Dennis Dixon to Start for Steelers
by cbwilk on Nov 28, 2009 4:15 PM EST
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I know what you're thinking, not only does this not have to do with the Braves, but it doesn't even have anything to do with baseball. Well, as some of you might remember, Dennis Dixon was actually a 5th round pick by the Braves in 2007, selected after current Braves prospects Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Cory Gearrin, and Brandon Hicks, and the right fielder played one season in the Braves system, appearing in 28 games between the GCL Braves and Danville Braves and hitting .176 with a .538 OPS in 90 plate appearances. Those numbers sound terrible, particularly for a 5th rounder, but Dixon hadn't played a game of baseball for three years, since he was in high school, because he was focusing on his football career while in college at Oregon and also because Oregon didn't have a baseball team.
This will be Dixon's first career NFL start and just his 2nd appearance in 2 seasons, as he completed on pass in one attempt in a game last season. But, while he hasn't seen much time on the field, Dixon did get to share in the joy of winning a Super Bowl as a member of the Steelers last season. After his time with the Braves, Dixon returned to Oregon for the 2007 season and many viewed him as a top Heisman trophy candidate, but his senior year finished early as he suffered a severe knee injury with a few games remaining. He didn't return to the Braves for Spring Training in 2008, choosing to focus on rehabbing his knee for the upcoming NFL Draft. Despite the injury, he was still selected in the 5th round (what a coincidence) of the NFL Draft by Pittsburgh.
It seems unlikely that Dixon would have ever made it to the Major Leauges with the Braves, but I personally was amazed that he was able to get any hits at all as a professional considering the long layoff. That was a real testament to his athletic ability and it would have been very interesting to see how he could have developed. Dixon has remained friends with several of the Braves he played with as a member of the organization, including Freeman, so I know they'll be anxiously watching on Sunday to see what he can do in a starting role.
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You added an extra season at Oregon cb....
He was an inconsistent starter as a junior (losing his job to Ryan Leaf’s younger brother), before getting drafted by the Braves again in 07 (picked him out of HS), and had that season in rookie league. He went back to Oregon for his senior year in the fall of 07, played amazing leading Oregon to a big win over Southern Cal which seemingly put him in the lead for the Heisman, before blowing out his knee with 2 or 3 games left in the season. He decided to pass on going back to the Braves to focus on the NFL draft.
NO!
TO THE SUPERBOWL
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by Scott Coleman on Nov 28, 2009 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Go Blue!
Though we will be wearing our sharp all whites this week on the road.
by bbxxj on Nov 28, 2009 11:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Freeney is out tomorrow. :(
We shoulda built a new hospital for the Colts instead of a new stadium. Lord knows we f’ing need it
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by Scott Coleman on Nov 29, 2009 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
Starting Dixon makes no sense for them.
Jeff Garcia is available. Last time I checked, Jeff Garcia < Dennis Dixon.
I think your < is backwards.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
It is a young man’s game…Dixon is mobile. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a great night.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Nov 29, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
as a Marylander...
…I am happy about this.
by hollerin' brave on Nov 28, 2009 6:37 PM EST reply actions
Go Saints!!!!
Rock the Pats in the Dome Monday!!!!
that Colts/Pats game 2 weeks ago was the best game I’ve watched since….the 2006 AFC Championship Colts/Pats game. :)
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by Scott Coleman on Nov 28, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions
I learned several years ago that you just never give Peyton any chances to win anything. I remember in a monday night game (not sure who they were playing) them being down 21 with like 5 minutes left. I was at a friends house and had class in the morning so I left. When I got home the game was over and the colts won. I couldn’t even understand.
It was against the Bucs in Tampa.
Because of that game and many others I never give up on the Colts in any game. During the Patsie game this year my wife (who humors me and watches the Colts with me though she doesn’t know much about football) kept saying “they are too far behind, they can’t come back can they?”. I said just watch and sat back and watched Peyton work the comeback.
by bbxxj on Nov 28, 2009 11:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Peyton Manning is a god.
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by Scott Coleman on Nov 28, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
that too
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by Scott Coleman on Nov 29, 2009 12:08 AM EST up reply actions
I was at that game – selling frozen lemonade until halftime – where I then proceeded to go sit about 10 rows back at the 50 yard line…fantastic night!
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Nov 29, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
That game was so funny
Something about a penalty during a kick due to leapfrogging, and the flipping out Jon Gruden was doing on the sideline made that one of the greatest games ever.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
last one with the ball wins.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Nov 28, 2009 11:46 PM EST up reply actions
I’m wondering how long we keep his rights? If he were to come back to baseball, would he be a Brave or a free agent? Not that I have any confidence in his ability to hit a major league pitcher…simply curious as to how these situations play out.
I’m pretty sure the rules are the same as for Minor League free agency, except that since he hasn’t been active, and I’m fairly certain the Braves placed him on their organizational restricted list and have never taken him off, that the years he hasn’t been playing don’t count. So, say he came back in 2010, they’d have three full seasons, then they’d have to put him on the 40 man roster (after the 2012 season).
Like you said, not gonna happen, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it would work.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
What a waste
Of a perfectly good 5th rd draft pick.
by Jay212033 on Nov 29, 2009 12:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions
To be fair, it does look like we got a lot better value out of the first 4 round and supplemental round than we have in just about any year, so taking a reach in the 5th wasn’t all that bad at the time.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
kid just threw his first touchdown
by hollerin' brave on Nov 29, 2009 9:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions
and
I decided to bench Santonio Holmes in favor of Sidney Rice on my fantasy team cause I thought the Steelers wouldn’t do much all night. Shit.
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by Scott Coleman on Nov 29, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
and now...
he has the chance to lead a game winning drive…
by hollerin' brave on Nov 29, 2009 11:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Oh my god
I thought the Ravens hit that field goal
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
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