Ryan's strong words inspire Packers' Clinton-Dix to show Jets what he can do
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- When the New York Jets had an opportunity to take their pick among all of the safeties in the 2014 NFL Draft, head coach Rex Ryan opted for Calvin Pryor over Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Three spots later at No. 21, the Green Bay Packers happily chose Clinton-Dix, whose style was preferred by general manager Ted Thompson anyway.
As Pryor's Jets and Clinton-Dix's Packers get set for a Week 2 matchup at Lambeau Field, Ryan revealed what made him go with the former Louisville safety rather than the former Alabama star.
"I took the guy who will knock your face in," Ryan said in a conference call Wednesday.
Ryan added that both Pryor and Clinton-Dix "were excellent players" and that New York "would have been happy with either guy," but his preference was clear.
Pryor's reputation coming out of college was that of a heavy hitter who would be an intimidating factor for opposing offenses to play against. Clinton-Dix was known as more of a good center fielder in coverage. Most analysts were split as to which of them should be drafted first.
While Clinton-Dix missed two tackles in Green Bay's season-opening loss in Seattle -- including one that allowed a Seahawks touchdown, the comments from Ryan have given him the bulletin-board material that he might have needed for an improved performance Sunday.
"If that's what they thought, then hey, that's up to them and I'm going to show them," Clinton-Dix said.
Clinton-Dix admitted "I definitely have to work on my tackling" and that "overall, I'm not pleased with my performance," but Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers liked a lot of what he saw in the rookie's NFL debut.
"You saw him make a really nice play coming out of the hole area on the scramble," Capers said. "He closed and you saw his speed, his ability to close and do that. He's going to bring a physical presence, I think, in terms of the tackling. There were a few plays I'm sure that he would like to have back, but that's part of being a rookie and you work your way through those. But I think it's a good start.
"I'm certainly glad we've got him."
Clinton-Dix and Pryor both dropped would-be interceptions in Week 1. That's never good to miss a chance for a turnover. However, especially on the opportunity that Clinton-Dix had for an interception, the 21-year-old did well to break on a deep pass near the left sideline and at least force an incompletion.
"An outstanding player," Ryan said of Clinton-Dix. "The guy has centerfield ability. I like the way he comes up, supports the run. He's an active player. He's smart, he's tough.
"I think he has a chance to be a good one."
Of course, Ryan was also very excited about the first game from Pryor, which included the 22-year-old playing all 56 defensive snaps in a win over the Oakland Raiders.
"He can do it all," Ryan said of Pryor. "I think (playing in coverage) is the most underrated part of his game. He can run, he's got cover skills. His angles were questioned when he first came out of college, but he adapted his game quickly. I think sometimes you underestimate his coverage skills, but the fact is that he's an overall safety that's going to be a force for years and years.
"He is a hitter and that will be recognized early."
Comparisons between Clinton-Dix and Pryor date back to when both players were in high school in different parts of the state of Florida.
"We were in the same district as far as being the top guy coming out," Clinton-Dix said.
The two rookie safeties are still in communication with each other, and despite Ryan's thoughts, Clinton-Dix sees his game as being very similar to Pryor's.
"He plays fast, I play fast," Clinton-Dix said. "We both can cover. We're both not afraid to come up and hit. That's how I'd compare each other."
Clinton-Dix described Pryor as "a heck of a hitter" who is "not afraid to stick his nose in there." That was evident on Pryor's first career tackle when he dropped Raiders fullback Marcel Reece for no gain.
Clinton-Dix hopes he'll have an opportunity to make a tackle in Sunday's game that will get people -- and, most notably, the Jets coach -- to see that he can make a big hit, too.
"You're going to see it, week in and week out, as I get my chance to come up and make those big hits, it will happen," Clinton-Dix said. "That time will come."
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