Hixon Got Game?

[cmhargrove]

After watching the video on denverbroncos.com today, I started getting a little excited about Hixon again. OBrien sees something special enough to mention his name right off. I didn't know he was a 1200 yard receiver his senior year? Watching video of this kid makes him look like he could actually compete for a spot as receiver. I looked a little more and found a video of him from Akron at his pro day:

http://www.wkyc.com/video/player_sports.aspx?aid=20828&bw=



Here is an article referring to his 221 ypg average for a while his senior year:

Hixon Named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week

Senior WR Domenik Hixon leads the nation with an average of 221.0 all-purpose yards per game
Sept. 12, 2005

AKRON, Ohio -- - University of Akron senior wide receiver Domenik Hixon (Columbus, Ohio/Whitehall-Yearling HS) was named the Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.


In Saturday's 49-24 loss at No. 13 Purdue, Hixon returned five kickoffs for a career-best 144 yards, an average of 28.8 yards per return. Included in that total was a 51-yard scamper up the sideline to set up Akron's first possession of the fourth quarter.


Along with his special teams exploits, Hixon caught six passes for 79 yards as the Zips racked up 362 yards through the air. Hixon finished with a total of 221 all-purpose yards and currently ranks first in the nation in all-purpose yards per game.


Bowling Green quarterback Omar Jacobs was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week, while Ohio's Dion Byrum grabbed defensive honors. Wide receiver Jason Montgomery (Southfield, Mich./Lathrup) was the Zips' offensive nominee after totaling 154 yards and three touchdowns on five receptions, and linebacker Jay Rohr (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) was nominated for the defensive award after tallying a career-high 13 tackles against the Boilermakers.


The Zips continue nonconference play on the road this Saturday as they travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn. to face Middle Tennessee State. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium.




So, pipe up again. Who is a Hixon fan? Who thinks he can challenge for a #3 spot? Is Brian Clark long gone?

[TheReverend]

No chance at a #3 spot with Javon, Marshall, Rod and Stokely, but I love a return specialist... if he blows it up, he'll probably get a better shot in 2008 as a WR. As is, I have high hopes for everyone in Orange and Blue and Hixon could be the benefactor of better ST blocking schemes and execution under O'Brien.

[Florida_Bronco]

I saw some of his college clips, the guy definetly has talent and was even a good safety for a year in college, so if the WR thing doesn't work out he may have a future in the defensive backfield.

[DenverBrit]

Broncos' Hixon Recovered, Ready for OTAs
By Andrew Mason, DenverBroncos.com
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(CBS4/DenverBroncos.com) ENGLEWOOD, Colo. It's every aspiring football player's fondest wish to run through a field-level portal in some gargantuan stadium in a major metropolis and bathe in a waterfall of cheers -- or boos -- from 70,000 emotionally hyper-charged onlookers.

But after a rookie season that was scuttled thanks to a fractured metatarsal incurred during a pre-draft Pro Day workout, wide receiver Domenik Hixon doesn't just dream of playing in front of a standing-room only crowd and millions more looking on via television from all corners of the nation -- and even the globe.

In fact, merely taking part in organized team activities is enough to quicken Hixon's heart rate.

"I'm excited," he said. "Just to get out there and actually run around and catch footballs from everybody -- I can't wait."

It will also be his first chance to demonstrate his on-field skills to new special-teams coordinator Scott O'Brien, whose interest in the former University of Akron standout was piqued before the Broncos gathered for offseason conditioning sessions early last month.

""I'm looking forward to working with Domenik Hixon," O'Brien said at a March press briefing. "I watched him come out of Akron like everybody else. Now this is a good-looking athlete that has the ball skills and the vision and the cutting ability ... all that stuff you're looking for."

"I'm taking that as a compliment," Hixon said, "but you obviously still have to work hard and learn the position. He might see something in me, but you still have to work hard."

And listen to what the veteran coach has to say.

"He has a great knowledge of the game," Hixon said. "(O'Brien has pointed out) just some simple things that I've never looked at. Things that he brought up to me about catching the ball and different things in the scheme."

Beginning Wednesday, Hixon can make his first on-field impression -- to both new coaches like Hixon and holdovers on the staff.

SHAPING UP

Hixon actually completed his rehabilitation during the regular season, and practiced some in November immediately after completing a stint on the reserve/non-football-injury list.

"It was probably about 95 percent (during those practices), but there was still soreness," Hixon said. "But I was done with rehabbing. As soon as we came in for workouts (in April), I started running."

And through a month and a half under the demanding watch of strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten, it's so far, so good.

"I think it's going to pay off in the games," Hixon said. "It's tough. (Tuten) wants to out-work everybody else during the offseason program ... The biggest thing he says to me is, 'You want to get stronger. If that means gaining weight in order for you to get stronger, then do it.

"I'm getting stronger. I've put on a couple of pounds, but I don't think I can help it with all the lifting that I'm doing."

With his studies in the meeting rooms at Broncos headquarters and on the sidelines at practices, as well as his strength-training work throughout the last year, it would seem almost as though 2007 is a second chance at a rookie season for Hixon, akin to a redshirt season in college football.

"I think it is, but it isn't," Hixon explained. "With training camp (and offseason camps), I know what to expect. Now it's just doing it.

"Last year I didn't know what to expect. This year I do -- and hopefully I'm going to do (well)."

http://cbs4denver.com/broncos/local_story_136072049.html

[Florida_Bronco]

I think they did a good think by just letting him rehab during his rookie year. It will probably pay off in the long run.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I think we are all hoping he can finally be the answer in the return game.

[Florida_Bronco]

I think we are all hoping he can finally be the answer in the return game.

I think the coach is actually the answer. I personally think some of the special teams techniques have been total crap for quite a few years.

[TheSportsGuru]

I'm an Akron Alum, and watched many of Hixon's games. His return skills are the real-deal, and as was mentioned earlier played offense and defense at different times for the Zips.

Dude's a solid player....

[azbroncfan]

I won't be excited until I see him play. I believe he will be the hype that doesn't make the team this year. Just like D. Davis, Watts, Corey Jackson, etc.

[TheSportsGuru]

Then he'll be returning kicks for someone in '07....

You're that confident in Quincy Morgan or Brian Clark?

[Atwater His Ass]

Our return game blocking has benn awful that last few years. If we can improve there, anyone will look better returning kicks.

[Odysseus]

I'm an Akron Alum, and watched many of Hixon's games. His return skills are the real-deal, and as was mentioned earlier played offense and defense at different times for the Zips.

Dude's a solid player....

I am excited about Special Teams. Locking up O'Brien. Keeping Burns. Getting Saurbrun back. There is a lot to be thankful for. I hope they give us the edge.

[WoodMan]

Our return game blocking has benn awful that last few years. If we can improve there, anyone will look better returning kicks.

Absolutely agree. Never have seen so much holding and pushes in the back for penalties, resulting in horrid field position. These penalties are all about discipline and getting into position to block. It will help the offense tremendously to be starting with decent field position with each possession. Play calling is limited when you start inside your own 10.

[broncosteven]

Is there a bust of Hixon in Canton yet?

soooo many threads about a guy that has never touched the pro field.

I will root for this guy if he actually gets on the field. Until then I hope Paul Tovessi makes a comeback.

[Garcia Bronco]

I bet he doesn't make the team at all.


DON'T DRAFT RETURN GUYS

[cutthemdown]

I think the coach is actually the answer. I personally think some of the special teams techniques have been total crap for quite a few years.

I agree. It seems like our special teams have been so obsessed by getting deep enough to set up blocking they don't leave themselves enough time to actually set up any blocking. It's hard to say why I am no special teams expert but it looks like maybe they need to simplify it and just tell people to put a hat on someone.

[BlaK-Argentina]

I like Morgan at KR, he seemed to do a very good job late last season. That said, if Hixon can step in and provide a real threat, I'm all for it.
Man, september seems sooo far away.

[Triplelefthook]

did hixon hurt his leg last year? or was it a knee or ankle?

[ward63]

All I got to say is, nice knowing Brian Clark. Rod may be on your side, but I don't see him staying for WR and the coaches seem high on Hixon and Morgan, there's no place for him.

[Crushaholic]

I've been a fan of Hixon from the very beginning. A year ago, I "drafted" Hixon for the Redskins in the OM draft and was psyched when the Broncos took him for real. Quincy's my boy, but I'm hoping that Hixon is the answer in the return game...

[DeuceOfClub]

Domenik Hixon (Akron) winning TD catch

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[Man-Goblin]

Domenik Hixon (Akron) winning TD catch

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Hixon OWNS NIU!

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Would be nice to see that in Orange and Blue a dozen or so times this year.

[easymobee]

Being that he never saw the field last year, its almost like he's coming in with our current draft class.

I had one of the major season preview magazines for last year ( can't remember which one - i just threw it out ) and in the draft in review article (something that has a paragraph or so on every player drafted) it said Hixon may be the best player drafted in the entire 4th round. Just a prediction to be sure, but it stood out because it was probably the boldest comment made on any player taken after the 1st 2 rounds.

The 4th round of that draft has potential to be one of the best later rounds in recent Bronco history.

Rd 4 (119) Brandon Marshall
Rd 4 (126) Elvis Dumervil
Rd 4 (130) Domenik Hixon

I really think Marshall is gonna be good and i just noticed that 4 WR's were taken before him in that particular round Brad Smith (NYJ), Cory Rodgers(GB), Jason Avant(PHI), and Demetrius Williams(BAL).

I'll have to see what those 4 guys did last year.

[easymobee]

I bet he doesn't make the team at all.


DON'T DRAFT RETURN GUYS

...

[TheSportsGuru]

did hixon hurt his leg last year? or was it a knee or ankle?

He hurt his foot during the off-season while getting ready for the draft....

Actually a similar injury to the one Ted Ginn suffered, which made it all the more interesting that teh Dolphins picked him at #9....

[watermock]

Hixon is 6-2 185 listed. He should be a little heavier. I'm happy he's recovered. You never know with those tiny foot bones.

Be afraid Herm Edwards, be VERY afraid.

Even if Hixon hasn't seen the field, he's been thru meetings ect. Hixon showed guts to run on a busted foot, He's legitimate talent.

Fellow fans, we have a HUGE CROP of roster additions and returns. We should get Lepsis, Fox, Brandon and Cecil back. We have about 10 FA's and our picks and UDFA's.

I agree, Hixon is like getting a 5th draft choice if he's healthy. He seems a bit like Ms. Lilly without the fea and ego. Slim, tall and fast.

On an injury sidenote, Adrian Peterson rb for the HornHeads has been cleared and won't need surgury. I would still put him in a red shirt for awhile.

[Garcia Bronco]

bump