Instead of a quarterback for Pittsburgh, Dennis Dixon could have been an outfielder for Atlanta. (Photo by Pablo Martinez, Associated Press)
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.
0 recs | 42 comments
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.
Mr. Sanchez - November 28, 2009
Thanks, I fixed it. That’s what I get for trying to write about a football player.
cbwilk - November 28, 2009
GO COLTS.
Scott Coleman - November 28, 2009
TO HELL
apoxonbothyourhouses - November 28, 2009
NO!
TO THE SUPERBOWL
Scott Coleman - November 28, 2009
Go Blue!
Though we will be wearing our sharp all whites this week on the road.
bbxxj - November 28, 2009 via mobile
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
Scott Coleman - November 29, 2009
He’s going to get eaten alive. Eaten. Alive.
bigjoe - November 28, 2009
That seems pretty likely.
cbwilk - November 28, 2009
GO CHIEFS
If it wasnt for them, Double D wouldn’t be starting:)
SayHeyWerd - November 28, 2009
Starting Dixon makes no sense for them.
Jeff Garcia is available. Last time I checked, Jeff Garcia < Dennis Dixon.
GouldisGold - November 28, 2009
I think your < is backwards.
cbwilk - November 28, 2009
Oh, it is...
Jeff Garcia > Dennis Dixon.
There we go.
GouldisGold - November 28, 2009
in 2002.
apoxonbothyourhouses - November 28, 2009
and now
Doghnut - November 29, 2009
It is a young man’s game…Dixon is mobile. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a great night.
justincredubil02 - November 29, 2009
as a Marylander...
…I am happy about this.
hollerin' brave - November 28, 2009
Go Saints!!!!
Rock the Pats in the Dome Monday!!!!
cavebird - November 28, 2009
Dude, that's gonna be an epic game.
First to 40 wins?
Zeus12888 - November 28, 2009
that Colts/Pats game 2 weeks ago was the best game I’ve watched since….the 2006 AFC Championship Colts/Pats game. :)
Scott Coleman - November 28, 2009
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.
yondaime4 - November 28, 2009
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.
bbxxj - November 28, 2009 via mobile
dude is Jesus in cleats man
yondaime4 - November 28, 2009
Peyton Manning is a god.
Scott Coleman - November 28, 2009
Incorrect
He is an entire Pantheon of deities.
yondaime4 - November 29, 2009
that too
Scott Coleman - November 29, 2009
That was a fantastic game.
cbwilk - November 29, 2009
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!
justincredubil02 - November 29, 2009
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.
royhobbs - November 30, 2009
last one with the ball wins.
justincredubil02 - November 28, 2009
Not first to 40....
…first to 50…. ;)
cavebird - November 29, 2009
Who dat?
Who dat say they gonna beat dem Saints????
cavebird - November 30, 2009
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.
soup du jour - November 28, 2009
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.
cbwilk - November 29, 2009
What a waste
Of a perfectly good 5th rd draft pick.
Jay212033 - November 29, 2009 via mobile
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.
cbwilk - November 29, 2009
And if the guy actually chose baseball over football...
who knows what he’d have turned out to be.
Mr. Sanchez - November 29, 2009
kid just threw his first touchdown
hollerin' brave - November 29, 2009 via mobile
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.
Scott Coleman - November 29, 2009
and now ran for one… go figure
GoBravesNY - November 29, 2009
and now...
he has the chance to lead a game winning drive…
hollerin' brave - November 29, 2009 via mobile
Oh my god
I thought the Ravens hit that field goal
Scott Coleman - November 29, 2009
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