Maybe the Eagles have finally learned from their past mistakes. During the past decade they had a wide receiver named Terrell Owens sulk about his contract. They let that situation ruin the entire team. I firmly believe if the Eagles took care of Owens years ago the way they took care of DeSean Jackson we all would have been celebrating a Superbowl by now. T.O. most likely would have lost his attitude, and a happy T.O. could have been the difference for this team back then. The Eagles have made the right decision to pay Jackson.
Jackson will go into 2012 with 230 career receptions for 4,096 yards and 21 touchdowns receiving and 7 more touchdowns rushing or on punt returns. He has 13 touchdowns of 60 yards or more since entering the league in 2008 which is 6 more than any other NFL player during the same span. Jackson is one of five players in NFL history to post at least 900 yards in each of his first 4 seasons and has the most receiving yards by an Eagle after four seasons.
According to some of you out there, DeSean is a punk. His attitude is all wrong and he’s bad for the locker room. I see nothing wrong with him being a punk or having some swagger. This team needs players who are confident and cocky on the field. They underachieved in a major way in 2011 and will need all the confidence they can get to climb back into the playoff picture in 2012. I see DeSean’s attitude only improving now that he finally was paid. The guy had to sit their last season and watch free agent after free agent come in and collect monster paychecks from the team while he was over looked. I’m pretty sure some of you out there would have felt slighted as well if the company you work for decided to hire new employees and award them with salaries significantly higher than yours after you’ve been with the company in a major role for a few years already. DeSean’s punk attitude last year was justified and in my opinion he did a great job at playing the good soldier role. He played with a lot on his mind in 2011 and still almost hit 1,000 yards receiving coming in at 961 yards. Just imagine what he can do now with a clear mind and a sense of value from the franchise.
During the Eagles recent OTA camp, DeSean shed some light on his feelings about the team and his role in the offense heading into the 2012 campaign. Speaking about the momentum the Eagles had at the end of 2011 DeSean had the following to say. “I don’t know if we could use it to carry over, but the momentum we had to end the season is a good start. I think we can kind of go back to just refreshing that in our memory with the last four games as far as the people who were here. For the people who weren’t here, it’ll be hard to gain that momentum. The guys that were here have that hunger and the feeling of having our backs against the wall, especially since we had a terrible start to the season. This year the biggest thing is to start fast and finish strong.”
Over the past few seasons we’ve seen teams that finish strong tend to pick up where they left off. There’s no guarantee it will happen with the Eagles but as DeSean said for the guys who were part of it last season they realize how important a good start will be going into 2012.
I believe DeSean’s new contract also gives him the mindset to cement himself as a leader on this offense. He’s moved on from his rookie contract and feels a sense of pride for being rewarded the way he was. DeSean said the following about his feeling on being a leader in the Eagles offense. “Being a leader, carrying the guys with me, and stepping up and being accountable. That’s the biggest thing that this team needs. With myself, [QB Michael] Vick, [WR Jeremy] Maclin, [RB LeSean] McCoy, [TE Brent] Celek, as far as the offense goes, it starts there first and foremost. We have to go out there and help our defense out by going out and scoring as many points as possible. As long as we’re able to do that and lead as leaders and everybody watches us and follows along, it doesn’t have to be any screaming and yelling or anything, but as long as we can lead by example and we’re going out there and showing the young guys what to do out there, everyone else will follow.”
This is a statement that should sit strong with all Eagle fans. DeSean and this offense already put up huge numbers over the past few seasons. Now they feel a sense of pride and maturity to go along with the big money most of them are being paid. The rest of the NFL should take this as a sign this offense means business heading into 2012. With a full offseason to workout, I expect DeSean and the offense to come out swinging in 2012.
Now it’s time for DeSean Jackson to step up and show he’s worth every penny of his contract. I expect a huge season from DeSean in 2012 to backup his worth. Now that the contract situation is finally settled he can begin focusing on his game and what he needs to do to help make this offense be the best in the league. DeSean will finally be happy once again and a happy DeSean will be a better DeSean on the field.
I disagree that money is going to make Desean better. He has pretty much peaked unless he increases his size and his courage. Unless he can work more of the field and beat press coverages, he is what he is. About 60 catches and close to a thousand yards with five or six TDs. At least he stretches the field. Hopefully his improved concentration will keep him from dropping so many passes this year. And maybe he works harder to stay in games when teams take him out with their defense. I doubt there is a big boom to the offense this year from Desean. Maclin is the guy that has the most room for improvement and upside. He is our best hope for a breakout year. The other guys are all maxed out. Vick, Shady, Desean, Celek and Avant cannot get any better at this point. It all comes down to turnovers. If this offense takes care of the ball they will be good enough for a deep playoff run. But I think they need a little more from Maclin to win a championship.
I dont place all the blame on Desean for what happened last year.. The Eagles front office were up to their same old nonsense and he was rightfully p*ssed.
I do fault him for all the dropped touchdowns, and lack of focus last year
he fell off last year, and now he needs to re-establish himself as a serious weapon again.
He didnt accomplish sh*t in the return game and was generally missing when we needed him most.
All this talk is good, but we’ll see what is what when the season begins and these guys go out prove it.
Bravo John Stratis for addressing the elephant in the room with regards to the Eagles FO… that being their willingness to cut off their nose to spite their face. T.O. was very wrong for the way he handled his business, but there is no denying he had a point. You bring in a WR (on the cheap) knowing that you got him at a significant discount and he is as advertised and more and you won’t even consider negotiating with him after he helps 1) Your much maligned QB to career highs in Completion % and TD’s thrown 2)Your football team get over the hump and make it to the SB 3) the team Almost win the SB after coming back from a broken ankle suffered just 3 weeks prior and putting up 9 catches for 122yds. Sorry FO but as bad as T.O. behaved you had your part in it.
@jbird… I respect your comments but disagree. IMO DJax’s 2012 season will hinge on whether or not the Eagles start focusing on the short to intermediate game. Last year they were almost exclusively a big play team with relatively few ball control plays called. Andy Reid was quoted before the 49ers game saying “we need more big plays in chunks”. While this can work against some teams in the league, teams like the Bears who can get significant penetration with their front 4 and drop 7 into coverage salivate when they see this type of offense. I hope the Eagles use more 2 TE sets or even 4 WR sets featuring Cooper (if he steps up) and McNutt on the inside and Maclin and DJax on the out with a FB in the back field for pass protection. McNutt and Cooper with their size could provide significant problems for defenses when trying to stop our short to intermediate game.
Either way I have alot of confidence in what this season will bring.
His season will hinge on staying healthy, and playing with no fear of getting hurt again.
DJax has an ability to create huge advantages for our offense…no excuses this year. I expect big things from DJax.
I think comparing the TO situation with the DJax situation is non-sensical… stupid in fact – other then the fact they both played WR – these cases are like night and day – first off – TO signed a 7 year 49 mill contract – and during his first two years of that contract made 9 mill the first year and was scheduled to ‘only’ make 4.5 mill his second year – and played 1 year of it before he wanted a new one – so in his two years in Philly he was cheduled to make 13.5 mill…
DJax signed a 4 year rookie contract as a 2nd rounder – made several pro bowls – and looking at how the eagles due business – I think everyone expected the Birds to sign him to a long term 2nd contract similar to what most of the folks the eagles extend – but got caught up in the CBA and how it would impact extensions etc…
he may have ‘sulked’ a bit during his final year of his rookie contract – but he was no where near the major disruption TO was – nor did he go after teammates like TO did – nor did he burn bridges with the organization like TO did – and hopefully he is happy and plays well with his extension..
I think the author did a grave injustice to Djax – comparing him in any way to the behavior of Owens… I think Djac had every right his final year to say ‘Hey, where is my extension’ – don;t you want me here long term,
as opposed to TO – yeah, I signed that thing a year ago…. but I want more now cause things worked out better then I thought..
The whole “if only Luire/theEagles/McNabb/Banner had taken care of Owens then _____________________” idea is comical. Owens is what he is. A team destroying misecrant. Stop blaming everyone else.
The “I’m pretty sure some of you out there would have felt slighted as well if the company you work for decided to hire new employees and award them with salaries significantly higher than yours after you’ve been with the company in a major role for a few years already.” argument is pretty weak as
it happens almost every week on every team in the NFL. It happens every free agent period. It happens with every top 10 draft pick. It happens all the time. On the Eagles’ this year Babin will make more than Cole, Avant will make more than Maclin. It is what it is…..If the reason Desean pulled his baby-la-la routine last year was because Smith made 2.2 million last year….well, that tells us a bit about the man’s character.
holy shit..i agree completely with Rasheed
INteresting point Fraonk –
Rasheed – you posted – The Eagles front office were up to their same old nonsense –
what exactly does that mean – becuase the Eagles FO actually acted completely out of character and did not sign an up and coming young player to a long term contract extension early…. as a matter of fact – the big issue the eagles Fo did have was singing guys to the contracts (in the situation of TO) and then refusing to redo the extension.. but to imply the eagles did not take care of the young guys (Brown, Sheppard, Westbrook, Brown, Celek, Patterson, etc. etc. etc. cole, Hermanns) is false – they are well regarded for locking up their drafted talent early.. the problme is the guys take the deal now and then 3 or 4 years from now want to change it – just curious as to your ‘old nonsense’
“I firmly believe if the Eagles took care of Owens years ago the way they took care of DeSean Jackson we all would have been celebrating a Superbowl by now. T.O. most likely would have lost his attitude, and a happy T.O. could have been the difference for this team back then. ”
100% WRONG…BY THEIR FRUITS YOU’LL KNOW THEM….
As of today TMZ reports TO in conflict with his latest employer…
Some people just have no respect for authority or contracts..
TO was a jackass everywhere he went. He went to teams with soft spoken head coaches…so he could continue his act…
Desean Jackson is a one trick pony…
When was the last time his running backwards on punt returns got him anywhere???
Money will not make him any better..
He has had a number of years to get in the weight room and begin to look like an NFL player…
Most players get better in a contract year…He got worst.
It’s funny how there was not a long line of teams looking to take him off the Eagles hands…
One trick pony. Better home Maclin is ready to play football this year.
Good Bump and run coverage and Jackson is looking for a soft place to fall on the ground…
Skinny bum.
I’m glad Djax and McCoy are in house with big deals…now if we can get a head coach with championship pedigree and a winning program that will be icing on the cake….Hopefully we can grab the Giant’s defensive coordinator to head the program next year along with Marc Ross to finish building a champion with Reid lard ass out of the way.
Honestly, fellas DJAX is what he is…I appreciate we have a weapon of his caliber on the Eagles!
One Trick Pony? Lets see, solid punt returner, dangerous WR coming on a reverse, dangerous receiver on a quick out, dangerous receiver man to man, no matter who is covering him, demands double teams, if all of these help define “one trick pony” then I totally concur BSM…. Accept him for what he is and be proud to have him on your squad….
you dont think DJAX knows he is undersized in the NFL? Why do you think he plays the way he does? He’d be stupid to go out there and think otherwise…
@Navy
What I mean by “same old nonsense” is that the Eagles have a habit of getting into unnecessary situations with their star players. Whether it be TO, or Desean, or even Jeremiah Trotter, who the Eagles let go to Washington while he was still our best LB. That move actually cost us because we decided that levon kirkland would be an adequate replacement. Who else manned the middle while Trotter was in exile? Simenou?
The Eagles have a bad habit of either creating an unnecessary conflict, or sometimes they simply neglect needs out right (no punt returner cost us games one year…ignoring the linebackers cost us last year)
Now this offseason? I think they have done a very good job of addressing these issues. I dont agree with the way they handled the Asante situation, but at least they didnt ship him out and put a total nobody in his place, so Im hopeful on that one.
What I been waiting for them to do is address ALL their needs, and go into a season as strong as possible. Right now this looks like the best roster since 2004
This year I have very little confidence in Juan Castillo, but his is the D coordinator and thats that. But the talent on defense is very good and Im excited to see them perform.
Offense looks primed to do great things also… Just depends on whether or not Vick will be 2010 Vick or 2011 Vick…
Rasheed – that’s just normal business in pro sports. Do you really think it happens more to the Eagles? Seriously? Look around sports. Open your eyes. That’s what free agency, ESPN, the internet, and modern media has created.
Sheed – if you’re waiting to address ALL their needs and go into a season as strong as possible, why don’t you throw in world peace (not artest), world hunger, poverty, free lunch, no pollution, fat free baconcheesburgers, inconsequential casual sex with ever available beautiful young women, etc etc etc etc…..
Live on earth recently?
Fair enough Rash1 – i don’t agree they create conflict – it typically takes two – Trotter pitched an almighty hissy fit when he was franchised so the Eagles let him go – and the grass definitely was not greener – the Eagles did right by TO – as I posted above – he signed a 7 year deal and wanted out after 1… and was not quite about it – look at McCoy – didn;t hear a peep – how about Mathis mum.. Hermans and Cole – did you even know they were talking…
Look at history – TO created his own drama… everywhere he went…
Sheed – do you want the Eagles to NOT operate like a busniess?
leave it to schiller to take what I said to a totally ridiculous length… *Shakes Head*
The Eagles have been contenders since 2001 schiller. They havent had too many needs. They dont into seasons needing a QB or RB or anything major, yet they have done some pretty stupid things that have cost them wins and possibly super bowl titles..
Have some PERSPECTIVE for a change schiller…. You lose me with the sarcastic nonsense pal.
there was no reason for the nonsense they pulled at Linebacker last year.. Likewise there was no legitimate reason why they went into a season without a legit returner a few years back. That logic cost us games starting immediately against Green Bay.
Unnecessary conflict caused by an unnecessary confrontational stances have hurt the Eagles from time to time.
‘Cutting off their noses to spite their face’ is a very good analogy
@navy
On TO… I agree that ultimately he was the problem, but I believe he could have lasted possibly long enough to bring a title.
This year? they have seemingly re-evaluated themselves and I give them applause for that. Their new attitude will serve them much better than their old
IMO I actually see this FO evolving over the past number of seasons…..years ago they appeared too often focused on “winning” every negotiation without regard to any possible downside related to the the ongoing relationship with the player. From last year’s aggressive (although ultimately unsuccessful) dive into free agency to this years focus on signing our own better players, addressing a crowded position at CB and obtaining a veteran leader at MLB…..there is clearly a plan to improve the team and address areas that were a problem.
With Roseman moving into a more front stage position and Banner take more of a backseat, Reid making more candid comments about last years problems, they appear to be making more of an attempt at relating better with fanbase.
I don’t see where the “business as usual” applies to the way this team is working….are there questions at Safety, yeah, but I don’t believe they have buried their heads. I believe there have been limited opportunities for change…but it is only May guys, there is still a chance that they can make a trade or pick up a cap-casualty player that will help out.
DJax 1300 yard receiving, 10TD’s LET’S GO.
LET’S GIVE T.O. A JOB HE CAN BE ON OUR SPECIAL TEAMS. LOL
T.O. would be better right now than every receiver on our team…why?
He can get yards after the catch..
When was the last time we seen that?
Songs, you mean run through tackles, not get yards after catch. 10 and 18 don’t run through tackles, but they get their YAC. But to answer your question, Brent Celek
brent celek is ass….we need an upgrade at tight end too.
there it is – the old – songs is a clueless fuck, then a dancing bitch shuffle – clueless statement –
T.O. would be better right now than every receiver on our team…why?
He can get yards after the catch..
When was the last time we seen that?
correct answer – last year by Brett Celek who was one of the league leaders in yards after catch –
does the clueless fuck just admit he really has no grasp of the game or what actually happens on the field… nooooo, after stating he wanted to sign a guy who just got cut by an arena team after exactly ZERO teams showed up to watch his workout, he then tried to tap shuffle into Celek being ass…
so I am keepiong score – we need to upgrade both safeties, one CB, one LB, every back up MLB, 3 of our O Line postions, all of our WRs (cause out of work TO is better)
is this not the definition of a bitch and a whiner..
of course let Vinnie come on here and talk about the most important position on the team and probably the one postion that can make or break the team and everyone goes apeshit
Paying Jackson was the best thing the Eagles could have done, BUT the T.O. situation was COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. To make it equivalent Jackson would had to probably had to take a baseball bat to Trent Cole in the locker room…that would have been equivalent to T.O starting a fist fight in the locker room with Hugh Douglas for no reason. Then Jackson would have had to make a public mockery of himself after he got suspended the Arizona game by doing shirtless sit-ups on his front lawn to get media attention. Then, on top of that, he would have to ride up to the turnpike to ESPN’s studios under the cover of darkness and badmouth Vick and talk about the idea that he wasn’t getting the ball enough. Then be-little Vick, more than once.
…Obviously two different situations. Had he stayed away from the below the belt stuff he would have gotten a contract he liked the same way Jackson has AND he would have doubled or tripled his endorsements.
15 TD”S for Jackson this yr. He and Vick are gonna do some serious damage this coming season. Can’t wait!!
bsmvideos
Dude how can you call Jackson a bum? The kid is legit! Would you be happy if you had a shit contract where any type of serious injury could ruin your career? The answer is no.Trust me he will be a much better player this yr. He got what he wanted and will show everyone what he is capable of.
@DMAN, Hey 15 it is let’s go Djax. Djax is the best wide receiver here since TO period. Pro bowl player with a lot of talent, he will have a great year this year. It’s funny some guys on here I guess miss the days of Pinkston and Thrash well I don’t.
I recently read that Owens had been cut from his tier 3 arena league team.
Everything is falling into place for Song’s versions of the Eagles’
1) Eagles’ should pick Owens up post haste. (WRs now good)
2) Then they could trade Maclin and Rolle to Cinci for Burfict. (LB corps rocking)
3) Sending Celek to the Jets for Bell (safety position $$)
4) Entire defensive coaching staff to Tampa Bay for recently acquired Dallas Clark
Ladies and gentlemen you’re 2012 Songs Dream Team!
GREAT ARTICLE JOHN STRATIS! MORE POWER TO YOU BUDDY! GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COME OUT OF HIDING PAULMAN!!!!!!!!!!
I’m still around Rocko
I predict a strong year for D-Jax.. 1200 yards Receiving, 8 TD’s (including 1 End-around run) and with 60-65 Receptions .. Maclin will lead the team in receptions with about 70-75 and have 11 TD Receptions