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.”
@friend do you mean like get hurt from a lookout pass like the one kevin klob threw that almost got him killed vs. atl. if eagles have a qb that can run the pistol or spread offense this shouldn't be an issue. that was all vick ran at va. tech. however, andy and marty didn't know how to use their personnel on this roster. just like he was a poor in-game manager with poor play calling, poor clock management and outdated offensive scheme AR was behind the times on the innovations coming out of college ball that are going to be incorporated in to nfl offenses that, with the these watered down rules, favor the offense and are tailor made for the ji. harbaugh's (stanford/9ers) and chip kelly's to excel in. even flacco, getting out of the pocket and making/keeping plays alive to make deep throws, shows that the days of the strict pocket passer are over and going the way of the dodo bird. the 9ers had their shot and lost because they didn't roll out kaepernick or give him a run pass option in the red zone. i.e. harbaugh went away from what the kid best and got them to the SB and returned to a coventional offensive strategy that failed. if kelly speeds up the offense and puts his playmakers in positions to have more touches he'll succeed. antithesis of this is the reason why andy and marty failed this year.— ihatenewyorkers- This is great news. The head coach 'has a plan' for one of his top receivers.
Now I can sleep at night.— Bradley85 - Just keep showing #10 the Ridley hit in open field. Action Jackson hasn't been the same since he had his lights turned off in the Atlanta game.
— frank castle - DJax doesn't go over the middle, doesn't block, doesn't run his routes out, doesn't go up & make catches, pouts when he doesn't get the ball and "turtles" at contact. In short, he's the ultimate "me" player. He would make a good punt returner, 3-set WR, scat back, IF he cleans up his attitude. Let's hope Kelly can define his role and find us a big, strong, 3-down WR to replace him.— TruthTeller01
- Need to draft an OL, P, and all the rest of the picks on D (except if a good QB prospect is the highest pick on their board in the 3rd).
It'll take 2 drafts to fix this D (& possibly to get a good QB prospect), so just stick to picking the best ones on the board.— yobill626 - Draft 2 OL , 2Dl , a QB, and one tall tall DB. Or both DeJean, Foles, whoever will get smeared all over the field.— Koons
- Wow, what a "breakthrough". Andy Reid already used Desean on multiple rushing plays, with gimmicky stuff to the outside. That worked wonders in producint a superbowl. Its a brilliant idea to take a 170 pound guy with concussion and effort problems and expect to use him as a running back in the NFL. If Desean is taking it up the middle like Deanthony Thomas did in Oregon this offense is going to be a disaster. It will pretty much be RG3 getting his knee destroyed by that Ravens big DT. Because THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS TO SMALL FAST GIMMICKY GARBAGE AT THE NFL LEVEL, YOU GET INJURED AND WIN NOTHING. NO SUPERBOWLS NO AWARDS FOR MOST YARDS OR POINTS OR ANY OTHER GIMMICK. DUMBEST ORGANZAITON IN THE ENTIRE NFL. JOKE STANDARD.— CharlieGarner25
- The kid is a NOTHING more than a "me first", glorified punt returner!
Way overhyped.
Too light to fight.
Too thin to win.
Too frail to wale.— somertonspartan - DeSean is becoming more and more Freddy Mitchell— Issac
- Without protection up front, this all amounts to wishful thinking. Luke Joecke is the obvious pick at 4 if he's on the board and if not bringing in the best available player has to be the priority. But at some point we are going to have to being in a horse or two that we can hitch to the protection team up front and that is based on Peters returning at full strength.
— Dexter - Talented player who is a selfish 'me first' guy and a punk. I still have a hard time rooting for him.— PhillyGuy77
Can we bid or something for De'Anthony Thomas now or in the draft? Along with DeSean, Eagles should be an awesome threat in the NFL. But again with the right QB. People, do I have something to look forward to or what?
- gonna be interesting to say the least...i am actually optimistic...anything is better than the last 5 years with andy reid— briman
- I thought the use might be part of a package to ship him to SF for Alex Smith— TomM
- The Eagles have the WRs and RBs to run this system. We need a QB and a defense.— mish798798
- Just wait until DeSean gets popped by a LB on one of these gimmick plays, see how he reacts to that. The dude is as soft as soft gets.— jbruder02
- There were some envious people who used to say Lynn Swann was "soft", too. Wonder if his Super Bowl rings and his bust at the HOF are "soft" also? — MagMGirl
- He's a cancer, trade him for a high quality safety.— pitzdidg
- While it appropriate to questions Jackson's injury history and his dedication, he's almost exactly the same size as this Thomas kid that Kelly used so creatively in Oregon. With him, Maclin, McCoy (if he stays off Twitter) and maybe Bryce Brown, there's the makings of a pretty dynamic offense. Let's just wait and see. Guys been on the job just a couple of weeks.....— irhastings
- There are few perfect players in the league, and Jackson's not perfect either. But he is a good player who went out and played hard even before he had his contract. He risked a career-ending injury before he was set financially, and he deserves credit for that. Some of these posts describe his work ethic as if he were Randy Moss, and that is completely inaccurate and unfair.— GVF
- You don't get rid of one of the 3 or 4 best offensive talents on your team because you're frustrated with last year. That was then, this is now. Expect them all to play with more urgency, because if they don't they won't play for Kelly for very long. They know that. The guys that can't play(24,23,42,29), yeah, you want them gone. The others have a shot at a whole new culture and a whole new coach. let's see what Kelly can do before everyone judges.— drbob1
- Jackson is a blight on the Eagles. Kelly, what the he** are you thinking?— peacefrog33756
- DUMP VICK....Vick is an old washed-up turn-over machine that LOST SEVEN GAMES IN A ROW....Kelly needs to START FRESH WITH A YOUNG QB that will grow with this team....DUMP VICK, he will not even last 3 games.— jim35
- Same old disgruntled Eagles fans...Anyway, I think DeSean should get the ball more ofen so let's see how Kelly makes it happen. The key will be solidifying the offensive line. Or else the QB (whoever it winds up being) will be on his back and Jackson will be running routes for nothing.— MrMiles1
- Squizzy, your my kind of Magee!
In all seriousness, I don't see any reason why Jackson can't be to the Eagles what Welker is to the Patriots... But it is totally reasonable to question his durability at this point. I don't have any problem with him diving before hits, but he does need to bulk up if he wants to maximize his contribution.— Mr. Magee - Guys like DeSean aren't designed for high volume use. They're bodies can't take it. They're best used when you need a big play or they're not being put in harm's way.— SteveS11
- DeSean is capable, but is his body? He will get killed by big safeties and OLB's spying him...could be beautiful, he could end up on the 60 Day DL by Sept 15...— BirdinParadise
- 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
- 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
- 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
- "fact to face" and "since breaking his robs" lol...— pokerplayersunite
- does this mean Jackson intends to play hard for a few plays this year? Probably on the ones called for him, like usual!— bk3131
- Good idea to consider more imaginative, multiple ways to use Jackson
— wordsword - 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
- How about we trade him for a QB?— jimmymack
- 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
- he is a cancer just like Vick— RealizticFan
- 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
