Michael Vick drops into the pocket, sets his feet and let’s a laser go in DeSean Jackson’s direction. The speedy wide out who is running a quick slant route, sees the ball, but he also sees a safety coming his way like a heat-seeking missile and focused on Jackson’s chest.
Should he lay out for the football knowing that this might be the last play of his career? Should he summon his “inner Ricky Watters” with a “for who for what”?
I don’t know if that situation is going to happen this Sunday or this year, but I do know that it’s understandable for a lot of conflicting thoughts to be swirling around in Jackson’s head right now.
I’ve got to give it to Jackson that he has done something which I don’t know that I could do. He has kept his composure in this alarming situation. This talented wide receiver is still drastically underpaid as the Eagles season is about to begin. He has watched the Eagles give bucket loads of money to guys who have never done anything for this football team, namely; Nmandi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin.
Jackson has helped this team make the playoffs three years in a row. He has helped them win playoff games and make it to an NFC Championship game. Despite those contributions Jackson still has a contract which pays him only $600,000.
Here you have one of the most explosive weapons in the league making the salary of an unaccomplished rookie backup. Since he ended his holdout Jackson hasn’t expressed any frustration publicly, but it’s got to be there.
I think something is going to give very soon if a deal doesn’t get worked out.
Reid and Vick, who are both making millions and amongst the highest paid head coaches and quarterbacks in the league, were talking about Jackson’s great attitude yesterday.
“DeSean came in and he made the point that there’s the business side and there’s the football side,” Reid said. “And he’s taking care of the business side, both he and Drew [Rosenhaus] so now he’s free to play football and not worry about that.”
“I think DeSean has done great,” Michael Vick said. “I think his attitude exemplifies that. He wants to be the consummate teammate, he wants to earn everything that’s going to come his way, and if you see him out on the practice field or you see him in the locker room he’s a happy individual. And you can only control what you can control and things will happen when it’s time and I think he understands that.”
We’re going to try to talk to him today, but there’s no guarantee he will talk.
i dont know why the eagles dont just pay the dude….even if they dont have enough space in their salary cap to give him a deal he wants now at least give the dude some token money like a million or two million dollar bonus for this season…if not i fear that we will lose him to free agency…the FO has shown no loyalty desean who is one of main reasons why this offense is soo explosive…the eagles show no loyalty to desean and trust me he wont show any loyalty to them…PAY UP!!!
All the talk about Jackson being a diva and so forth has to be quieted. What other NFL receiver in his position would conduct himself in such a way under these circumstances?
DeSean has earned a new contract. We need to pay the man today. There is no way he shouldn’t have a contract before the opener. Joe Banner should step up to the plate and take care of this. If they don’t he won’t give you the same effort in the game. I don’t see him going over the middle in full force without a contract. He probably won’t run the slant routes the same either. This is sad because the Birds have the money to fix this. He’s one hit away from being hurt again. They need to sign him so he can play his regular game.
I dunno what Desean and Drew Rosenhaus are asking for, but if its anything more than 8 mil a year he can go ahead and kick rocks.
He definitely will disappear for games now! Also Reid has the balls to name him punt returner. If I was DJax, i’d tell him to go f@#k himself! Another brilliant roster move, don’t keep a returner or get a good one. Reid has a 1000 batting average this offseason.
I agree Birdo. But they should give him a new contract, soon. 3 years, $7.5M- $8M per. That’s it! If they don’t, I have a feeling he won’t be signed & the 2012 WR core, won’t include him.
If they don’t sign him, they’ll franchise him next year and trade him to some sorry ass team. In two years DeSean will have wished he stayed here.
Last I checked, DeSean hasn’t carried us to the promised land and quite frankly, disappears in big games (the back-to-back Dallas comes come to mind).
good point drummer..
all the talk of Desean being a primadonna should cease now…
also, if we get to promised land, it will be as a team… no carries a team to a title in NFL football…
championships are team accomplishments and we will need as many weapons as we can get to make it there
Drew Rosenhaus – Pissed on the Eagles organization with TO
And as far as I’m concerned Pissed on the Eagle Fans with that Moron of a client.
I am sorry that Jackson picked him as his agent, but Jackson picked him.
Every NFL team passed on Jackson in the 1st round partly because of his size.
Why not lift some weights, eat some food and show you are committed to getting better. Expecially after getting a couple of concussions.
Why did’nt Drew Rosenhaus have clauses in Jackson’s contract that paid him big bonuses for making the Pro-bowl? Or for pulling double duty as a punt returner?
Jackon is here because the new CBA made it difficult to hold out. He would lose his chance at free agency.
As a former Army soldier and business owner I don’t get excited because somebody does what they get paid to do. You sign a contract for a reason.
Honor your word. If you don’t like it, play out the contract and sign with another team. I’m not sure there is a big market for a fast 160lb wr not in the top 50 in receptions. After all every team passed on him in the first place.
When all of the 1st round busts that the Eagles have had, start giving money back to the organization, then the Eagles might owe Jackson a raise.
Despite Banner’s yellow teeth, the Eagles give out money to young talent. Something is there that we don’t know about. My guess is like Dawkins and Akers, the Eagles have made an offer and it’s not as high as Djax has been told he can get.
Heck, they gave Kolb 10 million for holding a clipboard. They have the money. Either Drew Rosenhaus, DJax or both have pissed the Eagles off, and they are proving a point as this front office did with TO and several other players.
Can’t believe that we have sunk so low that we are raising a guy to sainthood for not holding out.
I agree with T.O. ,Jackson shouldn’t show up on Sunday . The Eagles know they need this guy because he spreads the field and he is a threat everytime he got the ball after the catch or returning punts . Why should he risk his career over measly $600,000 . Pay the man a $ 10 million bonus or something you cheap S.O.B. ‘s and stop playing games because you know you are not going to win without this guy . You pay Vick $100 million and Vick is nothing without Jackson ,write it down !!!! The reason they got T.O. is because he wanted out of San Francisco and they got him on the cheap also ,so what happened he took them to the Super Bowl . Then the following year T.O. wanted what he deserved and he should have got it after the year he had . The friggin eagles all they had to do is reward T.O. with a 2 or 3 million bonus and all the other B.S. could have been avoided . This is whats going to happen to DeSean , write it down !!!!!!!!!!
First, for all the people on here saying, “The Eagles should pay this dude…” we don’t know what Jackson and Rosenhaus are asking for. So keep that in mind–if they’re asking for Fitzgerald-type money, they aren’t going to get that.
Second, for those who are saying “Jackson should just leave in the offseason…”–the Eagles will franchise him. So they have him for at least 1 year after this.
Third, for those of you saying, “Jackson shouldn’t try very hard once the season starts…”–why would he tank the season when he wants a new contract? That seems to be a bit idiotic. And if the Eagles were to franchise him and try to trade him because of his attitude, what team would give them a decent return for a player with an attitude problem?
Four, for those that are saying he shouldn’t be returning punts–well, he got introuble last season for playing that game. He got chewed out before the Bears game because he wouldn’t practice fielding punts.
And finally, I see not one of you saying that if Jackson would have had a better attitude when he was in college, he might have been a 1st round pick which would have given him some big money. He was the 3rd reciever taken, I believe in the 2008 draft, behind Avery, who’s been cut, and another wideout
in the 2nd round.
DeSean doesn’t disappear during games, he’s keyed on, and any offensive weapon can be keyed on and taken out of a game. That’s why you have multiple weapons.
The thing is, when a defense keys on one offensive player, it is exposing itself to attack by other means.
DeSean proves his worth every time a defensive backfield lines up 10-15 yards deeper than normal. If you take away the “threat” of DeSean, you essentially close the door on other offensive players. Suddenly, McCoy doesn’t have the room to wiggle, Maclin is attracting double coverage, etc. It’s similar to Howard Pence protecting Ryan Howard. There’s a domino affect.
There are plenty of speedsters out there, but very few can beat you like DeSean and still catch the ball. That’s why the NFL doesn’t draft from American track teams.
DeSean’s worth can’t be calculated solely by statistics.
I’ve been saying pay the man since he made the pro bowl at two positions (something no other NFL player has EVER done). That fact alone warrants special consideration.
Initially, I thought he was too small to make in the NFL (for any extended time period), but this guy has shown that he can take a flat out NFL hit and bounce back. There are a lot of guys who out-weigh him by 100 lbs. who can’t make that same claim.
The ultimate criteria is this: A happy locker-room is a winning locker-room – remember T.O.
First of all “birdpoop”–Owens was an idiot. He signed a 7 year deal–NO ONE is going to renegotiate a 7 year deal. If you read the book that he co-wrote, he even said in there that of the three teams that wanted to trade for him–the Browns, Ravens, and Eagles, the Eagles offered the most money. So none of this “they should have given Owens the money”–Owens has been trouble everywhere he’s been and it just wasn’t restricted to Philly. He called out both Romo and his predecessor in Dallas, he sulked in both Buffalo and Cincy when he didn’t get the ball enough.
The other thing is that what good would it do for Jackson to start holding out? How long have you followed this team? You hold out and you’re gone. So he holds out–the Eagles suspend him for 4 games for conduct detrimental to the team and deactivate him evey game–then what kind of contract would he get–from anyone?
As far as them “needing him”–I don’t think he’s irreplceable–Maclin has deep speed, Steve Smith looks like he’s going to play from Day 1, and Jason Avant and Riley Cooper aren’t slugs.
i put my money that a lot of teams would jump at getting desean at 8 mil a year…he might not be as consistent as people want him to be but he is still without a doubt productive…he has made it to two pro bowls..he has had two back to back 1000 yard seasons and his rookie season he made 900 yards…as a punt returner he brings the same to the table as devin hester who is arguably the best return man in all of the nfl..he has the ability to bring it to the house everytime he touches the ball……u can’t say that about every other receiver out there..
If I were Jackson, I would have never returned. I’d still be sitting out (unless, of course, good-faith negotiations are going on – which I believe is happening).
What DeSean and Rosenhaus may need to consider is the Byron Evans rule – NEVER LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE. If he signs a contact now and outperforms it, he can sit out later, but take the money NOW!!!!!
desean has done everything right so far…he has kept the business side of football off the field..he hasnt held the team hostage like other ‘divas’ TO comes to mind….either he is asking for waaaay too much money something like 10 mil a year or the eagles think they dont really need him to be succesful..and i think it is the latter…the eagles wont resign him and they wont resign him next year either..he will be gone…just like sheldon just like TO just like lito just like dawk..this is his last season as an eagle…
Hey bobbyuk , No we don’t know what Rosenhaus is asking ,but we all know Jackson is only getting 600,000 , which is crazy when you come to think about it when you know how good this guy is and how valuable he is to Vicks and Reids passing game . They know this guy is way underpaid ,sure they can franchise him next year , but to be really realistic about the thing ,why can’t they just offer him a 2 or 3 million dollar bonus for his past performances , that will show him and keep him happy to carry him over until he gets that new contract . This is the right way to handle this because they know Jackson is risking his career for that measly 600,000 ,instead of playing the mind games and the other B.S. !!!
boobuk
I have to disagree with you (somewhat). I think the Eagles should have paid Owens (and I really dislike the guy). Plaxico Burress was trouble, but he won a Superbowl for the Giants, and equally important, they haven’t been the same since his departure. Eli’s gone from a Superbowl winner to an interception record-setter.
Randy Moss is in the same category — that’s why Tom Brady would welcome him back with open arms. Without Moss, the Pats are like the Eagles. They can kick the average team’s butt during the season, but come the play-offs (and nothing but the upper echelon), you’ll eventually get shut down.
If it’s about winning championships, you’ll often need players like that. Case in point – the 49ers and Charles Haley — who was a complete jerk.
birdpopp
That’s what I suggested last season — that the Eagles throw Jackson some bonus money. Despite the 30% rule they could have given him a two-contract with the 30% raise, but with a $5 million signing bonus. There’s no rule against paying a signing bonus.
More than a few GCobb posters scoffed at my suggestion, but that’s the price you pay for thinking outside the box (and for being pro-player).
Really we sit here and think that Steve Smith was brought in here for Maclin but really he could have been bought here as Desean Jackson’s replacement. Desean may not be worth that much but teams like the Raiders (his hometown cali) would make him the richest football player to ever play that position.
They may be looking to sign Dwayne Bowe in 2012 which to me would be a good move. Imagine Maclin and Bowe man. No more redzone problems.
“two-year contract”
Vricchini
How’s it going man?
In response to your post, Jackson and Smith have completely different skill sets. Jackson’s a deep threat and Smith’s a possession route-runner.
Smith would be a more adequate replacement for Maclin.
Teams passed on D-Jax back in the 1st Round mainly due to his off-the field/character issues.. (plus his small frame)
But coming out of COllege there were some Red Flags about his behaviour and decision making
#1) Reports on Coachability were raised (many bouts with U of Cal Staff)
#2) Charges of minor theft
#3) Charges of marijuana
Again, D-Jax was young, a college student and has shown good maturity since being a Pro NFL so all these issues are in the rear view mirror now, but whan it was Draft time for him, There were serious reservations from many Scouts and Teams about him being matrue enough to be an NFL players..
Hey Drummer. Im just throwing it out there. Eagles normally know who they want to keep and when they do they sign them fast look at the Kolb deal they gave him. Of course no one knew Vick would do what he did but at that time they knew who they wanted and wrapped him up. Remember Brian Westbrook when he wanted a new deal they didnt give it to him and eventually cut him so I think its interesting that he does not have a new deal by now looking at the history of the eagles.
BTW – I now live in Atlanta. Does anyone know where Eagles fans gather to watch the games?
I would think that if they want to keep him, they would work out a deal and not franchise him, because the franchise number will be crazy high. While I agree that not everything he does can be summed up by stats, he does get taken out of games whereas the top WRs in the game do not even if a team is keying on them. Larry Fitz, Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Roddy White.
I know that they have different skill sets mostly centered on size, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that he can be taken out of a game.
That being said, of course he deserves a raise, but I am not going to pat him on the back for playing.
Used to be a place up in the “Buckhead’ Section of Town..
A couple of Sports bars , but one in particular was owned and operated by the
Norheast Guy/NJ guy who played all the Philly Teams SPorts .. I do not recall the name of the place for this is going back a few years..
Vrucchini
I’m soooo excited! The NFL kicks off tonight and I look forward to another season with my Eagles family (even when we disagree)!
On to the matter at hand. The Eagles gave Kolb a deal because they had to. He had only one year left and they didn’t know if there would be football this season. They couldn’t have gone into the season with no QB. Also, Vick (the back-up, at the time) was earning more than Kolb (the anointed starter).
Regarding Westbrook, they eventually game him a new deal. The problem was, his career was over. They kept him around for two unproductive years. If they had paid him 2 or 3 years earlier, they could have cut/traded him without money against the cap.
I’m afraid the same will happen with Jackson. If he doesn’t get injured and has another productive season, they must pay him. Then, they’re stuck with him for another 2 or 3 seasons – when he’s more at risk of being injured.
His game is all about speed. Each year, he loses a little bit more speed – because of his exposure to NFL hits and because of age. In this game of inches, the less speed he has, the more susceptible he is to injury.
Paul
If I had to guess who would info, it would have been YOU!!
I’ll Google it.
What part of town are you in Drummer
( I uses to travel to Atalanta about once per month for about 3 years so I became a little familar with it…)
How many damn streets begin with the wrod “Peachtree” .. It’s crazy…
desean wont lose a step unless he gets a major knee or foot injury or till about the time he reaches 29-30…if he stays away from any major leg injuries he should be productive for at least another 4-5 seasons..and if he is smart by then he will have gained a few pounds to prolong his productivity being at a high level
Banner? Are there any shekels left?
djax need a new deal.
i think steve smith is here to replace avant
you gotta be fukin kidding me… they must know something we don’t, expect a deal announced Friday night or sat mourning. five wide
BSM, I hear what you are saying, but what if you were an E5 doing E7 level work and doing well, and they pass you over for E6? You would be pissed, of course you would still do your job but be honest you would be calling HQ tring to find out what happened.
This is kind of what DJax is going through. Let us remember he came in as a rookie when we were praying for a decent receiver and delievered. He started the up swing towards this grand and potent WR core.
Hemay not be as some of you suggest Elite WR status, but he is valuable to us, which is all the team should consider. The other side of the coin is that perhaps behind the seens Rosenhaus is asking for Dumb Sh_t money, and the Eagles are just not having it. Matbe they are offering what many of us have suggested $7- $8 mil 3 yrs. We just don’t know what is going on really, just guessing, we can’t tell who is right or wrong on this one.
I assume it is the Eagles as a natural reaction but how do we know?
The bad thing is all the other WR’s who has gotten huge deals
(Santonio Holmes, Sydney Rice, Larry Fitzpatrick, VIncent Jackson) have all raised the level of pay for Playmakers and you know that’s exactly what Agent D Rosenhaus is looking at and demanding.. I don’t see the Eagle playing crazy $$$ to a WR due that they believe most WR can be successful in the Coach AT/MM Offense (and they are probably right)..
Anyone know how much $$ under the Cap the Eagles are as of now with the Roster looking to finally being set..
Drummer – I was down in ATL for a conference once and had to catch the game – apparently there’s an “ATLANTADELPHIA EAGLES FAN CLUB” – no joke – google THAT.
It was some pizza place/bar with lots of tvs, yuengling and packed with Eagles fans
At drummerwinslow I’m in Atlanta too. Forget downtow THE Eagles bar to go to is called Varner’s in Smyra (north atl) 725 Concord Rd, Smyrna, Ga 30080 . I believe this Sunday they will be having a raffle for tix to Eagles at Falcons week 2. But this bar is awesome, only birds fans u see are wearin green, and its packed on gameday
As is normally the case I’m sure he’s gotten a couple of decent offers for shorter term deals, but he probably wants a longer term deal with more guaranteed money. Doing two or three year deals seems to be the direction the Eagles go when the they’re tentative on big deals. DeSean Jackson should be getting the same deal Chris Johnson got.