Cal WR Desean Jackson visiting Philly

by JasonB on Apr 8, 2008 9:16 AM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

From the St Petersburg Times. Some bonus Gruden comments in there as well...

"Which (receiver) do you like?'' Gruden said. ""I mean the guy at Cal (Jackson) is 169 pounds. Is he going to be big enough? He's certainly fast as hell. He would be a hell of a returner. The guy at Indiana (James Hardy) is big. Every film you pick up, there's another touchdown. Is he fast enough? We've got (Maurice) Stovall. What the hell have we got him for? You don't want to stock guys. So that's a tough call. It always is, though.''

Jackson left Tampa Monday afternoon and will visit with the Philadelphia Eagles tonight and Tuesday.

As Gruden noted, Jackson is a very small guy and there's questions about whether he can handle the physicality of the NFL. That said, there are very few questions about his return ability. He's flat out electric in the return game.

The Eagles have been bringing in lots of WRs and OTs as well. They've reportedly brought 6-6 Indiana WR James Hardy up to Philadelphia. Some other reported visitors to Philly have been Missouri WR Will Franklin(who runs a sub 4.4 40), & Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson.

They've also held private workouts with early round prospects such as Earl Bennett - Vanderbilt & Devin Thomas - Michigan State.

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i hope the eagles keep far away from him

I think the kid is talented but I do not like him on this team. he is too small to be a star at the reciver possition and at 165 lbs if he make one bad cut he will end up being laid out by a big hitter. could you imagine him getting hit by roy williams or even a linebacker, he will get killed.
what it comes down to is we want a return man but at what cost. he is a first round pick I think that is too high for a return man.

by NickPampani on Apr 8, 2008 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah

If he were only a return man, he's not worth a 1st round pick.

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by JasonB on Apr 8, 2008 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Jackson

If the Eagles pick Jackson for his returning abilities, then at best, you hope that he becomes a Dante Hall in his prime which isn't bad, but is that worth a first round pick?

If it were Jacksonville who already have a big receivers, then it may make more sense, but not for the Eagles.

by ringordietryin on Apr 8, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

He is OK, not great

I saw Deseans hit tape. It was OK. He doesn't have much moves and seems to go down pretty easy. I didn't see him make any super duper catches. He reminds me of Ted Ginn Jr with less cutting ability. Altough I will say is real fast. But we already have G Lew. Speed isn't always everything in the NFL. I wouldn't hate if we drafted Jackonson, but think Sweed would help more.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Apr 8, 2008 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

Greg Lewis

I'm tired of people saying G Lewis is fast. He never creates separation or does anything with the ball in his hands. If he's fast then it's not football fast and there is a huge difference. I'd be delighted if he didn't make the team.

by pooch900 on Apr 9, 2008 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions

forget jackson

way too small. Reminds me of a freshman in highschool playing reciever. If we brought in hardy or thomas for a visit, then id rather draft them. They may be a reach at #19 though. Id like to draft sweed.

by andyb on Apr 8, 2008 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

some one mention greg lewis...

who is only 180 at 6 foot tall. 10 pounds aint that far off for 2 inch height difference.
not that i either like greg lewis or or want d. jackson to be our first pick.

i'm just saying its not out of the question to have who ever takes him have him hit the weights hard and put on 5-10 pounds before the season

by 0sirys on Apr 8, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

I agree,

As you can see with my post above, I agree. This guy is a guy who finds opens space and is face.
Greg Lewis is a fast guy who doesn't cut well. Granted Jackson isn't as goofy as Greg Lewis. But he really doesn't break takles or cuts very well.

We already have Curtis and Lewis on this team. People keep saying how good Jackson is. I somewhat trust what people see. But I personally don't see it.

All that said. I wouldn't hate if they picked him. Maybe I just need to see more of him.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Apr 8, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

weight

of course, you are assuming that he maintains his speed after gaining 10 lbs.

didn't the Eagles already try adding bulk to a WR with "Alligator Arms" Pinkston?

I'm not so sure if there is a WR worthy of a 19th pick. I hate to see the Eagles reach for a player solely based on need...

I'd much rather have the Eagles make a run at Ocho Cinco.

by ringordietryin on Apr 8, 2008 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

haha

I'd much rather have the Eagles make a run at Ocho Cinco.

You have a better chance at seeing DeSean Jackson as the Superbowl MVP for the Eagles with 3 KR TDs or the Eagles selecting Joe Flacco with the second round pick.

Okay a little exaggerated but it is cheaper for the Bengals to keep Ocho Cinco even if he doesn't play than to trade hime. He is only due to make 3 mil base salary this year and it will cost them an 8 mil cap hit to trade him. Plus if he wants to make more than the 3 mil this year he will have to play to get his incentives and also they can fine him if he sits out. Personally I like Chad and think he would be a great addition and I don't think he is a T.O. waiting to happen because honestly all the man really cares about is winning and being a champion

by Whodie126 on Apr 8, 2008 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

T.O.

Back in 2004, it was suggested all T.O. really cared about was winning, too.

What guys like T.O. and Chad Johnson really care about is money. Even if you could make a trade with the Bengals (which might become possible this summer), you still have to pay the player. Now you're talking about giving a long-term contract to another guy with that label on the wrong side of 30.

If the Eagles did that, I could see almost exactly the same thing happening. Johnson gets a huge bonus up front, then he realizes his base salary is low the next season and complains he outplayed his contract, even though the average of the first two years would put him in the top 5 at his position. Next thing you know, he is doing sit-ups in his driveway.

It's the money, man. Eagles aren't going to give an aging malcontent a contract that can damage them down the line.

by Kulp on Apr 8, 2008 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I see

what you are saying and I never said the Eagles would do or try this. Had the T.O. thing never happened I really think they would be making a push.

I refuse to believe that Chad is anywhere close to T.O. until proven otherwise he definitly isn't acting the exact same.

Johnson has never critized his teamates the way T.O. did with McNabb and Garcia, he is only attacking the front office and the fact that they in his mind aren't making any changes to become a contender. I mean look at how upset he got when they released Chris Henry, his future replacement.

We can argue whether or not he is a T.O. waiting to happen or not truth is we can never tell until it happens. One things for sure T.O. did it in San Fran and in Philly so it's only a matter of time before the Girls get a taste.

by Whodie126 on Apr 8, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Jackson

Anyone swayed by the fact that Jerry Rice called Jackson the best receiver in the draft?

Me neither.

by ajay on Apr 8, 2008 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

Some ties there

I believe Rice actually works for the agency that signed Jackson... So there could be some conflict of interest there.

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by JasonB on Apr 8, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Marvin Harrison anyone?

He's only about 10 lbs heavier and an inch shorter probably.

by JoeD on Apr 8, 2008 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

Jackson is a weakling

As a USC alum, I got to see Jackson play several times live and tuned into their big games. If you pay attention to the way he played against big, physical defenses (read: USC, Tennessee, UCLA, and others) he always withered and had crappy games. He'll get killed in the NFL. Here's one example of his future in the NFL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMerHLpoY7U

by BeenCountr on Apr 8, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions