2011 49ers Grades: Anthony Dixon
by Tre9er on Feb 13, 2012 3:03 PM PST
in 49ers Grades
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PrintMoving along in our 2011 49ers grades we take a look at one of the more entertaining characters on the 49ers: Anthony Dixon. Anyone who's ever seen, heard, or read anything by Dixon knows he's a light-hearted guy who loves to talk. He's been a big part of the team's great special teams, serving to help pump the guys up in addition to doing his job.
Dixon doesn't get many carries with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter holding things down. This makes me question his role going forward, unfortunately. Gore is going to start his decline sooner than later and I personally don't see Hunter as a 20+ carry back on a regular basis.
I actually anticipate the team drafting and/or acquiring a free-agent running back this off-season, probably both for training camp depth. If they thought Dixon was more capable in the offense I think we'd have seem more than 29 carries throughout the season.
Still, his presence on special teams can't be ignored...and I hate to lose good special teamers. I do think that he could be replaced there, though, in order to find someone more able to take over for the aging Gore - splitting carries with Hunter in some form or fashion.
Below are Dixon's numbers for the season:
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Third down and short
was a big issue; see 2012 NFC conference title game. As our short yardage specialist (to the extent we had one), Dixon has to shoulder a significant portion of the blame. Granted, our offensive line didn’t blow the defense five feet back very often, but either Dixon can be a factor in compensating for that, or a factor compounding the issue. We need someone better on the field in those possessions.
As far as special teams goes, that’s a bonus skill for a running back; the primary role is moving the chains. As mentioned above, the warranty on Frank’s tank is due to run out soon. We need to start the succession plan now.
Today's Justin Smith :: Yesterday's Bryant Young
by OffensiveInterference on Feb 13, 2012 3:15 PM PST reply actions
LOL the "O" line got blown up
Hard to call it the O line with so many D lineman pretending they know how to block
He was running like he was in a bouncy house n couldn't get his footing he blew up
the “O” line running his helmet into our OL ass.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Feb 13, 2012 4:49 PM PST up reply actions
I feel good when i don't read other people comments until after i write mines then i
look-up n see its 2 or 3 people saying the same thing as you thats when your saying the right thing i call it the blind teast.Although some comments don’t go with the scale i saw alot of 4 n 5s when i put a 2 he was a complete waste but damm near?
by Jayubb415rebirth on Feb 13, 2012 4:43 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe not cut
but in a mighty struggle with a newly drafted RB. Definitely cut if that RB comes in the 3rd round or earlier.
by asmithisaverage on Feb 14, 2012 6:20 AM PST up reply actions
How long did it take Marshawn Lynch to develop?
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 14, 2012 4:06 PM PST up reply actions
He didn't develop
you just want to believe he did.
by asmithisaverage on Feb 15, 2012 10:13 AM PST up reply actions
I agree, Tre, it's time to look for Frank's replacement ... Hunter is a very good COPRB but not suited to be the every-down guy
However, I hope that the Niners do NOT draft a RB in April. Why? This year’s RB class is very shallow … I don’t think that we can justify drafting a RB until the third or fourth round and by then the talent is pretty limited. However, next year’s (2013) class for both RBs and OLBs is very strong … a deep group to pick from at both positions. So, I would prefer a focus on WR, CB, S, OG, and DE this year. Then get strong RB and OLB prospects early next year.
Sign a free agent RB? Maybe … but that group looks pretty shallow too excepting Ray Rice (who will re-sign with Baltimore) and Marshawn Lynch (and I doubt that Seattle will let him get away). Did you have anyone in particular in mind?
by 49erFanSince1950 on Feb 13, 2012 3:35 PM PST reply actions
Dixon should be cut and I do have someone in mind
First let me speak on Dixon. He’s a subpar running back. I refused to rate this years performance b/c i watched him last year. For a big back he does too much tip toeing into holes( a la Brandon Jacobs). As for who i have in mind as a replacement for Gore, look across the Bay at Michael Bush. He’s a carbon copy of what Gore used to be ie big,fast,picks up the blitz and has very good hands
Hey i think we are being to generous on some players dixon played
like " hot-garbage"this last season to running (oh i put a 2 on the scale) soft on 3rd n 1 to running soft up the hole he played hella bad last year i honestly think he’s gone this off-season n i’m totally fine with it.We need some new young-blood who is not tip-toeing on 3rd n 1 or running thru the wrong hole it was a nice story if it was pre-season he would dominate but it aint n he came up short when we needed him point blank!!!!
by Jayubb415rebirth on Feb 13, 2012 4:39 PM PST reply actions
8
He did exactly what he was asked to do on special teams and pounding the rock in limited opportunities.
Dude 8?Can you pass the bong
puff,puff,give.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Feb 13, 2012 4:44 PM PST up reply actions
10
He looks like a lion with the the mohawk.
Come rub my mohawk and put me to bed- Boobie
If Boobie was able to convert on 3&1 regularly...
We would have been in the Superbowl.
He deserves the cut and a share of the blame. We need to start bringing in Frank Gore’s successor and Boobie Dixon is not the answer. Honestly though, if you follow his twitter…he’s hilarious! But then again, he also shows his lack of football focus through social media. With his recent posts, i’m worried the guy will even be in shape come time for camp.
Why is our off-season more exciting than our regular season?!
Follow me @eNNCity
Why do people not realize how bad our Oline is on short yardage?
Especially when we telegraph it. Half his carries are just running out the clock.
Why are you defending him? It's not Alex Smith's fault
Why does everyone love to blame the lack of offensive production on Alex?
"It all depends on the quarterback."
---Jerry Rice
Maybe because unlike the majority of 9ers fans who seem to think Anthony Davis is not just "ok" but actually good going on great
He seems to understand offensive line play. And in knowing that he can understand that ours ****ing sucks
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 13, 2012 11:53 PM PST up reply actions
He did his job
Limited carries, short yard situations. Hell, he’s a third stringer. Good on special teams. He does his job. I would keep him around. Not everyone on a team is a super star. Here’s a guy who does his job. Takes a few carries, plays special teams, and adds character to the team.
Repeating something over and over doesn't make it true.
He's a RB also
Backs also routinely take several years to develop. Marshawn Lynch was taken 12 overall and took 4 years to hit his stride
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 14, 2012 12:07 AM PST up reply actions
Not so much
You look at the majority of “late developing” running backs and you’ll see that they were good before they were finally trusted with a large amount of carries. You brought up Lynch, he’s always been a guy who hovers around 4.4 ypc and even broke some “beast modes” when he was in Buffalo. But that happened in Buffalo so nobody cares.
Running backs usually need to develop their blocking and/or receiving to be three down instead of two down guys, so that can take awhile and cut into carries. But if they don’t have the instinct and vision to play the position then they aren’t going to get it. Running back is the one position on the field that is dominated by instinct that you can’t teach.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
Lynch didn't really develop
He eventually got a better better offensive line. He also might be a better blocker but as a runner Lynch really isn’t any better today than four years ago.
Not sure why people keep the myth going that RBs develop. Tiki Barber syndrome I guess.
by asmithisaverage on Feb 14, 2012 6:28 AM PST up reply actions
I guess you were right about Marshawn as he was initially a 1000 yard rusher right off the bat
But lets go with Fred Jackson. He’s 30 now. He was signed to the Bills practice squad and spent 2 years playing UIFL ball. Lets go with Arian Foster. Spent his first season on their practice squad. Lets go with Matt Forte who averaged less than 4 yards a carry his first 2 years in the league. Let’s go with RUN DMC. He was outright pathetic his 2nd year in the league. Let’s go with Burner Turner who didn’t carry a full load until he was traded to the Falcons.
The only time Dixon carries the ball is when we’re running out the clock and in down and distance where the D is completely committing to stopping the run. Give him a chance to run in normal situations. Dixon averaged 3.4 running against 9+ men in the box. Give him a fair chance.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 14, 2012 4:21 PM PST up reply actions
Crack is whack
- Fred Jackson average 5.2 yards in his first NFL year.
- Arian Foster — huh? Was being Steve Slaton who had a career year but in his starting debut went over 100 yards w/ 2 TDs.
- Forte went over 1000 yards his first year (setting yardage records in his first game mind you)
- DMC? 2008 has a serious toe injury and 2009 had multiple serious injuries… but looked amazing the moments he was healthy
- Turner? Are you even kidding? He would have started for San Diego if a future hall of famer wasn’t ahead of him on the roster. You’ve heard of LT right? When he did start the last game of the season his rookie year, went for 88 yards. Didn’t drop below 5.0 yards rushing for three years as a backup.
The point? Anthony Dixon is not like any of these outstanding RBs you mentioned. Not anywhere close.
by asmithisaverage on Feb 15, 2012 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
i got confused
and voted thinking of hunter
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We definately need a full time back
Gore is running on flats!!! He no longer has that take it to the house speed and seems to gas out on those long runs… I would like to see Hunter get more carries but we do need an everydown back still.
by Zintzun22niner on Feb 13, 2012 9:47 PM PST via mobile reply actions
4
So I was going to give him a 2 and then I remembered he was solid on special teams. I think if he could improve his blocking to the point of serving as a backup FB and TE he could improve his value. As the 3rd RB, he needs to improve drastically, otherwise he may be expendable if they find a better RB option, since our special teams will likely be solid with or without him.
Agreed
If he can turn himself into a ST ace capable of serving as the backup fullback, he could have his uses as a 3rd or 4th running back.
That versatility is pretty important if you want 3 runningbacks active everygame, as only 2 will likely get many carries.
I could see the team drafting late a skilled but flawed rb, inactive on gamedays as Gore insurance, keeping Dixon as the “4th” rb but active everygame for his other roles.
Imagine you could have a do-over with Fred Lewis, without the bad routes and melancholy. I grant you Chris Lofton.
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