Dixon to Get a Shot to Make an Impact in 09?

Dennis Dixon has had a long road back to trying to make it as a top notch NFL QB. Coming out of Oregon, he was regarded as one of the top prospect QB’s, and now, with his skills he could become the next big thing in Black and Gold. Dixon was the Steelers 2008 5th round draft pick. Last season he barley played, yet many think that in 2009 he could have a big impact.

In his senior season, Dixon showed his potential by leading Oregon at one point to the #2 ranking in the BCS poll. By seasons end though, disaster had struck, as Dixon had torn the ACL in his left knee, and after undergoing surgery to repair the injury, Dixon walked with no apparent limp at the NFL Combine headquarters in Indianapolis in February. Dixon was unable to perform any Combine drills, but worked out at Oregon’s Pro Day and held impressive individual workouts later.

The Steelers showed their interest early, and when he was there in the 5th round, the team scooped him up. Some envisioned him as the next “Slash,” the combo QB-WR-RB spot that Kordell Stewart made famous back from the 1995-1996 seasons in which he was one of the biggest weapons in the NFL.

Dixon never did much his rookie year with the Steelers, as he was deactivated most of the season, and only threw one pass, that coming in the teams regular season finale win over the Browns. Most of the year Dixon sat and learned behind starting QB Ben Roethlisberger and backup Byron Leftwich.

A new year and a new chance now awaits Dixon and the Steelers. Can and will the team start to look at Dixon as that key impact player in the Steelers offense that could make some big plays? The team has always done a great job using players like Dixon to their potential, and now that opportunity may be in front of the team again.

The team hasn’t had this type of player since when Antwaan Randle El was throwing TD passes to Hines Ward in the teams Super Bowl 2005 season. You have to believe that Bruce Arians is going to at least think about giving Dixon more of a shot to develop into an impact player in this offense.