Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is making it clear where he wants to play his professional ball. The safety out of Alabama sent a bold message to the Eagles' front office, tweeting: "Come get me."
Clinton-Dix went so far as to send a text message to Eagles director of player personnel Ed Marynowitz, who is a former Alabama football recruiter. “He sent me an article and I was on the front of it, about going to Philly and what not,” Clinton-Dix said Wednesday. “I told him to tell them to come get me, please. Whatever it takes.”
The Eagles have been searching for a playmaking safety since the departure of Brian Dawkins. Over the past few years, the Eagles have tried a few different combinations at the safety position, but have not found much success. Clinton-Dix is widely considered to be the top rated safety in this draft and would love the opportunity to fill that role, but thinks that the Eagles will have to move up to get him. “When I left there I felt like they felt like they might need to draft up to get me,” he said. “I can do it all, from blitzing to covering, to playing the post, quarters,” he said. “Whatever needs to be done, I’m dong it. Like I said, Brian Dawkins is a different breed, but I’m my own breed as well. You’d get a different feel with me.”
The Eagles have made moves during free agency to strengthen their safety position. The team reached a multi-year deal with former Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, and re-signed Nate Allen as well. The Eagles have shown that they have a potent offense during their first year under Chip Kelly's coaching. Defense will definitely be a focal point in the draft, as the Eagles finished last season dead last in the league defending the pass.
Is it possible that Clinton-Dix is their guy in the first round? It will be interesting to see.
