Anthony Dixon was drafted in the 6th round yesterday by the San Francisco 49ers with the 173rd overall pick. Here are some reactions from the 49ers news outlets.
The San Jose Mercury News says it is unclear where Dixon will fit in on the 49ers offense:
Where Dixon might fit with the 49ers is unclear. Gore wants to carry the ball as often as possible and is reluctant to share the load. Glen Coffee, a third-round pick a year ago, managed only 2.7 yards a carry in brief duty as a rookie. Complicating the picture is that all three running backs have similar hard-nosed, downhill styles. The New York Giants reached the Super Bowl with a wildly variant group of Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward nicknamed "Earth, Wind and Fire."
The San Francisco Chronicle says that the 49ers draft choices, including Dixon, evoke the toughness that Mike Singletary brings to his coaching style.
"Now understand, I don't want a big bulky, heavy team, that's not what I'm looking for," Singletary said. "I think the team that's going to hit the hardest, run the fastest, perseveres, that's where toughness comes in. That's what we're trying to build."
In Saturday's final three rounds, the 49ers added three sixth-rounders and a seventh-rounder to the building.
The first, Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon, is a bruiser who overcame teenage homelessness to set a school rushing record.
"Very physical," Dixon said. "I embrace contact."
Most seem to think that Dixon will see the bulk of his playing time as a reliever for starter Frank Gore, but he could also challenge former Alabama RB Glen Coffee for the #2 slot. Coffee was drafted in the third round last year and failed to impress in his rookie season, averaging just under 3 yards per carry.
Finally, here is the audio from Anthony Dixon's conference call with the 49ers press corps after his selection.