Quarterback Dennis Dixon once showed plenty of promise while in college at Oregon. A torn ACL during what could have been a Heisman Trophy and possibly a national championship season derailed his career, knocking him down to round five of the 2008 draft.
He finished his three-year rookie contract in Pittsburgh, found no takers in restricted free agency, and then reluctantly signed a one-year tender with the Steelers. Dixon, who made only four regular-season appearances in this first three seasons, played in no games in 2011. He hit the open market in March and drew scant interest.
At one point, he was exploring the possibility of playing in the defunct (for now, possibly forever) UFL.
Then, in September, Dixon emerged as a member of the Ravens’ practice squad. And his work in practice could get him a more meaningful opportunity elsewhere in 2013.
Dixon lobbied in December for the ability to run the scout team when Baltimore was preparing to play the Redskins and quarterback Robert Griffin III. Dixon is doing it again, as the Ravens get ready for Colin Kaepernick.
So at what point does someone decide to give Dixon a chance to do in a game what he’s doing in practice? Perhaps soon, given that his former offensive coordinator at Oregon, Chip Kelly, is now the head coach of the Eagles.