Post by Banana Cat on Mar 14, 2011 7:30:48 GMT -5
www.argusleader.com/article/20110314/SPORTS0305/103140330/Dixon-ready-roll-member-Storm?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
Dixon 'ready to roll' as member of the Storm
Mar. 13, 2011
After leading the Billings Outlaws to back-to-back indoor football titles and winning multiple MVP awards, Chris Dixon became the most highly sought-after free agent in the Indoor Football League when the Outlaws were forced to cease operations after their arena was destroyed by tornado damage last summer.
It probably came as no surprise that he wound up in Sioux Falls, and in his first game replacing team legend Terrance Bryant, Dixon accounted for 10 touchdowns (8 passing, two rushing) in leading the Storm to a stunning 105-71 win over the Kent Predators.
While the expectations couldn't be higher, the Humboldt State alum is glad to be in Sioux Falls, and the Storm are obviously glad to have him leading the way.
Q: What's it like for you to come in here and be a part of this team, one you probably know a lot about from your days in Billings?
A: It's different. I've never been in the home locker room in this building. I know a lot of the guys, so that gives you a comfort level but it's still kind of weird being on the same side with some of them. So I've been just getting to know Coach Kurtiss Riggs and what he wants. We're making adjustments to each other and getting better every day.
Q: Have you been able to kind of flip the switch and just change loyalties right away, or is it strange playing for the team that was the enemy before?
A: It is a little different. I think for anybody it would be. I used to bleed blue, now I bleed red. I honestly never thought I'd be a member of the Sioux Falls Storm, but I am now and I'm ready to roll with it.
Q: Obviously you're coming in to a team that has the same very high expectations as the one you left. Is it safe to say you feel confident this team is going to win you another ring?
A: Oh yeah, definitely. These guys have the same expectations I do. Everybody talks about winning a championship, but not many teams really know how to put it together and handle the pressure and the expectations. This is an organization that does. They know what they want and how to get there, we just have to execute that plan.
Q: A lot of veteran receivers here that had gotten very comfortable playing with Terrance Bryant. Has there been an adjustment period in trying to develop a rapport with them?
A: Yeah. They have to get used to me. We're two different quarterbacks. Terrance was more of a pocket guy. I'm more of a runner. And I think the way we lead is different, too. We're all adjusting to each other.
Q: Do you have to 'teach' or work with them in figuring out what to do when a play breaks down and you start looking to make something happen with your feet?
A: Well, a lot of it is just how the play starts. The things I'm reading are probably different than what Terrance was. My first option might not necessarily be what Terrance's was. We're all learning and trying to get on the same page. We started a little slow with some of those things, but we're making progress quickly.
Q: What is your assessment of Riggs' offense? Are there similarities to what you ran in Billings?
A: It's different, but there are some similarities. It's complicated. The average Joe would probably struggle with it. There's some homework involved. But I like it. I've spent more time in the playbook than I ever have. It's just about making the calls and getting the concepts down. Once the play starts things fall into place.
Q: How are you handling the pressure? You're being touted as one of the most significant acquisitions in team history, and you're replacing a guy who's jersey might be hanging from the rafters here soon.
A: I'm aware of the expectations. They're higher than ever right now. Everyone expects us to win and be great from the jump. We'll be criticized a lot quicker than the '05 team would've been if we get off to a slow start. We understand that, but I'm coming from a team that won the last two, so I'm fine with that. I think everyone here understands where we're trying to go and what it takes to get there.
Mar. 13, 2011
After leading the Billings Outlaws to back-to-back indoor football titles and winning multiple MVP awards, Chris Dixon became the most highly sought-after free agent in the Indoor Football League when the Outlaws were forced to cease operations after their arena was destroyed by tornado damage last summer.
It probably came as no surprise that he wound up in Sioux Falls, and in his first game replacing team legend Terrance Bryant, Dixon accounted for 10 touchdowns (8 passing, two rushing) in leading the Storm to a stunning 105-71 win over the Kent Predators.
While the expectations couldn't be higher, the Humboldt State alum is glad to be in Sioux Falls, and the Storm are obviously glad to have him leading the way.
Q: What's it like for you to come in here and be a part of this team, one you probably know a lot about from your days in Billings?
A: It's different. I've never been in the home locker room in this building. I know a lot of the guys, so that gives you a comfort level but it's still kind of weird being on the same side with some of them. So I've been just getting to know Coach Kurtiss Riggs and what he wants. We're making adjustments to each other and getting better every day.
Q: Have you been able to kind of flip the switch and just change loyalties right away, or is it strange playing for the team that was the enemy before?
A: It is a little different. I think for anybody it would be. I used to bleed blue, now I bleed red. I honestly never thought I'd be a member of the Sioux Falls Storm, but I am now and I'm ready to roll with it.
Q: Obviously you're coming in to a team that has the same very high expectations as the one you left. Is it safe to say you feel confident this team is going to win you another ring?
A: Oh yeah, definitely. These guys have the same expectations I do. Everybody talks about winning a championship, but not many teams really know how to put it together and handle the pressure and the expectations. This is an organization that does. They know what they want and how to get there, we just have to execute that plan.
Q: A lot of veteran receivers here that had gotten very comfortable playing with Terrance Bryant. Has there been an adjustment period in trying to develop a rapport with them?
A: Yeah. They have to get used to me. We're two different quarterbacks. Terrance was more of a pocket guy. I'm more of a runner. And I think the way we lead is different, too. We're all adjusting to each other.
Q: Do you have to 'teach' or work with them in figuring out what to do when a play breaks down and you start looking to make something happen with your feet?
A: Well, a lot of it is just how the play starts. The things I'm reading are probably different than what Terrance was. My first option might not necessarily be what Terrance's was. We're all learning and trying to get on the same page. We started a little slow with some of those things, but we're making progress quickly.
Q: What is your assessment of Riggs' offense? Are there similarities to what you ran in Billings?
A: It's different, but there are some similarities. It's complicated. The average Joe would probably struggle with it. There's some homework involved. But I like it. I've spent more time in the playbook than I ever have. It's just about making the calls and getting the concepts down. Once the play starts things fall into place.
Q: How are you handling the pressure? You're being touted as one of the most significant acquisitions in team history, and you're replacing a guy who's jersey might be hanging from the rafters here soon.
A: I'm aware of the expectations. They're higher than ever right now. Everyone expects us to win and be great from the jump. We'll be criticized a lot quicker than the '05 team would've been if we get off to a slow start. We understand that, but I'm coming from a team that won the last two, so I'm fine with that. I think everyone here understands where we're trying to go and what it takes to get there.