Calvin Pryor hopes to get the last laugh on Packers' Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
The Jets' Calvin Pryor motions the crowd during the fourth quarter of a game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 7, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Getty Images / Jeff Zelevansky
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Calvin Pryor couldn't suppress a grin Thursday when asked about Rex Ryan's comment about him in a conference call with the Green Bay media Wednesday.
"Film don't lie," said Pryor, the Jets' rookie safety. "What's been out there, put on the film, what's been out there put on the football field, it speaks for itself, so I don't even have to speak on that part."
In his conference call with the Green Bay media, Ryan was asked why the Jets took Louisville's Pryor with their No. 18 pick in the NFL draft, instead of Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who many draft pundits thought would be the first safety taken. In typical Ryan style, the Jets coach lauded his player by saying that while both were excellent players, and the Jets would have been happy with either, Ryan decided to take "the guy who would knock your face in."
The Packers took Clinton-Dix three picks later, at No. 21 overall, and when told by the Packers media of Ryan's comments, he vowed to prove a point to Ryan and the Jets on Sunday.
"If that's what they thought, then hey, that's up on him, and I'm going to show him," Clinton-Dix said of Ryan.
According to Pryor, he and Clinton-Dix are actually friends. Both are from Florida, and they met at a prospects camp back in their junior year of high school. They stayed in touch over the years and after it became apparent that they were the top two safeties entering the draft, they got even closer, helping each other with tips and support. But yes, they do have a friendly rivalry, and they do push each other to be better. Pryor admitted that while his focus is taking care of his own business, he does keep an eye on what Clinton-Dix is doing with the Packers.
"I make sure I keep up with him enough to know, to tell him, 'Hey man, good job,' or something like that," Pryor said. "But I focus on myself the majority of the time."
As for the challenge of going up against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers Sunday, Pryor said he is looking forward to it.
"I'm ready," he said. "I want to go against the best of the best. [Rodgers is] truly one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League, so I'm ready. I'm excited for the challenge."
