The Packers selection of Ha Ha Clinton Dix in the first round of the 2014 draft was a happy one for 
almost all of Packernation. But Calvin Pryor was another safety that a lot of Packers fans would have liked to see the team get. The questions came again when the Packers had to play the Jets (who selected Pryor) and Rex Ryan made a comment about liking both players but taking “the guy who will knock your face in.” Well…who’s laughing now, Rex.
Here are some key stats in the comparison between Ha Ha and Calvin Pryor.
Calvin Pryor
Pryor has no doubt been a welcome addition to a solid Jets defense. And the Jets have played quality opponents as well, facing the Packers, Bears, Lions, and the Broncos and Chargers. Through it all the Jets have won only one game against the lowly Raiders.
Calvin Pryor has done his part to help, with 24 tackles, 12 assists, and a sack. The kid’s a player, and the defense is strong, but the Jets can’t win a game. Compare that to Ha Ha Clinton-Dix:
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix started off his NFL career versus the reigning Super Bowl champs. He struggled in that game (along with the rest of the defense) but since then has been on a steady upward trajectory with a good enough game Sunday to earn him a presser later this morning (I will keep you up to date on that).
Ha Ha has been a hard-nosed tackler with a nose for the ball and an all around upgrade to what last season was a weak safety position for the Packers. The safety position is vastly underrated in the NFL but this year we are finally finding out that the real key to Richard Sherman’s success is the safety play behind him. Remember early in Nick Collins career when he was talented but raw and mistake prone? What happened when he got into his groove…championship! Good safety play not only frees the corners up to take risks, but also helps the run game which has been much improved of late.
Through six games, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has had 26 tackles with 4 assists, a sack and an interception returned for nine yards. But those stats alone don’t quite tell the story of the way that Clinton-Dix has followed up a difficult opening day with a seamless transition to a dependable player who may end up starting if Sam Shields’ and Tramon Williams’ injuries require shifting in the Packers defensive backfield.
Now, six games is not a career, but if Ha Ha keeps improving and can stay healthy, the Packers may have a very good safety moving forward. It’s too early to tell if he will ever be compared to the last player to wear his number…but so far he has not disappointed. And that bodes well for ALL of the goals this Packers team has for the season.
GO PACK!!!
Breaking News! Calvin Johnson may be held out until week 10
Calvin Johnson may be out until after the Lions’ bye week which means he may not play again until November. Dan Hanzus has the story here.
I was one of the fans that wanted Pryor as well and if the option was still there between the two Pryor would still be my choice! He is a very good athlete and Rex is right he does hit harder than HaHa but with that said I am not displeased with the way HHCD has progressed in this defense and he has stepped right in to play high intensity football. If he keeps improving as he has each game he will be a pro bowl player by year 3 for sure!
My son and I wanted HHCD and were elated to get him. Packers fans will remember well that it was Pryor whom Jordy left laying on the ground for his long TD vs the Jets. I think both are good players and will become stars. But Pryor’s comments about trash talking intimidating opponents make him a bad fit for our team. Our players provide leadership and intimidation through their play, not their mouths.
Pryor is the harder hitting safety, but HHCD is a ball hawking safety who’s not afraid to come up and stop the run. I think HHCD fits our system better than Pryor would have.