Eagles Wake-Up Call: Dixon And the QB Picture
The Eagles are showing interest in quarterback Dennis Dixon, a league source confirmed to Birds 24/7.
Dixon, who spent this past season on the practice squad for the Super Bowl Champion Ravens, is free to sign a futures contract with another team. The Eagles and Dixon’s representation have been discussing a potential deal. If negotiations go smoothly, the former Oregon Duck will be reunited with Chip Kelly.
CSN Philly first had the report.
What does it all mean?
I think it would be a reach to assume that Dixon will vault right into the mix for the starting job. The 28-year-old has been in the league since 2008 and has just three starts to his name — all with the Steelers. He has not thrown a pass in the bigs since 2010, and was unable to crack a 53-man roster this past season.
Kelly has worked magic on Dixon once already. The year before Kelly arrived at Oregon, Dixon threw 12 touchdowns to 14 interceptions and Oregon went 7-6. Kelly came aboard as the offensive coordinator for Dixon’s senior season. The signal-caller tossed 20 touchdowns to four INTs that year, becoming a Heisman candidate as the Ducks finished 9-4.
Could history repeat? Possible, but unlikely. It certainly makes sense to bring Dixon in, though, and allow him to compete for a backup role while helping to educate his teammates on the finer points of Kelly’s offense. And if the Eagles get more out of him, then all the better.
WHAT YOU MISSED
Sheil profiles Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel.
In our first offseason primer, Kapadia looks at the wide receiver situation.
The $3 million guarantee is set to kick in, but the Eagles aren’t ready to part with Michael Vick.
The key to winning a Super Bowl? Hiring a former Ray Rhodes assistant, of course.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
The bad news? Vick is on Forbes’ list of most disliked athletes. The good news? He doesn’t rank as high (low?) as he used to. From CBS Sports:
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Eagles Vick are the most disliked players in the NFL, according to Forbes list of the 10 most disliked athletes in America.
The No. 7 ranking was actually an improvement for Vick, who topped the list last year. While there seems to be a clear reason for fans disliking Vick and a reasonable explanation for why fans dislike Cutler, it’s hard to pinpoint why Romo made the list.
Lance Armstrong was No. 1, followed by Manti Te’o and Tiger Woods.
Reuben Frank is keeping 17 of the 33 offensive players that finished the season on the Eagles’ roster or injured reserve. Here’s what he had to say about Vick and Danny Watkins:
Michael Vick: He’s going to be 33, he hasn’t won a playoff game in nine years, he’s clearly lost a step or two, and there’s absolutely no reason to believe he can recapture the magic of early 2010.Goes.
Danny Watkins: I haven’t seen any evidence the former first-round pick wants to play football. Goes.
COMING UP
The Eagles could sign a quarterback and hire a defensive coordinator. Much to keep an eye on.