I’m not going to put a guy’s family above football. It was Vince Lombardi’s rule.
- God
- Family
- Green Bay Packers’ football
But then again, Vince always showed up for work. Early — at least 15 minutes to be exact. It’s why the clocks on Lambeau Field are always off. It’s called Lombardi Time.
If you were supposed to be there at 3:00, your ass better be there at 2:45.
Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was not at OTAs with his Green Bay Packers teammates. Where was he? At home. Why was he at home? Mostly because of money.
#Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix said the death of his godmother contributed to the decision to skip OTAs. But there was also another factor: the absence of a workout bonus. He had no incentive to attend. pic.twitter.com/xdnnyrZ7ro
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) June 12, 2018
Let’s get down to that second reason there.
Not a lot of guys get a workout bonus from the Packers. Aaron Rodgers gets one, Clay Matthews and so forth. Veterans that have earned their stripes. Guys not on their rookie contacts, as Clinton-Dix is.
He’s in the final year of his rookie deal.
We know he wants a new deal. Has he earned a new deal?
Not in our estimation.
The Packers may end up signing him to one, but probably not after the season he just came off of. Total garbage is what that was.
General manager Brian Gutekunst doesn’t seem to exactly be tied to former GM Ted Thompson’s draft picks. If he was, you’d probably see a guy like Richard Rodgers still on the roster.
Thompson was tied to his draft picks. The re-signing of Bryan Bulaga — who Gutekunst has rightfully since asked to take a pay cut — that averages $6.75 million annually is just one example of that.
So will Clinton-Dix get a new deal? I don’t think there’s any guarantee of that.
I also think he didn’t do anything in his favor there by not showing up for OTAs. This is a guy who considers himself a leader of the defense. And while that may be debatable, leaders show up and lead. Leaders are on Lombardi Time. First in, last out.
Clinton-Dix will be playing in the league somewhere next year. It’s entirely possible it won’t be with the Packers, however.