Philadelphia Eagles DT Antonio Dixon may not return to the team next season because he is probably too small to play nose tackle in the 3-4 defensive alignment.



(kffl.com)

Philadelphia Eagles DT Antonio Dixon could play nose tackle for the Eagles in a 3-4 defense. The problem with Dixon, according to Rich Hoffmann of the Daily News, is that he may not be big enough to play the position, meaning the Eagles may have to try to find someone to play the position.




(rotoworld.com)

It’s not exactly the 11th hour, but it is the 16th game, so Antonio Dixon was surprised when his phone rang on Tuesday and the voice on the other end wanted to know if he would be interested in signing a two-year contract with the Eagles.

Dixon, a defensive tackle, played for the Eagles for three seasons -- he started 10 games in 2010 -- before being released in training camp this year because he didn't suit the Wide-9 formation the team was playing at the time. He signed with Indianapolis and played two games with the Colts before he was released again, so Dixon headed home to Homestead, Fla., to lose some weight and stay in shape and hope another team would call.

But, as week after week went by and there were no calls, he was beginning to accept that his career might be over. And then, finally, the phone rang.

“I was surprised a little bit because you never know what changes or who'll call you,'' Dixon said. “I'm really happy to be back, though, to play with the Eagles again.”

There's a good chance he wouldn't be back with them if Jim Washburn, the defensive line coach who installed the Wide-9, hadn't been fired a month ago. But Dixon said he harbored no bad feelings toward Washburn or the Eagles after they released him.

“I know it's a business,'' he said. “I've seen a lot of people get cut -- I was one of them. It's a business, and you can't be mad for a long time. You've just got to get over it.”

The Eagles signed Dixon because it appears rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox won't play in Sunday's season finale against the New York Giants. Coach Andy Reid said there was no guarantee Dixon would suit up for Sunday's game, but Dixon later said he had been told he would be active and see playing time. And he said he's ready.

“This is why they brought me back, because they need my help,'' he said. “And I told them I would give them everything I've got.”


(cbssports.com)

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts have waived running back Mewelde Moore and nose tackle Antonio Dixon.

Indy also promoted cornerback Marshay Green and fullback Robert Hughes from the practice squad to the active roster on Monday, and signed cornerback Teddy Williams to the practice squad.

The moves come one day after starting cornerback Vontae Davis left the Colts' 19-13 overtime victory at Tennessee with a left knee injury. Interim coach Bruce Arians says Davis' MRI results were not yet available.

Moore had nine carries for 14 yards and four receptions for 36 yards and one TD in six games this season. Dixon made one tackle in two games.

Green and Hughes were cut in August and signed to the Colts' practice squad in October. The speedy Williams was cut by the Dallas Cowboys in August.


(nfl.com)

The Indianapolis Colts signed nose tackle Antonio Dixon and promoted linebacker Jerry Brown and defensive end Clifton Geathers from the practice squad to the active roster today.

The team also waived cornerback Justin King.

Dixon’s and Geathers’ signings is an indication that defensive end Fili Moala (knee sprain) and nose tackle Martin Tevaseu (foot) are likely to miss some time. Both were injured Sunday, when the Colts beat the Green Bay Packers.

Dixon (6-3, 322) appeared in 35 career games with 10 starts with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Colts also signed linebacker D.J. Bryant, cornerback Isaiah Green, fullback Robert Hughes and tight end Dominique Jones to the practice squad. The team released running back Alvester Alexander from the practice squad and linebacker Mario Addison was signed off the practice squad to the Washington Redskins active roster.


(indystar.com)

The Patriots have released wide receiver Greg Salas, linebacker Mike Rivera and fullback Lex Hilliard, according to a league source.

Salas, who was inactive during Week 2, was acquired via trade from the Rams on Sept. 1. In exchange, the Patriots shipped St. Louis a seventh-round pick in 2015.

Rivera, 26, was signed to the Patriots' practice squad in November 2011 and found a spot on the 53-man roster this season. He has played a special teams role in each of the team's two regular-season contests.

The team added Hilliard leading up the regular-season opener and served in a situational fullback role. Hilliard played four of the team's 82 offensive snaps in Week 2.

In addition to the roster moves, the Patriots hosted seven players for a work out on Tuesday: defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, offensive tackle Tommie Draheim, defensive tackle Terrell McClain, offensive tackle Nick Mondek, wide receiver Kashif Moore, wide receiver Brian Robiskie and linebacker Nathan Stupar.


(espn.com)

Former Eagles defensive tackle Antonio Dixon had a workout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dixon worked out for the New York Giants last week. Dixon's agent, Alonzo Shavers, said his client had a good workout with Tampa but did not sign a deal.




(pewterreport.com)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers worked out free-agent DT Antonio Dixon (Eagles) Tuesday, Sept. 11. Dixon worked out with the New York Giants last week.





(kffl.com)

The Giants worked out 19 players Friday: Guard Roger Allen, defensive back David Caldwell, receiver Michael Campbell, defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, defensive back James Dockery, receiver Jeremy Ebert, defensive back Terrence Frederick, defensive tackle Dominique Hamilton, quarterback Brian Hoyer, running back Kareem Huggins, receiver Dan Keegan, defensive back Elbert Mack, quarterback Josh McCown, quarterback Stephen McGee, tight end Troy McKenna, defensive back Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, receiver Jordan Shipley, tight end Mickey Shuler, and center Scott Wedige. Some of these players were pretty close to making other roster, especially Owusu-Ansah, Mack and Ebert.

I believe this was about getting these guys on their radar and telling them to be ready if another injury happens. Since they already played Wednesday, they can already sign vested veterans such as these without having to fully guarantee their salary.


(nflgridirongab.com)

There were rumors this pre-season that Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Antonio Dixon could be released because he didn’t fit the Eagles defensive line scheme. Dixon was having a great season last year before suffering a season ending arm injury. Dixon is a very effective run stuffer and shouldn’t be a free agent for very long.

About 20 minutes after Tuesday’s practice, Antonio Dixon slouched in the folding chair at his locker, gazing into his uncertain future.

In one vision, Dixon pictured another season of rotating in and out of the Eagles’ defensive line, smothering ball carriers and occasionally showing off his improved pass rush.

In another, he’s playing somewhere else, jettisoned to who-knows-where as the team makes its final roster decisions.

“There’s a lot of good players here,” Dixon said “That’s obviously why I’m in the predicament I’m in, because it’s a pretty good team. We’re stacked on the D-line.”

Reality is settling in for the fourth-year veteran who arrived in 2009 as a rookie free agent cut loose by the Redskins and claimed quickly off waivers by the Eagles. A stout, 322-pound defensive tackle with better-than-average quickness and lateral movement, Dixon quickly carved his niche in the team’s run defense. By 2010, he started 10 games in place of an injured Brodrick Bunkley.

But then came a dramatic scheme change introduced in 2011 by new defensive line coach Jim Washburn, who prioritized speed over size and made sacking quarterbacks the top priority for every lineman, tackle or end.

Then came a torn triceps injury last October that cut short Dixon’s season after four games.

Then came first-round pick Fletcher Cox, a defensive tackle with tremendous burst off scrimmage, and the emergence of second-year tackle Cedric Thornton, another high-upside prospect who is custom made for Washburn’s scheme.

On Tuesday, head coach Andy Reid said the front-office phones are ringing off the hook, and you have to wonder if trade talk at the NovaCare Complex centers on Dixon and Darryl Tapp, another lineman who could become casualty of the numbers game.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” admitted Dixon, who will play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Jets. “I just found out today. I just know that I’ve got to go out and play my best, and if they don’t keep me I’ve just got to try to go somewhere else.”

All NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 by Friday evening. Even with defensive tackle Mike Patterson ineligible to play until Week 6 at the earliest, the Eagles have 11 other linemen -- six ends,  five tackles -- jockeying for snaps or jobs.

It’s possible the Eagles keep them all and go thin at another position, but it’s also possible that Dixon and Tapp are victims of the youth movement.

Dixon, who’s had a rough camp at times, admitted that he has no clue right now where he stands.

“I don’t know, to tell you the truth,” he said. “It’s kind of hard right now.”

Asked if he’d be surprised to be headed for the exit Friday night, Dixon shook his head.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” he said.


(csnphilly.com)

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News is concerned that DT Antonio Dixon is a poor fit for DL coach Jim Washburn's style.

The 6'3/322 Dixon is a strong run-stuffer, but Washburn's primary objective is getting to the passer. Despite Bowen's concerns, Dixon figures to make the team and play regular snaps, especially with Mike Patterson (brain surgery) out of action. Dixon will rotate with Cullen Jenkins, Derek Landri and rookie Fletcher Cox.


(rotoworld.com)

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].”


(philly.com)

Given the setback encountered by Mike Patterson in his recovery from brain surgery, Antonio Dixon's return to the Philadelphia Eagles from his triceps injury has come just in time.

The fourth-year defensive tackle became the forgotten man of the defense last year after his season ended in the first week of October, when he tore the triceps in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Two days later he was on the injured reserve list and headed for his first surgery.

Dixon admits he didn't handle that period very well.

His weight had already ballooned, the result of previous injuries and the NFL lockout.

But there was more.

"I had never had surgery before," Dixon said, "so it was pretty tough. I was a little depressed some days [not being able to help]. ... They fought hard every game. We just couldn't put it together. It made me realize how important I am for the team. So I just have to stay healthy and stay in shape."

Dixon has more control over the second part of that goal than the first. To that end, he plans to hire a personal nutritionist/chef to take over the meal-planning and preparing portion of his life.

Dixon actually has already made great strides from where he was last year at this time.

"He was so heavy and out of shape," recalled defensive line coach Jim Washburn of his first meeting with Dixon last summer, following a long labor stoppage that meant no offseason minicamps for the players and no use of the team's facilities. "It was disgusting how out of shape he was last year.

"It was not him. He had all these injuries and no offseason. ... But he looked so much different for spring, and I'm so excited about him. I didn't know what we had. And now, getting himself in shape, making a commitment — I'll tell you what. Two words: Barry Rubin."

Rubin, of course, is the Eagles' head strength and conditioning coach who put together the plan that dropped Dixon to his more manageable current weight of 338 pounds, just about two weeks away, according to Dixon, from his target of 330.

Washburn and the Eagles now may be able to count on Dixon to step in and provide what Patterson has for seven straight seasons — all except one as a fulltime starter. That would be huge, considering how much Washburn thinks of Patterson, who will sit out this camp and be out indefinitely until his surgeon pronounces his skull sufficiently healed from the operation more than six months ago.

"I'll miss the guy when I turn on the film on Monday morning [the guy who] plays solid the whole time," Washburn said of Patterson. "He's just always in the right place. He does the right thing and he's going to play hard and he knows what to do. It's a constant.

"You turn on the film and you wonder how's Vinny [Curry] or Fletcher [Cox] going to play or whatever, but Mike was the old solid guy that was always there, and that's a comfort to a coach to know that he's always going to do the right thing."

At the very least, Dixon has earned Washburn's trust and admiration.

"This spring he worked his butt off," the coach said. "He's down. I don't know how much he weighs. He's maybe 330 from 360 or whatever it was. He's in so much better shape and I went, 'Wow, this guy's got some quickness.' He likes to play and he's tough, but he's got ability.

"He's a real guy. I'm really excited about him. And he's such a good person. He wants to be a good player. He's going to help us a lot."

Without Patterson in the mix, Dixon might even start, although all of the four tackles who eventually will wind up in the rotation are considered starters anyway by head coach Andy Reid because they essentially play the same number of snaps.

"The thing I'm good at is getting off the ball," Dixon said, "so Coach Washburn's system fits me a lot."

Especially now that Dixon literally fits into the system.


(mcall.com)

The Philadelphia Inquirer expects Antonio Dixon to get the first crack at Mike Patterson's (brain surgery) starting defensive tackle job.

Patterson has been ruled out for training camp and it would not be a surprise if he misses more time than that. Even if Dixon wins the starting job, it will only be a nominal designation. First-round pick Fletcher Cox, versatile Cullen Jenkins and run-stuffer Derek Landri will all rotate heavily. The Eagles' defense won't miss Patterson too sorely.


(rotoworld.com)

Eagles DT Antonio Dixon (torn triceps) underwent January surgery to remove a herniated disk from his back.

Dixon has been back on the field for OTAs and insists both his back and his triceps are 100 percent healed. Although he was limited to just four games last season, Dixon had emerged as a strong run-stuffer down the stretch in 2010.


(rotoworld.com)

WHENEVER A PLAYER sits in the trainer’s room at Lincoln Financial Field while a game is in progress, he is in some sort of misery.

On Oct. 2, Antonio Dixon lived a special sort of misery as Frank Gore gashed his Eagles in a loss that cost them dearly.

One more win, and the Eagles occupy the playoff spot the Giants used to win the Super Bowl.

Of all the bad plays and the bad luck and the bad coaching that comprised the Failure of 2011, losing an undrafted run-stopper in Game 4 played as large a role as anything. Maybe a larger role than most.

This season, even with the addition of first-round tackle Fletcher Cox, Dixon, at 6-3 and upwards of 330 pounds, should play a larger role than ever.
Certainly, Dixon’s value should be better appreciated after what his absence meant last season.

"Dixon, with his size and explosiveness, he’s pretty unique. When he went down last year, we really missed that," said fellow tackle Cullen Jenkins. "All of us other tackles, we don’t have that size and the ability to just fire off the ball and just push guys around and collapse it. We missed that."

In Dixon’s absence, Jenkins, a free agent acquired to rush the passer, found himself thrust into more run-defense situations. The limitations of Trevor Laws and Mike Patterson were magnified. The Eagles had to re-sign Derek Landri, whom they cut out of training camp.

And, without Dixon for less than 30 minutes, they lost to the Niners.

After a harmless, 40-yard scoot on his first touch, Gore was limited to 19 yards on five touches until early in the third quarter. Subtract Gore’s first run and the Niners, as a team, gained 33 yards on 11 carries.

Seven of those 11 rushes were for 3 yards or less. Of those 19 yards, 15 were meaningless.

The Niners’ running attack was absent. Finally, the wide-nine defensive line scheme was working.

The Eagles led, 23-10.

Dixon tore his left triceps on the next drive.

Gore gained 68 yards, scored a touchdown and ran out the clock on his next nine carries.

Dixon could only watch.

"I saw him running all over the defense. I was going crazy in the back," Dixon said. "I couldn’t help my teammates. It was pretty hard to watch.

“The first two quarters we shut them down. Then I got hurt, and he gutted us."

It was no easier to watch 2 months later in Seattle, when Marshawn Lynch trampled them for 148 yards and two touchdowns, another deflating, costly loss. Maybe a worse loss, considering it dropped the Eagles to 4-8 and made their route to making the playoffs an indecipherable combination of unlikely events.

The loss in Seattle hurt, but the Seahawks and Lynch owned that game.

Against the Niners, the Eagles blew a 20-point lead, in the second half, at home.

"The Seattle game was hard to watch, too. Because I know I could’ve helped the run game," Dixon said. "But it was harder to watch San Francisco come back."

At the same time, it was a privilege for Dixon to be missed.

Dixon, 26, has overcome homelessness, a learning disability, a speech impediment and a weight problem. Then, he was undrafted. The Redskins signed him as a rookie free agent in 2009 and planned to stash him on the practice squad. That required Dixon to clear waivers, and the Eagles snared him.

Dixon played in 31 of 32 games in 2009 and 2010. Last season, he played ahead of Laws, a second-round pick whom the Eagles let go to St. Louis via free agency. He was a big reason the Eagles traded 2006 first-round pick Broderick Bunkley in 2011.

"Trevor and Bunkley, they’re my dogs … but it makes me proud that the Eagles wanted me," Dixon said.

They didn’t just want him. They needed him.

They need him now.

Dixon stayed in Philadelphia the entire offseason, fed at the Eagles’ strict training trough and supplemented his rehab routine with a rigorous workout regimen.

Dixon weighs 332 pounds, about the same as last year.

Only now, he can see his feet.

"He’s in the best shape he’s ever been in," said defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. "You can see the excitement in his face."

You could see the excitement on Castillo’s face, too.

He got his run-stopper back.

If only …

OK, Dixon finishing the game against the Niners does not guarantee a win.

In that same game, Alex Henery missed two field goals inside of 40 yards. Jeremy Maclin fumbled in Niners territory late in the fourth quarter. And, of course, Ronnie Brown turned the ball over at the goal line on a halfback option pass, the Eagles’ most absurd play-call of the season.

But a stop here, a tackle there … who knows?

Maybe the Giants aren’t smiling.


(philly.com)

Antonio Dixon: All the talk on the defensive line has centered on draft picks Fletcher Cox (first round) and Vinny Curry (second round). Dixon, the big defensive tackle who spent last year on injured reserve with a torn tricep, still has 20-25 pounds on any of his linemates and remains the team’s best run-stopper in the middle of the line.

Cox is likely to rotate with Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins at the defensive tackle position, but coordinator Juan Castillo will find room for Dixon even if it is just in the all-important short-yardage and goal-line packages.


(nj.com)

Not that this is an exact science, because we are just eyeballing now, but I would say that Antonio Dixon is in fantastic shape. I won't guess his weight, but he looks to have shed big-time pounds and understands that he got too heavy last season. Defensive line coach Jim Washburn wants quickness off the ball and up the field and I know Washburn thinks Dixon can be a really good player. Imagine what a much-improved Dixon would mean to this defensive line.


(philadelphiaeagles.com)

The Eagles continue to make moves, as the team announced Wednesday the re-signing of defensive tackle Antonio Dixon and a trade of offensive tackle Winston Justice. Justice and a 2012 sixth-round pick will be sent to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2012 sixth-round pick.

Dixon, meanwhile, was a restricted free agent tendered at the second-round level. The 26-year-old defensive tackle was originally claimed off waivers prior to the 2009 season opener. The powerful, run-stuffing defensive tackle has played in 35 games (10 starts) for the Eagles, compiling 62 tackle, 3.0 sacks and one blocked field goal. He spent much of the 2011 season on injured reserve with a torn triceps.


(eagles.com)

The Eagles tendered defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, a restricted free agent, at a second-round level on Monday.

If another team attempts to sign Dixon before April 20, the Eagles would have seven days to match the offer or receive a second-round draft pick as compensation.

Dixon's salary for the year will be $1.927 million.

The fourth-year defensive tackle suffered a season-ending triceps tear in October, but is said to be on course to return by the start of spring practices. Dixon, a former undrafted free agent of the Redskins, was acquired by the Eagles in 2009 and developed into one of their best run-stopping defensive tackles.

Dixon is the Eagles' lone restricted free agent.

Free agency and the start of the league year opens Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Eagles have ten unrestricted free agents, including guard Evan Mathis and defensive tackle Derek Landri.


(philly.com)

Team physicians for the Philadelphia Eagles Peter DeLuca, MD, and Paul Marchetto, MD, performed surgery to repair the left tricep tendon of Eagles' defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, according to a Philadelphia Eagles report.

Mr. Dixon suffered the injury while playing last Sunday and has been placed on the injured reserve list. The surgery, performed by the two physicians from Rothman Institute, is complete and Mr. Dixon is now in the recovery process.


(beckersorthopedicandspine.com)

Comments

Antonio Dixon, a defensive tackle for the Eagles, landed on the injured list due to torn triceps. Dixon tore his triceps Oct. 2, playing against the 49ers. Dixon left Week 4 vs. the 49ers due to his injured triceps.

The triceps are on the back of the upper arm, opposite the biceps. Upon falling on your hands, it is possible to rupture the triceps tendon. You can also rupture the tendon by pushing something very heavy or by overworking during weight training.


(yahoo.com)

Eagles defensive tackle Antonio Dixon wears his loyalty to the University of Miami on his sleeve.

Or under his sleeve. Dixon has the university logo tattooed on his right arm.

Dixon, a Miami native, was among the Hurricane athletes mentioned last month in Yahoo! Sports' expose of the Miami program. Dixon was alleged to have received improper benefits, including VIP access to nightclubs and drinks at least twice, and a dinner at a Miami Beach restaurant. Yahoo! said one source corroborated the allegation about the nightclub access and the drinks.

Dixon told the Daily News today that he did not accept anything improper from Shapiro, most definitely not the things he is alleged to have accepted.

"Nevin Shapiro is a liar," Dixon, 26, said after the afternoon practice. "He's bringing down our program."

Dixon said Shapiro has dramatically overstated how close he was to players during the time Dixon played for Miami.

"I only met him one time -- I went to a barbecue at his house," Dixon said. "He's a male groupie."

Shapiro, 42, is in jail for running a $930 million Ponzi scheme. He has alleged providing cash, cars and prostitutes, among other things, for Miami athletes.


(philly.com)

Sinorice Moss is listed as the third string WR Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper.

Antonio Dixon is listed as the starting right defensive tackle.

Graig Cooper has made his way up the depth chart and is currently listed as the 3rd string running back. He is behind LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown and sharing the third spot with Dion Lewis. Many are surprised to see Cooper in front of Eldra Buckley.

Antonio Dixon, last year's surprise starter, went down with a knee sprain Thursday. (The team said it was "mild" and Dixon thought he'd be back "soon.




(philly.com)

First-team defense was Trent Cole and Juqua Parker at defensive end, Mike Patterson and Antonio Dixon at defensive tackle, Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen at safety and Trevard Lindley and Joselio Hanson at cornerback (with Lindley on the right). Allen, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, did not participate fully in all drills, with Marlin Jackson stepping in for him when needed.


(philadelphiaeagles.com)

Updating a previous report, Philadelphia Eagles DT Antonio Dixon is expected to start at defensive tackle next season because of how well he played this season.





(kffl.com)

Welcome to our 1st annual and long overdue proCane Rankings where we look back at the 2010 NFL season and rank the 43 proCanes that took snaps in 2010 (except for Sinorice Moss who was placed on IR before the start of the season).

Stay tuned as we countdown from number 43 to number 1. Our rankings are based on each player’s performance last year. In August we’ll go ahead and re-rank the player’s based on our 2011 expectations. For now read our review of each player’s 2010 season and where they rank overall. Enjoy!

To read our rankings of players 43-35, click here.

To read our rankings of players 34-26, click here.

To read our rankings of players 25-16, click here.

15. Jon Vilma MLB New Orleans Saints: Vilma was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl after a solid 2010 season where he posted over 100 tackles for the third consecutive season and a career high four sacks. Though Vilma did post the fewest tackles of his seven-year career (105), besides his 2007 season where he only played in seven games, the Saints’ defense was riddled with injuries in 2010, and Vilma did not miss a game and anchored the defense. Look for Vilma to continue to be the quarterback of the Saints defense in 2011 and as that defense gets healthier and gains more experience, Vilma will continue to flourish.

14. Greg Olsen TE Chicago Bears: Coming into the 2010 season there were fears that Olsen would not be utilized in Mike Martz’s wide open offense and the Bears actually almost traded Olsen before the start of the 2010 season despite public comments by Head Coach Lovie Smith and Martz that Olsen would be used in the spread offense. Olsen statistically didn’t have a bad season as he posted 41 receptions for 404 yards, the lowest since his rookie season, but more concerning was the fact that in seven games Olsen had either only reception (5 games) or no receptions (2 games). Olsen had his best game of the season in the first round of the playoffs versus the Seahawks where he posted 113 yards receiving, 58 of those coming on one play, but it showed that he could be a threat in that offense if correctly utilized. With one season under his belt it will be interesting to see if Martz can figure out a way to incorporate or Olsen, though the trade rumors continue to persist.

13. Javarris James RB Indianpolis Colts: James was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts right after last year’s draft and by the time Week 5 rolled around he was signed to the Colts’ active roster. James had previously been on the Patriots and Redskins practice squads. Though James did not put up huge numbers, 112 yards rushing on 42 carries, the fact that he made the active roster of the Colts and scored six TDs last season, more than any other proCane runningback, merits him being ranked as a top 15 proCane performer for 2010. James will have an uphill battle to earn a roster spot on the Colts next season as he was inactive for the last two games of the regular season and playoff game, but he very well may be signed by another team due to his tough redzone running.

12. Jon Beason LB Carolina Panthers: Beason had started at MLB for the Panthers the last 3 seasons and coming into 2010 put the team first and agreed to start at the RLB spot. Beason who has yet to miss a game in his four-year career took some time to get acclimated to his new position and was not having as large of an impact defensively for the Panthers. In Week 10, Beason moved back to the middle and 2 weeks later made his presence felt with an interception versus the Cleveland Browns. Beason is too good to not be the starting MLB and it seems like the Panthers have realized that, and he should resume his duties in the middle of the defense in 2011.

11. Kellen Winslow TE Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Winslow finished the 2010 by playing all 16 games for the second consecutive season and though his numbers weren’t as good as his 2009 numbers, his first season in Tampa, Winslow was still a threat down the middle of the field for the Bucs. Winslow had a career high 5 TDs to go along with his 730 yards receiving and as the season progressed became a more consistent option for Tampa QB Josh Freeman culminating in a 7 reception for 98 yards and 2 TDs performance in Week 15. Winslow has already said he expects big numbers in 2011, and though at times he was not able to practice due to injury, he didn’t miss a game and played with his usual fire all season long.

10. Antonio Dixon DL Philadelphia Eagles: Dixon was a surprise contributor to the Eagles’ defensive line in 2009 as an undrafted rookie free agent signing. He suited up for 16 games and became a vital cog in the Eagles’ defensive line versus the run that year. In 2010, due to injury Dixon received extensive playing time in Week 5 versus the 49ers where he recorded his first sack of the season and ended up starting the rest of the way for Eagles totaling 30 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 pass deflections. Dixon has been a very pleasant surprise for the Eagles and a great personal story as well, overcoming learning disabilities and controlling his weight. Look for Dixon to start for the Eagles next season and continue to excel versus the run and improve his game on passing downs.

9. DJ Williams LB Denver Broncos: Playing in the 3-4 for his second consecutive season DJ Williams looked even more comfortable totaling 119 tackles. Williams also became much more involved in the passing game as he had a career high 9 pass deflections and more impressively 5.5 sacks. The Broncos began to blitz Williams more in passing situations and as a result he led the Broncos in sacks last season as well as tackles by a wide margin. The only knock on Williams is his off the field problems where he was accused of a DUI for the second time in his career and lost his captaincy as a result as well as his driver’s license for a year. Rumors have circulated that Williams is on the trading block but if he isn’t traded he will have to get used to playing in the 4-3 defense at the weak-side linebacker spot as the Broncos are changing their defense, again.


Check back tomorrow to see which proCanes were ranked 8th through 1st!

There were numerous questions surrounding DT Antonio Dixon when he came out of college. The Miami product had serious concerns about his weight as well as some personal life issues stemming from a horrid childhood. His father served 17 years for drug trafficking, his mother’s addiction lead to him entering foster care, and he spent time living in a homeless shelter as well. On top of that, Dixon has a speech impediment and finds it difficult to talk to the media.

All of this factored into him going undrafted in 2009. He was initially signed by the Redskins and later claimed off waivers by their rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.

It is testament to the belief Eagles’ coaches have had in Dixon that he has became the premier player in a defensive tackle group that boasts three players drafted in rounds one and two (Bunkley, Mike Patterson and Trevor Laws.) It’s also easy to see why Antonio Dixon is the Eagles’ Secret Superstar.

Clogging the Middle
Dixon flashed during his rookie year. As a run defender, he accumulated a +3.9 grade in 119 snaps. He wasn’t making a lot of plays, with just ten stops, but he’d more than shown he deserved a roster spot already.

With an expanded role in 2010 – a torn bicep for incumbent Brodrick Bunkley against San Francisco gave Dixon a chance to start in Week 6 – he did not disappoint. He ended the year ranked 8th overall in our run defense grades for interior defensive linemen, surrounded by players like Antonio Garay, Haloti Ngata and Kevin Williams. His playmaking was once again lacking (just 21 stops), but this is understandable considering the 2-gap scheme that asks Eagle defensive tackles to eat up blocks.

Dixon put in one of the most memorable run defending performances we saw all year against Chicago. His day was highlighted by three tackles for a loss and he gave Olin Kreutz fits throughout the game. The Titans’ interior can’t have been happy to see him either in Week 7 as neither Eugene Amano nor Leroy Harris had an answer.

Not Yet a Pocket-Collapser
While against the run he was sometimes supreme, he has failed to match that level when rushing the passer. In 229 pass rushes in 2010, he put up just seven quarterback disruptions, two of which were sacks. This was worse production than his rookie year where he had six combined pressures in just 120 snaps. Considering he only plays in the base package (the Eagles use their defensive ends inside in the nickel,) his opportunities have thus far been limited, however, if his recent performances are anything to go by, that’s no bad thing.

It will be interesting to see the effect of the new system under recently hired defensive line coach Jim Washburn. The shift will be towards a more disruptive and aggressive 1-gap scheme in contrast to the gap control of previous years. Washburn also used his defensive tackles in the nickel during his time in Tennessee so Dixon may find himself with more of an opportunity in the coming year.

A new scheme fit?
Dixon’s size leads many to believe he’s a prototypical 4-3 two gap player but he’s surprisingly agile for a man that goes about 330 lbs. While he hasn’t yet produced while rushing the passer, he has shown some explosion and block-shedding ability many times against the run. If anything, the new plan may fit Dixon better than the last.

Talented players usually find ways to thrive in different schemes. Dixon is certainly that. However, a quick glance through his grades shows he still has a lot of work to do. Against weak competition, he was simply dominant, but when he came up against good run blocking teams like Houston (LG Wade Smith and C Chris Myers,) he struggled. It’s his performances against top opponents that will dictate whether Dixon can take the next step.

Dixon is much more than a feel-good story. He’s got the skills to produce in the NFL and we’ve only had a glimpse of what he’s capable of.



(profootballfocus.com)

Eagles defensive tackle Antonio Dixon and running back LeSean McCoy have been named to the 19th annual “All-Joe Team,” which honors unsung, underrated and overlooked NFL players for their accomplishments.

The team, selected by USAToday, was announced Wednesday morning. All players picked to the Pro Bowl team are ineligible for the All-Joe team.

Dixon became a first-time starter after Brodrick Bunkley suffered an elbow injury and started the last 11 games of the season for the Eagles. He had a couple sacks and provided solid run defense in place of Bunkley, who never regained his starting job even though he did eventually return to action.

Dixon went undrafted 2009 and was released by the Redskins after spending the summer in their training camp.



(csnphilly.com)

6 proCanes made early exits out of the NFL playoffs after he wildcard round this weekend.

Reggie Wayne (Colts), Javarris James (Colts), Jon Vilma (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Saints), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Antonio Dixon (Eagles) all lost their respective games and will start their offseason.

Below are the remaining proCanes in the NFL playoffs.

AFC: Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Tavares Gooden (Ravens), Willis McGahee (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots), Vince Wilfork (Patriots).

NFC: Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Spencer Adkins (Falcons), Devin Hester (Bears), Greg Olsen (Bears), Sam Shields (Packers).

17 proCanes will participate in the 2010 NFL playoffs. 8 from the AFC and 9 from the NFC. Below is a list of the players.

AFC: Reggie Wayne (Colts), Javarris James (Colts), Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Tavares Gooden (Ravens), Willis McGahee (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots), Vince Wilfork (Patriots).

NFC: Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Jon Vilma (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Saints), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Antonio Dixon (Eagles), Spencer Adkins (Falcons), Devin Hester (Bears), Greg Olsen (Bears), Sam Shields (Packers).