How long have the Eagles argued about not needing a number one receiver? They said they would rather have a bunch of average guys. Their head coach loves to throw the ball but for some reason they didn’t need a number one receiver.
It made no sense then and it makes even less sense now. You don’t have to know much about NFL football to understand how important DeSean Jackson is to the Eagles offense.
Some guys have and some guys don’t, it’s very simple.
“It’s basically instincts, honestly,” Jackson said. “When you’re out there on the field you’re able to feel the defense. A lot of times, depending on what position you’re in, the defense could have a better position than you. I’m able to shift directions and catch the defense off guard. That’s the key to my game.”
He’s Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. He’s going to get his numbers despite being double-teamed. Because of the attention he draws, all the other guys have to be dealt with in man-to-man, one-on-one situations.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but Eagles tight end Brent Celek is being covered one-on-one by a linebacker. A linebacker can’t cover him one-on-one but the reason that’s happening is because everybody’s afraid of Jackson.
They don’t have a heathy Kevin Curtis to take advantage of getting single covered all the time on the other side. In a year or so when Jeremy Maclin grows up, teams will not want to see the Eagles coming to town.
Now if they want to throw the ball a lot, nobody will be complaining because every time, the quarterback drops back to pass, the fans will expect a big play, not threw and four yards.
Are they going to have to rip up Jackson’s contract and rework his deal? Yes, but he’s more than worth it.
Could you imagine the problems a defense will have if you add a healthy Brian Westbrook to the mix?
This is what the Eagles should have been trying to put together in 1999 after they drafted Donovan McNabb. If you’re going to invest the high draft pick and the big money you’re going to wind up paying him, you might as well get the number one receiver to make it all worth it.
