Hixson Update

[Captain Kangaroo]

Hurt, but Practicing

[Kangaroo Craig]

Great story. He has definitely caught the eye of Mike Shanahan. It looks like he has a great shot at not only making the team, but also to see a good amount of playing time. Hard work and dedication will pay off for him.

[Dr Z]

Monday night ESPNI'll be watching to see if Hixon gets in. Second right now in poll "Who will lead the Broncos in receiving yards in the preseason?"Photo is from Monday's practice:

[ZippyBoy]

Domenik Hixon impressive in return from broken footBy ARNIE STAPLETON - AP Sports WriterENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -Champ Bailey, owner of 19 interceptions over the last two seasons, is hard to impress.It's not every day the perennial Pro Bowl cornerback doles out praise for a young receiver, but the Denver Broncos' defensive star is dazzled by second-year pro Domenik Hixon, who missed his entire rookie season because of a broken foot.``I'll tell you what, man, he's a guy that we could have used last year,'' Bailey said. ``He's got great ability, great talent. You wonder how it's going to translate to games, but he looks good. He looks as good as most of our receivers. He has the ability to start. I just hope he fights for it.''Hixon, a fourth-round draft pick from Akron, is going to get plenty of opportunities to impress the coaching staff when the exhibition games start because the Broncos' receiving corps is spending more time rehabbing than running routes.Rod Smith (hip) and Brandon Marshall (thigh), who was slated to start alongside Javon Walker, have yet to step on the field during training camp, and Brandon Stokley (thigh), Marquay McDaniel (hamstring) and Glenn Martinez (thigh) have all come up limping of late.Hixon has been impressive in his own right.``The funny thing is he's 6-foot-2 but he can run like crazy and then he can stop on a dime,'' Bailey said. ``I mean, you don't see a lot of receivers who can do that with blazing speed like he has.''Special teams coach Scott O'Brien also is salivating over Hixon and can't wait to see him returning punts against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.``He's got speed for big plays,'' O'Brien said. ``The history of the NFL shows you don't need great speed to be a great returner: Dave Meggett, Mel Mitchell. But then you have the guys that had it, too. And he's got great explosive speed that can get you big plays if you get him in the open.``But for his size, he's got really good short-area ability. So, he can make the first guy miss.''He's shifty like a scatback but has the speed and size to be something special in a variety of roles.``Yeah, he can stop on a dime and then get off that dime in a hurry,'' O'Brien said. ``He's got great body control. My thing is now is he's starting to see the big picture, starting to set up blocks, that kind of stuff. He can do it. But all the good ones have to make the first player miss and he's got those physical skills.''Hixon seems just as enthusiastic to showcase his skills on special teams as he is to go long for Jay Cutler's deep throws.``I'm hungry. I'm going to take advantage whether I get one play or 100 plays,'' Hixon said.Hixon sustained a stress fracture on his pro workout day 16 months ago but didn't realize it and ran on it for two more weeks, figuring it was just a painful sprain that would go away. The Broncos went ahead and selected him in the fourth round but he missed all of training camp and then was a spectator all last season, his adjustment to this level limited to mental work.``I did a lot of undercover scouting last year,'' Hixon said. ``I sat there with paper and pen during practice taking notes to myself.''He also scribbled down bits of advice from Walker and Smith, pieces of wisdom he's putting to use on the field now that he's healthy.Last year was hard on Hixon, who had never been seriously hurt before. So, while his teammates are slogging through two-a-days in 90-plus-degree weather this summer, Hixon's smile has barely taken a break.``It was tough sitting out because it's been a dream of mine since I was a young kid, so to actually make it but then to put it on hold for another year? I couldn't wait to get out there,'' Hixon said. ``When we started our little conditioning phase this offseason, I was excited. Everybody was like, 'What's wrong with this guy?' But I couldn't wait.``This is a dream, a blessing. This is my shot. So, let's go.''

[scottditzen]

ALL RIGHT!!!!! WAY TO GO DH!!!!!!!!

[Zipsrifle]

EXCELLENT! Remember, he was our top DB before he moved to WR. He still is learning the position. I have high hopes for him!

[ZippyBoy]

Hixon starts first preseason Broncos game - Cutler attempted to throw to him on his first pass of the game, but skipped it to him...he finished with 1 catch; 21 yards:http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270813025

[Zipgrad01]

Yeah, but he also drew I believe 3 pass interference calls because he kept beating his man. Hixon played very, very well. Is it just me, or does it look like he has gotten faster? He really got off the line and on top of the corners quickly.

[ZippyBoy]

Looks like Marshall will start this week in Hixon's place...Marshall updateIn his third day of practice after missing the first 12 days of training camp, Brandon Marshall took his spot as the No. 2 receiver in the morning practice. Marshall also worked on punt returns. Veteran wide receiver Brandon Stokley did not practice. Domenik Hixon and Brian Clark were working with the second team while veterans Quincy Morgan and David Terrell were working with the third team. Source: http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6634288Marshall runs with first teamBroncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall ran with the first-string offense on Wednesday and plans to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys. "I'll play this week," he tells the team's official web site. Marshall was out from the start of camp until August 10 due to a strained left thigh, but he claims to be fully healed at this point. Source: http://www.fanball.com

[Dr Z]

F Marshall!

[ZippyBoy]

Keeping this topic up-to-date...looks like Hixon grabbed the 4th WR spot and will start as the team's main kick returner. This article is from the Denver Post...I like the line, "Hixon took a reverse from Hackney and zipped 43 yards"Hixon, Clark catch key breaksDuo appear set for roster spotsBy Bill WilliamsonDenver Post Staff WriterArticle Last Updated: 08/31/2007 12:48:34 AM MDTThe final preseason game is all about the future.For Broncos receivers Domenik Hixon and Brian Clark, though, Thursday night was about showing that the future is now.Hixon and Clark appear set to be the Broncos' No. 4 and No. 5 receivers, and the team might not keep more than five receivers. The only chance for the team to keep six receivers appears to be if Quincy Morgan survives Saturday's final cut. But with Hixon emerging as the kick returner, the veteran Morgan could be in trouble.When the Broncos went to camp, there was concern about their depth at the lower part of the receiving rotation. However, Hixon and Clark had outstanding preseason performances. Worry appears to be decreasing.Cardinals vs. BroncosEarly in camp, it seemed certain Denver would scour the waiver wire for a veteran receiver. One name mentioned was Tampa Bay's Michael Clayton, a former first-round selection for the Buccaneers.But Hixon and Clark could keep Denver from adding to the corps, which is headlined by starters Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall (back in the team's good graces after performing well in practice and in games for the past three weeks) and No. 3 receiver Brandon Stokley.Even if veteran Rod Smith, who will spend at least the first six weeks of the regular season on the physically unable to perform list mending from surgery on his hip, doesn't come back, the team may be in good shape with the two second-year players. The emergence of Hixon and Clark led Denver to cut veterans David Kircus and David Terrell this week."We like our young receivers," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan recently said. "They have a lot of promise."Hixon and Clark did nothing to sway the team's good thoughts Thursday night in the preseason victory over Arizona.Hixon and Clark made their presence felt on the Broncos' final drive of the first quarter. On third-and-8, Clark caught a 16-yard pass from Darrell Hackney to the Denver 43. On the next play, Hixon took a reverse from Hackney and zipped 43 yards to the Cardinals' 14.The Broncos have had success with the receiver reverse with former receiver Ashley Lelie and Walker. Hixon gives the Broncos another option.Having Walker and Hixon on the field could give defenses headaches. Clark is proving to be a solid possession receiver."I'm just trying to do anything to make this team," Hixon said recently. "I'm very hungry."Both Clark and Hixon came out of Thursday's game with modest statistics. Clark had two receptions for 27 yards, and Hixon had a single reception for 7 yards.Hixon, a fifth-round pick in 2006, missed last season while recovering from a broken foot that he suffered before the draft. He was one of the stars of the offseason program, and he figures to be the kick returner.Clark, an undrafted player, finished last season on the 53-man roster. He was originally signed to the practice squad but was promoted because Green Bay was trying to sign him.It appears both aren't going anywhere else anytime soon. Source: http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6765818

[Sergeant Zip]

David Terrell round 1 pick 8. Quincy Morgan round 2 pick 2. Hixon, a fifth-round pick, and Clark, an undrafted player.Beautiful!

[Zipgrad01]

Gee, what a huge surprise the Browns drafted one of them. I have watched every Denver game so far except last night. I will catch the replay when they air it on NFL network. But, Hixon has been solid. He gets separation and he is a deep threat. Plus, we all know he is a good return guy. I just hope he stays health, unlike Schifino.

[zen]

"On the next play, Hixon took a reverse from Hackney and zipped 43 yards to the Cardinals' 14."

[danalleman]

I was at the Broncos v. Browns game and saw DH as a return man. He looked good when he could get a returnable ball (2 or 3 were touchbacks). Hope he does well, I'll get to see him on local tv out here in HD (ha, DH in HD sorry about that.)