Comparatively Speaking, DeSean Is Happy
DeSean Jackson said he’s happy with his new five-year, $47 million contract, even if his new deal includes less guaranteed money than other wide receivers, including Pierre Garcon, Vincent Jackson and Marques Colston received this week.
Comparatively Speaking, DeSean Is Happy
Paul Domowitch
DeSean Jackson said he’s happy with his new five-year, $47 million contract, even if his new deal includes less guaranteed money than other wide receivers, including Pierre Garcon, Vincent Jackson and Marques Colston received this week.
Just $15 million of Jackson’s contract is guaranteed, compared to Vincent Jackson’s $26 million, Garcon’s $20.5 million and Colston’s $19 million.
"As a player, you always compare deals and see what other players are making," Jackson said. "But I felt good with what was on the table and I didn’t want to pass that up. The relationship I have here with the Eagles, I would rather take that opportunity than go anywhere else.
"Regardless of what money I could have got (somewhere else) or how much more, I’m not a greedy guy. I feel good where I’m at here. I still have ways in my contract of making whatever I’m worth in that contract. As long as I’m able to go out there and play at the level I know I’m capable of playing at, the sky’s the limit on the money."
Jackson has $4 million worth of escalators in his contract. But to get all of them, he would have to make the Pro Bowl the next four seasons, notch 1,300 yards and 10 touchdown catches each year and help the Eagles win four Super Bowls.
The man who negotiated Jackson’s new contract, agent Drew Rosenhaus, wasn’t at Thursday’s press conference.
"It’s a good feeling by myself to just hear all the negativity toward myself for whatever reason," Jackson said. "It just drives me to go out there and keep doing the things that I’ve been doing."
Asked if signing the new deal was a relief, Jackson said, "It’s not necessarily relief. It’s a blessed feeling, getting what you’re worth, getting what you deserve.
"You can’t be satisfied. You still have to go out there and play at a high level. That’s something I’m willing to do. That’s something I live to do. I feel I was born for that stage. I’ve been in big games all my life.
"I’m going to continue to go out there and play football with a passion and just continue to do what I’ve been doing the past 2-3 years."
Jackson thanked Eagles head coach Andy Reid for standing by him. The wideout has acknowledged his contract situation affected his attitude and the way he played last season. Reid suspended him for a game after he missed a team meeting and benched him in the fourth quarter of another game. But the coach praised Jackson at season’s end for playing hard the last five or six games.
"We have an honest relationship," Jackson said. "He doesn’t beat around the bush. He gets straight to the point. Regardless of everything he heard in college (about me), he ignored the negativity and gave me the opportunity to prove everything wrong. I basically came in and did that. He just wanted me to come in and play hard. That’s what he cherishes the most. As a player, I can accept that.
"The past year, the things that have been going on, he could’ve turned his back and gone away."
All Jackson has is speed, which is not an inconsiderable thing in his case. He's useless in the red zone, and his hands as you note are just average.
He only has about 2, at the most 3 years of that speed level before it's gone and he's out of the league. He will not be in the NFL at 30, you can bet on that.
The Eagles should play the heck out of him for the next 2 years, especially on returns, and get what they can, while they can out of him.
(Incidentally, since Vick will be gone after this year, they better not get a short armed replacement QB, because Jackson would be a 100% waste with a QB who can't throw the long ball.)
— banned- I think that scoring 10 TDs, or 1,300 yards, or going to a Pro Bowl are very likely. He doesn't have to do ALL of them to get ANYTHING! There are probably a few hundred K associated with each milestone. He's already been to two pro bowls, and scored 12 TDs in 2009. Super Bowl... well, that's really in the FO's court.— operagost
- he gets 250,000 for each escalator. I like the contract for everyone involved. He didn't have any concussions last year but it is an issue to be concerned about. You cant give him the guarantee money like a player without those issues.— willbert31
- Happy for u DJax !!! Now bring it !!!— diehardeagle
- Was someone really just called a "troll"? What are you; a 13 yr old girl?— Warhound
- He is still concussed if he thinks the Birds are going to win a SB with Vick and Reid.— 2ndNlong
- I would rather have the poor man's Desean Jackson ,Victor Cruz. At least he has a better dance.lol— sammydelphia
- I like DeSean a lot and I'm happy we resigned him. That being said he really cost himself a lot of $$$ because of his attitude last year. He is a young talented and emotional guy that let things get out of control last year. Once you lose control you don't make the best decisions. Hopefully he will be happy for at least the next two years and we see the best he has to offer. Damm the Eagles won again on the balance sheet. If only they were that good at the game of football.— delcodanno
- I have no problem with the Eagles signing DeSean. I believe one of the problems with the Eagles in recent years is the constant revolving door of players coming and going. Andy was getting pats on the back for turning over the roster, but I think you still need a core group of players that give a team an identity and provide leadership. Maybe they finally realize this, thats why their extending some contracts now. Keep the players you drafted and went to war with happy.— watsonmr
- banned and over exposed think like i do,djax skill set is so limited its not funny.all he has is speed and he really does not do anything with it, nobody fears him when he catches the ball because he falls down without being touched or runs out of bounds, punts?forget it all he does is fair catch.give me victor cruz anyday!— swgaston49
- It will be the first eagles championship since 1960. Too bad the vegas odds are so low. They know the birds will win. FINALLY. Now little guy, STEP UP TO THE PLATE and no alligator arms over the middle.— BigMike100
