DeSean puts himself in Fitzgerald's category
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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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There is no "I" in team but there is one in D*ckhead...and this team is full of them...— outta work- I think defenses have figured him out, much like Michael Vick. The guy has terrible hands and he's a one-trick-pony. He's good compared to the dreck we've had here in the past like Thrash and Pinkston. He's no Quick, Carmichael or even Fryar.— E-money
- No way in HELL should Steve Smith be paid more than Jackson!! Par for the course for the Eagles though.— rustypop58
- tremo12, you are an idiot, there are much more than 5 better than him, here you go...Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Miles Austin, Brandon Marshall, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Jennings, Jeremy Maclin, Hakeem Nicks, I could keep going but I think I've made my point— robm0202
- Dump him and move on. He got the contract he is in because he was a wild card coming from Cal. Seems like he is proving his worth.— adipaolo
- Only in sports can you give someone a signing bonus, they take it, spend it, then forget about it and say they are not properly compensated.— gob1234
- Elite receiver. Right. Special Teams player? Right. Try showing up for a meeting. Not throwing a team mate under the bus? right. You threw the whole team under the bus with your behavior and missing a game for it. Go home and pout Desean. your act is old— alwaysphil1
- There are 20 NFL receivers better than Desean Jackson. You might make a respectable argument to put Jackson in the top 15 but there is no way he cracks the top ten, much less the top five. He has small hands, too many drops, and since his concussion, alligator arms and no longer a threat on punt returns. Finally, while he is certainly not Terrel Owens, he is not a plus in the locker room. Here's the list:
Larry Fitzgerald
Andre Johnson
Calvin Johnson
Gregg Jennings
Roddy White
Wes Welker
Dez Bryant
Vincent Jackson
Mike Wallace
Reggie Wayne
Steve Smith
Anquan Bolden
A.J. Green
Brandon Marshall
Santonio Holmes
Jeremy Maclin
Julio Jones
Dwayne Bowe
Brandon Lloyd
Marques Colston— chuck60 - I like the guy and I hope the Eagles pay him decently, but Top 5? No way. His stats for this year: Receiving yards: #29 in the league. Receptions: not in the top 50. Yards per catch: 10th in the league. TDs: not in the top 50. Punt return yards: #42 in the league. With stats like these, it's pretty hard to make an argument for a top 5 receiver.— FKD215
- outta work - That was hilarious! Agreed.— Jeffritoe
- We all speculated that the DeSean and Rosenslime wanted Fitzgerald $. I'm not at all upset that the Eagles didn't capitulate. Would like to see the Eagles land a stud receiver with size thus giving them a red zone threat.— retzlaff
- He's NOT having a productive year, but the guy is a LEGIT threat EVERYIME he's on the field. The Eagles DO NOT want to pay him. Period. End. He had done all the right things. Taken the high road when baited by the media to undress the team in the press. He has been the ANI-T.O. - ALL WHILE IN A CONTRACT YEAR (where TO wasn't). Basically, the Eagles are showing how they take care of players that fall in line and dont act out. No they'll try and make him look bad in the media or goad him into something so they can make it look like its his fault, and they'll tag, trade, whatever. But he AIN'T getting Fitzgerald, Megatron cash. He had the chance to make a case in a few clutch situations this year, and he literally dropped the balls. He's STILL a top 5 receiver in this league and one of THEE most explosive players in the league. This kid deserves to get paid. He's handled the situation a LOT better than it could have been handled by a lower class of player.— Method
- CHUCK60, EXCELLENT LIST, NO COMPLAINT WITH ANY OF THEM BEING LISTED AHEAD OF JACKSON. GOOD WORK.— DONDEN31
- Good God.can we trade him for a first rd pick already?— Illeagle
- How many top receivers do you know who are 5'9 160? I don't get Reid's infatuation with midgets. Can you win a game or two with them? Sure and from time to time they even will do some spectacular things. But over the long haul, they aren't worth that much. We have not had a traditional pocket passes since Ron Jaworski. Harold Carmichael was the last big, physical receiver we had. When the game is on the line and you need someone who is a big target to catch a pass over the middle, we don't have anyone who can do that. And we never will as long as this coaching staff is in control. I'm so bummed that I'm watching Desperate Housewives with my wife tonight. Tonight is going to be really ugly.— DallasEagle
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