It’s a long way from Lindale to New York, but the similarities between former Pepperell Dragon oach Lynn Hunnicutt and New York Jets coach Rex Ryan have made Marcus Dixon feel right at home.

“They’re both hard-nosed coaches, they both love their players, they go to bat for every player, they’re really similar,” said Dixon Thursday night at Ru San’s in Rome.

Dixon said that playing for the current Model coach Hunnicutt at Pepperell prepared him to live out his dream of playing in the national Football League.

“We did the film work in high school. We had the weight room in the morning, we even had the off-season workouts so I was prepared when I went to college (Hampton University) and even more now that I’m in the league,” Dixon said.

Dixon has made the adjustment and is looking forward to additional playing time in the defensive line for the New York Jets.

Dixon, who took part of the Jets’ bye week to come home for five nights, has played in all seven games for the Jets this year and has recorded five tackles, four of them solo, and made one fumble recovery.

He is seeing a lot of action in the Jets pass rush defensive package and even plays a good bit on special teams.

The former Dragon star said it is definitely a challenge going up against men his own size every day. “It’s rough, it takes a toll on your body. That’s why you have a long bye week so you can rest up,” Dixon said.

Dixon, who is a big fan of sushi, signed autographs for fans and well wishers Thursday night at Ru San’s restaurant, 1004 North Broad Street.

By the way, Dixon is predicting that the Jets will win the Super Bowl this year.