DeSean Jackson Returns With Another Big Game

Before anybody could get comfortable in their seats, Michael Vick was dropping and throwing a touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson.  It wasn’t a crossing route, but the Birds had Jackson going inside, which surprised me.

Number 10 had been out for three weeks and questions had been circulating about how he would play after being knocked out with vicious hit by Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson.

He didn’t miss a beat.

“Since I got hurt, a lot of people were saying, ‘Can he go back out there and still play without that being in the back of his mind?’ and the biggest thing I’ll say is that I leave it up to God”, Jackson told reporters. “I give my glory to him. I’m blessed to go out there and still play, and just do the right things I need to do to help my team win games.”

There seemed to be somewhat of an adjustment for Jackson.  He didn’t catch any passes across the middle.

“With the crossing route, across the middle, that was one of the plays [the coaches] kind of took out for me”, Jackson said. “They always mess with me and say, ‘We don’t want to put you across the middle.’ But it’s a part of the game. It’s unfortunate for [WR Austin Collie] of the Colts. He got hit on a critical play. It’s tough because, like I said, this is a very physical game we play.”

They should take those crossing routes out.  This is a different football team with Jackson.  The big play threat he brings opens up the field to everybody else.

Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg did a nice job of utilizing the explosive and diminutive wide receiver.  They got the ball to him deep on the bomb, which Vick threw out of the end zone. He let it fly long, high and deep as Jackson ran it down.

Vick says he and Jackson are always on the same page.

“Me and DeSean, we have chemistry”, Vick said after the game.  “I know where he’s going to be and it’s funny because 90% of the time when I throw the ball to him deep and I think I overthrow him, and he just goes to get it.  He’s a very dynamic player and I’m just glad to have him on my team.”

They worked him outside of the numbers.  They got to ball to him on a couple of reverses late in the game, which ran some valuable seconds off the clock.  He’s got to be the best reverse man in the NFL, right now.

I like the way the little man is being smart by gaining as much yardage as possible, then getting on the ground.  Jackson doesn’t need to prove his toughness, just like Vick doesn’t need to prove his toughness.

The Eagles season is tied directly to the health of Jackson and Vick.  If these guys stay healthy, it gives the Birds a chance to beat any of the other teams in the NFC.  If you take these guys away, the Birds are still a good football team, but they’re not a special team.

Jackson, who seems to have a unique relationship with Andy Reid, said he got tired in his first game back after a few weeks off.  He joked about his head coach pushing him to get back in the game during one of the times when he took a break.

“Honestly, a couple of times, I tried to take myself out of a couple of plays”, Jackson said with a smile. I was tired a little bit. I haven’t played in three weeks. Coming out, [Head] Coach [Andy] Reid gave me the look like get back in there. I’m like, Coach, I’m tired. I’m just going to take some time getting back to playing with the football speed and things like that.