Eagles prepare to face DeSean Jackson at 'game speed'

Cary Williams played against DeSean Jackson in 2012, a matchup so intense that a scuffle ensued and drew a fine for both players. The Eagles cornerback also practiced against Jackson throughout last season.

Williams said that practice experience won't help Sunday when Jackson and the Redskins visit Lincoln Financial Field.

"Practice means nothing," Williams said Wednesday. "Game speed is totally different than a practice tempo. I expect him to be at his best, and I'll be at my best. We're just going to play it like that. As far as I'm concerned, practice has nothing to do with how well he'll play in the game. Because I know he's a gamer."

Defensive coordinator Bill Davis said the Eagles "know [Jackson] well." He said they are aware of Jackson's speed and ability to adjust to a ball in the air, and they also won't be surprised to see it in a game. Jackson has a shoulder injury but plans to play against the Eagles.

"He's got great speed, great ability to catch the ball and adjust," Davis said. "We know he'll be amped up to play us like all guys are when they go back to play their old team. One of the good things is our defensive backs have covered him every day.

"It helps when you go against him in practice every day and have a feel for him, as opposed to playing a talent like DeSean that you haven't gone up against and haven't felt his speed and what he does well and what he doesn't."

Washington coach Jay Gruden knows how emotional Jackson can be, a characteristic that will be exacerbated given the receiver's history with the Eagles. Gruden said he plans to talk with Jackson before the game about how to harness the emotion.

"I just hope after the whistle is blown that there's no altercations with the corners or the coaches," Gruden said. "We're going to have a long talk about that. . . . We can't afford him getting ejected, number one, and can't afford any 15-yard penalties for him taunting or talking trash."

The emotional player in the Eagles secondary is Williams. When the Ravens and Eagles played in Week 2 in 2012, the two scuffled on a second-quarter running play. Each was assessed a personal foul and a $10,000 fine. So the warning could go in both directions.

"I'm going to play my game," Williams said. "I'm going to try not to penalize my team, try not to go out there and be stupid and boneheaded, obviously."

Cornerback Brandon Boykin said that if Jackson gets "rowdy," the Eagles will use it to their advantage. He did not anticipate the Eagles cornerbacks' going overboard. Boykin expects Jackson to be "as amped as he's ever been."

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy has been in communication with Jackson this week. McCoy said the first thing Jackson told him is that he will play. McCoy expects his friend and former teammate to have a good game. But the running back cautioned against making it seem like the Eagles vs. Jackson, even if the game will have significance for his friend.

"He's definitely going to be emotional," McCoy said. "I think the fans, they won't boo him, at least in the beginning of the game. Every play he makes, he'll celebrate."

Jeremy Maclin played with Jackson for four seasons. He conceded that it will be strange to see Jackson in a different uniform. For Maclin and fellow receiver Riley Cooper, playing with Jackson was all they had known in the NFL before this season.

The Eagles enter Sunday's game with the NFL's 11th-ranked pass defense. They held Colts quarterback Andrew Luck to 172 yards Monday - the Colts went with a heavy rushing attack - and allowed only 11 receptions to Indianapolis wide receivers.

The Eagles will try to play physically within the first 5 yards against Jackson, which is a consistent point of emphasis for their pass defense. It's even more important against Jackson. Boykin said the Eagles know Jackson's speed and how important it is to "mess up the timing." But the speed they saw in practice is different from what they will see Sunday if Jackson plays.

"The way he practiced last year and the way he played in games is totally contrary," Williams said. "I don't expect him to be anything like he was in practice."