Getty ImagesBefore the Ravens signed Curtis Painter this spring, they had a few other quarterbacks in for workouts.
One of them was former Steelers backup Dennis Dixon, who got looks in a few other places without landing a job for the 2012 season. Now Painter is gone from Baltimore and Dixon looks like he’s coming to town. Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com reports that Dixon will sign with the Ravens as a member of their practice squad.
It seems odd that Dixon, who played in four games over four seasons with the Steelers, would have practice squad eligibility remaining, but his time as the Steelers’ third quarterback helps him in that regard. According to the CBA, “free agent players who were on the Active List for fewer than nine regular season games during their only Accrued Season(s)” are eligble for the practice squad and Dixon’s pre-2011 work was mostly as a third quarterback which, at the time, didn’t count as being part of the Active List and he spent most of last year on the inactive list as well. If it still doesn’t quite fit that Dixon’s eligible for the practice squad, just remember that his presence on the Ravens practice squad means that he’s eligible in the eyes of the league.
Dixon’s first of three career starts came against the Ravens in 2009, a 20-17 Baltimore win that saw Dixon complete 12-of-26 passes for 145 yards with one running and one passing touchdown. Dixon started the first two games of the 2010 season while Ben Roethlisberger was suspended, but was lost for the season with a torn meniscus in the second of those games.
The Ravens kept only Tyrod Taylor behind Joe Flacco and he didn’t blow anyone’s doors off with his play during the preseason. That suggests the chances that Dixon could wend his way to the 53-man roster in Baltimore at some point this year aren’t so farfetched. Until that happens, Dixon will be making $5,700 a week on the practice squad.
That’s not quite as good as being on a roster in the first place, but it seems a good bit better than plying your trade in the UFL.
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That’s a slap to the face. He’s better than all the QBs on the Ravens too.
Only $5,700 a week!!! Well its better then $0!!!
Dennis is a good guy. I hope he lands a role somewhere, even in Baltimore.
Im a fan of the guy, he just needs more experience to build his confidence, he’s certainly proved he can play.
@voiceofreasonsays clearly he’s better than the man who out played Tom Brady in the AFCCG and beat- wait, swept- the Steelers and the whole beast of a division in the AFC North.
Dennis has proved his athleticism. His problem is that he has trouble mastering the playbook. That’s why he didn’t work out for the Steelers and why he hasn’t generated interest elsewhere. Not sure what the Ravens see there, but Ozzie knows his stuff. I like Dennis and hope things work out well for him.
Tyrod….what was his mother thinking!
I think we should take all steelers and put em on our practice squad. That’s where they belong because they’re all garbage
I hope he brought his old squealer play book.
Maybe the same thing as axl rose’s mother
I never liked the way the Steelers treated this guy. He’s better than they treated him but not as good as he thinks he is. This is probably a good wake up call for him and hopefully he can realize he’s probably just backup caliber, but better than practice squad.
That’s a slap to the face. He’s better than all the QBs on the Ravens too.
LOL, good one goof ball.
I am a huge fan of Dennis and can not believe that he is not on the Raiders roster. I don’t know who he ticked off in Pittsburgh, but I believe he is a better option than Charley Batch.
Dixon is a “TERRIBLE” passer… good guy though.
Simply put he’s not smart enough yet to play QB. Over 100 QBs are on active rosters, 32 teams pay a ton of money to evaluators and he didn’t get an invite for camp.
Sometimes it is what it is.
steeler fans fail to recognize the sweep and the fact that they were tebowd by a backup qb. Your defense is way over the hill and your oline is like a baby, can’t even take care of themselves. Have fun fighting to stay out of the basement trolls.
I promise you guys that voiceofreasonsays and hulkhogansays are the dumbest Redskins fans on the web. Don’t let them spoil your opinion of us all…
Stupid Raven fans probably are hoping he brings “his old squealer play book” with him, completely unaware that the Steelers are running a new offense this year with a new Offensive Coordinator!!!
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Now the Ravens have a guy on their roster with multiple Super Bowl rings.
Dixon is the kind of player who would benefit from an NFL owned and operated minor league.
Instead of worrying about placing teams in London and Los Angeles, Goodell ought to focus on putting together a some sort of developmental minor league, which would be comprised of players who need to hone their talents by, you know, actually playing somewhere. Tim Tebow would be another strong candidate for such a league.
Wow – gonna be a long season for Ravens fans. Suggs done, Ray Ray and Reed are old as dirt, trouble with injuries at the safety spot, Flacco and Ozzie can’t agree on what he’s worth…now a Steeler castoff gets signed.
Look out – Browns and Bengals coming hard.
How is he eligible for the practice squad after so many years in the league? He is like every other QB that is a great athlete, he simply isn’t a good QB. Nobody ever gave Unitas, Montana, Marino, or Manning a chance to play QB because of their athleticism.
One teams garbage is another teams prize….Ed Reed can polish his Superbowl ring.
Ravenator
bad childhood
No girlfriend
Jealousy abounds
Always looking over his back
I will say you make it fun.
But he will only be making 5,700$ a week. I know a lot of people that would luv to make 5,700$ a month. These player’s are making way to much money. They need to give some back
Wish him well.
If tebow is in the nfl as a second string QB then Dixon should be a starter in the NFL
Wow, he nearly beat the Ravens and he is barely on their team as a practice squad member.
Keep enjoying the crumbs off our cake!