DeSean Jackson says Chip Kelly plans to use him like De'Anthony Thomas
Want to know how Chip Kelly intends to use DeSean Jackson? Hop on YouTube and type in the name "De'Anthony Thomas."
DeSean Jackson says Chip Kelly plans to use him like De'Anthony Thomas
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS – Want to know how Chip Kelly intends to use DeSean Jackson?
Hop on YouTube and type in the name “De'Anthony Thomas.”
Jackson, at the Super Bowl Media Center on Friday being whisked from one Radio Row interview to another, said that the new Eagles coach gave him an idea of how he plans to utilize him in his offense when they spoke a few weeks ago.
“Kind of similar to what DeAnthony Thomas was doing at Oregon. He’s like a little brother to me. I actually talked to him," Jackson said of Thomas. "He was passing on information to me, like I’m going to be pumped up and psyched to be in that offense. It just keeps defenses off guard any time you go in motion, fake play-action, go down the field. There’s just so many things you can do.”
Thomas is listed as a running back, but the Ducks junior-to-be is too versatile to be defined by one position. With Kelly as his coach for two seasons, he did it all – rushing, receiving, and returning, and already has 2,235 all-purpose yards.
Jackson and Thomas have much in common. They’re both fast, they’re both small (Jackson is listed 5-foot-10, 175 pounds; Thomas is a thicker 5-9, 173) and they’re both from Los Angeles. Jackson said Kelly told him to be prepared to have the ball in his hands more than usual, but other than that provided little detail.
“He called me and was very excited. I could tell in his voice,” Jackson said. “He was like, ‘Let me know when you’re back in Philly so we can just talk fact to face.’ I actually talked to Pat Shurmur. He was my coach when I first got to Philly. He’s excited, as well.”
The Eagles have not yet confirmed the hiring, but Shurmur will be the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator. Jackson said he had no idea if it would be Michael Vick, Nick Foles or some quarterback to be named throwing him passes next season.
“I think Vick is still capable of doing some great things, especially with Chip Kelly having that spread offense,” Jackson said. “We’ll see.”
Jackson’s Radio Row interviews were among the first ones he’s done since fracturing his ribs in late November against the Panthers. The receiver was placed on Injured Reserve and missed the final five games of the season.
Jackson, who said his ribs were “98 percent” healthy, said that it was difficult not playing out the season even though the losing continued and Andy Reid would end up being fired a day after the season ended.
“It was tough, but I just supported them the best I could throughout the situation,” Jackson said. “It was tough on everybody. I’m just looking forward to going out there this year and erasing everything.”
None of this is going to matter if the quaterback is going to be stomped over and over again like the last couple of years.— Bruddah- he is a cancer just like Vick— RealizticFan
- Actually, I love this. Our WRs and RBs should be used like this - Reid did it with Westbrook but seemed to lose the mojo with this crop of players. Can't wait to see how it goes.— edmundhan
- Lost his mojo with an OC named Moron-wig. — bonnerlou
- How about we trade him for a QB?— jimmymack
- Hope Kelly realuizes that Jackson..doesnt go over the middle,,,,doesnt take a hit to make a catch..doesnt run out his routes...doesnt play if he is not happy....and is the ultimate ME player on the team....Agree with Realizticfan he is a cancer just like VICK but in a different way— flyers1000
- D Jax does seem scared of the middle since he got his bell dinged a few years ago. — bonnerlou
- Good idea to consider more imaginative, multiple ways to use Jackson
— wordsword - does this mean Jackson intends to play hard for a few plays this year? Probably on the ones called for him, like usual!— bk3131
- "fact to face" and "since breaking his robs" lol...— pokerplayersunite
- If the ball is in his hands too much he will be hurt by the bye week....book it! He has never lifted a weight a day in his life— Friend to All
- Damn, i was seriously hoping that Chip's plan for MeSean was to trade him for a bigger, ;ess fragile receiver who puts the team and winning first.— Squizzy Magee
- Are you guys really Eagle fans? If Kelly plans on using his offense then wouldn't it benefit the Eagle's if he had the players w/ the necessary skill set?— Dpstumps
- Yes it would...Is courage to go over the middle or giving each play everything you've got part of that skill set? If so, then DJax doesn't seem to fit the mold. — bonnerlou
