DeSean Jackson News: Pro Sports Daily

The Eagles' bottom line: DeSean hurts so good

Comment

October 28

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Les Bowen

"DeSean Jackson has told us how, when he was growing up, his four older brothers "wouldn't let me be a punk."The Washington Redskins might want to blame the Jackson brothers for what happened Monday night at FedEx Field, a nationally televised embarrassment that had the feel of a season-defining meltdown for the hapless hosts.The guy who put the torch to Daniel Snyder's house of straw was Jackson. His two touchdown plays pretty much were the Eagles' offense; 67 yards on an end-around four plays into the game, then a 57-yard TD catch behind busted coverage at the first half two-minute warning, just when the Redskins were entertaining thoughts of being competitive. The Eagles said Jackson ..."

DeSean Jackson: Renaissance man

Comment

October 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"DeSean Jackson has become the Renaissance Man of the Eagles.The wide receiver can run, catch, and (sort of) dance.After his second touchdown in the Eagles' 27-17 Monday Night victory over the Redskins, Jackson celebrated in the end zone with something that resembled an Irish jig. He called it "The Jerk.""That was like country dancing," Jackson said. "We're just out there having fun, honestly. My ankle was kind of hurting . . . so it affected my dancing."Jackson suffered a foot sprain during the game and left after his second touchdown to get examined. He returned in the second half. His status for Sunday's game against the Giants, however, remains unclear.Despite only touching the ball ..."

Westbrook, Jackson injured in Eagles' win

Comment

October 27

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Eagles' offense was big play or no play. Their defense was swarming and solid, against an opponent that couldn't get out of its own way. New middle linebacker Will Witherspoon made a huge difference.All together, what did it mean?We'll get back to you on that when we know the prognosis on a couple of very important Eagles injuries - the concussion that ended Brian Westbrook's evening in the first quarter and the foot sprain just before halftime that limited DeSean Jackson the rest of the way. It might be relevant to mention that the Birds host the New York Giants in 5 days, with the New Yorkers not really fancying the notion of a third successive loss.What we have this morning is ..."

Eagles' DeSean Jackson uses last year's game vs. Redskins as motivation

Comment

October 26

Philadelphia Daily News

"THE LITTLE GUY has an ego. He's smart enough not to go the Ochocinco, T.O. route, turning himself into a distracting sideshow. But DeSean Jackson wants to be a marquee, magazine-cover player, works hard toward that goal, and has made impressive inroads since arriving as a second-round pick from Cal before last season. So far, there have been two humbling, horrific setbacks. The first one, Jackson reckons he'll be answering questions about long after he retires - Game 2 last season in Dallas, when No. 10 accidentally jettisoned the ball just before crossing the goal line for what would have been his first NFL touchdown. Big oops. The other big setback is a little less infamous, maybe ..."

Jackson's had this rematch circled

Comment

October 24

Camden Courier-Post

"You hear the clichés flow like the Mississippi almost every day: one game at time, week by week, no opponent is different than another ... And then you hear DeSean Jackson speak with great anticipation about Monday night's showdown against the Redskins. It's not just another game. It's not just another team with different colors on the other sideline. It's not just one of 16. Jackson, the Eagles' best receiver, has had Monday night's game against the Redskins circled and highlighted on his calendar since the day after last season's 10-3 road loss at FedEx Field, the defeat that nearly knocked the Eagles from playoff contention. "Aw man. You know, last year wasn't the best game for myself," ..."

How will Jackson's injury alter Eagles offence?

Comment

September 24

Philadelphia Daily News

"The day that one X-factor truly became a part of the team, another found himself sidelined.DeSean Jackson's aggravated groin strain has aggravated him enough that he didn't practice yesterday. Jackson has been the chief weapon in the Eagles' Wildcat offense.Michael Vick was signed fresh out of prison to enhance the Eagles' new, keep-up-with-the-Sporanos wrinkle. Vick's two-game suspension is over. He can be incorporated into the team's game plan for Sunday when the Chiefs visit.Considering Jackson's role in the Eagles' various formations - he has been a big part of pretty much all of them - clearly, the scheme might have to be altered.Mightn't it?"Whether he's running around or a Wildcat ..."

DeSean Jackson's ups and downs

Comment

September 23

Philadelphia Inquirer

"DeSean Jackson is the Eagles' most electrifying player, and a threat to go all the way any time he touches the ball. We saw that in Carolina on opening day with his lightning-quick 85-yard punt return for a touchdown. But Jackson fouled up Sunday when he fielded a punt at his own 2-yard line and, with typical elusiveness, took it out 31 yards. Broken-field returns are entertaining, but they're a magnet for yellow flags. The Eagles were called for two penalties on the return, and the ball was taken back to the 3-yard line. The Birds went three-and-out, and Sav Rocca had to punt from his own end zone. The explosive Saints got the ball at their 46 with 1 minute, 20 seconds remaining in the ..."

McNabb still uncertain; Jackson day-to-day

Comment

September 21

Camden Courier-Post

"Donovan McNabb isn't the Eagles' only playmaker who's status for practice this week is cloudy. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who caught a 71-yard touchdown in the first quarter, is day-to-day with a groin strain, Eagles coach Andy Reid said Monday in his day-after press conference to sum up Sunday's hideous 48-22 loss defeat to New Orleans. It doesn't sound overly serious, but the prospect of an offense without McNabb and Jackson against Kansas City probably keeps Marty Mornhinweg awake at night. As for McNabb, Reid said the quarterback had made good progress throughout last week but the healing process seemed to slow over the week, from Friday through Sunday. McNabb's status for the ..."

Jackson's groin injury could be a concern

Comment

September 21

Philadelphia Daily News

"Electric receiver and returner DeSean Jackson didn't play after the beginning of the fourth quarter. As the rest of the Eagles tried desperately to come back against the Saints, Jackson, the team's most dynamic player, limited his action to the sideline. His angry groin, flaring all week, finally cost him playing time. Any time the Eagles are without Jackson, it matters. He returned a punt for a touchdown in the season opener. He caught a 71-yard bomb to tie the score in today's home opener. With Michael Vick suspended the first two games, Jackson has been the main cog in the Birds' Wildcat offense. And, with just four receivers active today, he was absent with the team in comeback mode. ..."

Eagles' gamble on Jackson pays off

Comment

September 8

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Of course, the Eagles now say, they had no reservations about drafting DeSean Jackson in 2008.If that was, indeed, true, they were the only ones.On draft day, the fastest, most elusive wide receiver available was passed over 32 times in the first round. The Eagles know why Jackson dropped into their laps (49th pick) in the following round."We had him in the first round," Eagles general manager Tom Heckert said. "We thought he might fall just a little bit because of his size, number one. And there was - I wouldn't say 'baggage' - but there were some concerns about him. Not being a bad guy, just that his practice habits weren't always great."Jackson had 62 catches during his rookie season, ..."

Eagles' Jackson injures knee in morning workout

Comment

August 9

Camden Courier-Post

"Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson left this morning's practice with what the team is calling a hyper-extended right knee. It's not known how long Jackson will be out, or even if his injury will prevent him from playing in the preseason opener Thursday against New England. Jackson was hurt during a drill in which he was being covered by Asante Samuel. Jackson walked gingerly off the field to the medical tent to receive treatment. He then was carted off the field. He has easily been the Eagles best wide receiver during training camp. This after he set a team rookie record for receptions and led the team in receiving yards last season."

Jackson takes backseat to no one

Comment

August 8

Camden Courier-Post

"DeSean Jackson has no problem with teammate Jeremy Maclin. He just doesn't understand why Maclin's here. Jackson, the Eagles' second-year receiver who broke all sorts of club rookie records, couldn't figure out why the Eagles traded up for a wide receiver in the first round when they already had their man. "Not taking anything away from Jeremy, but when they made that pick, I really didn't understand that," Jackson said Thursday after another sparkling morning scrimmage. "But it is what it is. I'm putting in the work to be the No. 1 receiver." Last season, Jackson broke the team's rookie record for receiving yards and caught more passes than any Eagles rookie in more than 20 years. He went ..."

In DeSean Jackson, Eagles have second-year star, first-rate role model

Comment

August 7

Philadelphia Daily News

"Big rookie year, from a guy not known for modesty. How would DeSean Jackson react? Would Jackson show up at Lehigh in big-star glide mode? Would all the little things he did last year during training camp, the attention to detail that got the coaches to trust a skinny second-round wideout, now seem beneath him? Ahh, no. The best player in Eagles camp, through a week and change of full-squad workouts, has been No. 10. Earlier this week, former Birds linebacker and current radio talker Ike Reese, now toiling on the sideline with the rest of the media, watched Jackson effortlessly haul in a succession of bombs. "If they don't find a way to get that guy the ball seven or eight times a game ..."

Jackson in, Maclin out

Comment

July 30

Camden Courier-Post

"Upon his check-in, receiver DeSean Jackson told reporters he planned to "start off on the same track" as last year and have an even better sophomore campaign. Jackson admitted that being in Lehigh for all of last year's training camp paved the way for his rookie success. But he didn't fault fellow receiver Jeremy Maclin, this year's first-round pick who hasn't signed his contract yet, for not being here. Maclin missed the entire rookie/selected veterans camp, which accounted for five practices. The two receivers practiced together at Donovan McNabb's camp in Arizona earlier this month but Jackson said they "never got into talks" about Maclin's contract. Jackson's contract negotiations last ..."

Jackson stays upbeat despite losing father

Comment

June 3

Camden Courier-Post

"Coming off an impact season unseen by a rookie receiver in Andy Reid's offense, DeSean Jackson should have used his time off this winter to revel. Instead, he spent the past few months by the side of his ailing father, Bill. On May 14, the father of the Eagles' second-year receiver succumbed to pancreatic cancer, leaving Jackson without the man most responsible for his son's venture into football and athletics. On Tuesday, the first day of full-squad minicamp, the player whose fast strides last season rescued the team's injury-depleted receiving corps promised that his encore season would properly tribute his father. "Without him I wouldn't be here, so I'm going to stay positive about the ..."

Eagles' DeSean Jackson honors his father

Comment

June 3

Philadelphia Inquirer

"In late April, when the cancer that had invaded Bill Jackson's pancreas spread, DeSean Jackson had his father relocated from Long Beach, Calif., to Philadelphia.From peewee football through DeSean's tenure at the University of California, Bill Jackson was a staple at his son's games.However, after DeSean, a wide receiver, was drafted by the Eagles last year, the bicoastal travel prevented the elder Jackson from attending most of the games during his son's breakout rookie season.Unfortunately, Bill Jackson's latest stay in Philadelphia was his last. He succumbed to cancer May 14 at the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania."I knew he wasn't doing too good," Jackson told The Inquirer ..."

Eagles - DeSean Jackson finds middle ground with students

Comment

May 14

Philadelphia Daily News

"WELCOME TO Philly-style stardom, DeSean Jackson.The Eagles' 2008 rookie wideout sensation was basking in adulation at E.T. Richardson School yesterday, after giving seventh-grader Jason Begley a limo ride to the Springfield, Delaware County, middle school, as part of the NFL's "Take a Player to School" promotion.Jackson, 22 but looking only slightly older than the cheering students, had slapped a few hundred hands, bumped a bunch of fists, given a little speech about the importance of exercise. He was wearing an NFL "Play 60" T-shirt, reflecting the theme of asking kids to take at least an hour a day away from the video-game console for physical activity. Later, Jackson would lead a ..."

Jackson shouldering season of challenges

Comment

December 27

Camden Courier-Post

"DeSean Jackson keeps piling up the firsts. Earlier this year, he became the first rookie in nearly 70 years to eclipse the 100-yard receiving mark in his NFL debut. Eight days later, he became the first rookie in the modern era to go over 100 yards in each of his first two starts. Unless Hank Baskett makes up an 812-yard difference on Sunday, Jackson will become the first rookie to lead the Eagles in receiving since the 1940s. Jackson also handled his first serious bout with professional adversity and public criticism after last Sunday's 10-3 loss to Washington. He dropped two notable passes, one in the end zone on the final drive that could have tied the game. Afterward, Jackson blamed ..."

Eagles don't want Jackson to draw attention for wrong reasons

Comment

December 27

Philadelphia Daily News

"DESEAN JACKSON was rocking the authentic Kobe jersey, the backward Lakers cap, and the vintage yellow Converse with the purple laces yesterday, as he prepared to exit the NovaCare locker room. The Eagles' rookie wideout, who doesn't mind attracting a little attention, was celebrating his favorite NBA team's Christmas Day victory over the previously unstoppable Celtics.It's pretty clear, from remarks made by offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg on Thursday and Andy Reid yesterday, that the Eagles thought Jackson attracted the wrong kind of attention last week. Jackson waved his arms in frustration when he was open behind the Washington secondary and Donovan McNabb didn't throw to him, ..."

DeSean Jackson requires Dallas Cowboys' close attention

Comment

December 27

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The Dallas Cowboys didn't believe there was a wide receiver in the 2008 draft that could make an immediate impact. Philadelphia thought otherwise. The Eagles took California's speedy DeSean Jackson in the second round and he has provided an instant play-making spark. With Philadelphia troubled by injuries at receiver, Jackson has been an even bigger addition. "Jackson has really come through as one of their top, if not their top receiver," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "He's made a big difference as a rookie." Jackson leads the Eagles in receiving with 60 catches for 866 yards and two touchdowns. In his first meeting against the Cowboys, Jackson had a huge performance on Monday Night ..."

Jackson had pair of injuries

Comment

December 26

Philadelphia Inquirer

"DeSean Jackson dropped four passes, including one in the end zone during the Eagles' loss at Washington, and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said the issue was discussed with the rookie wide receiver."He went through an experience there, and I expect him to catch every football," Mornhinweg said. "He has to let it go. . . . Bounce back and let's get every one this week."Mornhinweg indicated that Jackson was dealing with a second injury besides bruised ribs that kept him out briefly during the second half."He was banged up . . . with two different types of injuries," Mornhinweg said. "He was on the field, and he was playing, and he was playing fast. Now, he's got to finish. We've got ..."

Eagles' Jackson had tools for baseball

Comment

October 22

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays share something more than a place in the World Series that begins tonight at Tropicana Field. They also have a common draft philosophy, and three years ago, it led to both teams' tracking a Southern California prospect who now works in Philadelphia. DeSean Jackson, the Eagles' rookie wide receiver, remembers sitting in a class at Long Beach Polytechnic High School during his senior year when he got a phone call from a Rays scout on draft day. "The scout asked me if I'd give up football to play baseball," Jackson said. "I told him I'd go play in the minor leagues in the off-season, but I was going to play football. They just wanted me to give it up. I was ..."

Jackson makes his presence felt in return to Bay Area

Comment

October 13

San Jose Mercury News

"DeSean Jackson, who opened his career with a pair of consecutive 100-yard games, just missed adding a third to his collection Sunday. The former Cal star led the Eagles with six catches for 98 yards in Philadelphia's 40-26 victory over the 49ers at Candlestick Park. "He brings your team a jubilant mentality," Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "But more than that, he's the guy that can make plays and that's contagious. He looks like he's going to be developing into an excellent player as the season wears on." Jackson lasted until the 49th overall selection in the April draft. Back in the Bay Area for the first time, he also had two punt returns for 28 yards. Jackson and Correll ..."

So far, Jackson playing well ahead of his class

Comment

October 2

Washington Times

"Rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson might be wearing No. 49 if the Eagles allowed him. Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson leads all NFL rookies with 327 receiving yards this season. That was the spot at which Philadelphia selected the speedy playmaker from the University of California in April's NFL Draft. "Of course I use it as motivation," said Jackson, who leads Philadelphia through four games with 22 receptions for 327 yards. "People have always doubted me because of my size [5-foot-10, 175 pounds]. The draft was more of the same. They saw the numbers, the production, but just couldn't bring themselves to trust it." In fact, Jackson graded out as the top receiver in the draft ..."

Against Bears, Jackson looked like a rookie

Comment

October 1

PhillyBurbs.com

columnist Reuben Frank

"All the electricity, all the fireworks, all the explosiveness that we've seen so far from DeSean Jackson? Sunday was the flip side. And despite all his big plays so far, Jackson is still a rookie. And Sunday night, he played like a rookie. Jackson committed two huge blunders, first fumbling a Brad Maynard punt early in the second quarter at the Bears' 24-yard-line and then blowing a route that caused Donovan McNabb to throw an interception in the third quarter. Two plays after his fumble, Kyle Orton threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Marty Booker, and although the Bears didn't score after the interception, thanks to Quintin Mikell's interception, the play did end a drive and resulted in a ..."

Showboating, speed and DeSean Jackson

Comment

September 21

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Terry Smith had seen it before, but he couldn't believe he was seeing it again. Not from DeSean Jackson, a player who should have known better, and certainly not on Monday Night Football.The head football coach at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa., Smith was an assistant for the East team in 2005 in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a high school all-star game. Jackson, then a precocious senior playing for the West, made his first celebratory gaffe. Jackson caught a pass, darted past a tackler, and was coasting in for a touchdown when he sped up at the 10-yard line and, trying to impersonate then-Southern California standout Reggie Bush, flipped into the air near the 6.Midway through ..."

Jackson: 'It won't happen again'

Comment

September 17

PhillyBurbs.com

"DeSean Jackson knew he messed up, even before they started showing the slow-motion replays on the big screen at Texas Stadium, even before Cowboys coach Wade Phillips threw the challenge flag. "I felt that I let go of it a little early," Jackson said early yesterday morning, after the Eagles lost to the Cowboys, 41-37, at Texas Stadium. "I'm still young, I'm still learning. It definitely won't happen again." Jackson committed what could have been a costly gaffe in the second quarter. After beating double coverage to reel in a deep ball from McNabb, Jackson coasted into the end zone and dropped the ball behind him as he prepared to celebrate his first NFL touchdown. But Jackson hadn't ..."

DeSean Jackson has his own set of rules on the field

Comment

September 17

Trenton Times

"The jokes just keep coming for the Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson. Yesterday all the hype here on NJ.com was his inability to walk into the end zone with the football. Today, well, it's really no different. Eagles fan blog Bleeding Green Nation posted this great find from ESPN of what the field would look like under Jackson's rules. Note: Wink at Cheerleaders Zone and Leon Lett Statue. Check out the whole pic at Bleeding Green Nation. On Philly.com, DeSean Jackson blames his age for the incident: "I thought I was in the end zone," he said. "You know, sometimes things happen like that, and I'm still young. I still have to learn. It definitely won't happen again, though." Jackson was ..."

Jackson leaving Birds at loss for words

Comment

August 25

PhillyBurbs.com

"About a week ago, everybody in the Eagles' organization suddenly stopped lavishing praise on hot-shot rookie receiver DeSean Jackson. It almost seemed a memo went out. Don't let the kid's head get too big. Marty Mornhinweg, who said at Lehigh that Jackson picked up the offense faster than anybody he'd ever seen, warned people to wait and see how he does in the regular season. Donovan McNabb, who raved about Jackson a week earlier, backed off, insisting "it's only preseason." Andy Reid talked more about what Jackson still had to learn than what he'd already shown. General Manager Tom Heckert, in a video interview on the team's official web site, even joked that he didn't want to praise ..."

Eagles come to terms with Jackson

Comment

July 21

PhillyBurbs.com

"The Eagles have one less contract headache going into the start of training camp today. Rookie second-round pick DeSean Jackson, the electrifying receiver and returner out of Cal, agreed to terms of a four-year contract late last night, insuring his on-time arrival at Lehigh University in time for today's 5 p.m. team meeting with head coach Andy Reid. Jackson, the ninth of 10 rookie draft picks to reach a contract agreement with the Eagles, is expected to formally sign his deal today before reporting to Bethlehem, Pa. Practice for rookies begins tomorrow morning."

Eagles, Jackson agree to four-year deal

Comment

July 21

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Eagles were confident this afternoon that second-round draft picks Trevor Laws and DeSean Jackson would be signed in time to join the other rookies who are scheduled to report for the start of training camp tomorrow night at Lehigh University. By late tonight, Jackson, a wide receiver from the University of California, had agreed to a four-year deal, leaving Laws as the team's only unsigned draft pick. Jackson, the 49th overall selection, is the leading candidate to handle punt returns for the Eagles this season. He had six career punt returns for touchdowns at Cal."

Eagles reach deal with DeSean Jackson

Comment

July 21

Wilmington News Journal

"The Eagles reached a contract agreement with wide receiver DeSean Jackson, a second-round pick, on the eve of training camp late Sunday night. Rookies and selected veterans are expected to report to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., by 5 p.m. today. Terms of Jackson's four-year deal were not announced. He was the 49th pick overall. With Jackson signed, defensive tackle Trevor Laws, the team's first pick chosen two spots ahead of Jackson in the second round, is the only member of the Eagles' draft class still unsigned. Laws is likely to reach an agreement today."