DeSean puts himself in Fitzgerald's category
Earlier this week, NFL Network aired snippets of a one-on-one interview with Michael Irvin and DeSean Jackson.
DeSean puts himself in Fitzgerald's category
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Earlier this week, NFL Network aired snippets of a one-on-one interview with Michael Irvin and DeSean Jackson.
And Sunday morning, we heard the rest of it.
Most notably, we heard where Jackson thinks he ranks among NFL wide receivers, and his answer probably reveals part of the reason why he doesn't have a new contract.
Irvin prefaced the question by referencing salary numbers for Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson, and then asked Jackson where he thinks he fits in.
"I think, right in that range, maybe top five in the NFL as far as my playmaking skills ability, punt return, dynamic duo of being able to get the ball and score at any point on the field," Jackson said. "I mean, Fitzgerald, he's a great receiver, don't get me wrong, but he doesn't play special teams so I think that's the extra edge to it."
If you're a regular MTC reader, you know I think Jackson is a dynamic playmaker, and the Eagles should do their best to bring him back because he's an excellent fit in this offense and will only be 25 years old when this season is over.
But he is not Fitzgerald, and he is not Johnson. There is not a GM in the NFL who would even think about taking Jackson over either of those guys. Furthermore, the Fitzgerald reference is ill-timed, considering the Cardinals receiver just torched the Eagles for seven catches, 146 yards and two touchdowns a week ago, while Jackson watched from home because he missed a special teams meeting.
Earlier in the interview, Irvin baited Jackson with a question that seemed, at least to me, to be based on non-factual information. Here's what Irvin said: "Now, people are saying 'he doesn't want to go across the middle' cause it was reported someone on your team said that you're not going across the middle..."
It's possible I missed it (and if so, please pass along a link), but I don't remember seeing the report Irvin speaks of. Reporters have criticized Jackson about shying away from contact; fans too. But to my knowledge, no teammate has mentioned anything of the sort. Clearly, Jackson was bothered by what Irvin said though.
Update: Apparently, this could have been the report Irvin was referencing, but it is from nearly two months ago. An unnamed Eagles player told Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports: "I can’t lie – it is something I’ve thought about. There was a play toward the very end of the game where it looked like he might have short-armed it. And I don’t blame him."
"That ain't good business right there 'cause I wouldn't throw anyone on my team under the bus," Jackson told Irvin. "I would hope it wouldn't be coming from a player that's saying that... that wish he was in my position or wish he was starting, just to say something to make me give him a opportunity, I don't believe in that type of stuff. The film don't show that though. The film show I'm protecting myself. I'm not dodging any hits. I know the type of player I am so I don't feel there's too many people in the NFL that could really do what I'm capable of doing when the ball's in my hands."
Jackson was also asked what was going through his head when the Eagles handed out contracts to a bunch of free agents this offseason, but didn't take care of him.
"It was a situation where it hurt, honestly, deep inside," Jackson said. "But I still to this day just try to go out there and not think about it."
Irvin's last question could have led to a combustible answer. He asked Jackson if he could see himself playing for another team, but the Eagles receiver reiterated that he wants to be here.
"Nah, not right now," Jackson said. "I can't see it. I'm just keeping good hope that the man above's got a spot for me here in Philadelphia. If I could paint the picture and have everything the way I want it to be, I would say I'll stay here."
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D-Jax a top- receiver? Hahahahahhahahaaaa...he's not even the best receiver on the Eagles. He needs a GPS to find the end zone.— 2ndNlong
I give Jackson some credit for not being duped into a lot of reactions Irvin was trying to get. I saw the snippets and the last part of today's. Irvin has always been a sleeze and hasn't changed. Obviously, NFL Network ranks below ESPN in journalism ethics since ESPN canned Irvin and the NFL hasn't yet.- At what point does a high expectation become inflated...or just vane? DeSean believes he is as good as others who have clearly outperformed him this year, like Larry Fitzgerald...and his reasons clearly sound like he secretly knows, but he speaks "agent talk." Is his underperformance a function of not having a new contract or is this a TOism? He deserved a new contract offer....but I cannot help but thinking his agent has asked him to take it easy...take no risks. DeSean has promise that has not been seen this year in his work....does he know this and is covering with his reasons for being the best or does he not really understand that this year he is not even the best receiver on the Eagles?— envirojoe55
- Pay the guy! He's a real playmaker and opens up the running game with his deep threat. Funny how Eagles hang with players who can't play like Cooper, Coleman, Colt Anderson, the entire LB core but they let good players go like B Dawk and now maybe D-Jax. The talent evaluation by Eagles management sucks!— connorjr
- He is a game changer! Because you can list receivers that you wouldn't take him over doesn't make him any less of a threat. He is top 5.There are other teams who can say Jackson burned them like Fitzgerald burned us. Another talent Philly fans take for granted. Lindros, Iverson, Barkely, Mcnabb(look at the numbers), Howard, Schmitty, and on and on..— Ron2andia
- DeSean is right....the Eagles screwed him.....Eagles gave Steve Smith $4 million this season...and pay Desean only $600k...how's that for loyalty?— frank105
- Are we sure he didn't mean top 5 receiver on the Eagles, because that is probably true. I would go Maclin and then him, although Avant is a pretty good receiver. If we're talking about catching balls, he's probably 3 or 4 on the team, but still top 5— robm0202
- He is not even close to being a top 5 receiver. Sure he has great moments but he runs lazy routs and comes up the smallest in the biggest games. And he is a cancer- why is even if talking about this when he should be getting ready for the Giants? This guys represents exactly what is wrong with this team - me, me, me, me. I will remember the Eagles 2011 as the Eagles team I hated the most.— gob1234
- Agree. Takes too many plays off. — Ssteve115
- Pathetic. Citing his special teams ability??? Who cares! You don't see Devin Hester or Ted Ginn going around claiming they are elite receivers. I hope the Eagles let him walk...he can have fun earning "the big bucks" on some stupid team where he'll fail.— kilo_005
- DeFraud Jackson....maybe top 10 or 12, but not in the top 5. Here's a bunch who are probably better in no particular order: Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Wes Welker, Steve Smith (CAR), Marques Colston, Roddy White, Reggie Wayne, Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall, and even his teammate Jeremy Maclin— jamarder
- Is he exciting, yes. Is he a great compliment to the offense, yes. Is he a top five receiver, not even close. As I have said before, he is Flipper Anderson reborn, a guy who is a great speed compliment to a great receiver like Henry Ellard. Just like Flipper, he will not last long once his speed goes. If you can't go over the middle, you can't be a great receiver. I have no problem criticizing the Eagles, but I'm in full agreement on this one.— Hemingway
- TOP 5? YEAH, MAYBE TOP 5 ON EAGLES RECEIVER LINEUP, BUT NOT IN NFL, NO WAY!— DONDEN31
- And this is why Eagles fans are the dumbest! You all say he is not top 5 but ONLY ONE could name 3 others better than him and he had others on his list such as Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall who were nowhere nearly as good as DJAX. I usually defend the Eagles front office but unless he was offered an up in pay in the offseason, Eagles screwed another wide receiver in pay. He probably is not top 5 but what is he supposed to say, no? He does deserve more than the 600k (if you think athletes deserve half of what they get paid to begin with).— tremo12
- Top 5, Dream team, Gold Standard....they all live in a delusional bubble.— Earl J
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