This is not about DeSean Jackson. It’s about Chip Kelly and how smart he is. The other people, Andy Reid and that crew-- like many NFL people—may be in position may have some good results but are really not that smart. The problem with DeSean Jackson not apparent to the not-so-smart coach or fan is that he cost the Eagles, number one receiver money, but he is not and never will be a number one receiver. NFL teams are built with one $10-12 million dollar pass catcher. If you get another number one pass catcher in some way—like an undrafted free agent or one who develops out of the lower rounds you may start paying him a million or two or less but as soon as he gets to free agency he will be gone. Once again, Philadelphia is paying Desean Jackson number one money but he ain’t a number one pass receiver. He’s not a number one receiver because he can not, except by accident catch a contested football. He is too small and too light in the ass to go up against some of these—many of these—hard 6 foot, two inch conerbacks in the League and make a catch. With Michael Vick, and a little bit with McNabb, they could throw a 50 yard throw that had some velocity on it. With Vick, even at 55 and 60 yards his ball still had velocity and Jackson could continue to run and a defensive back could not catch up. With Foles, the only downfield ball that Kelly knows will be catchable for Jackson is one where Jackson lines up on the left and runs maybe thirty or so yards downfield going to his right in a vacated zone. So, this is Jackson lined up at the right near the right side line and catches a ball thrown to a spot going to his left and maybe 30-40 yards downfield where Jackson is headed toward the pylon. In other words the straight vertical fly pattern will not work for Foles because he doesn’t have the arm to drive the ball downfield. Yet, this is the route that Jackson can win, most easily. That long crossing route will not be happening for the Eagles in 2014. Teams already gave that to them in 2013 and Foles came out looking good. But Kelly knows Foles limitations and he knows Jackson’s limitations. Andy Reid and the rest knew Jackson’s limitations, but they weren’t trying to win in the end. Kelly has to win. Jackson’s value without Vick will go down further because he is a deep threat—against weak to average defensive backs. Jackson’s numbers compared a few other pass catchers will illustrate: Two little men, but Steve Smith will fight for a football and is thicker: desean jackson games 87 receiving touchdowns 32 in the red zone 9 28% inside 10 yard line 4 inside 3 yard line 1 steve smith games 182 receiving touchdowns 67 in the red zone 29 43% inside 10 yard line 13 inside 3 yard line 4 Steve Smith, a better player getting 3 million but the Eagles paying Jackson 12 million. Now here are two men who play the number one receiver positon, Calvin Johnson getting close to 20 million in 2014 and Dez Bryant getting close to 3 million. Bryant is a free agent in 2015. Think about 21 million for Bryant in 2015 with a season close to what he did in 2013. calvin johnson games 106 receiving touchdowns 66 in the red zone 37 56% inside 10 yard line 19 29% inside 3 yard line 10 dez bryant games 59 receiving touchdowns 40 in the red zone 23 57% inside 10 yard line 18 45% inside 3 yard line 8 And the numbers for selected quarterbacks, touchdown throws inside the red zone: brady 70% manning 63% vick 67% brees 64% These are Michael Vick throws to Jackson—Vick is the leading quarterback throwing touchdowns to Jackson with 13 of his 32: 45, 61, 9, 88, 91, 6, 31, 34, 62, 19, 77, 25, 61 Six of Vick’s touchdowns to Jackson were of 60 yards or more. Almost half. Only two touchdowns from Vick to Jackson in the red zone. The six yarder was a 25-yard throw of Jackson crossing from right to left in the back of the end zone. DeSean Jackson is getting way overpaid compared to what he is supposed to be and compared to what some of those “real” number one receivers are getting paid. Jackson cannot deliver—his size and his inability to fight for balls in the red zone are liabilities. Let’s see if anybody is stupid enough to pay him to score four or five touchdowns other than the Eagles.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:51:52 +0000
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