DENNIS DIXON
QB - OREGON
Height: 6-4 Weight: 206 40-Time: 5.30
College Coach: Mike Bellotti
QB - OREGON
Height: 6-4 Weight: 206 40-Time: 5.30
College Coach: Mike Bellotti
In round five, the Steelers selected Oregon QB Dennis Dixon, a 2007 Heisman candidate who suffered a torn ACL during the season. Dixon is still rehabbing the knee injury and looks to be a long-range solution as the team's backup quarterback. His athleticism could also be displayed in a Kordell Stewart/Antwaan Randle-El style until then.
Notes on Dixon:
--2007 stats: 20 TD, 4 INT, 2136 yards, 67.7% completion percentage in 9 games
--Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 20th round of the 2003 MLB Draft
--Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 5th round of the 2007 MLB Draft
--Hit a LaRoche-esque .176 in 74 at bats with two Atlanta Braves rookie league teams in 2007
--Sat behind current Jets QB Kellen Clemens while at Oregon
--QB'd the 2007 Oregon squad as high as #2 in the BCS ratings (with an 8-1 record) before suffering the ACL injury
--2007 Pac-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year
--5th in Heisman voting in 2007
--Finalist for the Maxwell, Unitas, Walter Camp, and Davy O'Brien Awards
--Dixon's early quotes:
"I just want to be like a sponge and soak everything in," Dixon said. "Big Ben Roethlisberger is a great quarterback and I want to learn the ins and outs of playing the quarterback position as well."
Thoughts?
An interesting pick, no doubt. Oodles of upside, but patience must be the key with Dixon. He's a luxury item, as he will most likely show up in gimmicky-type plays until he becomes The Next Charlie Batch, but a nice value in round five.
Required Reading:
Wikipedia
Steelers Profile
NFL Draft Scout Profile
Steelers draft Oregon QB Dixon despite knee injury [Sporting News]
Notes on Dixon:
--2007 stats: 20 TD, 4 INT, 2136 yards, 67.7% completion percentage in 9 games
--Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 20th round of the 2003 MLB Draft
--Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 5th round of the 2007 MLB Draft
--Hit a LaRoche-esque .176 in 74 at bats with two Atlanta Braves rookie league teams in 2007
--Sat behind current Jets QB Kellen Clemens while at Oregon
--QB'd the 2007 Oregon squad as high as #2 in the BCS ratings (with an 8-1 record) before suffering the ACL injury
--2007 Pac-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year
--5th in Heisman voting in 2007
--Finalist for the Maxwell, Unitas, Walter Camp, and Davy O'Brien Awards
--Dixon's early quotes:
"I just want to be like a sponge and soak everything in," Dixon said. "Big Ben Roethlisberger is a great quarterback and I want to learn the ins and outs of playing the quarterback position as well."
Thoughts?
An interesting pick, no doubt. Oodles of upside, but patience must be the key with Dixon. He's a luxury item, as he will most likely show up in gimmicky-type plays until he becomes The Next Charlie Batch, but a nice value in round five.
Required Reading:
Wikipedia
Steelers Profile
NFL Draft Scout Profile
Steelers draft Oregon QB Dixon despite knee injury [Sporting News]
4 comments:
Kordell begat Hines who begat Randle El who begat Dennis Dixon.
Would have won the Heisman last year if he didn't get injured.
Great pick!
I like this pick. Living in Oregon for the past 3 years, I've had the chance to see Dixon play in person and while it is easy to make comparisons to Kordell, I believe Dixon is mentally prepared to play whatever position, be it QB/WR or some combination, whereas Kordell alway say Kordell as a QB only, with an occasional assist at WR.
I see another Randle El gadget play in his future.
I don't see anything more profound than the fact that they went into the draft intending to address the QB position with a later round pick. Similar to Omar Whatsisname from a couple of years back. Dixon looked like the best bet at the spot. I really doubt that he ever plays any other position than QB in his time with the Steelers.
Post a Comment