So I’ll be the first to admit it, over the past few pre-season games, I’ve become a large fan of Dennis Dixon. He’s exciting, he’s quick, and he can actually throw the ball. All that being said, the Pittsburgh Steelers are finally going to give him a shot against a first team defense this Sunday when they square off against the Denver Broncos.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has finally suggested that Dennis Dixon has earned the right to face off against top talent. Well, it’s sink or swim time, and everyone is excited to finally see what the former Oregon Duck can do. Mike Wallace was beaming about both Byron’s arm and even more surprising Dennis Dixon’s arm strength yesterday when interviewed about this upcoming game:
“I’m going to have to give Byron the edge, but Dennis’ ball is smoking,” Wallace said. “He’s gunning it. I’m talking about, it’s coming.”
“He did good last year in the preseason, but Dennis is so much better,” said Wallace, a second-year receiver who caught six touchdowns and had a a team-high per-catch average of 19.6 yards in 2009. “I’m looking forward to seeing him out there with the top guys. If he can continue that, I don’t know …”
Honestly, within that last quote excerpt, it looks to read that if Dennis Dixon does above average/great, it’s his job to practically lose. Now I’m not saying that Byron Leftwhich isn’t making his case, because he is, and he rebounded nicely after a lackluster start against the Detroit Lions. All I’m simply saying, is that maybe the Pittsburgh Steelers actually have a bonafide quarterback controversy(at least for the first 4-6 weeks of the season).
How does Dennis Dixon feel about all of this? Well let’s read below to find out what he had to say about his upcoming play time with the top unit:
“I’m embracing it,” Dixon said Thursday before practice. “If need be, if my number is called, I want to be at my best ability.”
Above all, it’s all well and great to see players excited and gushing about the possibilities. However, what does Mike Tomlin think about all of this?
“I don’t try to tell a story; I just look at how things unfold,” Tomlin said. “I’ve enjoyed this process and how it has developed. It’s coming to a crescendo, if you will.
“The third preseason game is an awesome opportunity because, quite frankly, you expect a lot of first-team reps to be available, unlike the first preseason game or the second. It gives you more options to evaluate those guys.”
Awesome, so Tomlin subtly hinting at the fact that this is a competition, even though he won’t admit it. Dennis Dixon knows though, and he’s prepared:
“I always feel like that,” Dixon said. “I’m a competitor, and it’s a competitive sport. It’s totally up to coaches to what they think. AlI I can do is control my reps and make the most of it. Hopefully, at the end of summer, something gives.”
Dixon really does seem down to Earth about this entire process. It’s got to be tough coming in hearing that you don’t even have a chance for the starting spot. However, that wasn’t necessarily said from the team, but the media, and fans alike. His play has improved, and he’s wowing people with his abilities on the field. I hope nothing but the best happens for Dixon, as he’s certainly earned his shot.
Quotes in this post used from: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10239/1083076-66.stm
Dennis Deixon making his case against the New York Giants
Fri, Aug 27, 2010
Sports