Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 23, 1994 TAG: 9404230019
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dixon, who was a consensus All-America selection after the 1993 season, has spent the past 2 1/2 months trying to restore his reputation.
"It was par for the course," said Dixon of his February trip to Indianapolis, site of the combine. "I mean, what else could go wrong? I could give you a thousand excuses, but the bottom line is, I didn't get the job done."
Dixon's fortunes took their first downturn when it was announced Nov. 19, one day before Virginia's game against Virginia Tech, that he had been suspended from the team for academic reasons.
Less than a month later, Dixon was charged for his part in a fight Dec. 11 at a Charlottesville bar, although charges later were dropped in a development that received less coverage than the arrest.
"I don't think I've been treated fairly by the media," said Dixon, Dixon who skipped an interview session Wednesday for UVa players with a chance of being selected Sunday or Monday in the NFL draft. "They bashed me.
"It wasn't the fight. A lot of people jumped on the suspension and forgot the good things I had done. They acted like I had let the team down. What about the previous 18 games? Whenever they needed a tough yard, they always went behind me and Jimmy Reid."
Against Virginia Tech, the Cavaliers trailed 17-10 when they faced a fourth-and-one situation from the Hokies' 3-yard line. In the absence of left guard Dixon, they ran right and were stopped for no gain.
"A lot of players missed interviews or were late or wouldn't say anything," Dixon said. "I spoke my mind. I was always true to the media, but the way I've been painted hasn't helped."
On the other hand, Dixon takes full responsibility for his performance at the combine. He was timed in 5.53 seconds for 40 yards, the slowest time of his career.
A bout with kidney stones had prevented him from working out for a week, but he didn't think that would be a problem.
"There was a lot of standing around," he said. "I always felt tight. I never broke a sweat. I knew I wasn't in the best shape, but I've always prided myself on being an athlete. I had never failed like that before."
In subsequent workouts in Charlottesville, scouts have timed Dixon anywhere from 5.06 to 5.20 seconds in the 40.
"A lot of them are like, `How did you improve like that?' " Dixon said. "Some of them said, `We knew you were that good; what happened at the combine?' I definitely feel I'm back in the picture. A few months ago, it looked like I would have to go [to the NFL] as a free agent."
Gordon Forbes, pro football columnist for USA Today, wrote this week that Dixon was a "riser" among offensive lineman. That was small consolation for Dixon, who on the same page was not listed among the top 10 offensive guards.
"So, my stock's rising," Dixon said. "I don't know where I started. They called me an overachiever. I don't consider myself an overachiever. I was as quick laterally as anybody at the combine and stronger than most."
Dixon has empathy for Virginia Tech center Jim Pyne, a unanimous All-American, who is down the list at his position.
"That's ridiculous, too," Dixon said. "I can tell you, Jim was one of the top two or three linemen at the Senior Bowl. To me, they're putting a lot on potential, which probably hurts me and Jim both. They're looking for somebody who's played that one unbelievable game, whereas we've been really consistent."
Dixon, measured at 6 feet 3 1/4 and 290 pounds, concedes that height has been a problem for him and Pyne (6-2, 280).
"That's [6-3 1/4] big enough to play in the NFL, but it's not big enough to get picked in the first round," Dixon said. "They're looking for linemen who are 6-6 and 6-7; the one exception is [Temple offensive guard] Tre Johnson, but he weighs 315."
Dixon hopes to go in the second or third round, but he says he won't be surprised if he has to wait until round 5 or 6.
"As long as I'm drafted, that's fine," he said. "Then, let's put on the pads. If I'm not good enough, I'm not good enough. But that `overachiever' stuff amazes me. The film doesn't lie. I'll put my career at Virginia against anybody who has played here or around the country."
by CNB