The Patriots took a calculated risk in drafting speedy receiver Chad Jackson two years ago.  Several teams planned to steer clear of him, due in part to some boorish behavior during pre-draft visits.

At least one team cut his visit short after Jackson took multiple calls on his cell phone.  While meeting with the head coach.

But while Jackson hasn’t been a problem in that regard for the Patriots, he simply hasn’t been able to significantly contribute on the field.

He knows that it needs to change in 2008.

“It could be a big year for me,” Jackson told Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe (who should get some sort of prize for working the word “milieu” into a sports story).  “I hope it is, and I’m going to work hard to make it a big year because I need one.”

Jackson has an opportunity to secure substantial playing time, given the departure of Donte’ Stallworth.  And with Randy Moss and Wes Welker drawing so much attention, whoever else is on the field with them could generally run free.

“Guys like [Greg] Jennings, Santonio Holmes was in my class and a couple of other guys.  I feel like I can do the same thing,” said Jackson.  “That’s why I got drafted as high as I did.  Now I have to take advantage of the opportunity to show what I can really do.”

The Pats packaged their second-round pick and a third-round pick to move up in round two to get Jackson.  They’ve yet to see much of a return on the investment.

He appeared in 12 games as a rookie, catching 13 passes and scoring three touchdowns.  A torn ACL suffered that year in the AFC title game loss to the Colts derailed Jackson’s 2007 season, keeping him out of action until November.

In his third year, Jackson faces much greater competition than he did as a rookie.  He’ll be battling with Jabar Gaffney and Kelley Washington and rookie Matt Slater for playing time, and possibly for a roster spot.

Still, Jackson is aiming high.

“I have a job I have to go get; they’re not going to give it to me,” he said.  “I have to go out and work to get it.  Whether it’s being the first receiver, the second receiver, the third receiver, or the fourth receiver, I got to work for it.”

Chad, you don’t need to worry about being No. 1 or No. 2 on the depth chart, barring a serious injury (such as an amputation) involving Moss or Welker.  But No. 3 or No. 4 is a good place to start.

Even then, there’s a good chance that Jackson could end up being the next Bethel Johnson in New England, run out of town following a sputtering start to what once was a promising career.