Jets' eye on DeSean

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Eagles arrived at the Ritz-Carlton yesterday with the NFL buzzing about their attempts to trade wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

The Birds continued to have nothing to say on the eve of the NFL meetings. General manager Howie Roseman was spending time with his family yesterday. Team president Don Smolenski mingled with reporters in the lobby but was much more eager to talk about the Lincoln Financial Field renovations. And chairman Jeffrey Lurie stayed out of public view, as did coach Chip Kelly.

But Jets owner Woody Johnson acknowledged his team, which signed quarterback Michael Vick on Friday, has talked to the Eagles about Jackson.

"We're looking at a number of players, including DeSean, very good player, but we're looking at a number of them," he told a gaggle of reporters, Johnson apparently oblivious to the fact that NFL team personnel never talk on the record about interest in other teams' players, because it could be construed as tampering. "Trade is not our primary operating motif right now. We're trying to build through the draft. Building through the draft is . . . the way to build a successful team long-term."

Johnson said he didn't know whether the Jets contacted the Eagles about Jackson, or the Eagles contacted the Jets. Asked if he had a sense of what the Eagles were asking, Johnson said: "I don't have any sense. You can ask John [Idzik, the Jets' GM] that."

A front-office source from another NFL team said that when he spoke with the Eagles last month about Jackson, "at that point, they wanted a lot for him." The source said the Birds were looking for more than a second-round pick.

An NFL coaching source wondered yesterday if the Eagles could get more than a fifth- or sixth-rounder for Jackson, given his $12.75 million salary-cap number this season, and the fact that they are coming off as motivated sellers. Indeed, in the last week, the buzz has gone from people thinking the Eagles might be willing to listen to offers for Jackson to multiple reports that if no trade is forthcoming, the team will release the man whose dozen touchdown catches of 50-plus yards since 2008 tie him for the league lead in that span with Detroit's Calvin Johnson.

Once the perception grows that a team might be willing to release a player, it becomes almost impossible to get much for him in a trade. Teams have to wonder why a healthy, 27-year-old star, who set career highs last season with 82 catches for 1,332 yards, would suddenly be so available. If the Eagles were to release Jackson, or even trade him for something like a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick, there would be considerable backlash from the fan base. That kind of situation often leads to the airing of dirty laundry, as a team justifies its actions. Eagles fans are familiar with this phenomenon.

A source close to Jackson denied a weekend report that Jackson hasn't returned Kelly's phone calls.

It is unlikely the team will face much locker-room backlash from moving on. Jackson is not a real popular teammate, and his two closest allies, Vick and veteran receiver Jason Avant, are gone. Kelly's 1-year turnaround from 4-12 to 10-6 bought him considerable credibility with the fan base, but even more in the locker room, where by the end of the season it was hard to find anyone who wasn't a total, zealous convert. One Eagles starter, asked for his insight, said yesterday: "I know nothing about the situation, but I do know that Chip makes calculated decisions."

In other words, if Kelly has decided that Jackson is leaving, it isn't some momentary whim. Players will trust that Kelly has his reasons.

A source close to Jackson has said Jackson is now expecting to move on, does not think the situation is salvageable. After Vick signed with the Jets, Jackson posted various Instagram photos of Vick-Jackson highlights, amid speculation that the Jets, with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, might want to acquire both halves of that duo.

"We're always interested in talent," Johnson said. "If it's somebody that fits into our locker room and understands that he can fit into our culture at a price we can afford or we feel is appropriate, then we'll do it."

The 49ers have been mentioned as possible suitors, but San Francisco GM Trent Baalke told CSNBayarea.com that the 49ers have not talked to the Eagles about Jackson.

What would the Eagles look like, without No. 10? Most people thought he was the only special weapon in a very ordinary receiving corps last season. The Eagles expect to have a healthy Jeremy Maclin this season, they've added running back Darren Sproles (a 71-catch receiver last season), and they seem likely to pick up receiving help in the early rounds of what is said to be an extraordinary draft for wide receivers. But it's still hard to see how they get better by shedding Jackson, the offense's big-strike, get-out-of-jail-free card.

When trade or release day comes, someone will have some explaining to do.

Woody Johnson said he spoke with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie before the Jets signed Michael Vick . . . Chip Kelly is scheduled to speak with reporters Wednesday morning at the NFC coaches' breakfast.

Blog: ph.ly/Eagletarian