gpikeThree Oregon Representatives in Super Bowl
January 24th 2011 04:17
As the New York Jets and Chicago Bears, both bowed out of the race for Super Bowl XLV, two teams remain. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Wondering who on either roster played in Oregon at some time during their career before the NFL. Three players on the Pittsburgh Steelers either played high school football or college football in Oregon. Backup quarterback Dennis Dixon, backup cornerback Keenan Lewis, and starting safety Troy Polamalu.
Polamalu, starred at Douglas High School in Winston, Oregon. Polamalu dominanted opposing teams on both sides of the ball at Douglas High School. Due to injury as a senior he only played four games, but still rushed for 671 yards and nine touchdowns, plus three interceptions. Polamalu averaged six touchdowns each season, his high as a junior with 22 touchdowns on the ground, and 11 interceptions as a defender. He then went onto USC where he was All-American his final two seasons.
Lewis arrived in Corvallis as a small cornerback who hadn't yet evolved into his body. Under the tutelage of Oregon State coaches, Lewis grew into a great talent. Lewis in his final two seasons as a Beaver made seven interceptions, which caught the eye of pro scouts. Pittsburgh drafted him in the third round, two seasons ago. He finally saw the field during the Regular Season this year versus Cleveland. Lewis made two tackles, during the game, an easy Steeler victory.
Dixon, began seeing time at the University of Oregon as a sophomore. Then as a junior, the rest of the PAC-10 saw a true talent coming of age. Dixon could beat you with his arm or legs, and teams grew to fear his quickness. As a senior, Dixon threw for 20 touchdowns, with only four interceptions, and ran for 583 yards on the ground. The 6-3 quarterback didn't have much expected of him after college. Pittsburgh drafted him in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. He has seen playing time each season at the quarterback position. This season with starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being suspended, Dixon got extensive time before going down to injury. He played the opener as the starter versus Atlanta, earning the victory in overtime, 15-9. Then injury hit Dixon versus Tennessee in week two, and he didn't get back onto the field.
Polamalu is the star of these three, but the other two have the talent to succeed in some form of the NFL.
Polamalu, starred at Douglas High School in Winston, Oregon. Polamalu dominanted opposing teams on both sides of the ball at Douglas High School. Due to injury as a senior he only played four games, but still rushed for 671 yards and nine touchdowns, plus three interceptions. Polamalu averaged six touchdowns each season, his high as a junior with 22 touchdowns on the ground, and 11 interceptions as a defender. He then went onto USC where he was All-American his final two seasons.
Lewis arrived in Corvallis as a small cornerback who hadn't yet evolved into his body. Under the tutelage of Oregon State coaches, Lewis grew into a great talent. Lewis in his final two seasons as a Beaver made seven interceptions, which caught the eye of pro scouts. Pittsburgh drafted him in the third round, two seasons ago. He finally saw the field during the Regular Season this year versus Cleveland. Lewis made two tackles, during the game, an easy Steeler victory.
Dixon, began seeing time at the University of Oregon as a sophomore. Then as a junior, the rest of the PAC-10 saw a true talent coming of age. Dixon could beat you with his arm or legs, and teams grew to fear his quickness. As a senior, Dixon threw for 20 touchdowns, with only four interceptions, and ran for 583 yards on the ground. The 6-3 quarterback didn't have much expected of him after college. Pittsburgh drafted him in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. He has seen playing time each season at the quarterback position. This season with starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being suspended, Dixon got extensive time before going down to injury. He played the opener as the starter versus Atlanta, earning the victory in overtime, 15-9. Then injury hit Dixon versus Tennessee in week two, and he didn't get back onto the field.
Polamalu is the star of these three, but the other two have the talent to succeed in some form of the NFL.
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