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With training camp opening on July 21, the Eagles have gotten the second of their second-round picks under contract.
Cal receiver DeSean Jackson, an undersized speedster who could become a Steve Smith-style presence in Philly, has inked a four-year deal.
Jackson is expected to contribute right away (as Smith did seven years ago) on special teams. On offense, Jackson likely will get started as a slot receiver. If he can stand up to the physicality of NFL football, he could eventually climb a couple spots higher on the depth chart.
Still unsigned for the Eagles is defensive tackle Trevor Laws, the team’s first second-round pick.
July 20th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
The kid is lightning quick, and he has a nice attytude…
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Rating: 3.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Fred-E Mitchell part 2…
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July 20th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
It would have been great to see DeSean Jackson develop in a Mike Martz offense, so he could become an Az-Akim type. Granted, a longer, more fruitful career, but the same type of player.
The Problem with Martz, is that he’s only an offensive co-ordinator, notoriously looking for a HC position. Its hard for a team to draft a guy to groom for a system that may not be there in a year. In San Francisco, we all know 2 other names that once had the same position as Martz. McCarthy is the HC of Green Bay, Turner the HC of San Diego.
Ofcourse, Nolan also wouldn’t want to give management reason to keep Martz and promote him because of the huge improvements made to the offense of an otherwise mediocre team. Yes, McCloughan is calling the shots in the draft, but you know he’ll listen to what’s coming out of Nolan’s “mouth” over Martz.
Anyway, this is getting off topic. DeSean Jackson should be a major contributor in special teams, and find a way to get 30 for 500. I think expecting 7 TDs in his rookie season is not unreasonable. I’d give his max TD total 9(2 via returns), pending McNabb’s health.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Lets go Eagles!!!!
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July 20th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Read up on this kid Mr. black….Humble isnt in his vocabulary..
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Rating: 2.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Jerry Rice is high on the kid. That’s all I need to know.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Drew….
It’s Az Hakim….not Az Akim
Az-Zahir Hakim
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
It’s nice to see people comparing Jackson to Steve Smith. Both were kinda crapped upon when they entered the NFL and, yes, both are a hard hit away from being hurt, but no one would question drafting Steve Smith in round 2 in retrospect.
And DeSean Jackson has nothing in common with Fred X aside from the team they play for. I’m not an Eagles fan, but that’s just stupid hating.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 10 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
@invader,,,
I don’t take 2nd hand opinions as fact.
I hear the kid talk every week on local media and on the team website. I have formed my own opinion that he has a great attitude. I didn’t use the word “humble.” He’s confident and he’s team-oriented.
The pre-draft hype you are referring to came from teams that maybe hoped to snag him in the draft themselves. Luckily the Eagles formed their own opinion too…
He was one of the highest rated receivers in the draft. Of course he’s got a little Diva in him. You expect something different???
F2B
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Besides, Invader…
Freddie Mitchell never ran a 4.3 forty yard dash now, did he???
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Rating: 4.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
A Raiduh fan in Igle territory isnt Hatin’….But Fred-ex was kinda the same kinda guy…Fast, good, productive and a prick…I’m not hating just predicting… I was real big on Freddie when he came out..I bleed Silver and Black but never wish anything bad for my locals either! Maybe he’ll be different…
Love always…Raider Nation.
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 20th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
By the way..Burritos are delicious so im not hating on anybody!!
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 21st, 2008 at 12:22 am
Proving himself is in his vocabulary, though. He’s got an impressive chip on his shoulder after going in the second round, and he wants to show the Birds they got the real deal. Donovan needs to use him as a first down specialist in the slot and look for Celek and LJ in the Red Zone. It would be nice if Brown or Avant or Baskett surprised this year, too, but this offense should be playoff caliber even if they don’t. For God’s Sake, we have Brian Westbrook.
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July 21st, 2008 at 1:07 am
I agree with geo, if j-Rice says jump, I’ll jump. A Steve Smith like impact would be amazing. Let’s go birds….Green is coming….
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July 21st, 2008 at 1:39 am
As my Mom always said, it’s better to be Desean than to be Deherd.
What can I say - it’s late and I’m tired and I have absolutely nothing to contribute to this thread. And, besides, I’m an ass.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 21st, 2008 at 2:04 am
Comparing DeSean to Fred-Ex-NFL? AT least DeSean has some speed to burn.
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July 21st, 2008 at 3:05 am
ummmm, people? we already had a really really fast 170 lb wide receiver and he did nothing of note. we now have, another, really really fast 170 lb wide receiever who is 6 inches shorter than really really fast 170 lb wide receiver mentioned before. i think you need to get your deposits back for the parade. superbowl contenders do not decide 2 years in a row to punt their first round draft picks. keep drinking the kool-aid.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 21st, 2008 at 4:44 am
*DeSean Jackson, an undersized speedster who could become a Steve Smith-style presence in Philly*
What a stupid comment. I cannot stand when supposed NFL media stalwarts make player comparisons by size. It’s all about ability and production.
Last time I checked, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher was 5′9″ and 209 lbs. In Philly, 2 years ago, fans were calling for a *big back*. They felt Westbrook was too small to carry the load. Wrong.
Agreed though. Jackson and Smith share the same size and speed. Yet, one has never played a down in the NFL and the other is on-pace for the Hall of Fame.
I hope he *does* become a Steve Smith-style player and not the many other 5′9″ speedsters that never panned-out in the NFL, but I’m afraid his SIZE will hurt his NFL career.
Pfffft…..
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July 21st, 2008 at 6:54 am
@invader,,,
Let’s get it straight then, my Raiders fan friend…
You are the fan of a cellar-dweller. And you are knocking the wide-out picks of an Eagles team that contends for the playoffs every year???
The RAI-DUH’s will miss Cris Clemons this year. They won’t even sniff the playoffs. And they are lining up the replacement already (Paul Hackett) in case they have to fire another Head Coach this year. And also, the first year QB is overweight.
OK, then… We’ll keep you posted on the Raiders’ progress this season compared to the Eagles.
Mr. Black
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July 21st, 2008 at 8:02 am
“He was one of the highest rated receivers in the draft.”
Otherwise known as “one of the best cars to come out of the Yugo factory”. Not really a great year for WRs.
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July 21st, 2008 at 8:05 am
“And you are knocking the wide-out picks of an Eagles team that contends for the playoffs every year???”
Did you sleep through last year?
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July 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am
Hey Vox, I’m pretty sure they came on VERY strong at the end of the year. They were already out of it by the time McNabb was healthy and the receivers found their groove though. Plus, in a division where 3 of 4 teams were in the playoffs,what did you expect to happen?
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July 21st, 2008 at 10:30 am
Punt returner.
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July 21st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
vox,
We were 1 game out of a playoff spot last year. The redskins were 9-7, we were 8-8. That’s not exactly 3-13.
And Smiley, I also think Jackson is only a punt returner for now, but it sure is nice to have a good one, isn’t it? Can’t be worse than reno mahe.
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