Dixon did such a bang-up job of impersonating Cribbs in the so-called Wildcat offense that two of the Steelers' top defensive players said the team should consider adding that wrinkle to its offensive repertoire.

"I think we can make plays with him on offense," inside linebacker James Farrior said of Dixon. "The man's a great athlete. I don't know what (the coaches) see for him in the future, but he's one of those type of athletes that can run it."

The Wildcat is the innovation du jour in the NFL, and a number of teams have successfully used it at various times this season. In the Wildcat, the quarterback takes the snap out of a shotgun and has the option of running or passing. Teams generally use their best runner or athlete in the Wildcat, and a quarterback such as Dixon is all the more dangerous because defenses can't overplay the pass or the run.

The Steelers expect to see a considerable dose of the Wildcat Sunday.

The Browns are down to their fourth quarterback ? Seton-La Salle graduate Bruce Gradkowski will start in the 1 p.m. game at Heinz Field ? because of injuries. And they have been using Cribbs, a former college quarterback, in the Wildcat at various times as he is their most dangerous open-field runner.

"You see a lot of teams across the league using it," Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. "It's very effective when you have a quarterback that's back there to pass or run the ball. You can't just rush any kind of way."

When asked how effective Dixon has been in the Wildcat, Woodley smiled.

"He better look good," the second-year standout said. "That's what Dennis has been doing since his college days."

Dixon, a fifth-round draft pick by the Steelers this past April, played in a spread offense at the University of Oregon. He finished his career sixth on the school's all-time list in total offense (6,337 yards) and first in career rushing yards (1,202) by a quarterback.

When Dixon learned he would be playing the role of Cribbs this week, he was so excited that he called Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to tell him about it.

"I'm kind of reminiscing as far as college this week," Dixon said. "It's a tough thing (for defenses) to handle."

The Steelers drafted Dixon because of the promise the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder showed as a pocket passer, but his athleticism and status on the team make him an ideal candidate to run the Wildcat.

The risk of an injury is why most teams use a player other than a quarterback to trigger the Wildcat. Dixon, however, has not played in a game this season and is the Steelers' No. 3 quarterback.

The downside to using Dixon in the Wildcat is the Steelers would have to activate him for games ? as the third quarterback he can only play in the case of injuries to starter Ben Roethlisberger and backup Byron Leftwich ? and that could compromise their depth in another area.

Dixon has at least given coach Mike Tomlin something to think about with the way he ran the offense this week.

"I think we should get our offense to put Dixon in there," Farrior said.

And Dixon's thoughts?

"If Mike T. calls my numbers," Dixon said with a smile, "I'm going to try to perform to the best of my ability."