DeSean Jackson has to be the featured receiver in this offense or the Eagles are doomed.
There's no way that Andy Reid and his coaches can explain to me why Jackson was on the sideline with the Washington Redskins playing more man-to-man in the second half of that game on Sunday. This kid has proven he can make the big plays at the wide receiver position to take the Eagles offense to the next level.
He's the only receiver the Eagles have who is a sure bet to get deep on any defensive back in the league. There's not a cornerback in the NFL who can consistently cover this kid in a man-to-man coverage without giving up a big play.
It is total incompetence to not have this young man on the field with the other team playing a lot of man-to-man coverages. It is coaching malpractice to fail to put your best players on the field and put them in a position to make plays. How can you make plays when you're on the bench and not throwing to you when you get into the game?
Last year defenses played a lot of man-to-man against the Eagles and shut their receivers down. The big thing about the arrival of Jackson was that his speed and quickness would prevent defenses from shutting them down in man-to-man coverages.
With all due respect to Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, Jason Avant and Greg Lewis, they're not the kind of receivers who scare people. The Eagles are going to have to rely more on their passing game than usual with Brian Westbrook banged up with an ankle sprain and fractured ribs.
Therefore, it is a must that they get Jackson on the field and in the mix. If this isn't done, then Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook should go kicking and screaming to the sideline to get this kid in the game. If they don't get this kid back in the mix, their season is over and McNabb is out of here.
Jackson's presence on the field makes everybody's job much easier. It's not a coincidence that when they take this kid out of the game plan and off the field, they start looking like the same team a year ago which couldn't beat man-to-man coverage.
Jackson is a rookie and can't demand playing time. McNabb and Westbrook must take ownership of this football team and demand that Reid and staff do what is right.
Here's Jackson running back a punt on Sunday against the Skins for a touchdown.
