Eagles sign Jackson to 2-year deal
The Eagles signed free agent defensive back Marlin Jackson to a two-year deal, the team announced.
Eagles sign Jackson to 2-year deal
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles signed free agent defensive back Marlin Jackson to a two-year deal, the team announced.
Jackson could earn up to a total of $6 million, but most of the money is dependent upon his health and if he starts.
“It’s been a great visit and I think there’s a mutual interest here," Jackson said earlier today before the signing. "They feel that I’m capable of playing corner, safety, nickel and kind of want to see where things shake out and where the biggest need is at and, if I come here, where I will play."
Jackson arrived yesterday and stayed over, but there was no deal by lunch. He went to Jim's Steaks to eat, came back and was nearly out the door at the NovaCare Complex before he was called back.
He said this afternoon that the Eagles have not told him that the free safety job is his to lose -- "Nothing was promised," he said. -- but that is the implication. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said that Jackson would come in and compete at free safety.
“When we watched him on tape we saw that he had a lot of the traits that we look for in a free safety in our defense,” Roseman said. “He’s instinctive, he’s tough, he’s quick and he played a little bit there in Indianapolis. … We thought it was an easy transition for him.”
Roseman called the signing a "risk-reward" move.
The big issue, though, is the 26-year-old's knees. He tore the ACL in his left knee last October a year after tearing the ACL in his other knee.
“I’m at four months in my ACL rehab," Jackson said. "I’m sprinting, running, back-peddling, breaking and certain things like that. So, I’m ahead of schedule and I’ve been blessed so far with my rehab. It’s going very, very smooth. Like I said before, I’m ahead of schedule and I’m very thankful for that."
Jackson said that the Eagles' medical staff gave no indication that they saw anything wrong with his rehabbed. And yet, the Eagles didn't sign Jackson yesterday. The Eagles have been burned on free agents returning from major knee surgeries before (see: Andrews, Stacy).
The Colts were worried enough by his physical condition not the tender Jackson. He said they told him they would.
"I was told so many times that I was going to be tendered," Jackson said. "I was continuously told that, ‘You will be tendered, you will be here.’ And then when it came down to the situation, it wasn’t done."
Comment removed.
He's Sailfish Jackson's brother.— HandNik- This better not mean we aren't drating Safety in Round 1-3....— PHTNPHLS
- haha they'll play him at corner, safety, nickel. Whoever is still buying season tix should just have "SUCKER" stamped on their head at this point.— ArtieLange
- Why is this the main article on the sports page when it's Phillies Spring Training? As soon as the Eagles do something, it's on top of the page and the Phils are put on the back burner. At least it seems like it.— SallyAnn
- Meh decent signing. Could've spend more money at this position. Haha! Look at me, I made a funny.— Gigs1777
- Billy-He's the stacy andrews of this year. Bargain shopping again. How is this guy better the Rolle???— TheCaptain18
- zzzzz— DennyP
- he's was a former 1st round pick for the colts. but after what 5 years and 2 acl injuries , the cols dont covet him anymore enough to tender him. Jackson in his defense is a physical cormner, likes to hit (unlike another corner we know). How did we drop the ball on Antrell Rolle & he went to the Giants. If everything leans to players who are signed but not really ready for the next 2years, why on earth is Five still here. Start the rebuilding now.— mikeaz12
- Buck's knees were an issue and, thankfully, the Eagles stood by him and were rewarded for their patience. Hopefully, we get a good player out of this leap of faith. I understand the risk but 2 years isn't that much of a commitment. Good luck Marlin and welcome to the nest.— vafan
- I'm continually amazed by how few Eagles fans follow football outside of Philadelphia. He was a 2x All-American at Michigan, was a first-round draft pick, and he sealed the Colts' Super Bowl title when he picked off Tom Brady on the final drive. There were no better FS options on the market. If healthy this kid can flat play, though I imagine they'll still draft a dback
- Well.....we signed him so lets see what he can do in training camp before we throw him under the bus.— rtaylor1220
- where do i get my super bowl tix?
- SallyAnn: 2 reasons. 1. There is nothing major happening with the Phillies. 2. The Eagles dominate all sports talk in this city. It's just the way it is. News out of Eagles Training Camp might even trump Phillies Regular season news (unless the news is special).
- Why is anyone bringing up Rolle? The Giants severly over-paid for him. They made him the highest paid safety in the league and I can think of 10 other safeties I'd rather have on my team. As for Jackson, he's got a great work ethic and should be back to 100% before the season starts. I bet Jackson makes the pro-bowl before Rolle.— Bobby_Clams
