How soon we forget

[russ1945]

I was doing what I do best, researching, and I came across a reference to Dennis Dixon, former QB. Then I realized how much of a penalty it is to play on the West Coast, both to teams and to individuals. I also became confused because in the end he turned out to be a great talent who although he began playing in 2004 (after gray shirting) had to work his way up and in playing behind Kellen Clemons and Brady Leaf. I guess Bellotti finally figured it out and Dixon got the starting job in 2006 and was benched at one point and replaced by Leaf. Go figure. Most commendable was the fact that he graduated in June 2007 with a 3.27 grade point average. He briefly tried pro baseball but apparently it was not very good to him and he wound up back at Oregon for his senior year as the starter. That year he caught everyone's attention and at one point was the leading contender for the Heisman. Again he went down to injury and this time his ACL was torn and he missed the end of the season. Despite only playing 3/4 of the season he still recieved 17 first place votes for the Heisman and finished 5th overall. Of course we all know who did win it, Tim Tebow. So what would have happened had Dixon not been injured? Who knows.
Last year Dixon was deactivated for most of the 2008 season as the third string QB for the Steelers but he did wind up getting a Super Bowl Ring.
How soon we forget. I am not sure how much a Heisman really means but one thing people remember the winners they, like me, hardly ever remember the losers. I remember seeing Dixon try to play against Arizona that year when he ran for a 39 yard TD before leaving the game because of that injury which had actually been incurred in a game two weeks prior. He tried to go but couldn't. In retrospect I cannot figure out how Dixon could have ever been benched for Brady Leaf and then come that close to winning a Heisman the next year. Someone else will have to fill in "the rest of the story."

 

[Conan]

I was doing what I do best, researching, and I came across a reference to Dennis Dixon, former QB. Then I realized how much of a penalty it is to play on the West Coast, both to teams and to individuals. I also became confused because in the end he turned out to be a great talent who although he began playing in 2004 (after gray shirting) had to work his way up and in playing behind Kellen Clemons and Brady Leaf. I guess Bellotti finally figured it out and Dixon got the starting job in 2006 and was benched at one point and replaced by Leaf. Go figure. Most commendable was the fact that he graduated in June 2007 with a 3.27 grade point average. He briefly tried pro baseball but apparently it was not very good to him and he wound up back at Oregon for his senior year as the starter. That year he caught everyone's attention and at one point was the leading contender for the Heisman. Again he went down to injury and this time his ACL was torn and he missed the end of the season. Despite only playing 3/4 of the season he still recieved 17 first place votes for the Heisman and finished 5th overall. Of course we all know who did win it, Tim Tebow. So what would have happened had Dixon not been injured? Who knows.
Last year Dixon was deactivated for most of the 2008 season as the third string QB for the Steelers but he did wind up getting a Super Bowl Ring.
How soon we forget. I am not sure how much a Heisman really means but one thing people remember the winners they, like me, hardly ever remember the losers. I remember seeing Dixon try to play against Arizona that year when he ran for a 39 yard TD before leaving the game because of that injury which had actually been incurred in a game two weeks prior. He tried to go but couldn't. In retrospect I cannot figure out how Dixon could have ever been benched for Brady Leaf and then come that close to winning a Heisman the next year. Someone else will have to fill in "the rest of the story."

That was Gary Crowton's last year as Oregon's OC before he bolted for LSU. It was well documented that he and Dixon had their problems. I don't know the gory details but I do know that they didn't get along. That may have contributed to Crowton's exit and Chip Kelly's entrance. Dixon and the Ducks got the better end of that deal. Before the start of the '07 season, we were concerned that he was away playing baseball in the minors, but he quit that early and returned to the team. Then he had a great season. Since then I've been one to support any junior QB who wishes to play baseball during the summer before his senior year. His absence seemed to do him a world of good.

 

[UoweDucks]

I am not so sure that the west coast was a real inhibitor to his heisman chances. At the time of his injury he was the odds on favorite to win it.

As for his transformation if you listen to Dixon he attributes one man. Chip Kelly. Chip new where to begin, he called Dennis's hs coach one week after he was hired, in order to learn about Dixon and his head , Crowton never did that. Chip was in close contact with Dixon through that summer going into his senior year. Even flying down to Florida to meet with him while he was at Baseball. The two got on the same page right away. Dixon thrived in Kelly's confidence in him. The skill level improved dramatically from game to game and it was a shocking transformation. I watched him almost singlehandedly dismantle USC's defense. By the time he was hurt there wasn't a more dominating player in CFB.

Chip's involvement with Dennis didn't end after the injury either. He was very instramental in Dennis's rehab. He spent countless hours with Dennis in the offseason getting to a spot where an NFL team would consider drafting him. That is very rare.

They put together a website that was very helpful in this regard. For football junkies I think it is interesting particularily the videos and the film review which gives nice insight into the spread offense in general.

http://dennisdixon10.com/qbdrills/qbdrills.html

One interesting thing about Dennis. His hands were enormous. He could almost wrap his hand entirely around a football. It really helped with his ball fakes.

 

[russ1945]

Thanks Ducks I knew you would know the rest of the story. I thought he was one of the most talented athletes I had seen at QB in a long time. He had Oregon headed towards a national championship and himself towards a Heisman. I had forgotten that basically Tebow had fallen into the Heisman because of Dixon's injury and Dixon still got 17 first place votes without finishing the season. The flip side of the story is that had he finished the season and won the Heisman in 2007 and Bradford in 2008 then Tebow would not have one. I am not trying to do a Tebow bash just a reality check for the floridians. That takes nothing away from Tebows or floridas accomplishments during that time period but like I said fate enters into our lives and has long term effects. Tebow is that close to being a two time loser for the Heisman instead of the 2007 winner and third place finisher in 2008. Not to mention the residuals such as the recruiting that winning a national championship or having a Heisman winner could bring. Maybe you guys should put a plaque on the wall like they did for Tebow showing Dixon leaving the field in the Arizona game. He gave it everything he had right up to the end. Somebody needs to write a book about Dixon.
That also speaks volumes about Chip Kelly. Sounds like you got a good one in him.

 

[CoachCB]

Here's reality:

Tebow became the first player in the history of college football (HISTORY) to throw for more than 20 TD's AND....AND....RUSH for more than 20. That's why he won the Heisman.

Russ, I like your posts....usually. Lately it seems you want to take shots at UF (and Tebow) just for the hell of it. Don't become Chris Paradise II (aka, an idiot!).....

 

[XenScott]

That Zona game was a tough one to watch. Dixon and the Ducks started out on fire. After the injury, the team just crumbled. It was tough watching a Heisman trophy, possible MNC, and a dream season evaporate before your eyes.

 

[russ1945]

Here's reality:

Tebow became the first player in the history of college football (HISTORY) to throw for more than 20 TD's AND....AND....RUSH for more than 20. That's why he won the Heisman.

Russ, I like your posts....usually. Lately it seems you want to take shots at UF (and Tebow) just for the hell of it. Don't become Chris Paradise II (aka, an idiot!).....

You are probably right about that. It just slips out. My point this time was just to point out how tenuous something like a Heisman is, that Dixon is a forgotten guy and Tebow is revered because he won the Heisman. I know I am from Oklahoma but it really is not a grudge thing. I will cut some slack if you think I am getting as bad a CP. In fact I think Tebow is carrying more of a burden than he should and I hope he is up to it because expectations are higher this year than last. We (I) sometimes forget these are really just kids but it is not Tebow mostly just some of the Florida fans that get to me once in a while.

 

[Conan]

As for his transformation if you listen to Dixon he attributes one man. Chip Kelly. Chip new where to begin, he called Dennis's hs coach one week after he was hired, in order to learn about Dixon and his head , Crowton never did that. Chip was in close contact with Dixon through that summer going into his senior year. Even flying down to Florida to meet with him while he was at Baseball. The two got on the same page right away. Dixon thrived in Kelly's confidence in him. The skill level improved dramatically from game to game and it was a shocking transformation. I watched him almost singlehandedly dismantle USC's defense. By the time he was hurt there wasn't a more dominating player in CFB.

This may be a signature trademark of Chip Kelly's ability to coach up a QB. After watching what he did with Masoli last year, particularly after the starting issue had been settled... and then on into the last month of the season, Masoli's week to week improvement was unmistakable.

So, this will probably be the second full season the Ducks field a team with one starting QB under Chip Kelly, but unlike Dixon, Masoli gets a head start going in. The way Masoli played at the end of last season under Kelly was no coincidence. We've seen how well Kelly's QBs perform with a little coaching up, and as they get a grasp on the system.

Russ, maybe now you can see why we are so high on Masoli. He will have an outstanding backfield around him. The talent they have at WR and TE is also very promising. Other than the opener at Boise St., which is a game with its own special significance, I think it will take them a few weeks to get grooved in as a unit (fortunately their opposition will have similar challenges) but then the sky's the limit... (with Cal and USC both casting a shadow on the ground beneath them.)

What you witnessed at the Holiday Bowl vs. OkSt. was probably just an inkling of what's in store for this year. Oregon's offense will be dominant (again.) Masoli is a dark horse Heisman candidate.

 

[russ1945]

Conan: If Oregon won the Pac 10 he could very well be a Heisman candidate. I see how much of a positive effect Kelly had on Dixon and that kid had been abused and misused. Everything I saw in the Okla. St. game was positive. Kelly would also be up for coach of the year if they were indeed Pac 10 champs. But lets don't count our ducks till they hatch.

 

[UoweDucks]

Conan: If Oregon won the Pac 10 he could very well be a Heisman candidate. I see how much of a positive effect Kelly had on Dixon and that kid had been abused and misused. Everything I saw in the Okla. St. game was positive. Kelly would also be up for coach of the year if they were indeed Pac 10 champs. But lets don't count our ducks till they hatch.

You can bet that I've watched that Holiday bowl several times....

What impressed me most was the way that Masoli came out in the second half and basically took that game over. It has been said that he was a bit tight early on in the game and a bit overwhelmed. Once he got over that he was basically unstoppable. You could see the game slow down for him and his confidence just took off. So far this spring he has improved in his touch passes and in his command of the offense. Masoli is a quiet guy Kelly has been looking for him to assume more control and leadership of the offense. Since Jer. Johnson and some of the senior lineman have left there is a void of leadership. Dixon had this same issue and Kelly really brought it out of him. I expect the same thing to happen, this will be Masoli's team before too long.

One funny comment from Kelly on Masoli made earlier this week:



Best quote: "The empty barrel makes the most noise,'' head coach Chip Kelly on his quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli.


Masoli is trying to become a more vocal leader this spring, but Kelly says Masoli has to get his own play ironed out before he starts chirping at teammates.


More on the team's emerging leadership later in the week.

 

[Conan]

Yes that's one thing I've always liked about the Ducks. They always seem to have experienced players that vocally take over in the locker room.They also turn up the volume on the field... get everyone excited. When they have it all together, they have enormous team spirit. (Of course the price for that can sometimes be a crash & burn thing) Their fans are equally loud and aggressive... and as a group they are also very educated in the finer details.

So far the way things look the Ducks are a couple or so DLs and defensemen away from being a very dominant team.

Mostly every time they succeed it's when they are healthy. It would be nice to see them get through a year without any major setbacks in the injury dept. (knock on wood)

(Just a side note: In Miller's Pac-10 Blog, he's been doing the Pac-10 countdown of the 30 best players in the conference. I'm betting on Jahvid Best to be #1. Lookie at who he has at #4 today.)

 

[UoweDucks]

(Just a side note: In Miller's Pac-10 Blog, he's been doing the Pac-10 countdown of the 30 best players in the conference. I'm betting on Jahvid Best to be #1. Lookie at who he has at #4 today.)

I'll bet it is Taylor Mays

 

[Conan]

I'll bet it is Taylor Mays

hmmmmm... yes, he's got merit. I just keep remembering how Best basically OWNED Miami in their Bowl game. He took over the entire offense. But Mays is a freak of nature. Hard to put him in the same class with most players of the human species.

Here's something just for you Russ. It's a rundown about Zona this year... an interview with brother Stoops. It just came out today.

 

[UoweDucks]

hmmmmm... yes, he's got merit. I just keep remembering how Best basically OWNED Miami in their Bowl game. He took over the entire offense. But Mays is a freak of nature. Hard to put him in the same class with most players of the human species.

Here's something just for you Russ. It's a rundown about Zona this year... an interview with brother Stoops. It just came out today.

Best is a terrific player, but Mays could have been a top 10 draft pick last in this draft. He is a freak of nature whom I really wish had made the decision to go pro.

 

[Conan]

I suppose you could say that especially if you have to play him. But realistically I doubt that USC would lose a full stride anyway. He will just cement their dominant defense more than it would have been had he left. It looks like a coin flip between Best and Mays, but Mays is the freak. You might be right.

We're down to the last 3 on the top 30 list. I'm sure we have 2 of them named so far... I'm thinking Gronkowski will be #3 tomorrow.

 

[russ1945]

hmmmmm... yes, he's got merit. I just keep remembering how Best basically OWNED Miami in their Bowl game. He took over the entire offense. But Mays is a freak of nature. Hard to put him in the same class with most players of the human species.

Here's something just for you Russ. It's a rundown about Zona this year... an interview with brother Stoops. It just came out today.

Thanks Conan I am breathing a little easier now. Like I said early on my fascination with Arizona has nothing to do with the Stoops connection it is based solely on numbers. They were in virtually evey game LY and are very competitive with a lot of returning scorers. I can live with my delusion at least until the season gets underway.

 

[CoachCB]

We (I) sometimes forget these are really just kids but it is not Tebow mostly just some of the Florida fans that get to me once in a while.

Russ, no problems. At least you are man enough to admit it. I know UF fans can be obnoxious as hell (I'm one of them). But I love talking college football. It's my favorite sport. I have no problem admitting when I think a UF players isn't "all that". In fact, I firmly felt Bradford deserved the Heisman last year. I also felt that Dixon was very deserving. UF lost 4 games the year Tebow won the award. So, for that reason alone I agree that other candidates were in serious contention. If Dixon didn't get injured it would have been a lot closer.....

 

[russ1945]

Coach: No harm no foul. I think there will be a lot of focus on the Heisman run right from the get go. I am also afraid that some teams will run up scores again trying to show case their teams and their individual athletes. I could see someone like a Juice Williams coming into the picture and Masoli is probably already in the running. A lot of talent out there this year especially at QB and they get the most attention. I think we are going to see another scoring bonanza next year. These offenses now days are so sophisticated that they can take advantagae of any weakness a defense has. Coaches will never admit it but they like to keep their kids happy and motivated and I think they have to turn them loose to keep their confidence. I know Bob Stoops was never a point puller you could count on and LY was I am sure his best year in that department. Why, a lot of talent and a lot of players to keep happy. Also the new intangible, keeping new recruits entertained and interested. College football is a big business and demands on coaches are increasing at every level. I really don't hold anlything against coaches who let it all hang out and let their players play as long as their intent is not to embarrass another team or coach. That may come into play in the SE conf with Kiffin this year.