This Chicago Bears defensive back is on pace for a career year
If this Chicago Bears safety keeps this pace up, he could be in for a career year.
Ryan Pace may be looking like a genius for the Chicago Bears once again. Either that or we need to give major credit to Eddie Jackson for his recruiting skills. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has been phenomenal since joining this Bears defense and if he keeps this pace up, he could be in for a career year.
Adrian Amos was not a bad safety, but he lacked the big, play-making abilities of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Right now, Amos has 21 solo tackles and the interception he was gifted in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. He has yet to get his hands on a ball again. So far, the decision to let Amos walk has not looked bad for Ryan Pace. It has looked the opposite, with how Clinton-Dix has compared.
His position coach Deshea Townsend said “Clinton-Dix works well with the younger players and has been a leader for them. He also believes that Clinton-Dix has been helped by being part of a defensive unit filled with so much talent. Having that luxury has allowed Clinton-Dix the freedom to just go out there and play football.”
Play football is exactly what Clinton-Dix has been doing this season. Over the first five games, Clinton-Dix has two interceptions. One of those interceptions he returned for a touchdown. Clinton-Dix also has a fumble recovery and 25 solo tackles through the first five games of the season.
Clinton-Dix is currently tied for second on the team with 25 solo tackles. Kyle Fuller also has 25 solo tackles and Danny Trevathan leads the team with 36. Clinton-Dix and Fuller are also tied for the team lead with two interceptions apiece. In fact, the Bears only have four interceptions on the year and both defensive backs own all of them.
Looking back at Clinton-Dix’s statistical history with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins, Clinton-Dix is on pace to have one of his best years ever, if not a career year. He is averaging five solo tackles per game and is on pace for 80. He finished with 83 solos in his second season in Green Bay and combined for 80 solos last season between his time in Green Bay and Washington.
He already has his two interceptions though, and his return for a touchdown was the first of his career. If he maintains his pace, he could see six interceptions before the season is over. Unfortunately, interceptions do not quite work that way and sometimes come in bunches. The best year of his career, Clinton-Dix had five interceptions. However, in other years he had three or less.
Next. Kyle Fuller needs to be more aggressive. dark
If Clinton-Dix can come away with at least two more interceptions and he maintains his solo tackle pace, this could be one of, if not the best season of his career. Not bad for a guy looking to get paid next season as he only signed a one-year deal with Chicago. The bad news is that he will likely be moving on as the Chicago Bears are strapped for cap space.