This is the only picture of Antonio Dixon as an Eagle.
When the Eagles cut quarterback A.J. Feeley, many expected that he would be replaced with a tight end or perhaps a linebacker to compensate for the loss of Stewart Bradley.
Instead, the Eagles opted to pick up a little-known rookie defensive tackle out of Miami who had just been waived by a division rival. The Redskins didn't feel as though Antonio Dixon was good enough to make a mediocre roster in Washington, so why would he be able to make the roster of a Super Bowl contender?
Well, that's why Andy Reid and Tom Heckert have the jobs they have. They saw something in the kid that none of the other 31 teams did, and it's paid off for them beautifully to this point.
The kid hasn't produced much in the way of tackles with only six in five games played this season, but he's been a wonderful addition to the rotation at defensive tackle. Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley can't play every snap, so it's good to know that they have a guy who can plug the middle just as well.
In fact, he's hopped former second-round pick Trevor Laws as the third defensive tackle. It's a combination of poor play and lingering injuries for Laws, and Dixon being able to quickly learn the defense and make an impact immediately.
But his impact apparently doesn't end at being a run-stuffer. Yesterday against the Giants, Dixon got the first sack of his young career.
While he's not expected to become an inside pass rush, it was good to see that he can do it all when he has to.
Dixon is the best defensive player on this team that no one is talking about. There are still some people who don't know that this kid exists, but that will not last very long. He's making his presence felt early, and could really make some waves in the coming weeks.
I'm not saying he belongs in the Pro Bowl, but it's very rare to find a rookie on the waiver wire who can come in and make any sort of impact. If this isn't one of the best under-the-radar moves made by any team in the league, I'm not sure what is.
