Our Idiot Brother

Wanna take a guess as to who I'm talking about? Well I'm gonna tell you anyway.

DeSean Jackson is without a doubt one of the most electric and high-spirited players in the NFL today. Regardless of the season he had in 2011. Jackson still ended up 39 yards short of another 1,000 yard receiving year. Given the drama that seemed to float over Jackson all year, that's not a bad way to end a season. During the 4-0 streak the Philadelphia Eagles had at the end of the season, Jackson was noticeably more team-oriented with his gameplay. He put his body on the line for plays, made the tough catches, and all around showed the heart and energy that we have come to love about the young wideout.

But like every brother, he has given us those moments where we wanted to slap him in the back of the head (or worse, in some cases) because of an aggravating play, statement, or what have you. Jackson showed early on in the season the kind of drama he could bring with him, something that the organization and fans had known would probably be an issue when he was first drafted. In his first three seasons, however, none of those caution signs meant anything because Jackson was lighting up the NFL with his spectacular and record-breaking performances. He was giving the fans what we had always wanted: A superstar receiver. It didn't matter that he didn't have the best hands in the world at the time because he could beat any defensive back with his mind-blowing speed and agility. What I believe was most loved about Jackson, though, was the spirit he brought to the team. Never before did you see coach Andy Reid chest-bumping players after a big play. You didn't see the youthful energy exhibited on the sidelines like you do now. He was the little brother to the team and the fans that could make you laugh and want to dance along with him in the endzone. But we all know the unbelievable dropped passes and twitter remarks were just as infuriating as the miracle plays he made. Those were the moments when our little brother screwed up by accidentally spilling milk on your brand new Playstation, or whatever your little brother did to piss you off, and put us into those moods where we wanted to tear his head off.

To make a point, DeSean Jackson needs to come back to Philadelphia next year. Although he's done things to make us question whether it's really worth it to keep him around, he's also done more than enough to show that not only is he worth it, but that he belongs here. You can't say that about too many California people coming to Philadelphia, either. He's had a couple plays and said a couple things that came back to bite him and the team in the ass, yes. But he's also brought more than just a wonderful talent to the Eagles, he's brought an unbelievable possibility of unrealized potential and maturity that he and the rest of the team, and even the city itself, has yet to realize. Calling this team a family, as they have called themselves multiple times in the previous few seasons, is the most perfect description for this team as I've seen in recent memory. We are a family. And even though every family has a black sheep or idiot brother, it just wouldn't be the same without him.

So if the Eagles front office is listening, which I know they aren't in the slightest, you already gave Reid one more shot. You need to give this kid one more chance as well.

It's not like he's done anything to deserve one, right?

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