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Sunday, September 7, 2008
A Star is Born?

Remember all of that talk, a lot of it from me, about how rookie receivers in the NFL in general, and with the Eagles in particular, just cannot be expected to have a major impact at the very beginning of their careers.

Well, forget all of that.

As they say in the movies, "Sweetheart, get me re-write."

DeSean Jackson has just exploded into the National Football League. True, true, he was a beneficiary of the godawful St. Louis Rams. The idea that he will  be able to do this every game, every week, is folly. But this kid was obvious, and an obvious factor, every time he stepped on the field today in the Eagles' 38-3 demolition of the Rams.

What was already a runaway bandwagon of public sentiment in favor of Jackson just became an unleashed rocket. Here are the numbers from a stunning debut: six catches for 106 yards, including a 47-yarder on the second play of the game. There were some really good catches, too -- nicely athletic, confidently concentrating. And then there was the punt return, too -- a 60-yarder during which Jackson must have traveled about 90 yards, traversing the landscape pretty much from sideline to sideline along the way.

The test of excellence is time, of course. And the Rams are not on the schedule anymore. There will be questions in the future. There will  be tougher games, and physical demands that Jackson will need to endure.

But here and now, Day 1, there is no sense doing anything but marveling. It is hard to rein in a rocket, after all.
Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 4:27 PM  Permalink | 35 comments
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Comments
Posted by Reprehensible 04:21 PM, 09/07/2008
It's one game against a soft team. Let's not go overboard.
Posted by PA_Logic 04:23 PM, 09/07/2008
Heck yeah a star is born...hope he stays healthy. For all the knock's McNabb receives....he showed that he's a pretty good QB with balance weapons on offense.
Posted by starman 04:28 PM, 09/07/2008
here we go... when donnie starts the first game, we do well. jackson? stop kidding yourself, he is the best drafted player since donnie many a season ago. his value will match and excedd westbrook's value. with the two of them healthly, andys style of spread the butter around the table will work. it feels good to be in philly agaain.
Posted by kowboy 04:31 PM, 09/07/2008
don't forget its a team effort, go eagles.
Posted by Flyers2001 04:38 PM, 09/07/2008
Hey Logic, 2 weeks ago people were saying, "its just the preseason." Will there always be excuses in Philly not to praise a player that has an awesome game?
Posted by MD20202020 04:43 PM, 09/07/2008
Next stop Canton.
Posted by LehighVal 04:57 PM, 09/07/2008
The guy looked good. Hopefully that will continue...but Asante was nasty. This guy is going to be great this year for the birds. Great start.
Posted by DarthFlyer 04:58 PM, 09/07/2008
I totally agree with Reprehensible. It's Week 1. Let's see how he's doing around Week 10, Week 12.
Posted by ease 05:04 PM, 09/07/2008
Oh for God's sake just enjoy the win. I enjoyed the fact I wasn't chewing my fingernails to the quick this game. good job guys and keep it up.
Posted by Senaig54 05:04 PM, 09/07/2008
Very impressive!However,somebody pls tell me who/what is GU?
Posted by Lowell Stokes 05:12 PM, 09/07/2008
Makes years of Mahe look real foolish! Anyone who could field a punt was better than him.
Posted by Lowell Stokes 05:13 PM, 09/07/2008
GU...Gene Upshaw
Posted by dan39564 05:17 PM, 09/07/2008
Remember it was the Rams, a team that is at its worst! Mcnabb will not see that many open receivers again all season! And the Cowboys are still the team to beat! lets wait till after next week before we crown anyone!
Posted by DD3185 05:17 PM, 09/07/2008
Def. the best rookie performance in the reid era. Lets see what next week brings that will give us a better idea of what he brings to the table.
Posted by dan39564 05:19 PM, 09/07/2008
Anyoe who has to ask what GU is, cannot be a real Football Fan!
About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles.