Antonio Dixon on roster bubble
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Antonio Dixon on roster bubble
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Antonio Dixon is on the roster bubble.
The Eagles defensive tackle has been there before. But this year he may face his toughest challenge even with the team down a defensive tackle with Mike Patterson currently sidelined.
“I was a free agent so I never feel like I got it made -- until you get that big contract,” Dixon said. “But I’m still out here every day grinding, doing what Coach Wash wants me to do.”
“Coach Wash” would be, of course, Jim Washburn. The defensive line coach can be heard from long distance barking at Dixon for long stretches of practice. Washburn likes his defensive tackles to be fast and athletic because he stresses the pass rush above all.
Dixon doesn’t necessarily fit the mold. He’s a big-bodied run stopper, probably better suited to play nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme. He came into camp last year after the lockout weighing a whopping 355 pounds. The additional weight put pressure on his back and slowed his motor. Dixon suffered a season-ending torn triceps in October and then needed back surgery in the offseason.
Despite Washburn’s system, the Eagles retained Dixon, who was an unrestricted free agent, in March. They still need run-stoppers, after all.
“He’ll sort of treat me different,” Dixon said of Washburn. “He let’s me do more stuff on my own. Let’s say there’s a big gap, he’ll tell me to jump over and play the run because I’m a legitimate nose tackle.”
With Patterson out till who knows when because of his January brain surgery, Dixon could be assured a roster spot based on his run-stopping abilities alone. But he hasn’t looked as swift as he did in 2009 and 2010. He said he currently weighs 335 pounds, slightly more than his listed 322.
Defensive tackles Cullen Jenkins, Fletcher Cox and Derek Landri are guaranteed roster spots. If Patterson starts the season on the Physically Unable to Perform List that could leave Dixon and second-year defensive tackle Cedric Thornton fighting for the last spot. The Eagles could keep five defensive tackles, though, depending on how many ends they keep.
“We’re going to miss Mike P. Hopefully he comes back soon,” Dixon said. “But we’re really going to need a run-stopper. Last year we struggled in the run game. I think I can be a big help especially now that we got [middle linebacker] DeMeco [Ryans].”
there should not question of cutting dixon,he and landri are our 2 best run stoppers.not only does he have the size but he also has the talent.we need someone can command double teams and he is that person.can you imagine cole,babin ,jenkins,and dixon, thats a pretty good front four.— swgaston49- Keep him--he knows the defense and we trade out the defense line every down so he will be fresh and our players get hurt alot because they are so small.— phillyboymike7
- Am I the only person to see Brandon Graham is a midget. No offense to the little people. Graham is too small and his arms too short. I would rather keep Big Body types like Dixon then short and small DE. You cant run with Midget DE and then back it up two undersized LBs and a MLB with no legs to run. This defense needs size first then speed. The Steelers Oline is very weak by their own standards and pushed us around all night. Hunt and Landri were the only guys in the first quarter who fought with intensity.— 1st and goal
- Really dont see the reasoning in cutting him. He has shown great ability to make plas against the run and what if Cox is a bust? Then we are left holding the bag as we get gashed by good running teams. The problem isnt Dixon but rather the ridiculous wide 9 that gets sacks but limits effectiveness against running teams. Just was talking about this recently at Fanland— craigsmith33
- We need to keep Dixon. Every player may not fit a specific system or D-Line coaches ideal player. But, he presents certain match up problems for other teams because of his already established attributes. I would much rather keep him for his size and play in the trenches, than cut him becasue he can't play DE. I think he needs to lose another 10-15 pounds too.— SeenGreen
- I think Dixon should stay because they do not have enough beefy guys on the Dline. Its needed, especially on on short yardage plays near the goal line.— watsonmr
- Well, if the additional weight "slowed his motor", we can only hope his "Muscle Memory" gets better...— outta work
- I hope they treat the situation as MP not coming back this year. Even if he does come back, what kind of shape will that guy be in, anyway? Dixon has three weeks to play himself into shape. Shame on him if he doesn't. With the way the Eagles rush the passer, I would keep 5 guys.— beegal99
- I think I've already come to the decision that this team isn't going anywhere...— greenflyer
- and so should evry safety and corner we have...and include the lindbackers in that also.....they stink....collectively, mediocre is the most you could say about them on a good day..— nuggett
- Landri is the real deal. High motor....aggressive style.— NewMick314
- Lonewolf11, you don't have to guess and please change you picture. Everytime I look at it I taste vomit in my mouth....disgusting...truly disgusting.— ceocreates
- I watched the game yesterday on the NFL Access channel. He still looks out of shape to me and way too heavy. i would say 25 lbs too heavy. He looks sloooooow!!! Side note D. Bell looked extremely slow and tentative. Left tackle could be a problem. Watch for a lot of two tight end sets because it looks like he could be a turnstyle. Too early to say but if I were Howard Mudd I would be concerned.— Alpha58
I think it's been pointed out before, but I'll remind you once again that the Eagles don't play in a wide 9 formation every single down. In fact when the run defense started to improve around week 6 last season it was in part because they started pulling the defensive ends in tighter on certain running situations based on downs and distance. Point being Dixon will be a good tool to have with Patterson out and his future uncertain when he comes back, I think the team will want added insurance. If Dixon can keep his weight down and show something they will cut Thornton and keep him on the roster this season.- Coach Wash... I hear this from all the D-line players.. Remember Jim Johnson? When he was D-coordinator I didn't even know who the D-line coach was. Is Juan Castillo respected at all? If not, this could be a big problem.— FetchDixon
- I hope they keep him. They need to stop the run and Dixon can. Too many players like Babin only want to sack the quarterback and the running back runs right by him.— zeke128
- IF THE EAGLES CUT THEIR ONLY LEGITIMATE RUN STOPPER AFTER THEY WERE GASHED ALL SEASON LONG AGAINST THE RUN PARTLY BECAUSE DIXON WAS HURT ALL SEASON, I'M DONE. I DON'T GIVE A DAMN IF HE FITS THE "SYSTEM" OR NOT! THE DUDE IS A BEAST AGAINST THE RUN! HE SINGLE HANDEDLY BEAT DOUBLE TEAMS AND MADE TACKLES IN THE DAMN BACKFIELD IN 2010. HERE WE GO AGAIN, STUPID COACH TRYING TO MOLD GOOD PLAYERS TO FIT HIS SYSTEM INSTEAD OF MOLDING HIS SYSTEM TO FIT THE PLAYERS HE HAS. IDIOTS....— Minnesota VICKings
- Agreed...Washburn has been around long enough to know who has it and who doesn't. Sadly, Dixon might get the boot b/c he isn't a perfect "fit" for the scheme. I love the way he plays though...which on run plays is usually in the backfield...I'm sure he'll make it somewhere else if he gets cut...— CaptAwesome
If I had to guess, I'd say that Dixon will be there when it's all said and done.- ry and keep him for goal line D as stopping runs there would be worth a roster spot— connorjr
- Dixon will play somewhere. I hope he stays here, keeps his weight down and avoids injuries.— armchairGM
- Washburn has been around long enough to recognize and appreciate talent. I would say it would be a surprise if Dixon isn't on the roster to start the season. They need to be very careful with Patterson, he did have a brain injury, after all. Once Patterson is recovered and ready, somebody can go on the injured list. It's good to have this kind of depth.— Paul SoTX
- Washburn does not appear to be a fan of Dixon...Landri has earned it, as he stays low, gets under the pads and uses quickness to make plays...very productive...Cedric Thornton impressed last Thursday, and competition's the name of the game.— bearsfriend
