DeSean Jackson: Big plays on the field; Big attitude off the field

The fact is DeSean Jackson is a big play receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles and he has been a big play guy for most of his career in football. Early on at Long Beach Polytechnic High School he was a highly touted prospect with many colleges fighting to have him at their school. He was the Southern California player of the year and also played baseball and was sought after by a couple of Major League baseball teams. Jackson has always had the pure athleticism to make big plays and change the game at any time. In his senior year he caught 60 passes for 1,075 yards and 15 touchdowns further solidifying his status as a top receiver coming out of high school. Jackson chose to go to the University of California where he continued to show he was a big time receiver. In his junior year he was considered a Heisman candidate, he finished his junior year with 65 receptions, 762 yards and 6 touchdowns; needless to say he didn’t win the Heisman but he did however turn many heads in the NFL. Jackson soon left the University of California and took his talents to the NFL, he was at the top of the list for the class of wide receivers and running a 4.35 in the 40 didn’t hurt his stock. Jackson was taken by the Eagles in the second round of the 2008 draft; he came in and made a splash in his first game as a rookie he caught 6 passes for106 yards. He continues to make big plays for the Eagles in 2011 but a question still remains about Jackson, not about talent but about attitude.

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There is no doubt that DeSean Jackson is a talent and has incredible ability but the one thing that has followed Jackson around even in college is the attitude. At times it seems that Jackson goes all out on the field but there are times where is effort is questioned. Jackson has never been touted as a great teammate or even a team player, granted he has made strides since college but it has once again reared it ugly head. With the benching of Jackson on Sunday this is not the first time there has been issues inside the Eagles locker room. Let’s remember he is in the final year of his rookie contract but let’s also remember that his production is tremendously down from last season. Jackson has never had a lack of confidence in himself or his ability and I understand that missing a meeting is not the beginning of the end but for the Eagles, when the season is already hitting rocky times do you really need this type of behavior from your top receiver? If Jackson is to receiver the contract he thinks he deserves he must be the teammate and the locker room presence that you expect from a top receiver. If he is willing to put aside his frustrations on the field and contract disputes and focus on team ball it would prove beneficial for the Eagles and for Jackson. It was good to see him apologize to his team and to his fans but now he must be willing to “put his money where his mouth is” and produce in the locker room and on the field.

By: Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Staff Writer