers have reshaped their safety group this offseason, including a full-time move to the slot for last year’s rookie sensation Jeremy Chinn. The team reportedly took a look at Clinton-Dix a little while back, so there’s an established level of curiosity. He has bounced around in recent years and isn’t a definite starter by any means, but depth at a position that looks light right now is a good pre-camp investment.”

Adding Clinton-Dix isn’t a bad idea, but he is well past his prime at this point in his career. A better option on the field would be Earl Thomas. However, it appears whatever he got up to behind the scenes in Seattle and Baltimore was enough to scare off the other 30 teams permanently.

Whatever path coach Matt Rhule and GM Scott Fitterer decide to take, they have to act quickly if their plans at free safety fall apart.

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Panthers 2021 minicamp: Injury updates, attendance notes from Day 1

Here are a few injury and attendance notes from the media.

The Panthers have begun their three-day mandatory minicamp. Here are a few injury and attendance notes from the media.

Five new faces

Carolina invited the maximum five players for minicamp tryouts this year.

Here is the full list:

Robby Anderson returns

Only one player didn’t show during voluntary OTAs – wide receiver Robby Anderson was training on his own. He rejoined his teammates today, giving a wave to reporters on the way in.

Several players in no-contact jerseys

It’s too early for injury concerns, but there are several players wearing red no-contact jerseys, including Brian Burns and Jeremy Chinn.

Progress

On the bright side, tight end Dan Arnold and rookie running back Chuba Hubbard are both now participating.

Two no-shows

Another attendance note: offensive tackle Cameron Erving and safety Lano Hill are the only two players who are unaccounted for.

If coach Matt Rhule shares any news after practice, we’ll post an update.

Update:

Coach says among the injured players cornerback Troy Pride Jr. is the only one who may not be ready for training camp.

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