Philadelphia Eagles: Jackson Could Be the Solution

By Isaac Barrow: Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles were a pass-oriented team without any pass catchers. The leading receivers were Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown; both had pretty decent years, but the Eagles need a Pro Bowl caliber wide receiver. Enter DeSean Jackson, former All American receiver from the University of California.

Last year, Jackson had 762 receiving yards and six touchdowns but didn't play that much of a role. He also had six touchdowns in three years off punt returns. Jackson, a rookie, will play a bigger role because the Eagles don't really have a receiver. Running back Brian Westbrook sometimes led them in receiving in games last year. Jackson is just 5'11, 178 pounds, but was 5'9 when he entered California. He recorded 601 yards as a freshman, which is good in a division such as the Pac-10.

Eagles star quarterback Donovan McNabb said earlier in the offseason that he wants more "playmakers" on the team. The Eagles actually went after Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald before he signed an extension. That forced them to draft Jackson, who has always been a highly coveted receiver despite his size. The Eagles offense could be very good this year with McNabb, Westbrook, Lorenzo Booker, Jackson, Curtis and TE L.J. Smith all on the field at the same time.

Jackson has the type of speed that will make defenses think twice about pressuring McNabb. Last year, McNabb was sacked fourty four times! Opposing teams could pressure him because the Eagles weren't a very speedy team with receivers such as Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis. Jackson, without a doubt, has that speed. He ran a 4.35 in the fourty yard dash, fastest for any wide receiver in this year's draft class which included speedsters such as Florida's Andre Caldwell, UCLA's Brandon Breazell and Michigan State's Devin Thomas.

The Eagles didn't have a first round pick and drafted Jackson with the 49th overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. Many now wonder why the Eagles let go of Donte Stallworth. In his one season with Philadelphia, Stallworth had 725 yards and five touchdowns. Most importantly, he did that on just 38 catches, which is an average of just under twenty yards per catch. Stallworth has since been picked up by the Patriots and this past offseason was picked up by the Cleveland Browns where he is expected to be a solid number two behind Braylon Edwards.

The only problem with Jackson is sometimes he acts younger than he is. That was obvious during mini-camp drills. He is sometimes the first and only one to take off his helmet without being told to do so. Later in the summer, McNabb and Jackson will hook up 1-on-1 for individual drills in Arizona.

McNabb said he likes what he sees in Jackson and Eagle Nation hopes Jackson lives up to his end of the bill.