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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Jackson in town; staying over

Free agent Marlin Jackson will be arriving in Philadelphia this afternoon to meet with the Eagles, according to the team.

The Colts defensive back is expected to visit with team officials through tomorrow and then meet with the media at 11 a.m. There is the possibility that Jackson could be inked by then. He'll probably have to undergo a litany of physical examinations.

The problem with the 26-year-old Jackson, an unrestricted free agent, is that he's coming off of two ACL injuries in the last two seasons. Jackson (6-foot, 196 pounds) has played his entire career with the Colts. He was a first-round draft pick in 2005 and has played in 56 (32 starts) in five seasons.

He was in Baltimore earlier today, but obviously did not sign with the Ravens. The Eagles are likely looking at Jackson, who last played cornerback in Indianapolis, as a free safety. That position was a major problem on defense last season, with a trio of candidates -- Macho Harris, Sean Jones and Quintin Demps -- unable to fill in for the departed Brian Dawkins.

 

Posted by Jeff McLane @ 4:09 PM  Permalink | 32 comments
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Posted 04:11 PM, 03/09/2010
stoop57
Good move
Posted 04:18 PM, 03/09/2010
NovaNation1024
very versatile and will most likely come cheaply. he could be a bargain if his knee holds up.
Posted 04:25 PM, 03/09/2010
Bleue
What exactly about Jackson do the Eagles think will make him a safety? I liked the idea of keeping Hobbs, depth at corner is important and he's the best return-man option we currently have. And I've entertained the idea of having Brown move over, but in this defense, there needs to be a natural, fluid safety that can make plays. Earl Thomas has been sliding down some of the mock drafts, he would be perfect to play centerfield and let Mikell play closer to the box. Any way the Birds go, they need to improve the defensive line and pass rush or it's all for not.
Posted 04:28 PM, 03/09/2010
soulman386
He played safety at times for the Colts so he has experience at that position. Remember his INT against Tom Brady to seal the win in that AFC championship game a few years ago. This would be a solid move IF Jackson's knee checks out. The Eagles are doing the right thing by not going into the draft with a glaring need to fill. You want to acquire a veteran before the draft so you can follow your board during the draft rather than reach for need. But I think if Earl Thomas is available they'll pick him.
Posted 04:30 PM, 03/09/2010
socalbirdsfan
Have a cheesesteak!
Posted 04:30 PM, 03/09/2010
cheesesteak0
joe banner special
Posted 04:31 PM, 03/09/2010
sore richard
"Do you see anything you like on the sale rack, Mr. Banner?" "Well, indeed I do. I'll take the corner with the two recently blown ACLs to be my free safety" Great for the fiscal bottom line, not so good for the real bottom line. Status Quo!!!
Posted 04:32 PM, 03/09/2010
soulman386
Mikell is a solid player but he's not a lock at his position. If they can get Earl Thomas and Marlin Jackson turns out to be the real deal Mikell will have to compete for his position. Remember that the Eagles play interchangeable safeties. There's no free/strong safety distinction in their D.
Posted 04:39 PM, 03/09/2010
dixie1
I'm with you 100% sore richard. Bad move.
Comment removed.
Posted 04:48 PM, 03/09/2010
syddan26
This is a typical Joe Banner/Andy Reid move: 1) Antrel Rolle who is a natural safety was available 2)Jackson blew out ACL's on both knees. 3)He is a six foot,196 lb CB/S. This won't exactly put the fear of g-d into an opposing team TE running across the middle. Didn't Joe Banner state that continually doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity? This is more of the same insanity. By the way, would we even be having this discussion if they would have re-signed Brian Dawkins?
Posted 05:04 PM, 03/09/2010
jbruder02
FYI Earl Thomas will not last until the Eagles pick. They will have to trade up to get him.
Posted 05:12 PM, 03/09/2010
crazyeyes
Syddan, if the Eagles had resigned Brian Dawkins I would be reading about how Dawkins is washed up and never should have been resigned.
Posted 05:26 PM, 03/09/2010
ant8817
Is this guy seriously an upgrade? I forsee him jogging onto the field with two bundled up knees and getting burnt deep constantly. As underwhelmed as I am with the Eagles offseason so far I don't want them to sign garbage for the sake of it.
Posted 05:30 PM, 03/09/2010
sima_down_nah
sore richard, don't agree with you but that HAS to be the post of the day!! I actually think this guy will be here for a year only. They draft a safety, move Macho back to corner and keep teaching Demps for another year. Funny stuff dude...
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About Birds' Eye View











Jeff McLane (left) began covering the Eagles in April 2009 after covering college sports and Penn State football in particular. Before that he wrote about high school sports and before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Find Jeff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for instant updates on the Eagles.

Jonathan Tamari (right) began covering the Eagles in April 2010. He previously covered New Jersey state government and politics, reporting and writing about elections, policy debates and the many personalities that drive the Garden State, from three recent governors to the many musicians bidding to write the state song. He has been at the Inquirer since June 2008. Follow him on Twitter at @JonathanTamari.
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