Steeler Dennis Dixon To Start At Quarterback Against Falcons
by Dave Choate on Sep 6, 2010 6:09 PM EDT
in Falcons News
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PrintWhen I hear a head coach with multiple options announce his starting quarterback nearly a week in advance of a game, this is what immediately comes to mind.
Still, it appears the Falcons will have to move ahead and start planning for mobile quarterback Dennis Dixon, who was announced as the starter earlier today. One could make the reasonable argument that Mike Tomlin's ground game and defense are much larger worries to begin with, but Dixon offers a very different look than Byron Leftwich or Charlie Batch.
Basically, Dixon is raw. He's extremely physically talented, and there are going to be moments in Sunday's game where your jaw will probably drop watching him. Dixon will take off and run. Dixon will throw some deep passes. Dixon will also probably throw at least one pick, if not two or three.
If the Steelers are smart, they'll let Dixon manage the game and occasionally do something electric, but they won't hand the reins over to him entirely. The Falcons have an opportunistic defense this year, in my mind, and they'll capitalize on his mistakes. A game that emphasizes Rashard Mendenhall would be a better one for the Steelers, if not the Falcons.
So get ready to see Dixon under center against the Steelers. With any luck, we'll smash them regardless of who's back there.
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We'll
good news for ya’ll is that is his prone to throw a pick.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
Yes Dave, it's a trap. Big Ben is actually starting with a mask on.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
lol
its a zorro mask
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 6, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Every game is a trap
I wish I could watch them all though
Feeding the Monster since 1984
Dennis Dixon in my opinion is a far more dangerous QB than Leftwich. I’ll be excited to see how our defense contains his legs—-it’ll definitely be a strong test.
We'll just send in the black knight to bite his legs off!
And then we’ll call it a draw.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
Hopefully
he limits his throws and the OC lets him have a lot of run pass options.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 6, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Since 2002
Falcons Steelers games have always been classics.
An unsung rivialry
Feeding the Monster since 1984
Reply FAIL
Comment for BlackxGold
Feeding the Monster since 1984
i think your comment is going to fail on this blog with us readers
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 7, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I wish it was Leftwich instead....
we coulda had 5-6 sacks with Byron planted back there!! But Dixon will just give us 3-4 picks instead!! I think the Falcons defense is an excellent defense to stop a fast QB, cuz our D is young and fast too!!
I pray unto thee, oh Lords of football, please let the Atlanta Falcons WIN THE DAMN SUPERBOWL THIS YEAR!!!....Amen
Yes they are
there are lot of picks to be had. Hopefully Dixon learns a lot from his pre-season game. And there will be a lot of run pass-options. The problem is that we don’t even use dixon’s strengths. The offensive coordiantors try to keep Dixon in the pocket and make him a pocket passer. If we are to be successful these four games without Ben they have to let Dixon out of the pocket.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 6, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Seconded.
Leftwich is predictable. I don’t think Dixon will be so.
I can see this being a close, close game. I can also picture a blowout in either direction if Mularkey can solve the P’burg defense…or can’t.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
by AnOldBird on Sep 6, 2010 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
But Mularkey
Used to be the Steelers O-Coordinator.
Maybe he can solve whatever conservativeness the Steelers still have in their franchise.
Feeding the Monster since 1984
Nope, because they're still happening HERE. lol
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
Solve the Pitts D
Thats not possible. Only thing that can stop the Pitt D is Pitt itself. :)
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 7, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah...
just like the Braves beating themselves to your Pirates.
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 7, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope we don't end up with a 2009 edition of Mulrakey,
cause if we do, our best hope is to have Matt Ryan run the no-huddle throughout the game…
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
If VanGorder has a brain in his head
He’ll have someone shadow Dixon the entire game. Because of Dixon’s speed it should probably be a safety, maybe C4 if he starts or plays. Every time Dixon steps across the line have his shadow knock the puddin’ out of him. After a few hits Dixon will stay in the pocket and be forced to pass.
Are the Steelers going into the game with only two QB’s?
shadow
You mean spy, like Urlacher did Vick a few seasons ago.
We don’t seem to do that.
VanGorder may have VanCamps for brains.
Feeding the Monster since 1984
We're probably saying the same thing
Wherever Dixon goes there should be a Falcon defender matching his step for step.
Maybe ATL should swap VanGorder and Mehlarkey?
wife swap
or overhaul them out for new guys.
Because no one apparently loves them here.
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 7, 2010 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking the same thing
The defense tends to get burned by mobile or semi-mobile quarterbacks for a least a few first downs a game.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Sep 6, 2010 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
remember the 08 Vikings game?
Take away the bad Vikings Turnovers and Tarvaris Jackson actually looked p retty good against us. Vikings should have beat us in that game but we made them beat themselves.
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 6, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Can't complain going against a backup instead of a starter...
but as Matt Ryan, Big Ben, Joe Flacco and others have shown, a raw QB does not mean an instant loss.
The Steelers are going to depend on the same tried and true strategy all teams in their situation (including us) use: match a strong running with a good-to-great defense to take pressure and attention off the QB.
If we can get the Steelers to depend on Dixon’s arm to win, we have a very good chance. But if our offense sputters and they keep the game close right up to the end, it could easily go either way.
exactly
you want dixon in the pocket reading the defense, that is his weakness
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 7, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone think Roelistberger has forever lost his job?
Feeding the Monster since 1984
No way
Big Ben is still one of the best 12-15 QBs in the league, easy.
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In the NFL - no, for the Steelers - possibly
The Rooney’s are one of the oldest and highest respected NFL families left. They’ve seen championships, coaches, GMs, and star players come and go, but their name and the reputation of their franchise will remain tied together for the foreseeable future.
Don’t underestimate how distastefully it might be to them to have a possible rapist as the face of their franchise. If Dixon defies the odds and begins to look like a franchise QB, I could see major trade where some teams pays a ransom for Big Ben. I admit the chances of this happening are low, but I think it is at least possible.
I'll acknowledge that
But I think unless concrete proof comes forward, they won’t do it.
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No way
on this earth, You just don’t grow 2 time winning QBs and he isn’t even 30 yet. He could easily add another before he hits 30 then boom (got a little madden in me today), he’s a first ballot hall of famer.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 7, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Not a problem
Pittsburgh had an awful ground game last year, and all they did was lose their best lineman to injury, put a rookie at center, and have their very good QB (who prevents teams from putting 7 in the box) get suspended. I think that offense is going to struggle mightily until Big Ben comes back. Add to that the fact that we ended up as being very stout against the run, including playing some of the best running teams down the stretch and shutting them down (Jets).
I think the interesting matchup will be when we have the ball. Our offense has the potential to be explosive, but that Steeler’s Defense is always one of the best. I think it’ll be low scoring, but we’ll come away with the win.
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Sep 6, 2010 9:14 PM EDT reply actions
**Putting 8 in the box
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Sep 6, 2010 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
The run defense looks good. I’m thinking the Miami game in addition to the end of last year as you mentioned. If they can contain Dixon and force him to throw, the secondary has a chance to make some big plays.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Sep 6, 2010 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
I agree with you, the offense for the steelers will have their hands full.
But note this, Pouncey has been miles better than Hartwig and will only get better with more game time. Flozell has also gotten better throughout the preseason. We’ll see what he can do though. I think he’ll get beat a couple times.
Our running game wasn’t all that but when you consider that our starting back, Mendenhall, accrued 1100 yards last year in 13 games last year then you can imagine that he’d get over 1300 if he started the full 16 games. I think the running game will be surprisingly good this year with a better center.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 7, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Lower case uh oh
Just a little worried. That p.o.s. Vick gave us hell last year and I know some of that was revenge crap but he still ran one in and threw one in. True we are faster now, but is the dummy in the sky smarter? Yup BVG is gonna play a big part in this. Man, this being confident in your team thing still feels so weird!
trying to be confident in a walrus calling your defensive schemes would be easier.
BVG scares me with some of the tactics he pulls. I can only hope Dixon doesn’t find himself against us.
I’m telling you, good defense or not, if we lose to a backup QB, this season is going to be bad.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
we'd beat them if ben was starting so i dont care
zippo is right tho if we lose then this will be a bad season, but we wont lose
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Sep 6, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
If they had Ben, it would be a very close game.
It could go either way at that point. If we’ve improved as much as we think we have, we could beat them in their house with Ben. Without him, it shouldn’t be too much of a contest, but as we all know, the Falcons tend to temper expectations with stupid offensive play and 45 year old DEs in pass coverage.
Here’s to neither of those woes happening.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
I wouldn’t weight one loss for the whole season
But granted I would be very dissapointed that we lose against the Steelers.
But If I find out that we just weren’t quite at regular season speed, and Dixon is a really good QB and the Steelers D is to it’s 2008 form, then I wouldn’t feel so bad about the loss.
The Giants of 2007 looked abysmal in the first 2 1/2 games on Defense, but it soon became their strength and had arguably the best road playoff run in NFL History. So losing to the Steelers if it happens wouldn’t necessarily be the end of the world.
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 6, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Steelers D
I think the Steelers D may well be dominant again this year. The teams three weakest links will be rg, rt and qb for the next 4 games. As Tannofsteel mentioned earlier, Pouncey is a huge improvement at center. DD will likely be hit or miss.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Sep 7, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly My Thoughts
Definitely would have preferred Leftwich over Dixon. The thought of that Vick game last season makes me throw up in my mouth – especially since I was watching in Philly with a co-worker. Ugh.
Either way i think multiple posters have said it best, if we can’t take out the Steelers sans Big Ben then we won’t be as good as I think we are this year regardless.
Well, Mike Wallace might kill us
If Dixon can get him the ball, he’s extremely dangerous. Picture a bigger, more talented Harry Douglas.
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we'll see how he is with no Santanio Holmes lined up with him
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
The rookies
Our rookie WR, Sanders and Brown, both look to be good, maybe very good, but they are not quite there yet. Fans here are expecting Sanders to be the #3 before the end of the year.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Sep 8, 2010 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
a receiver version of Norwood?
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 8, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
We’ve been there eight years ago and mounted a 17 point comeback in the fourth quarter.
It’s not uncharted waters.
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 6, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
hate that game
didn’t it end in a tie? Darn you Mike Vick!! (Shakes Fist)
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 7, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
a tie is weird
even though neither team wins or loses you can say that the last team that scored advoided a loss and the other team gave up a win. So it can feel like a win or loss.
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 8, 2010 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
We like to encourage polite rivalries here
“The Falcon secondary sucks” is not a good way to to start your first comment.
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They might suck but they'll be stellar
against the Steelers poor passing game. Our biggest concern might be keep Roethlisburger away from ATL’s cheerleaders.
dont need any receivers but since you ask hines ward,mike wallace.randall el,heath miller the tight end
I definitely do not disagree with you about the falcons secondary being terrible part
but I also believe that your offensive weapons are not much better.
If the Steelers win this game it is going to be because of their Defense. Falcons pass rush is going to boost the secondary to where they need to be
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
On what do you base the secondary being terrible?
Last year was last year. You have no idea what the DB’s will play like this year. Pre-season looked promising and the pass rush was better.
Dunta Robinson is definitely an upgrade and the pass rush is definitely improved
but I am going to remain a skeptic until proven otherwise. I would not go as far as to say we have the worst secondary in the league but it is definitely still the weakness of our defense and essentially, the weakness of the entire team. It takes a lot to bring a defense up from being the 28th worst in pass protection.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Sep 7, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, you have a good point
but a little more QB pressure can go a long way. A better pass rush will improve the DB’s performance dramatically.
I don't disagree with you at all on that point
but I’m still in let’s wait and see mode
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
we are at home and we dont lose opening games especially at home,by the way matt ryan will never see blizing the the way the steel will blitz
bold statement... next time throw some numbers on there
stats speak louder than pure biased speculation
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Sep 6, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
numbers
Steelers haven’t lost a home opener since the year 2000. I looked it up. Most home openers are blow outs.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Sep 7, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
awesome
thanks for the stats… I cannot really argue with that.
I can say though that I hope the Falcons break that streak ;)
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
actually I got 2002 against the Raiders
Feeding the Monster since 1984
by brotherbrown on Sep 8, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
lol, good to see
try to back up your statements with fact. I’d love to hold a debate with you but your statements do not really help your credibility. Trash talk is fine and dandy but this isn’t really the place for biased trash talking that does not lead to intellectual conversation.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
give me some facts about your franchise .we have won 2 superbowl since that lost to you in atl,and that was charlie batch who you struggle against.ben was having a probowl day until he got hurt
by steelcurtain43 on Sep 7, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Okay
We’re all aware that the Steelers are probably the greatest franchise in NFL history, or very close to it. That’s not going to mean jack when this season starts. The lowliest team in the league can beat the best one on a given day, and this season, the Steelers aren’t the best team in the NFL and we are not the worst.
What I’m saying is, let the game play out. We’ll see what happens.
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Well guess what
This game is going to be the beginning of a new history between the teams. The Steelers have not faced ATL teams like the current one. Best luck because y’all are going to need it.
Wow
Methinks a few keys on the ol keyboard are stuck, eh steel? We gotta find some fact everyone(?)! He’s trying to use mind games on us! Shields up!
by aces666high on Sep 7, 2010 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if...
…Dennis Dixon and Kordell Stewart are related?
QB Spying
we should play weatherspoon as a spy, get his confidence up with a few clean QB hits. I think our D-line has looked amazing in the off season, and the fact that they have a rookie center and their starting LT gone, i really feel we should be able to put pressure on Dixon even with just a basic 4 man rush, i doubt we’ll even need to blitz that much. Pressure him with our D-line, have Lofton or weatherspoon spying, the rest on pass coverage. That way we should get our pick count up to about 3 or 4
by Turner_The_Burner on Sep 7, 2010 6:31 AM EDT reply actions
Starting RT gone
Our LT is still there. The rookie center is a huge upgrade from last year.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Sep 7, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
RT maybe?
Sorry, i thought it was your LT out for the year. was it your rt? or was i just blatantly wrong haha wouldn’t surprise me.
by Turner_The_Burner on Sep 9, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
We have a tendency...
…to make the Dennis Dixons, Tarvaris Jacksons and Browning Nagels (he’s the only one which came to mind offhand) of the league look like the second coming of Montana, Namath and Unitas. I hope this won’t be the case Sunday.
We tend to make 4-3 defenses look excellent
at least based on last year. Hopefully that will change this year.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Sep 7, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Them's purty words for a Steelers fan.
That’s make sense, though. You have to build for what you see alot of.
Also you’re right about Pauncey. I think he’d have looked great in a red jersey.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
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