Dennis Dixon- A Steeler

[5RINGS]

Oregon QB Dennis Dixon Scouting Report
Height: 6-3, Weight: 205, Draft Grade: 63

Strengths: Very natural and fluid athlete…he has excellent mobility…demonstrated excellent command of the spread offense while at Oregon…he is more accurate than most would initially think since he does come from a spread offensive attack…he continues to progress as a passer…the more he plays the more strides he makes as a passer…ability to get outside the pocket and make plays…

Weaknesses: Unfortunately for Dixon he is entering the 2008 NFL Draft coming off a horrific ACL injury and his status for the pre-draft workouts are in question…so is his draft status…Dixon could fluctuate anywhere from the 3rd-5th round…Dixon does not possess a pro style throwing motion, release, or delivery…some pundits what to compare Dennis Dixon to Vince Young—Vince Young he is not…Dixon did not work out of pro style offense so his transition to the NFL could be a rough one…durability issues are a concern…weighing in at just 205 he will have to bulk up…Major League Baseball looms—another concern…

Overall: An ACL injury combined with an inconsistent career, add a poor throwing motion, questionable arm strength, and descending from a school that doesn’t notoriously throw the ball all over the field…what’s not to like? As critical as one can be on Dennis Dixon, one can be just as complimentarily. Dixon is a phenomenal athlete who finally put it all together in 2007, prior to his injury he was looking like a possible Heisman Trophy Winner and had Oregon on the cusp of challenging for a National Title. Dennis Dixon is far from a polished prospect and is going to need a ton of work, but is worth considering in the middle rounds of the 2008 NFL Draft.

[JEFFRO]

Day 2 we draft the "All Hot Tub Team!"

I am not happy with day 2 at all.

[Royd92040]

Slash.....

[Crime Fighter]

Hopefully he ends up being a "Slash" type of player and make him another weapon.

[SteelerFan448]

This is the first pick that I'm not happy with. With our last pick I'd be cool with Dixon, but not when Schuening, a guy who is capable to start at guard right away, is sitting there for the taking.

[5RINGS]

Day 2 we draft the "All Hot Tub Team!"

I am not happy with day 2 at all.


I would have waited for a QB. We do need one. Batch is getting older and there is zilch behind him. We need so much and the Steelers are trying to touch every area with the limited picks they have. I am expecting maybe DL with the next pick.

[swanny88]

Ok this one I do not understand.

[Quick Draw]

There's no stopping Arians now.

[Aries1247]

A 'WTF' pick if there ever was one.

[avoidlloyd]

Dixon probably would have gone undrafted wasted pick IMO....there were a few good OL left aslo lb's vince hall, jo'lonn dunbar and a couple of good corners. This was a cute pick and it cost us depth or a possible starter next year. The guy has 1 good knee as well why do we always waste 1 pick on the next slash???

[warriors42]

uh...........OK???????????:confused::confused::con fused::confused:

[Clemson Steel]

this pick was a reach. Why not address the O line more, rather than working on gimmicks. Without protection from the oline the gimmick is dead in 2 seconds

[Chicoman]

This pick completely makes no sense! This almost makes our 4th round pick last season of Sepulvada look genius!

We don't need QB! We have a solid backup in Batch & the franchise in Ben. We need DL, OL, CB and we draft a friggin QB!

Obviously Tomlin & Colbert are smoking some good shit right about now!

[Chicoman]

INTERESTING ARTICLE ON DIXON

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AqcUD8yEbNJY46_cw3xEdypDubYF?slug=ms-dixon042708&prov=yhoo&type=lgns


No pity party for former Oregon star

By Michael Silver, Yahoo! Sports 10 hours, 32 minutes ago

Yahoo! Sports

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – The 2008 NFL draft was less than 15 minutes old when Dennis Dixon, a young man once projected to be one of its most conspicuous selections, decided it was all too much to bear.

Shaking his head in disgust, the former Oregon quarterback fled the bachelor pad he rents near campus to collect his thoughts alone.

“I don’t even want to look at this,” Dixon said Saturday afternoon before opening a sliding glass door and stepping into the backyard. “I mean, it’s just mind-boggling.”

Left behind on an old-school big screen television in Dixon’s living room was a tight shot of Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan in the green room of Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Atlanta Falcons were about to choose Ryan with the No. 3 overall pick, making him a soon-to-be-multi-millionaire and essentially entrusting him to displace Michael Vick as the face of the franchise.

Across the continent Dixon, who six months ago had emerged as the best college football player in America, spent a few minutes pacing aimlessly on his surgically repaired left knee while waiting to go to Oregon’s spring football game. His return to Autzen Stadium would allow him to socialize with ex-teammates and coaches, but its larger purpose was to take his mind off the draft on a day he knew he’d almost certainly be ignored.

Later Saturday, a couple dozen friends and family members were due to descend on the rented house to hang out and enjoy the meat-filled feast prepared by Dixon’s father, Dennis Sr. This was shaping up as a classic pity party. But, to his credit, the younger Dixon wouldn’t allow it. His smile returned shortly after Ryan’s selection reminded him of what might have been, and even as quarterbacks Joe Flacco, Brian Brohm and Chad Henne left the board, Dixon stayed upbeat and philosophical.

“Trust me,” Dixon Sr. said Saturday evening, “my son has this all in perspective.”

When you say goodbye to your mother at age 20 – when your voice is the last thing she hears as she dies in your father’s arms – perspective is not a subtle sensation. You can lose what seemed to be a clear path to a Heisman Trophy, a national championship and the prospect of guaranteed millions and spin it as yet another challenge, an opportunity for your competitive fire to burn more intensely than the brightest of draft-podium spotlights.

And as the first day of the draft passes without your name being called, you can bite your lip and remind yourself that the sun will come out tomorrow.

Sometime Sunday morning, Dixon hopes, a franchise will take a chance on him and make him the fifth or sixth or seventh or eighth quarterback selected. He has no idea which team that might be, and he’s not particularly consumed with wondering where he’ll end up. Unlike Ryan or former Ducks teammate Jonathan Stewart (the running back who went 13th overall to the Carolina Panthers) or the other players who got plucked off the board in Saturday’s first two rounds, Dixon doesn’t have the luxury of weighing the benefits of certain situations against others in visualizing his ideal rookie season.

He simply seeks the chance to make somebody’s team.

“All I want is an opportunity,” Dixon said Saturday. “Those other guys are getting the money right now, but tell me who’ll ultimately be getting it done on the field, and that means a lot more to me. As a little kid, I always dreamt of being a professional in the National Football League. Now it’s here. I just want to have that opportunity, one way or the other.”

As a 6-foot-4, 205-pounder with a good arm, excellent mobility and obvious leadership skills, Dixon remains an enticing option for a team looking to develop a young quarterback for a future shot at a starting job. Since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last November – partially in a 35-23 victory over Arizona State that vaulted Oregon to a No. 2 national ranking, and completely in a Nov. 15 defeat to Arizona in which everything fell apart – Dixon has made a promising recovery, one he and his agent, Jeff Sperbeck, wisely documented in real time on an Oregon-sponsored website.

Realistically, Dixon is a player who seems destined to spend 2008 sitting and learning, preparing for a shot in 2009 or beyond. Even before his injury, some scouts viewed Dixon’s success as a product of the spread offense and believed he’d need to adapt to running a pro-style offense to have a shot at making it in the NFL.

Dixon is confident that he’ll pull it off. Then again, by the most ingrained of standards, he knows he has already made it in a much grander context.

“In our household, it was all about education,” says Dixon’s younger sister, Danitra, who works as a clothing buyer in Los Angeles. “It was school before play, and that was definitely no joke.”

An excellent student at San Leandro High School in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dixon completed his sociology degree at Oregon last June after just 3½ years on campus. In the fall he was a finalist for the Draddy Trophy, given to the top scholar in college football.

He says his mother, Jueretta, who died in February 2004 after a long battle with breast cancer, was the inspiration for his academic success.

“My dad had me in numerous sports,” Dixon says. “I played anything with a ball. My mom was really the one who stayed on me as far as my grades. One of my goals was to earn my college degree and to finish early, and I did. I think she would be proud of me.”

Another thing Jueretta passed on to her son was a streak of relentless optimism. She concealed her illness from her children for as long as she could because she feared it would cause them to lose focus on their academic achievements. Even when her condition worsened and she knew the end was near, Jueretta refused to mope in front of Dennis.

Partially paralyzed by a stroke shortly before Christmas 2003, Jueretta’s mood brightened a few weeks later when Dennis flew home from Eugene.

“She was sitting in a wheelchair in the middle of the living room,” Dennis Sr. recalls of his wife, whom he had started dating in high school, 37 years earlier. “When he walked in that door, she lit up like a Christmas tree.”

He stayed the weekend, and before returning to school, Dixon understood that he almost certainly wouldn’t see his mother again. “I actually got a chance to say goodbye,” he recalls, but this was no maudlin scene out of a Hollywood movie.

“We pretty much just talked and giggled the whole time,” he says. “I was just joking with her, showing her this tattoo on my arm that says ‘I’ll Holler’ and which always used to make her laugh. Even in that moment, she was real positive.”

Dixon, who took one of the family’s cars back to school, saved his tears for the drive to Eugene, checking in every two hours by phone. Less than a week later he called to talk to Jueretta, who was preparing to go to a chemotherapy appointment. His father answered the phone.

“Fifteen minutes earlier she had looked at me and said, ‘Dennis, take me to the water,’ ” Dixon Sr. recalls. “She was already at peace, and I knew it. Dennis called at exactly 11 o’clock, and I held her as I put the phone to her ear. She heard his voice and, in another second, she was gone.”

At Jueretta’s funeral, her son vowed to a packed church that he would honor his mother by achieving the academic goals she’d helped instill. Dixon delivered in the classroom and thrived on the football field, becoming a popular and inspirational presence on a talented team that faded after he suffered the season-ending injury.

He remains very much at home in his familiar collegiate environment, as Saturday’s visit to the spring game in Autzen showed. Clad in a loose polka-dotted tie and black dress shirt while casually roaming the sidelines, Dixon was the life of the party. He slapped hands and swapped stories with current and former Ducks, many of whom would come to his house later that evening, and was especially animated when current Oregon quarterback Justin Roper completed his first pass for a 67-yard gain.

Dixon also went upstairs to work a luxury box full of influential alums, including Nike chieftain Phil Knight.

“When he calls,” Dixon said, laughing, “you go.”

Wherever Dixon goes in the draft Sunday – or, in a worst-case scenario, if he doesn’t get picked and is forced to scramble for a free-agent deal – he knows he has already achieved something far more valuable than the millions which might have been.

“I wish my mom would’ve been here to see this,” he said, a few minutes after Saturday’s second round expired and the no-pity party began in earnest. “I wish she could’ve seen her young boy grow up to be a young man, humbled and driven and focused on the task at hand.”

Dixon looked down at the iPhone clipped to his jeans, a Bluetooth headset in his right ear. The call he was waiting for still hadn’t come.

But make no mistake – the kid is already a pro.

[Beaker]

Apparently trying to recapture the magic of Slash or ARE.

[SteelerFan448]

http://news.steelers.com/article/88793/

Ken Anderson

RE: DENNIS DIXON

Quarterback - University of Oregon

5th Round – 156th Overall

It was not imperative to take a quarterback in this draft – can you explain why you took Dennis Dixon?

I think he’s a nice-sized quarterback, one who’s been very productive. His last two years in college he had a high-completion percentage. Great touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s very athletic, and he’s somebody that we think can come in and compete for the third spot.


What do you think of his mechanics?

I think they’re pretty good. He’s had some big games, he throws the ball down the field. I think he’s a young guy with a lot of potential.


Medically, some teams have him with a red flag.

Well, I’m not a doctor to speak about that. We’ve looked at it. Obviously we know he’s had surgery. We think he’s progressing nicely, and we’re optimistic. He’ll be in here next weekend, and we’ll have another look at him.


Any plans for him to be a receiver?

No, we’re looking at him as a quarterback.


Will he be ready to go when he comes in?

I think he may still be a while away, but again not being a doctor, I’m not exactly sure what the timeframe will be.


Is he still in the Atlanta Braves farm system?

I don’t believe so. I know he played baseball.


Any idea where he might have gone in the draft if he hadn’t gotten hurt?

I wouldn’t want to speculate on that, but he’s a guy that we thought highly of at the quarterback position with the potential he offers.

[Super Dave]

http://dennisdixon10.com/

[Doc]

Didn't i read somewhere in the Pre-draft news presser, that Colbert said no TE's and no QB's??

[Steel Chooch]

Good read, if the Steelers have plans on using him like Randall El, and he is receptive to the WR position, then I like this pick. You got to admit the kid can flat out move on the football field, and it sounds like he's desperate to proove himself, which means he'll work his ass off as well.

[BigSteelThrill]

This is the first pick that I'm not happy with. With our last pick I'd be cool with Dixon, but not when Schuening, a guy who is capable to start at guard right away, is sitting there for the taking.
No freakin' way.

[Vindrow]

Don't understand taking Dixon when you have Schuening sitting there...QB was not a need at this point unlike the O-Line.

[5RINGS]

Didn't i read somewhere in the Pre-draft news presser, that Colbert said no TE's and no QB's??



He was referring to the first round.

[Miller]

So we don't like taking backups now? Think of the value!

I don't get this as a pure QB move. If we were gonna Slash him out, then yeah good pick up. But we apparently aren't. We have Batch and Zabransky, the quality of the 3rd backup just doesn't seem to be a pressing issue. Seems like a waste, but I have liked most of this second day so far.

[JEFFRO]

Didn't i read somewhere in the Pre-draft news presser, that Colbert said no TE's and no QB's??I believe he was referring to day 1 when he said that.

[avoidlloyd]

i've heard a few "experts" say that he could have been a late 6th or even a free agent???

[SteelerFan448]

I don't mind a QB if Schuening wasn't there. With Batch in the last year of his contract, plus getting up there in years, we do have a need for a backup QB. The nice thing about Dixon is that if the staff wanted to, we could definitely use him in some gadget plays as a rookie (if he is healthy).

[FistfullofRings]

I'm just happy Anthony Morelli is off the list...

[SteelerFan448]

http://news.steelers.com/article/88792/

DENNIS DIXON

Quarterback - University of Oregon

5th Round – 156th Overall

Dennis Dixon:

How is the knee?

The knee is good and I am ahead of schedule, which is great. I’m dedicated on that end and I am in my treatment center right here at the University of Oregon this morning and afternoon so it is going well.


How soon can you play or practice?

Well as far as my doctors have told me, they are going to try to release me within a month. That is good for me because that means that I am truly ahead of schedule. I am happy for that.


Where do you think that you might have gone if you had not had the injury?

The sky is the limit. If I could perform to the best of my abilities on the field then it is up to the next level. If you fit that particular scheme then you go. I really have no control over that, I just try to do the best that I can on the field.


How do you feel getting drafted behind a guy who is 26 and just signed a long-term deal?

I just want to be like a sponge and soak everything in. “Big Ben” Roethlisberger is a great quarterback and I want to learn the ins and outs of playing the quarterback position as well.


It would appear that the door is shut here ever being the starter with him here:

Well the sky is the limit and I am just going to come in and do the best that I can. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to come and play at the next level.


Talk about your baseball career:

It is done. Football is my passion.


Tell me a little about baseball? What team? What position?

I got drafted in high school to the Cincinnati Reds, but I decided not to go. On top of that I got drafted my junior year of college to the Atlanta Braves in the 5th round. I played right field.


Did this draft end your baseball career?

I ended it before that.


So you played last summer?

Last summer that was it, yeah.


So you are kind of like Akilli Smith in more ways than one, right?

Something like that. lol



Dennis did they tell you that they would like to use you exclusively at quarterback?

Yes, Coach Tomlin likes me as a quarterback. He likes what I can bring. I can throw the ball different levels with strength. I know I have a lot to work on, and I’m willing and ready with open arms.


Would you be open to doing something else while you are learning quarterback?

Yeah, I just want an opportunity to play at the next level. If Coach Tomlin sees me as something else I’m happy with that.

[BigSteelThrill]

Don't understand taking Dixon when you have Schuening sitting there...QB was not a need at this point unlike the O-Line.

Because Roy is so limited that he isnt the answer. You will still have that "need" next year at the draft. So when you draft a better OG he will be a wasted pick. He would be a bandaid. No better then sliding over the linemen we already have to play as the #4 guard for a year.

[pete]

He's Kordel Stewart with a better arm and no ego. I'm fine with the pick. We don't need any guards. We have a tackle who should be playing guard (Colon) along with Kemoeatu and Mahan fighting for that LG spot. We're fine there. If we needed any help along the OL through the draft, it was either at C or T. We got a left tackle.

Let's go get some d-line help with our last two picks and be on our way.

Plus, players this late aren't typically going to be a starter. You got a guy here that has a chance of being a game breaker in a slash type role.

Our offense is going to be nasty.

[Steel Shinin]

This is a good pick..........calm down guys...after the showing the Steelers had last year....thsi draft is leaps and bounds ahead of what they did. They finally stopped reaching and just trusted their board. You get the best guys you can in there and go from there. I have no problem with that. Dixon can turn out to be a big x factor for us.

[steelcan58]

We sure don't need to waste a draft pick to groom a # 2 QB. To start with the # 2 will never get any significant playing time to gain experience. We should just pick up an experienced QB off the scrap heap like we did with Batch. There are enough of them around.

[pete]

We sure don't need to waste a draft pick to groom a # 2 QB. To start with the # 2 will never get any significant playing time to gain experience. We should just pick up an experienced QB off the scrap heap like we did with Batch. There are enough of them around.

I find it hard to believe that they won't utilize him in some 5 WR sets.

There will also be some packages that he'll be apart, no doubt in my mind.

[The Iron is Steel On!]

Owen Schmitt was still there too.

[Turbo Pig]

horrible horrible horrible... For who was available vs team needs, this was the worst pick for any team in the draft... The kid was possibly going undrafted and at worst, take him with the last pick... This pick and the one following it were horrible

[Turbo Pig]

He's Kordel Stewart with a better arm and no ego. I'm fine with the pick. We don't need any guards. We have a tackle who should be playing guard (Colon) along with Kemoeatu and Mahan fighting for that LG spot. We're fine there. If we needed any help along the OL through the draft, it was either at C or T. We got a left tackle.

Let's go get some d-line help with our last two picks and be on our way.

Plus, players this late aren't typically going to be a starter. You got a guy here that has a chance of being a game breaker in a slash type role.

Our offense is going to be nasty.

No he's Akili Smith with less money... I wouldn't have touched this kid with no injury... He's that typical way over rated player that comes out of college and flops...

[Sluzilla]

why on earth would we need another OG?...we have like 5-6 right now...Schuening wouldn't start over Simmons or Kemo...and probably not over half the others either...

not that i'm big on taking a QB...but the only OL picks we should be looking at is OT and OC...OG fine...

[Turbo Pig]

I'm really sorry if you think we are ok at OG... A lot of bodies does not equal a lot of quality... And to be honest, Schuening was that OG gem that always slips every year... I think he could have started by the end of the year

[Sluzilla]

rankings from various sites...

thehuddlereport.com - 162 QB Dennis Dixon Oregon
greatbluenorth.com - 175. Dennis Dixon QB 6-3, 195 Oregon (X)
nfldraftcountdown.com - 156. Dennis Dixon QB Oregon

[slashsteel]

We need a backup Batch won't be with us much longer. And like it was said we can utilize him in gadget plays. I thought we would draft him in the 6th, but I guess the FO liked him enough to draft him one round earlier. He was looking pretty good before the injury. And to me he looks more than capable at being a slash type of player when called upon..............

[esteban13]

Hopefully, he can be trade bait in the future.

[K from Cal]

I'm waiting for the Jared Zabresky lovers to stand up. If Dixon beats out Zabresky, Zabresky will never get another tryout in the NFL.

[Aries1247]

Tomlin on NFL Net now, says he's 'interested in anything using Dixon that's outside the box & helps them win'.

[Tres Rios]

I'll try again and see if I can get called more names and hear lame jokes.

Batch is in his last year with us. He's guaranteed gone in 2009. Zabransky? Bring back St. Pierre? Sign some old has been? We're getting a guy that can be a great backup to Ben for years who actually has the talent to win a game if we needed him to. He was on pace to be one of the Heisman favorites and was throwing up sick stats before getting hurt. He is ahead of recovery schedule and will be fine.

If he does get a good chance to shine as a backup, in preseason or (god forbid) if Ben gets hurt, and does well, we will have teams beating down our door - like Chicago to hand over their 2nd or 3rd round pick for him.

Was he taken early? Maybe. He could have been there for our first 6th round pick but why risk it? We obviously had nobody else on our mind for that time.

[whitesandwich]

He gives depth at QB and if he learns the WR position he can backup two spots leaving an extra roster spot open.

[BuckeyeSteel]

Batch is in his last year with us. He's guaranteed gone in 2009.

What makes you say this? How do you know?

[tooz]

I like the pick. Did anyone read the article on him in SI? He's got a great attitude, been busting his ass since the injury and was heaving the rock 60yards on one leg! he's got 4.4 speed, great work ethic and he's got a good head on his shoulders. Don't be surprised if see him come in on certain situations to mix things up, either at QB, slot or WR.

[BigSteelThrill]

It was a 5th round pick. :cool:

And in '07 up until he was hurt... he was the very best collegiate offensive player in the nation.

Doesnt mean anything for the NFL, but again, it was only a late 5th round pick.

[GIJohnny]

Waiting game ends for Dixon (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ano0Wtoa4xmCHIKUEk4VEs8yNbgF?slug=ms-dixondrafted042708&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)

By Michael Silver (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/expertsarchive;_ylt=AiGRATahqBo2f3lKa_E_0L4yNbgF?a uthor=Michael+Silver), Yahoo! Sports

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. ‐ The rented sedan was rolling toward the Eugene Airport at a quarter to noon Sunday when the driver got the news he’d been waiting for, fielding a phone call from the house he’d just left after a long, anxious morning.

So Dennis Dixon Sr. did what he figured any proud, elated father whose son had just been drafted would do: He whipped a U-turn on the Beltline Highway, put the pedal to the metal and rushed back to give his boy a prolonged, heartfelt hug.

“Oh, damn, I’m a Pittsburgh Steeler!” Dixon’s jubilant son, Dennis, exclaimed shortly after his father’s return. “It’s a rush, and now I’ve got to go out there and do what I do.”
“The door is opened!” Dixon Sr. yelled. “I’ve got goosebumps right now.”

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Leave it to the Dixon family to provide a little added drama to the NFL draft process, one which had been filled with uncertainty since an untimely injury rocked their world six months ago.

When the Steelers used a fifth-round draft pick to select Dixon, the former Oregon quarterback whose Heisman Trophy and national championship dreams had been derailed by a torn knee ligament in November, it ended a tense session in front of the living-room television that was well into its fifth hour. But in terms of facilitating a family celebration, the moment occurred at the nick of time.

Hoping to go as high as the third round, which began at 7 a.m. Pacific time, Dixon had grown increasingly frustrated as the day dragged on, becoming visibly angry when three teams he felt might pick him (the Carolina Panthers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/car/;_ylt=AubL9O3nMP55TAAdxDAjlJIyNbgF), Kansas City Chiefs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/kan/;_ylt=Akhc7uIVnG4YUs_Mwqu.ctIyNbgF) and Chicago Bears (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/chi/;_ylt=AhNrwkM8dFI_UjX6qLM_uYAyNbgF)) chose other players early in the fifth round. Shortly thereafter, at 11:30 a.m., Dixon Sr. and daughter Danitra gave up and headed for the airport to catch their respective flights to California.

Quiet and aggravated, Dixon said goodbye to his father and sister and started shooting pool with former Ducks receiver Brian Paysinger, one of the many ex-teammates who spent much of the weekend at the house near the Oregon campus devouring the meaty offerings cooked up by Dixon Sr.

He was leaning over the table and lining up a shot when his iPhone finally buzzed. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, whom Dixon had gotten to know on a pre-draft visit to the Steelers’ facility, was on the other line.

“Are you ready to be a Steeler?” Tomlin asked.

“Yessir!” Dixon said, pumping his right fist while excitedly bounding up and down the stairs.

Dixon’s house was full of sleepy friends, some of whom were awakened by the commotion. But the two most important people of all weren’t there to share his joy. Dixon, who lost his mother, Jueretta, to breast cancer four years ago, is exceptionally close to his father and sister. They had to share this moment, and now Tomlin and the Steelers had made it all possible.

Ten long minutes later, Dennis Sr. and Danitra returned. Even as they celebrated together, the idea of Dixon wearing the black-and-gold was all so surreal.
Dixon Sr. lives in San Leandro, a working-class town in the shadow of Oakland’s McAfee Coliseum, and is a longtime fan of the Oakland Raiders (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/oak/;_ylt=AnVgCwEiZ0Gdl3HNY4f2_fcyNbgF). “Jack Tatum’s kids used to go to school with Dennis and Danitra,” he recalled Saturday. “We used to go over to his house all the time. There’s talk of Dennis going to San Francisco, and everyone says, ‘If he does, you’ll have to root for the 49ers.’ And I tell ‘em, ‘No, I don’t.’ ”

He was kidding. We think..

On Sunday, when reminded of the longtime Raiders-Steelers rivalry that includes the Immaculate Reception, the elder Dixon said, “You know how hard that’s gonna be, to root for the Steelers? Matter of fact, that’s harder than the 49ers. But I’ll manage.”
In the wake of his injury, Dixon had maintained that he didn’t care where he went (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArQ2Nf8YS4IqAfIh7W.jPDgyNbgF?slug=ms-dixon042708&prov=yhoo&type=lgns), that all he wanted was an opportunity to make an NFL roster. So he wasn’t about to complain about being drafted by a team that just gave a reported eight-year, $102 million contract to Ben Roethlisberger (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6770/;_ylt=Asio3A0fXxD3RLnLx84yhVwyNbgF), its young, franchise quarterback.
“As a quarterback in my situation, coming off an injury, it’s going to take a while for me to adapt anyway,” Dixon said. “Being able to learn from two smart, experienced quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4319/;_ylt=AsSYabjUk7SNxDx9BRyW0b0yNbgF) goes a long way. I’m just going to be a sponge and absorb everything.

“At the same time, I’m a competitor, and I’m going to go out there and compete with everything I’ve got.”

Dixon added that he was excited by the opportunity to play with veteran Steelers wideout Hines Ward (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4323/;_ylt=An1ksmIm5jj_3qDJXF_UMSYyNbgF), whom he said he was “honored to have a chance to meet” during his visit.

“As a little kid, this is what you dream of, right here,” he said. “Now, you’ve got to respond. I can’t wait to get out there and get to work.”

If he’s in a hurry, it’s nothing compared to the hurry his father and sister were in as they left the house for a second time Sunday.

“Tell ‘em to hold the plane!” Dixon joked to his father. “Tell ‘em your son just got drafted, and that’s why you were late.”

“We’ve got to go!” Danitra said, and seconds later they were in the car, ready to hoof it up the Beltline Highway once more. But as he pulled away, Dixon Sr. had one final thought.

“Remember Slash?” he asked, referring to former Steelers quarterback and multipurpose threat Kordell Stewart. “Maybe we’ve got Slash II.”

[BigSteelThrill]

Dixon had grown increasingly frustrated as the day dragged on, becoming visibly angry when three teams he felt might pick him (the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears) chose other players early in the fifth round.

I love to hear that!!!

[DrunkinIrishman]

I'll try again and see if I can get called more names and hear lame jokes.

Batch is in his last year with us. He's guaranteed gone in 2009. Zabransky? Bring back St. Pierre? Sign some old has been? We're getting a guy that can be a great backup to Ben for years who actually has the talent to win a game if we needed him to. He was on pace to be one of the Heisman favorites and was throwing up sick stats before getting hurt. He is ahead of recovery schedule and will be fine.

If he does get a good chance to shine as a backup, in preseason or (god forbid) if Ben gets hurt, and does well, we will have teams beating down our door - like Chicago to hand over their 2nd or 3rd round pick for him.

Was he taken early? Maybe. He could have been there for our first 6th round pick but why risk it? We obviously had nobody else on our mind for that time.

Dude are you a moron? Just kidding. I am with you. I do not think this is as bad as some are making it out to be. I actually thought he was shorter (surprised to see he was 6-3) We are going to need a qb very soon because Batch's days are close to done. If he could learn some receiver, that would be great too. If he is hurt into the season then we can throw him on injured reserve. Yes, I would have gotten a DL before him, but he has the potential to be a good backup qb. If we did not take a backup this year, we would have to take one next year. People just did not seem to understand that the Steelers were looking at lineman as hard as we thought they should.

[Miller]

Why is Batch guaranteed gone? No team is going to let him start, he can be the backup here in his hometown where he can continue his charity work and he's really well liked and well thought of until he decides to retire. It's pretty much as good as it gets for a backup.

[BigSteelThrill]

Why is Batch guaranteed gone? No team is going to let him start, he can be the backup here in his hometown where he can continue his charity work and he's really well liked and well thought of until he decides to retire. It's pretty much as good as it gets for a backup.
Or another team will offer him enough for his services, Hell Gus Ferrotte got 2m a year on his deal.

He's not guaranteed gone, but you are much better served to be prepared.

[Tres Rios]

He's in the last year of his contract and 95 years old. How long do you want that on your team? You want to resign him for 3 more years?

[Turbo Pig]

Just about as much of a guarantee that Dixon never throws a pass for the steelers

[BigSteelThrill]

Just about as much of a guarantee that Dixon never throws a pass for the steelers:confused:

[NYSteel]

Was there any mention that the Jags were looking at Dixon?

This pick is intriguing, IMO, given our QB status right now. But it's a sweeter choice if the Jags were looking to grab him 2 picks after us....

[Spike]

Tres picked this guy?????

Ha!





I rest my case.

[a1aparrot]

The odds are a bit long on the guy but you can't win the pot if you don't put down the bet. If this pays off it could pay off big.

[1st & 10]

If the Oline does not play better this year we may need Dixon at QB.

[FlaStGrad]

[QUOTE=Dixon added that he was excited by the opportunity to play with veteran Steelers wideout Hines Ward, whom he said he was “honored to have a chance to meet” during his visit.[/QUOTE]

I hope Dixon at least gets Hines' autograph because he will never thow him a pass. :D

[bill s55]

waste of a pick IMO:mad:

[steelreeling]

Last guy i read quoted with that 'i'll work my ass off just to make the team' attitude was man named Hines Mothering Ward. Spent a year on special teams and that turned out pretty well.

If the OL is in tatters and you draft no-one, having brought in a journeyman Center, you need to at least think of who could backup Ben. No one wants to be in a playoff game with our OL that got Ben hit so hard he's dizzy; and have to watch Tomlin stare at old-man Batch, who hasn't played in 2 years and was rusty in pre-seaon, or at some no-name college QB like St. Lepew. This pick makes sense given the OL.

[Steeler XL]

Waiting game ends for Dixon
By Michael Silver, Yahoo! Sports
2 hours, 13 minutes ago

Buzz Up PrintMore From Michael SilverNo pity party for former Oregon star Apr 27, 2008 McFadden ready for his close-up Apr 26, 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – The rented sedan was rolling toward the Eugene Airport at a quarter to noon Sunday when the driver got the news he’d been waiting for, fielding a phone call from the house he’d just left after a long, anxious morning.

So Dennis Dixon Sr. did what he figured any proud, elated father whose son had just been drafted would do: He whipped a U-turn on the Beltline Highway, put the pedal to the metal and rushed back to give his boy a prolonged, heartfelt hug.

“Oh, damn, I’m a Pittsburgh Steeler!” Dixon’s jubilant son, Dennis, exclaimed shortly after his father’s return. “It’s a rush, and now I’ve got to go out there and do what I do.”

“The door is opened!” Dixon Sr. yelled. “I’ve got goosebumps right now.”

ADVERTISEMENT



Leave it to the Dixon family to provide a little added drama to the NFL draft process, one which had been filled with uncertainty since an untimely injury rocked their world six months ago.

When the Steelers used a fifth-round draft pick to select Dixon, the former Oregon quarterback whose Heisman Trophy and national championship dreams had been derailed by a torn knee ligament in November, it ended a tense session in front of the living-room television that was well into its fifth hour. But in terms of facilitating a family celebration, the moment occurred at the nick of time.

Hoping to go as high as the third round, which began at 7 a.m. Pacific time, Dixon had grown increasingly frustrated as the day dragged on, becoming visibly angry when three teams he felt might pick him (the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears) chose other players early in the fifth round. Shortly thereafter, at 11:30 a.m., Dixon Sr. and daughter Danitra gave up and headed for the airport to catch their respective flights to California.

Quiet and aggravated, Dixon said goodbye to his father and sister and started shooting pool with former Ducks receiver Brian Paysinger, one of the many ex-teammates who spent much of the weekend at the house near the Oregon campus devouring the meaty offerings cooked up by Dixon Sr.

He was leaning over the table and lining up a shot when his iPhone finally buzzed. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, whom Dixon had gotten to know on a pre-draft visit to the Steelers’ facility, was on the other line.

“Are you ready to be a Steeler?” Tomlin asked.

“Yessir!” Dixon said, pumping his right fist while excitedly bounding up and down the stairs.

Dixon’s house was full of sleepy friends, some of whom were awakened by the commotion. But the two most important people of all weren’t there to share his joy. Dixon, who lost his mother, Jueretta, to breast cancer four years ago, is exceptionally close to his father and sister. They had to share this moment, and now Tomlin and the Steelers had made it all possible.

Ten long minutes later, Dennis Sr. and Danitra returned. Even as they celebrated together, the idea of Dixon wearing the black-and-gold was all so surreal.

Dixon Sr. lives in San Leandro, a working-class town in the shadow of Oakland’s McAfee Coliseum, and is a longtime fan of the Oakland Raiders. “Jack Tatum’s kids used to go to school with Dennis and Danitra,” he recalled Saturday. “We used to go over to his house all the time. There’s talk of Dennis going to San Francisco, and everyone says, ‘If he does, you’ll have to root for the 49ers.’ And I tell ‘em, ‘No, I don’t.’ ”

He was kidding. We think.

On Sunday, when reminded of the longtime Raiders-Steelers rivalry that includes the Immaculate Reception, the elder Dixon said, “You know how hard that’s gonna be, to root for the Steelers? Matter of fact, that’s harder than the 49ers. But I’ll manage.”

In the wake of his injury, Dixon had maintained that he didn’t care where he went, that all he wanted was an opportunity to make an NFL roster. So he wasn’t about to complain about being drafted by a team that just gave a reported eight-year, $102 million contract to Ben Roethlisberger, its young, franchise quarterback.

“As a quarterback in my situation, coming off an injury, it’s going to take a while for me to adapt anyway,” Dixon said. “Being able to learn from two smart, experienced quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch goes a long way. I’m just going to be a sponge and absorb everything.

“At the same time, I’m a competitor, and I’m going to go out there and compete with everything I’ve got.”

Dixon added that he was excited by the opportunity to play with veteran Steelers wideout Hines Ward, whom he said he was “honored to have a chance to meet” during his visit.

“As a little kid, this is what you dream of, right here,” he said. “Now, you’ve got to respond. I can’t wait to get out there and get to work.”

If he’s in a hurry, it’s nothing compared to the hurry his father and sister were in as they left the house for a second time Sunday.

“Tell ‘em to hold the plane!” Dixon joked to his father. “Tell ‘em your son just got drafted, and that’s why you were late.”

“We’ve got to go!” Danitra said, and seconds later they were in the car, ready to hoof it up the Beltline Highway once more. But as he pulled away, Dixon Sr. had one final thought.

“Remember Slash?” he asked, referring to former Steelers quarterback and multipurpose threat Kordell Stewart. “Maybe we’ve got Slash II.”

Michael Silver covers the NFL for Yahoo! Sports. Send Michael a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
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[pete]

Good shit.

I love this draft.

[Southern Steeler]

For those that are bitching because he has an ACL tear I'd like to point out that Hines Fkn Ward does not even have an ACL in one of his knees. He seems to have turned out OK.

[Steeler XL]

A must read

[t-bone]

I hope Dixon at least gets Hines' autograph because he will never thow him a pass. :D

I highly doubt that....:D

[deljzc]

Colbert's record with 5th round QB's:

Tee Martin (2000) - stank
BSP (2003) - 3rd stringer at best
Omar Jacobs - gone by training camp
Dennis Dixon - ???

Really for you guys supporting this pick. Please tell me something I didn't hear back in those years too. It's the same-old, same-old Colbert doing his thing.

For some reason failing three times with his 5th round QB philosophy didn't convince him to give up. He keeps banging his head against the wall.

Might as well be looking to see who we pick in the 5th round in 2011.

[TonyM]

For those that are bitching because he has an ACL tear I'd like to point out that Hines Fkn Ward does not even have an ACL in one of his knees. He seems to have turned out OK.

I'm not bitching because he may or may not have knee problems. I'm bitching because they had significant needs they could have drafted at that pick, and a 3rd string QB wasn't one of them.

[Southern Steeler]

Which makes him different from Mendenhall........................how?

[LetMePlay]

For those that are bitching because he has an ACL tear I'd like to point out that Hines Fkn Ward does not even have an ACL in one of his knees. He seems to have turned out OK.

ACLs are for pussies.

[LetMePlay]

Colbert's record with 5th round QB's:

Tee Martin (2000) - stank
BSP (2003) - 3rd stringer at best
Omar Jacobs - gone by training camp
Dennis Dixon - ???

Really for you guys supporting this pick. Please tell me something I didn't hear back in those years too. It's the same-old, same-old Colbert doing his thing.

For some reason failing three times with his 5th round QB philosophy didn't convince him to give up. He keeps banging his head against the wall.

Might as well be looking to see who we pick in the 5th round in 2011.

If we drafted him as a QB its a wasted pick. I'm not sure we drafted him to be a QB.

[Southern Steeler]

If we drafted him as a QB its a wasted pick. I'm not sure we drafted him to be a QB.

I agree 100%. He's going to have to be a Randel-El type for this to be a solid pick, imo

[deljzc]

If we drafted him as a QB its a wasted pick. I'm not sure we drafted him to be a QB.

I'll believe the Slash hype when I see it. That's a big stretch to me as justification for the pick. He's never played any position other than QB. Learning WR isn't so easy that every 6'-3", 200 lbs kid that runs a 4.45 can do it. It takes a lot more than just that.

[Southern Steeler]

He's never played any position other than QB.

Randle-El was a multi-year starter at Indiana at QB. And a really good one, too.

[LetMePlay]

I'll believe the Slash hype when I see it. That's a big stretch to me as justification for the pick. He's never played any position other than QB. Learning WR isn't so easy that every 6'-3", 200 lbs kid that runs a 4.45 can do it. It takes a lot more than just that.

He does not have to play WR full time. He needs to be an emergency QB and be involved in about 5 plays a game to make the pick a success. Its not like there were players sitting around that would could contribute more.

If he does not agree to play slash I cut him before he finishes the sentence.

[deljzc]

The no one else available excuse isn't flying with me. Any potential starter has a lottery ticket chance of maybe turning into something good.

This doesn't even if you get "5 plays" out of him. I just don't see that as good enough.

Schmitt, Schuenning, Hayden, Goff, Nicks (who I think was off our board), Rubin.... there's a pretty long list of "potential" players that could be starters someday at a position. I'm not saying they will, but we didn't even take the chance.

I don't know.... you're not really going to convince me a QB was a good pick for us in this draft, even a slash type (I think slash players are overrated anyhow).

[LetMePlay]

I don't know.... you're not really going to convince me a QB was a good pick for us in this draft, even a slash type (I think slash players are overrated anyhow).

I dont think I am trying to convince you. Just saying that a long term contribution as a slash player is worth something. I think the slash players have 3 main contributions:
1) Dont have to carry 3 QBs.
2) Irritate the other team.
3) Can back up at the WR position.

[Steeltime]

Steelers coaches - Anderson and Tomlin - both say they are looking at Dixon solely as a QB, so the "slash" discussion has no basis.

Dixon is a project even if he is 100% healthy. He is very slightly-built and cannot stand up to the punishment of an NFL season. He played out of a spread offense, where the QB's always need time to adjust. Add on the injury factor and he is not going to be a possible contributor before 2009.

Hello, practice squad. Do they still play football in Europe??

[LetMePlay]

Steelers coaches - Anderson and Tomlin - both say they are looking at Dixon solely as a QB, so the "slash" discussion has no basis.


Then this pick was an F. Its going to be years before he is ready to be a backup.

[Tres Rios]

Colbert's record with 5th round QB's:

Tee Martin (2000) - stank
BSP (2003) - 3rd stringer at best
Omar Jacobs - gone by training camp
Dennis Dixon - ???

Really for you guys supporting this pick. Please tell me something I didn't hear back in those years too. It's the same-old, same-old Colbert doing his thing.

For some reason failing three times with his 5th round QB philosophy didn't convince him to give up. He keeps banging his head against the wall.

Might as well be looking to see who we pick in the 5th round in 2011.

Last I checked those guys weren't being talked about as the Heisman winner that season. Dixon doesn't get hurt he's most definitely 3rd or 4th round pick.

[Tres Rios]

I like all the but... XXXX and ZZZZ and YYYY were all available... excuses. You have a crystal ball handy?

[pete]

Everyone is blaming Colbert for drafting Dixon.

I believe it's Mike Tomlin who has the hard-on for him. It was probably him who pulled the strings to get him. So if you're going to bitch about Dixon, I'd blame Tomlin. Not Colbert

[FAB802]

Mike Tomlin is fucking everything up.

[Stlrbum]

That is what the draft is all about!

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Oregon QB Dennis Dixon Scouting Report
Height: 6-3, Weight: 205, Draft Grade: 63

Weakness: Can't play Left Tackle, rush the passer, return, kicks, or cover opposing receivers

[Tres Rios]

Weakness: Can't play Left Tackle, rush the passer, return, kicks, or cover opposing receivers


Odd, neither can any other non LT O-Lineman people were yelling for.

[Turbo Pig]

I agree 100%. He's going to have to be a Randel-El type for this to be a solid pick, imo

People STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP he is nothing like Randel El... He will never be and is not intended to be any sort of a slash player...

[pete]

People STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP he is nothing like Randel El... He will never be and is not intended to be any sort of a slash player...

You know this how?

[Turbo Pig]

Last I checked those guys weren't being talked about as the Heisman winner that season. Dixon doesn't get hurt he's most definitely 3rd or 4th round pick.


Drop this Heisman CRAP... I think the list of Heisman QB successes in the NFL is very small... It doesn't help you out that this is a shitty pick

[Turbo Pig]

You know this how?

Our staff and every expert talking about his has said so... Plus watch tape on him... I guess our own front office that says "we are only looking at him as a QB" is lying too...

[tapeANaspirin2it]

I actually think Hills is the best LT prospect available after RD 1. It doesn't bother me that he was the only lineman the steelers drafted. I would have preferred a DB over Dixon. Or at the least, i wish they could have traded back to get dixon.

Also, we know that next year the Steelers will have a compensatory pick for Faneca, likely a 3rd rounder. I'd rather take a backup QB when the steelers have the extra pick.

[pete]

Our staff and every expert talking about his has said so... Plus watch tape on him... I guess our own front office that says "we are only looking at him as a QB" is lying too...

There is no way they're going to let this kid sit on the bench if he can help other ways. They'll probably use him like Seattle uses Seneca Wallace.

[Spike]

Curious

You notice the same people critical of the Steelers drafting a RB #1 now suddenly love the idea of a one-legged clipboard holder who won't be able to walk for 2 years?

[Turbo Pig]

There is no way they're going to let this kid sit on the bench if he can help other ways. They'll probably use him like Seattle uses Seneca Wallace.


No they won't and they have said so... I am sorry...

[Tres Rios]

We get it. You don't like the pick. Time to move on already.

[Southern Steeler]

When did Turbo Pig become the authority? I must have missed that memo.

[BigSteelThrill]

No they won't and they have said so... I am sorry...
Yes they already said they would investigate the possibility of him doing outside the box roles to help the team win.

[BigSteelThrill]

When did Turbo Pig become the authority? I must have missed that memo.
He a 'tard saying thing that directly contradict what Tomlin said about Dixon.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d808076b6

[Southern Steeler]

Yes they already said they would investigate the possibility of him doing outside the box roles to help the team win.

hush now!

Turbo Pig says they won't and that's it. Remove everything else from your mind.

[pete]

No they won't and they have said so... I am sorry...

Because all NFL front offices are required to tell the absolute truth about a situation to the media.

That's right. I forgot about that.

OmGz guys. The Steelers suck!!!!!!!! I'm going to be a Chiefs fan now. At least THEY know how to draft.

[Turbo Pig]

So you guys all of a sudden know what outside the box means... The idiots that love this pick when an outstanding Guard and DB were there (which I might add were grabbed immediately after the next teams got done laughing at our pick) will say and manipulate anything to make themselves feel like they know something... I would bet my house he never takes a snap in the black and gold

Point is, he would be worth the gamble with our last pick, but with quality need players there and passed on, thats what makes this pick a joke... Sorry...

[BigSteelThrill]

The question was directly "LIKE SLASH" they answer was YES. And he took a step beyond by saying anything outside the box to help win. Hell, he might return punts too if he is any good at it. And they even referred to him wearing the same number (10) as slash in the qiuestion.


*I added the jersey number thing, because you obviously dont even know what jersey number slash wore.


When asked if he could be used like Kordell was as a Slash player...

"This guy is capable of doing a lot of things physically on the football field. We are interested in exploring (him being used in a Slash role and more). I think if you are interested in winning you will leave no stone unturned... why not explore the potential of him doing some 'outside the box' things if it can help us win."

[pete]

So you guys all of a sudden know what outside the box means... The idiots that love this pick when an outstanding Guard and DB were there (which I might add were grabbed immediately after the next teams got done laughing at our pick) will say and manipulate anything to make themselves feel like they know something... I would bet my house he never takes a snap in the black and gold

Point is, he would be worth the gamble with our last pick, but with quality need players there and passed on, thats what makes this pick a joke... Sorry...

But the thing was they felt that Dixon provided a better value, more than anyone who was left in the draft at that time.

So, I'll trust their judgment over yours. Sorry...

[Turbo Pig]

LOL... you interpret that as him being a WR slash player...

Well, we all know I hate the pick and about 5% of the board like the idea of passing on quality need players in the 5th round... You guys enjoy this stretch and I'm not even worried about it any more... I'll never see him any time other than the preseason, so why does it even matter actually... We ended up with 6 picks, which is what we had before trading down, so no need to get worked up any more...

[BigSteelThrill]

Well, we all know I hate
I didnt know you hated the pick.

I just saw you say something that was completely wrong. You had espoused a position that was the total opposite of what Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin said earlier this very day about a player.

Thus I posted.

[Turbo Pig]

But the thing was they felt that Dixon provided a better value, more than anyone who was left in the draft at that time.

So, I'll trust their judgment over yours. Sorry...

So you agree with all their judgement calls ( I seem to remember a FA OL signing that you seem to second guess, but thats only when its convenient for your argument) I choose to have my own opinions and not just use the old "I trust the front office" slogan

[pete]

LOL... you interpret that as him being a WR slash player...

Well, we all know I hate the pick and about 5% of the board like the idea of passing on quality need players in the 5th round... You guys enjoy this stretch and I'm not even worried about it any more... I'll never see him any time other than the preseason, so why does it even matter actually... We ended up with 6 picks, which is what we had before trading down, so no need to get worked up any more...

What "quality" players? You have yet to name a name?

[Turbo Pig]

I didnt know you hated the pick.

I just saw you say something that was completely wrong. You had espoused a position that was the total opposite of what Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin said earlier this very day about a player.

Thus I posted.

No actually I was right and I heard it directly from Tomlin's mouth

[pete]

So you agree with all their judgement calls ( I seem to remember a FA OL signing that you seem to second guess, but thats only when its convenient for your argument) I choose to have my own opinions and not just use the old "I trust the front office" slogan

When it's between your judgment and the front office, I'll take their word every day and twice on Sunday.

The only difference is when I have a disagreement, I can usually back it up better than "those guys are idiots and you're an idiot if you don't agree with me!".

[Sluzilla]

So you guys all of a sudden know what outside the box means... The idiots that love this pick when an outstanding Guard and DB were there (which I might add were grabbed immediately after the next teams got done laughing at our pick) will say and manipulate anything to make themselves feel like they know something... I would bet my house he never takes a snap in the black and gold

Point is, he would be worth the gamble with our last pick, but with quality need players there and passed on, thats what makes this pick a joke... Sorry...

outstanding???...and you think the other teams were laughing at the FO???...

we don't need an average guard...we have several...we do need good QB backups...

if there was another quality OT...fine...

Gay / McFadden / Taylor / Townsend...what DB did you see that is gonna unseat these guys?...

[pete]

No actually I was right and I heard it directly from Tomlin's mouth

But the video posted suggested otherwise, which means what Tomlin says to the media now should be taken with a grain of salt because he's not going to just announce his plans to the media.

[Turbo Pig]

What "quality" players? You have yet to name a name?

Williams and Schuening were two very good players that provided value at weak spots for us... I have said those names numerous times

[pete]

Williams and Schuening were two very good players that provided value at weak spots for us... I have said those names numerous times

And what does Schuening and Williams provide that Gay and Kemoeatu don't?

[Turbo Pig]

outstanding???...and you think the other teams were laughing at the FO???...

we don't need an average guard...we have several...we do need good QB backups...

if there was another quality OT...fine...

Gay / McFadden / Taylor / Townsend...what DB did you see that is gonna unseat these guys?...

I believe Schuening would unseet our G and start... I think he was the gem that had a chance to contribute this year on a team...

You are actually calling Dixon a good back up... If you were looking for a back up QB, there were another 3-4 QB left that are probably better back up QB... Not to mention there are plenty of average QB that are unemployed to pick up if we need one..

Oh, I do provide strong arguments and reasons and can back up my opinion with why I feel like i do

[BigSteelThrill]

And what does Schuening and Williams provide that Gay and Kemoeatu don't?
Nothing. They would just be getting replaced again next year.
Hell we added an UDFA center > then those guys.

[steelreeling]

Dixon doesn't get hurt, he's most definitely a top 20 pick of the first round.

Fixed that one and now it should make sense. You get a shot at an UNBELIEVEABLE value with this guy. National champ contender has a great quarterback, that guy is going in the top 20 in the first round. People didn't like VYoung and his mechanics/ offensive scheme, but look at where he went. I don't care what the mitagating factors, a top tier program quarterback (and i mean a guy responsible for lifting their team, not an Eric Crouch) has skills. Look at Heath Miller. We got him, he was sooo injured that nobody picked him, yet he was the best TE. He healed and has turned into a stud. I bet there are numerous teams that WISH they had not blown his injury off like they did; he would've instantly made them better. This guy could do the same thing. And thanks to everyone's pessimism; we stand to win the lottery on him. 2 great QBs= Steelers breathing easier about the offense and OL.

Worst case scenario, you cut his ass like you would any 5th rounder. Hell, didn't we read an article on here that said that like only a handful of 5th rounders and beyond ever become starters. Then its easy to see that most GMs MISS on the 4,5, & 6th round guys. Hitting is a fluke because of the talent in rounds 1,2, and 3. Here you guys are bitching about what we could have had. F- the odds are that any we did get second day, and would've gotten in his place, will be bench-warmers at best. Might as well take the shot.

[Turbo Pig]

Nothing. They would just be getting replaced again next year.
Hell we added an UDFA center > then those guys.

I'm done arguing with you... If you really believe that statement then we are WAY to far apart to even discuss the draft

[pete]

I'm done arguing with you... If you really believe that statement then we are WAY to far apart to even discuss the draft

So someone disagrees with you so you're taking your ball and going home.

[BigSteelThrill]

I'm done arguing with you... If you really believe that statement then we are WAY to far apart to even discuss the draft

I was never arguing with you. I just posted the video of what Tomlin actually stated that contradicted your lies. Take it up with Tomlin if you have a problem.

[topseed]

Personally, I loved the pick and I really don't understand all the negativity surrounding Dixon. Athletes like this dude don't grow on trees. Especially late fifth round trees.

Perhaps you haters trumpeting all of the talent that the Steelers bypassed there at #156 should be more concerned with the stretch of a pick they wasted on another tweener in the third round, when there were still some true difference-makers left on the board.

[Sluzilla]

I believe Schuening would unseet our G and start... I think he was the gem that had a chance to contribute this year on a team...

You are actually calling Dixon a good back up... If you were looking for a back up QB, there were another 3-4 QB left that are probably better back up QB... Not to mention there are plenty of average QB that are unemployed to pick up if we need one..

Oh, I do provide strong arguments and reasons and can back up my opinion with why I feel like i do

you think Schuening is better than any OG we have...and could start right away...this guy?...

Roy Schuening OG Oregon St



STRENGTHS

Roy is a powerful offensive lineman who has been a starter for his college team for the last few years and has a lot of repetitions under his belt. He exhibits leadership qualities through his play on the field and looks to be a very good teammate. Roy has been one of the better offensive lineman at the college level, but at the next level, he is going to have to step it up big time.



NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Right now, Roy is just a systems right guard for the next level. His lack of foot speed, lateral agility, quickness out of his stance and overall body strength limits him. However, if he has a good work ethic like I think he does, then he has the ability to get better and looks to be a good developmental project. If he can improve on the quickness out of his stance and lateral agility to play a little center, he could be a starting right guard with the potential to back up your starting center -- IF he is drafted by a team that uses a play action run/vertical passing game offense.



TALENT BOARD ROUND 5

Roy is a systems offensive lineman. He will need to be drafted by a team that uses a power play action running game to get the full impact of his talents. Unless Roy can improve his lateral agility and foot speed along with his quickness out of his stance, he is destined to be an average right guard at best. I believe he has some developmental promise, but drafting Roy in the first three rounds of this draft and then putting him the wrong system is a recipe for failure. He needs time to develop and putting him on the field too early is not going to help this kid at all. Give him some time and he could develop into a better than average right guard who might be used as a back up for your starting center. Roy's strength will always be in blocking for the run. Roy is not a spread offense or WCO guard; if your team drafts him and has that style of offense, I do not believe that Roy will be on that team's roster for very long. But I do believe he has the mental stamina and work ethic to compete in the future for a starting position in the right system.

Eirc Ainge
Colt Brennan
Alex Brink
Matt Flynn
Josh Johnson
Andre Woodson

you think these 3-4 of these guys are better than Dixon?...or are you saying you don't need to have a good QB as a backup?...

[Southern Steeler]

So someone disagrees with you so you're taking your ball and going home.


Isn't that what we want him to do?

[Sluzilla]

the deal is...i didn't really want a QB there...but i can see the logic in it...especially with the talent level Dixon has displayed...

i didn't really want a RB in the first either...but you can't pass up talent that drops...

Schuening was not talent that dropped...he was 5th round talent drafted in the 5th round...

[Tres Rios]

Personally, I loved the pick and I really don't understand all the negativity surrounding Dixon. Athletes like this dude don't grow on trees. Especially late fifth round trees.


Exactly. If Mendenhall wasn't really a need but was too good of a BPA in Round one, how is Dixon any different for Round 5? This guy finishes the season and wins a big bowl and he's drafted much earlier.

He completed 68% of his passes, threw 20 TDs to 4 INTs in 10 games. All while playing decent defensive teams like USC, Cal, Michigan & AZ State.

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Exactly. If Mendenhall wasn't really a need but was too good of a BPA in Round one, how is Dixon any different for Round 5? This guy finishes the season and wins a big bowl and he's drafted much earlier.

He completed 68% of his passes, threw 20 TDs to 4 INTs in 10 games. All while playing decent defensive teams like USC, Cal, Michigan & AZ State.

The difference is you play 2 RBs, but you only play 1 QB, so Mendenhall is not just a backup. He can play and make a difference.

I think Dixon has just as much upside as any QB in this draft, including Matt Ryan. I just question drafting that position, not the player.

Here's the play that stands out to me with Dixon. The statue of liberty against Michigan. He made a great ball fake, then stood there for a moment with the ball behind his back, cool as a cucumber in the Big House. That's a play and a situation where lots of QBs would look hurried, overly excited. I think Dixon is the kind of guy who keeps his head and that's about half of being a good NFL QB right there.

I'm liking this pick more because as i look at the draft, the only player i would have preferred at that spot was CB Trae Williams. He's not exactly a can't miss prospect and DBs are Tomlin's specialty, so I'll give the benefit of the doubt for passing on him for the QB. It still would have been nice if they could have traded back a few picks and still too Dixon.

[Tres Rios]

I just think they know Charlie is gone after his contract runs out next season and we have nothing else. Why not take a possible star at backup now. Especially when next year's QB crop is supposed to be weak.

Sure he may have been there in Round 6. But, again, I think it was too good to pass on.

[BigSteelThrill]

From the SI article...

But no QB in this draft has longer arms (36.25 inches) or bigger hands (9.75-inch span) or a faster 40 time (4.49 seconds last year at Oregon). When Dixon was a junior, Bellotti told him he was a better prospect than Vince Young. And that was before Dixon completed 67.7% of his passes in 2007, with 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Mike Mayock, the NFL Network's draft expert, believes Dixon is a better passer than Young but not as explosive a runner. He projects Dixon as a fourth-round pick. Asked where Dixon would have been drafted if he hadn't been injured, Mayock said, "Who knows?"

[Southern Steeler]

just for another perspective...from cbs.sportsline....

Pittsburgh Steelers -- They make no moves, yet have Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed fall to them on the first day. Beautiful. Then they choose Dennis Dixon in the fifth round? Wow. That wasn't luck. The Steelers decided to act before someone else did, and they might have something special.

[Steeler B]

Personally, I loved the pick and I really don't understand all the negativity surrounding Dixon. Athletes like this dude don't grow on trees. Especially late fifth round trees.

Perhaps you haters trumpeting all of the talent that the Steelers bypassed there at #156 should be more concerned with the stretch of a pick they wasted on another tweener in the third round, when there were still some true difference-makers left on the board.

Me too, I really like this pick! This is a special talent and we got him in the 5th freakin round...

[Coryea]

I don't mind a QB if Schuening wasn't there. With Batch in the last year of his contract, plus getting up there in years, we do have a need for a backup QB. The nice thing about Dixon is that if the staff wanted to, we could definitely use him in some gadget plays as a rookie (if he is healthy).

Even if Schuening wasn't there, this pick made no sense at all. Batch is older, but we have a young QB in Zabransky. The fact Schuening is sitting there, and the fact we didn't take any Dlinement makes this pick pretty dumb IMO.

[Achie D]

This is the first pick that I'm not happy with. With our last pick I'd be cool with Dixon, but not when Schuening, a guy who is capable to start at guard right away, is sitting there for the taking.

I think the "message" from this draft is that all the OLs and DLs that they thought might upgrade the ones we have were gone at the point in the draft that the remaining ones "had value". After Albert, there was a huge drop-off to Schuening on most boards. He was projected as a 3rd and I would have been pissed if we blew a 3rd on him.

Dixon was once called the best player in the country. We need depth at QB. Initially I was surprised, but I'm OK with it now.

[cutty]

Slash.....

I agree, watch and see. ARE in a bigger body.

[Steelerlyn1017]

Forgive me as I didn't read thru all the posts in this thread.

My jaw hit the floor when I heard we picked Dixon, especially since he won't be ready to play this year due to injury. But after the initial shock, I guess it is OK. I know Batch is getting older and we can't count on St. Pierre for anything, so I guess a QB is a need, just not an immediate one.

[Parasite]

I'm not too convinced we will use him in a slash role but I suppose it's a possibility. I think he will be our #2 quarterback in 2009 and if given the chance to play will look pretty good. This then could lead to trading him for a high pick. I mean, if we end up with a second or third round pick for him in a couple years, I think it was worth it. And if we don't trade him, we will have ourselves a fine backup quarterback.

I mean, people were wanting to trade for Matt Schaub when he was the backup in Atlanta, they wanted to trade for Sage Rosenfels while he was the backup in Houston, it happens. It could happen with Dixon. He does have talent.

[Turbo Pig]

Even if Schuening wasn't there, this pick made no sense at all. Batch is older, but we have a young QB in Zabransky. The fact Schuening is sitting there, and the fact we didn't take any Dlinement makes this pick pretty dumb IMO.

+1

Like I said 100 times, if this was our last pick, I have no problems, but we passed on two high quality people that would have made our roster

[LetMePlay]

Bellotti told him he was a better prospect than Vince Young.

So was Kordell.

[markymarc]

the deal is...i didn't really want a QB there...but i can see the logic in it...especially with the talent level Dixon has displayed...

i didn't really want a RB in the first either...but you can't pass up talent that drops...

Schuening was not talent that dropped...he was 5th round talent drafted in the 5th round...

Very well stated Slu. Dixon once his knee is fully healed can be used is a variety of ways by Arians. IMO he will be a very solid back up QB once Batch leaves. I was very happy that we picked up Dixon in the 5th.

[Max Power]

Forgive me as I didn't read thru all the posts in this thread.

My jaw hit the floor when I heard we picked Dixon, especially since he won't be ready to play this year due to injury. But after the initial shock, I guess it is OK. I know Batch is getting older and we can't count on St. Pierre for anything, so I guess a QB is a need, just not an immediate one.

St. Pierre is long gone. Off to redder pastures. (AZ Cardinals). Dixon may not be ready yet, but will surely be a good back-up going forward. CB is quality but his contract will be up next season and he may wish to compete somewhere for a shot at starting, or perhaps retire from the game, who knows? I believe this one will reap benefits sooner than not.

[deljzc]

I still think with so few picks in this draft, and the stage where Roethlisberger is at in his career, going into the "develop a backup quarterback business" shouldn't be one of our priorities.

First, I have no faith our coaching staff can do it based on all the other failed, late round QB that we haven't really helped "develop" their talents.

Second, the much better course of action for Roethlisberger's backup in my opinion should be in free agency. There are always veteran QB's that are winding down their careers that would be good mentors for Roethlisberger and work well with Anderson. Paying one $2 million/year doesn't bother me and are much better fill-ins as compared to Dixon in 2009 and probably 2010 too.

The argument we have no backup after Batch seems short-sighted. I doubt we go into 2009 with the idea Dixon is #2 anyhow. He's still way too young and undeveloped for that. Something tells me we're STILL going to look at a veteran guy in 2009 as our backup and STILL pay $1.5-$2 million to get him.

That's why Dixon doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I still see the long-term backup QB spot being Batch this year and some other veteran in 2009 and 2010. To use a pick with the intent of hoping to find our backup QB in 2011 and beyond (when you'll be paying him his second contract anyhow) doesn't make sense. That's not a lot of upside to me.

And I'm still not sold on the Slash thing yet.

[steelersoldier]

I think it is a good pick up. not great but good. if he is anything like Randle El then we found a gem. but he has to prove it first and sounds like he is going to try

[BLEEDS]

First of all - put it in perspective. It's a 5th round pick, who really cares. OBVIOUSLY our FO feels we have enough Developmental Guard/Tackles, and we just took OL in the 4th. DL might have been a looker, but again, they obviously didn't see anyone who could be anything other than camp fodder.

Do we NEED a 7th Guard who will, at best, compete for a back-up position, or do we take a "flier" to get a possibly explosive Athletic back-up QB.

Charlie Batch ain't getting any younger. I think we've all seen what happens when our #1 guys go down on offense - Willie, Ben, etc... HUGE dropoff.

Again, without injury, this guy is probably a day 1 pick. Add this guy to the Value Bin along with Mendenhall and Sweed. Hell, in 2010, you could put Mendenhall Sweed and Dixon in an offensive set by themselves and they can probably be #1's on 1/2 the teams in the NFL...

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[Spike]

Dixon isn't a Slash II


He's a Hines Ward II



Get it straight

[Tres Rios]

Why does everyone think this guy is a project? Other than eating a few sammiches he needs no help. Go watch tape of his games his senior season before you bash the dude.

[Turbo Pig]

So was Kordell.

So was Akili Smith

[pete]

Dixon isn't a Slash II


He's a Hines Ward II



Get it straight


To be honest, I'd rather have Slash II

[Todd]

I just think they know Charlie is gone after his contract runs out next season and we have nothing else. Why not take a possible star at backup now. Especially when next year's QB crop is supposed to be weak.

Sure he may have been there in Round 6. But, again, I think it was too good to pass on.

Ding! That's exactly it.

I can't understand why people are acting like we didn't need a QB at all. He gets to sit this year as a third string and learn a bit, then step in next year as the #2 when Batch leaves. I'd much rather have that then have to rely on a drafted rookie to step in as the #2 QB his first year.

[Vis Major]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LRaXRNRVjM

[Tres Rios]

Maybe next year after Charlie retires we should sign Joey Harrington as #2 and have Zabwhatever as #3. I'd feel confident.

[Spike]

First off Tres - the guy's knee is blowed up.....it was a pretty horrific injury - not like a little crack of the bone in willie. He's got major rehab for the ACL taht will take all of one if not two years to try and come back.

Plus he's a guy who's speed and quickness is his whole game. He's got a long road ahead of him.

I wish him all the luck.

[Tres Rios]

You'll be seeing this some time soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcHa4MzCICc&feature=related

[Tres Rios]

First off Tres - the guy's knee is blowed up.....it was a pretty horrific injury - not like a little crack of the bone in willie. He's got major rehab for the ACL taht will take all of one if not two years to try and come back.

Plus he's a guy who's speed and quickness is his whole game. He's got a long road ahead of him.

I wish him all the luck.

It was an ACL like a million other that have had that and played afterwards. He's been in rehab and is ahead of schedule. This year he will be #3, standing there holding a clipboard. That's not enough healing time?

Next year he will be #2 and see the field some. Don't believe the wants of people here. He is not slash. He is our future backup QB.

[Spike]

Does this mean we can cut Willie Reid?

[deljzc]

It was an ACL like a million other that have had that and played afterwards. He's been in rehab and is ahead of schedule. This year he will be #3, standing there holding a clipboard. That's not enough healing time?

Next year he will be #2 and see the field some. Don't believe the wants of people here. He is not slash. He is our future backup QB.

Sorry, Tres, but this is the jump I just don't see.

In my opinion, there is no way the Steelers are going to enter 2009 with Dennis Dixon as their #2 quarterback. Dixon will have very little productive work this pre-season with his knee rehab. And I doubt they see enough GOOD plays to make this decision.

So when next off-season rolls around, I 99% guarantee we are still in the market for a veteran, backup QB. Whether we can convince Batch to stick around or go after someone else, it's still going to be in the $2 million/season range.

This pick doesn't change our plans for 2009 in my opinion and probably not 2010 either (because I wouldn't be surprised whichever veteran we sign that it's a 2-year deal).

Dixon is a long-term, developmental QB project and I just don't agree with that course of action for the Steelers. He is not this magical, all-of-a-sudden, backup to Ben Roethlisberger. That's just crazy talk in my opinion.

And 5th rounder or not, to me trying to develop a backup for Ben in 2010 or 2011 and beyond seems a waste of a pick.

[Tres Rios]

Obviously we disagree on his talent level and injury and will go no further. I've been arguing these same things for over a day now and it's old.

[Spike]

(Tres takes his ball - stomps off and goes home)

[tibor]

Dennis Dixon - Scouting Report

<TABLE class=cardtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=6><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=playername vAlign=top rowSpan=3>Dennis Dixon
#10</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>Teams Interested (College):</TD><TD>New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Scout:</TD><TD>Matt Miller</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Date:</TD><TD>March 11, 2008</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>Eval Position(s):</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>Birthdate:</TD><TD>01/11/1985</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>QB - Quarterback
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>School:</TD><TD>Oregon</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=subheader width="20%">Height</TD><TD class=subheader width="20%">Weight</TD><TD class=subheader>40 Time</TD><TD class=subheader>Bench Press</TD><TD class=subheader>Vertical Jump</TD><TD class=subheader>Three Cone</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>6'4</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>205</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>n/a</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>n/a</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>n/a</TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>n/a</TD></TR><TR><TD class=breakline colSpan=6></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Best Fit Position/Role:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Scrambling QB</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Ideal Schema/Role:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Mobile offense</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2 rowSpan=2>Games:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Michigan</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=4>Arizona State</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Contracts:</TD><TD colSpan=4>None</TD></TR><TR><TD class=breakline colSpan=6></TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=6>General Traits

</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Character / Leadership Ability:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Is a strong leader. Gets his players motivated and is a true leader on the field. Has no character concerns. There are questions about his desire to play football that must be answered.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Competitive Nature / Work Ethic:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Really improved here in 2007 under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Is more confident and will work harder when motivated. Can pout at times if he's not getting the playing time he believes he needs. Not much of a weight lifter.</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Football Intelligence:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Made strides as a game manager in 2007. Has not proven to be a fast learner. Needs a lot of help in learning reads. Has made big improvements in terms of understanding the offense and the need for doing things.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Size:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Is tall, but lanky. Needs to add bulk. Built like a receiver. Good leg thickness. Could add 10-20 lbs.</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Athletic Ability:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Is very athletic. Drafted as a baseball player by the Atlanta Braves. Could make the move to receiver. Has loose hips and quick feet, very agile. Is a natural athlete first, quarterback second.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Toughness / Durability:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Has been hurt throughout his career. Many question his will to play football and endure the injuries that come with it. May end up playing baseball. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=6>Specific Traits - Quarterback

</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Accuracy:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Accuracy has improved from 2006. Shows good touch on the deep ball. Leads his receivers and allows them to run after the catch. </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Arm Strength:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Has the strength to throw deep, but tends to rush throws and not get his feet set. When he's fundamentally sound, can make every throw. Has good zip and can put a ball in tight.</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Decision Making:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Makes good, quick reads. Has really improved here. Gets through his progressions quickly. </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Field Vision:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Sees the entire field well. Can find lanes to run or throw.</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Mechanics:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Has a very compact over the top delivery. Will drop down and throw sidearm occassionally. Drives back from the center well. Good feet. Throws more sidearm on the run. Has dropped his habit of winding up to throw. </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Mobility:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Has great mobility. Can move to set up the pass or on designed runs. A very dangerous runner. Throws well on the run under 20 yards. Can drive the ball downfield on the move.</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Pocket Awareness:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Is patient in the pocket, but will pull the ball and run if need be. Can become impatient and nervous in the pocket.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=breakline colSpan=6></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Additional Comments:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Dixon's stock was rising quickly in his senior season before suffering a torn ACL near the end of the year. His talent as a dual threat passer/runner is undeniable. While he is still considered a project at quarterback, Dixon has shown the ability to run an offense. The real question will be how the torn ACL affects his long-term mobility.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Injury Concerns:</TD><TD colSpan=4>2006: Sat out the Oregon State game (11/24) after suffering a concussion the week before. 2007: Suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Could Be As Good As:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Randall Cunningham, former NFL QB</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Worst Case:</TD><TD colSpan=4>Seneca Wallace, Seattle Seahawks</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#999999><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Where He'll Probably Go:</TD><TD colSpan=4>4th Round (due to injury)</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>Where He Should Go:</TD><TD colSpan=4>3rd Round</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Andymisiu]

I think we again took the best available talent and it happened to be a need who can contribute in many ways. We will get OL and DL prospects in the undrafted FA arena. The guy has talent and can flat out play the game.

[Crime Fighter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LRaXRNRVjM

ROFL!!! :D

Killer video!

Yes, he's going to be awesome for us! I can see it on on the reverse passes and all the different trick plays...Steelers are so good at this and we nailed another guy for all the fans to see on ESPN Primetime and NFL Network! :p

[Spike]

That's a great video.....OK Tres - you talked me into it.

We should keep him.

[tapeANaspirin2it]

I do think Dixon would have won the heisman if he would have gotten hurt, he may have won a national championship as well.

When i watched Vince Young in college, i thought he was a great college QB, a playmaker, but he was not a passer. When i watched Dixon, i saw a guy who could pass, a guy who had an idea of what the defense was doing. I also saw a guy who could make throws other than the line drive to a wide open man, Dixon seems to understand how to put the ball where his receiver can make a play, not just make a reception.

[Supersteeler]

I liked this pick alot better today after I watched the video of Tomlin talking about how they intend to use him. They interviewer asked him flat out if they are planning on using him in a "slash" type role and incorporating him in some gadget plays. Tomlin was straight forward and said they plan on using him in any way possible to maximize his talent. He said he does like his QB attributes but that he also has many other skill sets that they plan on taking advantage of as much as possible and want to get him on the field in certain situations. That's what I was hoping to hear.

[Spike]

5 wide! 5 wide! 5 wide!

[topseed]

I still think with so few picks in this draft, and the stage where Roethlisberger is at in his career, going into the "develop a backup quarterback business" shouldn't be one of our priorities.

First, I have no faith our coaching staff can do it based on all the other failed, late round QB that we haven't really helped "develop" their talents.

Second, the much better course of action for Roethlisberger's backup in my opinion should be in free agency. There are always veteran QB's that are winding down their careers that would be good mentors for Roethlisberger and work well with Anderson. Paying one $2 million/year doesn't bother me and are much better fill-ins as compared to Dixon in 2009 and probably 2010 too.
The argument we have no backup after Batch seems short-sighted. I doubt we go into 2009 with the idea Dixon is #2 anyhow. He's still way too young and undeveloped for that. Something tells me we're STILL going to look at a veteran guy in 2009 as our backup and STILL pay $1.5-$2 million to get him.

That's why Dixon doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I still see the long-term backup QB spot being Batch this year and some other veteran in 2009 and 2010. To use a pick with the intent of hoping to find our backup QB in 2011 and beyond (when you'll be paying him his second contract anyhow) doesn't make sense. That's not a lot of upside to me.

And I'm still not sold on the Slash thing yet.

So you're comparing the talent of Dennis Dixon, clearly one of the favorites as the best college football player in all the land before his injury, to the skills of guys like Tee Martin, Brian St. Pierre, and Omar Jacobs? Please. There is no comparison.

Why do you insist that the Steelers will need/sign some other veteran backup for millions of dollars starting next year? That makes no sense whatsoever. Ben is 26 years old, dude. By the time 2010 rolls around, he'll be 28 and starting his seventh year as a professional quarterback. Do you honestly believe he's going to need a veteran QB winding down his career as a mentor at that point? And the Steelers are going to pay said guy $2 million a year? You're out of your mind.

Batch bows out gracefully, and Dixon steps right in. It's as simple as that.

[Southern Steeler]

Here's a clip of him with a nice touch on the ball....hit his WR deep and right in stride.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KIKp9-Xji7Y

[GRBman]

I liked this pick alot better today after I watched the video of Tomlin talking about how they intend to use him. They interviewer asked him flat out if they are planning on using him in a "slash" type role and incorporating him in some gadget plays. Tomlin was straight forward and said they plan on using him in any way possible to maximize his talent. He said he does like his QB attributes but that he also has many other skill sets that they plan on taking advantage of as much as possible and want to get him on the field in certain situations. That's what I was hoping to hear.

I felt the same way. I liked the skill set I saw in him this year at Oregon and yes, he probably would have won the Heisman if he had not been injured. I also like the kid's character to come back from rehab as quickly as he did. SI had a really nice article on him a few weeks ago.

Plus, this was a 5th round flier on a kid with raw talent. Ward and Randle-El were 3rd round fliers... Dixon may not be a WR in the future, but to use him as a "slash" type of player will add just another weapon for the Steelers.

I liked the pick...

[deljzc]

So you're comparing the talent of Dennis Dixon, clearly one of the favorites as the best college football player in all the land before his injury, to the skills of guys like Tee Martin, Brian St. Pierre, and Omar Jacobs? Please. There is no comparison.

Why do you insist that the Steelers will need/sign some other veteran backup for millions of dollars starting next year? That makes no sense whatsoever. Ben is 26 years old, dude. By the time 2010 rolls around, he'll be 28 and starting his seventh year as a professional quarterback. Do you honestly believe he's going to need a veteran QB winding down his career as a mentor at that point? And the Steelers are going to pay said guy $2 million a year? You're out of your mind.

Batch bows out gracefully, and Dixon steps right in. It's as simple as that.

Obviously the future will decide this issue, but I respectfully disagree that a) Dixon is that much better a prospect than Jacobs, Martin or BSP (he's better, but not by the leaps and bounds we're talking about) and b) the we go into 2009 with Dixon as the #2 QB on this team.

That's just my opinion.

I mean, two years ago, Dixon was a pretty average QB in college: 61% completion percentage, 14 TD's total (running/passing) and 14 INT's. A new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly changed things around, installed more spread offense looks and the kid takes off for 10 whole games and that's what we're basing his upside on?

Excuse me if I don't buy the hype just yet. 10 good college games in the spread offense doesn't really convince me this guy is ready for the NFL game. Not after his ACL injury and losing a lot of field work this summer.

To me, he IS a developmental pick. There is no doubt in my mind. And no way will he be ready to be a #2 QB in 2009. We would be fools to enter the season that way if something happened to Ben for a few games.

[Andymisiu]

Dixon is a good player!! what else do you want!! he was a f'ing steal where we got him and will contribute to this team.

[FlaStGrad]

Dixon was a good college QB based on ONE year. I am not suggesting any more than we will have to see how he does in the NFL in a pro offense, not a spread offense like he ran in Oregon.

Point 2, there