Philadelphia Eagles: The re-evolution of DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson finally got it going for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.
DeSean Jackson is a deep ball catching, field-stretching, ‘burn-you-down-the-sideline-for-a-long- TD-when-he-beats-press’-ing wide receiver.
Since being selected 49th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008, Jackson has averaged 17.4 yards per catch over three different teams, and 14(!) different quarterbacks – all the while leading the league in yards-per-reception on four separate occasions.
Mind you, that isn’t a bad thing – because, like, why would it be? – but it has typecast the former Berkeley Golden Bear as a bit of a one-trick wonder in the eyes of many fans, foes, and talent evaluators.
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In theory, that idea tracks.
Since developing into a legit Number 1 receiver in 2011, Jackson has attempted fewer and fewer routes across the middle of the field. Call it a concerted effort to keep him upright, or a lack of desire to risk his body across the middle of the field when he’s just so deadly on the perimeter, but the sight of Jackson hanging out on the sideline ungauged when the ball isn’t coming his way has become more and more common with each passing season.
But, dare I ask, what happens when the Eagles just can’t seem to get the ball down the field with any sort of regularity? What happens when the deep ball just isn’t there, or Carson Wentz doesn’t have the time needed to hit it?
Well, it looks like Jackson has slowly but surely found new ways to make an impact even when his signature play isn’t there.
After amassing 46 yards on seven targets over his first six quarters with the Eagles this fall – all of which came in Week 1 – Jackson came alive for the Eagles in the second half of Week 2 – picking up for 64 yards on six catches on nine targets.
His YPC average? 6.4.
Somehow instantly transformed into a possession specialist over the half, Jackson was running routes like Larry Fitzgerald; picking up yards on a slant, then an out, and even beautifully executed comeback for a team-high 25 yards.
Was Jackson’s play perfect? No. He dropped a screen pass that admittedly could have been thrown better, was unable to connect on a few tougher plays midway through the fourth, but when the Eagles needed a receiver, any receiver to step up, Jackson adapted on the fly.
At 32-years-old, what more could you ask for?
Next. The Cleveland Browns probably should have drafted Carson Wentz. dark
For better or worse, DeSean Jackson is the veteran leader of the Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiving corps. While you’d like to see youngsters like Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside step up and grow into their roles as starters and make him expendable, it’s clear Jackson is still Carson Wentz’s top option on the perimeter and that’s not changing anytime soon. With that in mind, if Jackson can continue to evolve his game when the deep balls aren’t there, it’ll set a fantastic example for the first and second-year receivers looking to learn the right way to play wide receiver in the NFL. DeSean Jackson, a talent veteran example setter? If Chip Kelly could see him now.