Clinton Hart

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Clinton Hart

San Diego Chargers — No. 42
Safety
Date of birth: July 20, 1977 (1977-07-20) (age 30)
Place of birth: Dade City, Florida
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
National Football League debut
2003 for the Philadelphia Eagles
Career history
College: Central Florida Community College
Teams: Tallahassee Thunder (2000) Tampa Bay Storm (2001) Philadelphia Eagles (2002-2003) San Diego Chargers (2004-present)
Career highlights and awards
No notable achievements
Stats at NFL.com

Clinton Hart (born July 20, 1977 in Dade City, Florida) is an American football safety with the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League.

Contents 1 Early years 2 Professional career 2.1 Philadelphia Eagles 2.2 San Diego Chargers 3 References

[edit] Early years

Hart was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2000, in the 32nd round^[1] right out of high school but elected to play baseball close to home at Central Florida Community College.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Philadelphia Eagles

After success with the Arena Football League's Tampa Bay Storm, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Hart to a contract and allocated him to NFL Europa where he played in 2002. Hart was able to make the roster in 2003 and filled in 9 games admirably for an injured Brian Dawkins helping the team go 7-2.^[2]

[edit] San Diego Chargers

The Eagles released Hart the following season onto the waiver wire where the Chargers, seeking a safety with experience, quickly waived Wes Welker to make room to pick up Hart before the 2004 season.

In limited duty as a reserve for the Chargers, Hart has managed to establish himself as a playmaker, scoring twice in 2005, one by way of interception, the other by taking a Donnie Edwards lateral to paydirt. In 2006 Hart managed to intercept 3 passes and was in position to intercept more showing the instincts to have continual success in whatever role the Chargers choose for him. ^[3]

Entering the 2007 season, Hart has gained 10 lbs in an effort to better take on Ted Cottrell's role of an in-the-box safety. According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune, "The Chargers do not utilize a true free safety and strong safety designation. If the tight end crosses over, the safeties do not switch sides. They play more left and right than strong and free... New coordinator Ted Cottrell's preference is for McCree to be the free safety and remain deep on every down and for someone else to be up and patrol the box." Hart was able to enter the offseason at the top of the depth chart above Bhawoh Jue, who was recovering from injury, and Eric Weddle, who still needs to acclimate to the pro game. ^[4]

The Chargers signed Hart to a five-year extension through 2012 on April 7, 2008. The deal is worth about $3 million a year.^[5]

[edit] References