That was his weakness the past couple seasons. But coming to a team with a much better pass rush and a better secondary than he's played on in the last three seasons....could be just the medicine he needs to fix his problem.
Well the 3 plus points have already been highlighted - Cost(well done on that contract btw) - Durability - Huge nameplay potential when he stinks But you guys do get that we just signed a FS, right? And unless the plan is to sign someone to supplant the best FS in the league(gonna say unlikely), then they've just signed a guy to play SS who has played approximately 0 SS his entire pro career, who really isn't suited to play SS, at all. And for those who've been paying attention, a guy who's skillset and playing style and general attitude couldn't really be any more unlike Amos if they tried. So.....why am i meant to like this move exactly?
In the defense the Bears play....SS and FS tend to be interchangeable. Both have to be able to play inside the box but also be capable of playing single high. Relax sparky.
Not that I closely followed the packers, but a couple of years ago when their defense was middle-of-the-pack, wasn't Micah Hyde the coverage/single high guy and Clinton-Dicks the box? Or do I have that backwards because shitwad threw it to everybody during that time? The one time we need packerz to clarify..... PFR says he is a FS, and to BWW's point they are interchangeable. Cant imagine Eddie Jackson will start playing the box now. While Haha's game trended down and Amos' up the past few years, I think an actual front 7 in front of Dicks will do him well. That being said, there's a LOT of money tied up in the secondary right now. Part of me thinks Pace drafts a CB and we're going to get a big look at Tolliver. Because extensions for Whitehair, Floyd, and Jackson are not far off. Can see Prince being a casualty this time next year.
After all signings the Bears still have some like 16 million in room against the cap. They are obviously gonna save some of this for draft picks and extensions like the one they reportedly working on with Whitehair.
If structured properly, Whitehair's extension could actually gain you some cap space. The question is, do you want pay now - or later?
Bellamy went to the Jets....Kevin White went to the Cards..... Maybe I'm starting to like this free agency season.
Yeah, but they're not other NFC North teams. Wouldn't it have been nice to see them underwhelming for rivals, not just us? Man, the Jets... what is their fascination with guys who can't play WR well?
Bears add Marvin Hall to be the new kick returner? And depth WR. Averaged 23.7 yards per return for the Falcons last year on 26 attempts.
Well he sure did throw it to everybody heh, but no Hyde wasn't the single high with Clinton Dix in the box. Dix is a natural FS and he was the starter there in GB from early in his rookie year, uninterrupted. He paired mostly with Morgan Burnett who was the SS. Hyde would fill in at SS whenever Burnett got injured, but Hyde really found his way onto the field early playing slot/nickel corner. Hyde is very versatile but his best position is prob SS. I believe thats where he's been playing in Buffalo and the position he got voted to the pro bowl for. Anyway, there are many problems with this move to me. Most of all Dix will be playing outside his natural position, that right off the bat is a problem. Its hard enough for FAs to work out on new teams anyway. Some players have the makeup to play either position, Earl Thomas to give an obvious example. But that isn't Dix, he doesn't bring the physicality or have the aggressive nature. Dix may try to act tough now and then laying a cleanup hit on a guy who's already taken a shot, but watch him go one on one cos thats where you see it. Dix isn't tough. Surely you guys remember when he got straight bitchslapped by Kenny Galloday last season?! That was so weak. I kinda recall someone on nfl network saying he got "Conte'd"(!) or something. One of the reasons this matters(imo), is you need someone in your secondary who'll set the tone. Its often the SS. With Dix there this secondary starts looking distinctly lightweight and lacking in physicality. Amos had the ability to set the tone. He wasn't laying people out every week and he wasn't some wild headhunter, but when he had a clear chance he would drop the lumber on a guy, it was prob what i liked most about him. And its not just that. As bww kept saying this offseason, Amos was always assignment solid and disciplined. Dix has developed a bit of a rep for blowing assignments and freelancing in recent times. Im not sure thats what the D needs, we already have a great ballhawk. Ive always said Amos wasn't flashy, but the reason he looked so good was often cos he let the many more talented players around him dominate while he just did his job. I don't see Dix doing that. He's looking for a deal. Dix will be playing for Dix next season. And does no one find it a little odd that GB were so happy to part with him in the first place, for like a low round pick?? Cheesehead fans didn't seem to like Dix either, i remember him taking some heat for quitting on plays at some point. None of this is adding up to a player the Bears really need imo. There some things in Clinton Dix's favour. It makes the D look straight deadly in 3rd & Long. And being paired with his BFF at Safety should help his attitude. As will the prove it deal which yes is great value. But saved money on its own doesn't get you wins, players do. I know i won't give a shit about the money when Dix tries to second guess a QB a gets torched for a TD. And whats the long term plan here? Surely this is a rental right? We already have a far better Clinton Dix on the roster, he's called Eddie Jackson. The internet wide circle jerk for this move among the talking heads has been very funny though. I just know the lazy bastards are looking at the deal, looking at the pro bowl appearance and giving it an A+. I just think there's far more to it than that.
So to put this in perspective, Dix signed for 3.5 million. That tells you his market is aligned with pretty much what your reservations with the signing are. But these points I wanted to touch on, doing them backwards. He wouldn't sign an extension with GB, which is why he was traded in a contract year for pennies on the dollar. Discipline matters, but what about context? We have glowing things to say about Amos, because he was consistent. And I'm not going to make excuses because Dix laxed a lot during the season and I'm pretty sure I remember the play he got Conte'd you referenced. That being said....... Amos' front 7 and Dix's the past 2 years are night and day. Dix played on a bottom tier defense with Amos a top 10 in 2017 and 2018. The front 7 made Amos job easier. Where I like the signing, is that I'm interested to see what Dix looks like with Mack, Noquan, Trevathan, Hicks, Goldman, Floyd, and RRH (or whomever is the other 5 tech) in front of him as opposed to Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, and trash. The packers have sucked at getting to the QB with the aging, roided out Clay, Nick Perry--who I always heard amazing things about then put up vastly inconsistent numbers, and the myriad of bums the pack masqueraded as linebackers under Dom Capers and Pettine. The packers looked a lot like Fox's early years where they couldn't get a turnover to save their lives. They were negative in turnover differential (15 takeaways to 24 turnovers) with Erin doing his whole not turning the ball over act. I think Dix will look better with a top defense. I don't think he's a long term answer, nor has he proven he's worthy of that, taking 3.5 mil with the bears (he allegedly turned down more money to play with Landon Collins, his other Bama Bff). I also think Amos, while all things I agree with him on--isn't the type of player to make that unit better. If their edge additions in Smith and Smith (Z'darius and Preston) will determine whether or not Amos looks as good. And we'll find out if he's a product of his environment or if the environment is a product of him. Pace ultimately didn't think Callahan was worth 7 mil average annually or Amos 9. Callahan's injury problems I understand. Amos we're really going to find out. Dix I feel much better than Skrine about. Dix may blow a coverage, but he won't commit the stupid penalties and blow coverages. Ah. My bad then. Props to GB for not keeping the good player out of those 3 then.
I see a lot of comments about Dix lacking physicality. But I don't see that when I watch videos of him playing. He can definitely play in the box and he can both tackle and hit. Amos is the better overall player but Dix actually gives you more range over the field. The Bears in the next few years are gonna need to give some sizable raises to other players....saving money on Dix over Amos is what allows them to pay Jackson. I'm okay with that.
