Hixon has broken foot

[watermock]

Unreal, and I think they might of known about it before the draft. He didn't practice. I guess we are back to drafting cripples.

[Jason in LA]

That's just one mid round pick. Don't worry about it.

[SoCalBronco]

Shanny talked about in his press conference on Day 2. They knew about it. He said he is out only about a month though.

[maven]

Unreal, and I think they might of known about it before the draft. He didn't practice. I guess we are back to drafting cripples.

They did know it before the draft. With the thousands of posts on this board didn't you read atleast that? Anyway it continues the Shanahan tradition of drafting broken players.

[watermock]

I doubt it was thousands of posts. No I didn't notice it honestly. OK, if he's going to be OK in a month no biggie. I wasn't trying to be alarmist, but ummm...wasn't Middlebrooks leg supposed to be ready for camp too?

[elsid13]

In reality, he perfectly healthy. Shanahan just wants an excuses to stash him on IR this season

[baja]

I doubt it was thousands of posts. No I didn't notice it honestly. OK, if he's going to be OK in a month no biggie. I wasn't trying to be alarmist, but ummm...<b>wasn't Middlebrooks leg supposed to be ready for camp too?</b>

It is, just 6 years later.

[ozomulsion]

In reality, he perfectly healthy. Shanahan just wants an excuses to stash him on IR this season

Nope, we need Hixon to step up and be our PR/KR.

[elsid13]

Nope, we need Hixon to step up and be our PR/KR.


I was joking. The key to Hixon making the team is how the competion at corner plays out. If Foxworth beats out Darrent for the starting position, Payham sit up to good backup then I could see Shanahan and the staff taking a chance with Darrent as the primary PR/KR. If that happen, Hixon is head toward the PS.

[Lestat]

it may be broken but that 4.3 speed & potential after only 2 years of playing WR outweighs the potential risks

Middlebrooks & Toviessi's injuries were alot more severe from what i remember about them


with Marshall here though it's not a huge need to rush him to compete but we need him to take the pressure off Williams to return kicks & punts

[ozomulsion]

I was joking. The key to Hixon making the team is how the competion at corner plays out. If Foxworth beats out Darrent for the starting position, Payham sit up to good backup then I could see Shanahan and the staff taking a chance with Darrent as the primary PR/KR. If that happen, Hixon is head toward the PS.

I know you were joking. Foxworth won't beat out Williams for a starting position. We need Hixon to be our PR/KR this year. With Darrent returning punts in crucial situations.

[footstepsfrom#27]

it may be broken but that 4.3 speed & potential after only 2 years of playing WR outweighs the potential risks.
I'm pretty sure the injury occured during last season since he ran at the combine, but apparently he's not 100% yet which is why he was held out of minicamp drills the other day. He should be OK by camp from what I remember hearing.

[SoCalBronco]

Next football destination for Hixon will be in Denver

The former Ram and Zip was selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft.


News file photo
Former Whitehall and Akron star receiver Domenik Hixon was selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.
By BRIAN INGLIS

What a journey it has been for Domenik Hixon, whose well-traveled path now heads out west to the Rocky Mountains.

Raised in Germany before becoming a multi-sport star at Whitehall-Yearling, the former University of Akron wide receiver is bound for the Denver Broncos after being taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft Sunday.

Not surprisingly, Hixon was thrilled at learning the news of his selection. He relishes the chance to ply his trade at the next level.

"I'm just excited for the opportunity," Hixon said. "I have really been blessed my whole life."

Fresh off an appearance in the AFC championship game, the Broncos took Hixon with the 33rd pick in the fourth round and the 130th pick overall. He will join a corps of wideouts that includes perennial Pro Bowler Rod Smith and the likes of Ashley Lelie, Darius Watts and David Terrell.

Longtime head coach Mike Shanahan has led Denver to two Super Bowl titles and has ties to Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart, himself a former Broncos assistant.

"(Brookhart) had nothing but good things to say about the Broncos and their coaching staff," Hixon asserted. "I'm looking forward to the whole experience."

Hixon is the second former Ram to be drafted in the last three years. Defensive back Keiwan Ratliff was taken by the Cincinnati Bengals out of the University of Florida in the second round in 2004 and will vie for a starting spot in the secondary this fall.

Only current NFL starters Charlie Frye, Jason Taylor and Dwight Smith were selected higher in the draft from Akron than Hixon, who ranks second on the career receptions list (141) and third on the career receiving yards ledger (2092).

A second-team All Mid-American Conference selection, Hixon was the hero as the Zips captured their first league title in program history, subsequently earning a bowl bid for the first time ever in 2005.

The 6-2, 192-pounder hauled in a 36-yard touchdown toss from Luke Getsy with 10 seconds left to secure a comeback 31-30 win over Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game.

During Hixon's senior year, Akron went 7-6 and concluded the season with a 38-31 defeat to Memphis in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit.

All in all, Hixon started 44 of 48 career games in college. Nearly half came at safety, before he was switched over to offense.

For his part, Hixon is proud of the stock produced by the Zips, including Browns quarterback and former teammate Frye.

"We didn't always get the publicity, but we do produce good talent," Hixon maintained.

While a prepster in Central Ohio, Hixon excelled in football, basketball, track and baseball at Whitehall, where he was also a consistent honor roll student.

Under the direction of head coach Kip Kane, Hixon was a two-way standout on the gridiron. In his swan song, Hixon amassed 429 yards receiving to go along with four touchdown, 140 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions on the way to All-Central District accolades.

"(Domenik) earned everything he has gotten through hard work and being a good teammate," Kane said. "He is a great character guy from a wonderful family and will be a leader in the community, no matter what he does later in life."

As a talented point guard, Hixon was honorable mention All-Ohio for venerable Rams head boys basketball coach Van Gregg, who spoke glowingly of his former charge.

"(Domenik) is such a great athlete and he had such a great senior year for us when we had a really good team that was upset in the (Division II district) tournament," Gregg acknowledged. "From time to time, he comes back to practice with the team. I'm very proud of him."

No matter where his NFL career ultimately takes him, Hixon always has a soft spot in his heart for the city and people of Whitehall.

"That is where it all started. It's nice for me to get back and see everybody," Hixon said

http://www.snponline.com/NEWS5-3/5-3_whramkshixon.htm

[SoCalBronco]

Hixon heads for Rockies

Zips receiver selected in fourth round of NFL draft by Denver Broncos

by Adam Ferrise
Buchtelite Reporter
sports@buchtelite.com
Print Story E-mail Author Discuss


Domenik Hixon joined the growing list of UA football players that are making a living playing on Sundays afternoons, when the Denver Broncos drafted the wide receiver in the fourth round (130th overall) of the NFL draft.

The Broncos were pleased when Hixon was still available when it came time for their third and final fourth round pick, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.

"When you take a look at Domenik Hixon, we just liked the way he played," Shanahan said during a press conference on Sunday. "He's got great speed. He makes a lot of plays after the catch, and we thought he was a good value there in the fourth round."

Hixon was not aware that the Broncos were interested in drafting him until his phone rang shortly before Denver was on the clock.

"Denver had called me a couple picks before and asked me a few questions," Hixon said. "Then they called me back and said 'here's coach Shanahan.' I'm going to a good team in a great city."

Hixon will now be displaying his versatility and skill with the Broncos, but it is unclear whether they will use him as a receiver or on special teams. During his tenure at Akron, he showed his ability to contribute in all facets of the game.

As a receiver, he is second in the program's history in receptions (141) and is third in receiving yards (2,092) despite playing just two years on offense. Hixon played at safety his first two years at Akron and started every game at that position during his sophomore year. That season, he led the Zips in total tackles and solo tackles. In 2004 he was one of only five players in the nation to record a punt and a kickoff return for a touchdown.

With an average of 16.1 yards per touch, he finished last season seventh in the country in all-purpose yards (1,210 receiving, 705 kick off, 200 punt). Hixon's versatility earned him All Mid-American Conference Second Team honors last season and was a main factor for the Broncos drafting Hixon.

"He's a punt returner and kickoff returner, so it's always a plus," Shanahan said. "But we brought him in here not strictly for special teams. We brought him in to compete with our wide receivers because we thought with his speed and some of the plays he made that there was a lot of value there at that pick."

The graduating senior has meant a great deal to the Akron football program. Hixon was featured in the UA commercial that aired during the Super Bowl and on billboards across the Greater Akron Area.

He also completed the most unforgettable play in UA athletic history when he capped the Zips' fourth quarter comeback in the MAC Championship with a diving catch in the end-zone that gave the Zips their first conference crown.

There is no question that Hixon had many great moments as a Zips athlete, and he thanked all of the people that helped him along the way to taking the next step in his football career:

"Thank you to the university and the coaching staff. Thank you to the fans for all their support during the tough times and then the MAC Championship. Thank God for everything. My parents, Marvin and Brigit and my girlfriend Ciara Johnson."

http://www.buchtelite.com/2006/0502/sports_03.shtml

[WABronco]

I read an article (or blog entry) on either PFW or ESPN that said teams were looking at Hixon early, but the foot dropped him a bit.

He's definitely a nice physical specimen at WR, and he sounds like a tough-as-nails type of player...

[Requiem]

Hopefully either him or Marshall can pan out, I didn't really like the Hixon pick, but he provides versatility at multiple positions. That's sorta nice to have.

[watermock]

Sounds like a Watts with hands hopefully. I like our roster. I wouldn't mind a Fred Taylor but I imagine he can find a gig starting somewhere. DT and DE of course.

[SoCalBronco]

Here's some more stuff, a scouting report.

2006 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
<< Back to Profiles

Domenik Hixon (2006)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Position: WR Number: 23
School: Akron Height: 6'2
Status: Declared Weight: 192


This is a player at the wide receiver position that matches his all out passion for the game with his performance on the field
This is a receiver with better than average athletic ability but what I like most about him is his knack for coming up with the big catches under pressure that other players shy away from under likely conditions
This is a former defensive back that shows his toughness on the field by going up and attacking the ball when thrown in his area, along with the invaluable knack for attacking upfield after the catch, who can also absorb opposing defenders tackles after a catch and make additional yardage after contact consistently, he just plays more physical than his thin build would indicate
This is a receiver with an excellent pair of hands, who rarely if ever drops a ball thrown his way, and has big play ability with questionable top end speed, and who posses fluid range of motion after the catch
He is a dangerous one on one player in open spaces, with his quick feet and moves after the catch which keeps defenders off balance of what to do with him, and has the burst in and out of cuts you look for in a player of elevated skill level
This is definitely one of the better players hidden away with little exposure from most of the average viewing public, but one to look for

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=589

[plummershelper]

Shanny's always looking for the next promising player to stash on IR for a year, ie LeSeuer (sp?) and McNeal. They have a chance, but not when the roster is stacked. It will give Hixon another year to learn and a chance for other receivers to wash out.

[broncohaven]

We Landed On The Moon!