Dennis Dixon: 'If everybody buys into what Chip Kelly is selling, the sky's the limit'
It's been five years since Dennis Dixon played for Chip Kelly when Kelly was the offensive coordinator at Oregon, so the new Eagles quarterback does not know entirely what to expect from the new Eagles coach. But he knows enough about Kelly to feel strongly about how Kelly's fast practices and innovative mind will fare in the NFL.
It's been five years since Dennis Dixon played for Chip Kelly when Kelly was the offensive coordinator at Oregon, so the new Eagles quarterback does not know entirely what to expect from the new Eagles coach. But he knows enough about Kelly to feel strongly about how Kelly's fast practices and innovative mind will fare in the NFL.
"If everybody buys into what Chip Kelly is selling, the sky's the limit," Dixon said Monday.
Whether Dixon figures into those plans remains to be seen. Dixon must first fight for a roster spot, then fight for a starting job. The other quarterbacks on the Eagles roster are Michael Vick, Nick Foles, and Trent Edwards.
"I just want to be able to put my best foot forward and let the chips fall where they may," Dixon said. "From my understanding, the job is open. It'll be a very competitive nature around here. It's pretty much open, so may the best man win."
Dixon was on the Ravens practice squad last season. He's been in the NFL since 2008, with three career starts. He was 2-0 as a starter in 2010, although he suffered a knee injury in his second start. That seemed to derailed his career, and he has not started since.
"That was my opportunity," Dixon said. "I tried to seize it, but injuries do happen in this game. Just moving forward, never really had that opportunity again. Been playing behind a lot of good quarterbacks, was tough getting on the field. From Byron Leftwich to Ben Roethlisberger, and just moving forward with the Ravens with Joe Flacco, some very good quarterbacks. Moving forward, just being patient and being humble at the same time."
Dixon said the NFL is about "what have you done for me lately?" and that hurt his chances of finding another job. But he feels comfident that working with the Steelers and the Ravens defense have helped him, and how he's in a position to be Kelly's quarterback six years after they first worked with each other.
"Now another opportunity has come," Dixon said, "and I want to be ready when it comes."