DENNIS DIXON:  THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

The first four games of Dennis Dixon’s 2006 junior season went well. After throwing two interceptions in the Oklahoma game, he displayed his poise and led the Ducks thrilling comeback by running 16 yards for a touchdown and throwing a 23-yard strike to Brian Paysinger to shock the Sooners. After the fifth game last season, however, Dixon’s performance at quarterback seemed to unravel. He ended up throwing more interceptions than touchdowns while Oregon slid to a 7-6 season.

This season, things look much better for the 6’4, 205 pound senior quarterback.  He’s thrown 12 touchdown passes and only two interceptions (both in the Cal game) and only Jonathan Stewart has more rushing yards than number 10. He’s a big reason why his team is ranked 13^th in the nation. Yes, the Ducks might be 4-1 just like this time last year, but this is a much different team and Dennis Dixon is a much different quarterback.  He says he credits the change to the overall trust between himself and his teammates.

“Everyone is playing with an excellent determination,” says Dixon in a very soft-spoken voice. “We just have to be focused in doing our assignments day in and day out and playing one snap at a time.” Some of the first snaps that the 22 year-old took were in his hometown of San Leandro, California.

THE EARLY YEARS:

DI: What was it like growing up in the Bay Area?

DD:  “It was great. I’d love to live there for the rest of my life. I met a lot of awesome people on and off the field and I plan on pursuing a career there when I’m done with sports, whatever that may be.”

DI:   And where did you love of sports come from?

DD:  “From my Dad (Dennis, Sr.) He was a great athlete when he was in high school and I wanted to be just like him, if not better.”

DI:  Taking it a step further…why football?

DD:  “It’s a tool that I like playing. I mean, I like playing baseball, too, but right now, football has my full attention.”

WHAT MADE DIXON BECOME A DUCK?

Some might find it odd that Dennis Dixon didn’t wind up in Berkeley for his college football career.  The highly touted Parade High School All-American is not only from the East Bay Area, but his San Leandro High School coach, Danny Calcagno, was a Cal quarterback.  Dennis is quick to point out that he has quite a few relatives in the state of Oregon, a contributing factor in his decision to become a Duck.

“I saw Oregon as a second home,” Dixon says. “I have a lot of family members in Portland, as opposed to if I had gone somewhere else and got homesick. Being in Eugene meant I could drive two hours and see family there, so I saw it as a great opportunity for me.”

TIME ON THE BASEBALL DIAMOND:

DI:  What was your favorite moment playing as an outfielder over the summer for the Atlanta Braves’ Class A affiliate in Danville, Virginia?

DD:  “Just having the opportunity to play for the Braves. I thank them for that and I could see myself doing that in the future, though I don’t know right now, because my focus is on football and this Duck team.”

DI:  What was the hardest pitch for you to hit?

DD:  “I would say it’s between a curveball or a change-up, because you never know what the rotation is, but baseball is based on repetition, so if you have a lot of at-bats, you get used to it.”

DI:  Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, have said you actually benefited from the experience and it has helped you on the football field. Do you agree?

DD:  “Absolutely. You can go 0-for-3 one day in baseball, but the next day you’ve got to be able to produce. The same is true in football. I could go three-and-out on one series, but on the next series, I have to deliver. So as a quarterback, you’ve got to put your team in the best situation possible and I think that’s happened so far.”

DI:  So you were more encouraged by the whole thing?

DD:  “Yes...just getting away for a little bit and seeing what life has to bring other than football. I’m happy for that.”

LIFE OFF THE FOOTBALL FIELD:

DI:  As the quarterback you have the constant glare of the media as well as the fact that when you go into a Wal-Mart, everyone is saying ‘great game’ or what have you. How do you deal with that?

DD:  “I don’t deal with it in any particular way. I’m a normal person whether we win or lose and as a man, I know I’m trying my best for the team to put them in the best situation possible to win.”

DI:  Having said that, what bothers you more these days: Defensive linemen or media writers like myself?

DD:   “I’ve never really been a spoken guy, and I like to lead by my actions, but I’m getting better as far as talking to the media is concerned.”

DI:  What are your plans if football or baseball doesn’t work out?

DD:  “If baseball or football doesn’t work out, then I have my degree (in sociology), because I graduated early. I’ll probably look into broadcasting, which is why I’m trying to get my speech skills up and that will be something to look forward to as well.”

HEAD GAMES: WHAT IS DENNIS DIXON THINKING?

DI:  Okay, Dennis, what were you thinking on that 80-yard touchdown run against Houston?  I mean, what was going through your mind before you decided to take off?

DD:  “Nothing, really. That was just about having the trust in my teammates. I had to thank my O-linemen for the read on the play, because they make things easier for me as well as my receivers for the blocks downfield. That was all about the execution of the offense. It was a situation where I read it and the defense gave the situation for me to keep it, and at that point, I ran with it.”

DI:  Now what are you thinking when you enter the huddle?  How do you lead the team offensively?

DD:  “It’s all about time management, and being assertive with the ball. I also try to stress not turning over the ball as well as NO penalties.”

DI:  And what about a situation like Stanford where they’ve run off 28 straight points. What were you thinking and how did you lead the Ducks to that 55-31 victory?

DD:  “I just told everyone to relax. We had situations like this last year and we self-destructed.  As the quarterback, everyone looks up to you as a leader and my motto has become ‘don’t let nobody see you sweat.’  Once everyone sees that, the whole offense and defense will positively feed off the calm person.”

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE COACHES:

“Dennis was not as comfortable throwing the ball down the field last year,” says Mike Bellotti. “He also wasn’t comfortable in his recognition of defenses, but I think he’s much better right now, because he is more confident, more comfortable in the pocket. He’s running less, throwing more, and making the right decisions by seeing things as they develop.”

.  While new offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, wasn’t around to witness Dixon’s meltdown, he did watch plenty of videotape in the off-season.

“The first thing I noticed while watching the videotapes is what a great athlete he was,” Kelly explains. “And then, focusing on the positives, we as an offensive staff figured out the best system that accentuated the things he does well.”

“The kid I’ve met has had the attitude of a player you want to coach,” says Kelly. “I mean, he was raring and ready to go. I don’t know the Dennis of old, but the Dennis I’ve known since I’ve been here has been tremendous.”

The end result (for now) has been a man who is eighth in the nation with a 168.99 QB rating, as well as leading the Pac-10 in passing efficiency.  Still, Kelly believes Dennis Dixon can continue to improve.

“He can always get better in terms of making his reads or making quick decisions,” he says. “There’s times out there when he’s ‘bang bang’ and others when he hesitates a little, but everything is a work in progress whether you’re Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Dennis Dixon.”

AS DENNIS SEES IT…

While some have argued that the recent defeat to Cal might’ve damaged Dixon’s Heisman Trophy chances, he insists he’s not worried about any individual honors, just about helping the Ducks get another victory. “I never focus on that,” claims Dennis. I don’t follow that other stuff and I don’t read any type of newspapers about it.”

And even though the loss to the Bears (since it was a Bay Area team) has to personally sting him, Dennis Dixon remains confident about his team’s chances down the stretch.

“Last year I think this team would have fell over after the first interception…myself as well.” Even after Cameron Colvin’s fumble Dixon said he “had strong words for Cameron and let him know he’s a hard worker and everyone’s behind him 100 per cent.”

“This year everyone has strong confidence that we’re capable to get things done. This team is up and running, we have a spark and we have an edge on us right now, we’re pumped.  The sky is the limit. It’s up to us how far we want to go. We have this unity, this bond on both sides of the ball right now that no one can break.”

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