Every impending free agent who has played for the Green Bay Packers for some time seems to say this at this time of the year. However, safety Morgan Burnett actually sounds sincere.
“When you’ve been in a place for so long, you put your heart and soul into something going on (nine seasons), it’s going to be tough if it plays out another way. And then, at the same time, you’re excited because it’s exciting to know and a blessing to know that (there’s) other teams that are going to pursue you and other teams that might want you. That’s always a good thing, to be wanted in the NFL.”
It’s unclear if the Packers have any intent on re-signing Burnett at this point. While safety would seemingly be one of their deepest positions with the likes of Josh Jones, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Marwin Evans, Kentrell Brice and Jermaine Whitehead, Burnett was overwhelmingly the best safety the Packers had in 2017.
Clinton-Dix was a straight-up bum. Evans fell out of favor. Brice was injured. Whitehead played okay in some limited late-season opportunity. Jones played like a rookie.
Further complicating Burnett’s future with the Packers are a couple other factors. Most of us have long thought Clinton-Dix and Burnett played the same position… only they didn’t with the Packers. Clinton-Dix can’t cover anyone, routinely blows assignments and fails to communicate when asked to play deep centerfield.
Frankly, he’s dumb. He lacks awareness and doesn’t seem to have the mental capacity to know he lacks awareness. He coasts on his Alabama and first-round draft pick status.
The Packers could try to replace Burnett with Clinton-Dix. The former played more up toward the line of scrimmage, a place where Clinton-Dix might be better utilized. Then he wouldn’t have to think. He’d just have to react.
But then who plays deep?
Jones is also better suited to fill the Burnett role near the line. He struggled mightily in coverage during his inaugural season.
Our feeling is the Packers won’t make a huge push to re-sign Burnett. His replacement(s) are in house. However, if that is the case, they’re giving up their best safety — just like a year ago when they let Micah Hyde walk.
We were a proponent of the Packers re-signing Hyde and having him replace Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s lethargic ass. That proved to be the right call after Hyde made the Pro Bowl with the Bills in 2017, but Ted Thompson would never replace a first-round draft pick he made with a fourth-rounder. Can’t admit that mistake.
Regardless, Burnett isn’t a playmaker. His interception or passes defensed numbers have never been notable. However, he is assignment sure, reliable and seemingly the only guy in the secondary that can communicate with other guys in the secondary.
Imagine if the Packers leave that up to that buffoon Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2018. We got a one-game preview of that in 2017 and it was a disaster.
This train has already rolled on down the line. The Packers’ safeties should have been and should be Morgan Burnett and Micah Hyde. Clinton-Dix should be out on his ass, just like the safety who was drafted before him, Calvin Pryor, was last season.
Some teams aren’t afraid to cut high draft picks when they suck. I’ll take the solid play of Burnett over this damn clown any day.
Man, I don't even know what Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is doing anymore. #Packers pic.twitter.com/vgSJlCXBQ2
— Dusty (@DustyEvely) January 1, 2018