| 23 August 2010
It's all about who gets to start.
Last week Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Dennis Dixon has a chance to start this season at quarterback, and on Saturday night Dixon – the former Oregon Duck now in his third year – showed why that is the case.
Dixon (7-8, 82 yards and 27 rushing yards), along with fellow back-up Byron Leftwich, combined to lead three long touchdown drives after Ben Roethlisberger made his NFL preseason debut as Pittsburgh beat the New York Giants 24-17. Roethlisberger still must serve a 4-6 game suspension to begin the regular season, leaving Leftwich and Dixon starting candidates. The Steelers will open with a home game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 12th.
But will Dixon start under center though?
As we watched Rudy Fernandez put his money where his mouth is over the weekend and struggle against Team USA, the question remains: will he be in camp for the Portland Trail Blazers?
On Saturday, the NBA fined Fernandez $25,000 for public statements that are “detrimental” to the league, a day after Fernandez’ agent Andy Miller said his client did not want to return to the Blazers this season.
Portland doesn’t see it that way. They are working on a way that would benefit both sides – but it’s going to take some time. While Rudy and Miller have not received their wish to have the Spanish swingman moved this offseason – even after repeated failed attempts by management - that doesn’t mean the Blazers aren’t willing to make something happen leading up the NBA trade deadline next February. Don’t be shocked if the game plan is to put Rudy back together again this summer and bring him in to camp in October with the agreement that Fernandez most certainly will be traded during or before the deadline. The NBA regular season provides the Blazers the chance to “showcase” Fernandez for a trade, and coming off back surgery and a poor outing in the NBA Playoffs against Phoenix, also gives Rudy the opportunity to show his worth to another team in return.
That’s hard to accomplish in the offseason (or when he scores just 5 points in Spain's loss to Team USA). A trade for Fernandez can still be reached. Portland just needs him in camp first.
ESPN.com’s Ted Miller draws the line between Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers and LaMichael James of Oregon – a journey that began for both in Texas. So who is the better back? Miller asked those who would know best: a pair of Pac-10 coaches.
As renovations are underway at PGE Park to make way for the MLS Portland Timbers, Ben Bradea of Beyond the Beat examines who the Timbers might consider – or dream about - for their Designated Player. Bradea also reports that according to sources, the Timbers may be nearing a deal to land their first sponsor: Alaska Airlines.
Both the Portland Pilots and Oregon Ducks women's soccer teams host the SMU Mustangs this coming weekend. No. 5 Portland hosts SMU on Aug. 27, while Oregon gets their shot on Aug. 29.The Pilots went 21-2-0 last season, reaching the NCAA quarter finals where they lost to UCLA 2-1.
photo: post-gazette
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