DeSean Jackson

Extra Points: Jackson, Seahawks, Jets, Colts

February 11th, 2017 at 1:28pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL on this Saturday afternoon…

If DeSean Jackson really wants to stay with the Redskins, he’ll probably have to turn down more money elsewhere, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. DJax says he wants to stay put, but the Redskins are reportedly lukewarm on him because of his inconsistency. Both Jackson and Pierre Garcon are free agents and it sounds like D.C. prefers the latter. Of course, with Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson already on the roster, the team doesn’t necessarily have to re-sign either one of the vets.
Knowing the way the Seahawks operate, it stands to reason that they will bring in a young kicker to compete with new addition Blair Walsh, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. It’s quite unlikely that Steven Hauschka will be kept around for competition, however. Hauschka made $2.7MM last season and Walsh will probably earn something in the $1MM range, so it’s hard to see a scenario in which he would agree to fight for the job and accept a 50 percent-plus pay slash.
ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini believes some members of the Jets organization are probably regretting having not traded defensive end Sheldon Richardson to the Cowboys prior to the trade deadline. While the Jets were steadfast in their desire for a first-rounder in return, Cimini believes a deal would have gotten done had the team been willing to accept a second-round pick. Now, the writer can’t envision the organization getting that kind of value for Richardson. After talking to several sources around the league, Cimini opines that the Jets could now get a third-round pick in return.
While Colts general manager Chris Ballard would prefer to build his team through the draft, Mike Chappell of CBS4Indy.com believes the front office may need to pursue some veteran free agents to help shore up their defense. The Colts ranked toward the bottom of the league in multiple defensive statistics, and the organization is staring at more than $55MM in cap space. Chappell cites the success of the previous regime, as several buy-low free agents ultimately helped the team.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

DeSean Jackson Wants To Stay With Redskins

February 10th, 2017 at 11:08am CST by Zachary Links

As he nears free agency, DeSean Jackson says that he would like to remain with the Redskins. Of course, that comes with the usual caveats.

“I do want to still be here,” Jackson told Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com. “My family and my house, I have everything here and I don’t want to be in a transaction and move. First things first, I do want to be here and hopefully we can make it work. But once again this is a business so things happen. I’m just really excited about the opportunity I have to sit and now the ball’s in my corner a little bit and see what we can do. I’m just excited and I’m going to let my agent care of all that. Ready to just sit back and whatever offers come in but obviously, like I said, I do want to be here.”

In late 2016, we heard that Jackson is eyeing a reunion with the Eagles. Those rumors gained steam when Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham and ex-Eagles running back LeSean McCoy indicated that Jackson had told them the same thing. Jackson may be intrigued by the idea of closing out his career in Philly, but he’s also making it known that he would like to remain in D.C. Meanwhile, the Redskins might not want him back and they may prefer the idea of keeping Pierre Garcon.

In 15 games this season, Jackson had 56 catches for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns.

Redskins Notes: Cousins, WRs, Baker, Staff

February 9th, 2017 at 6:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Washington’s seen turnover on its coaching staff and has a potentially contentious negotiation with Kirk Cousins forthcoming. Here’s the latest emerging out of the nation’s capital, courtesy of the Washington Post’s Mike Jones.

The Redskins would prefer to keep Cousins on a long-term deal, with Jay Gruden “standing on the table” for the sixth-year quarterback. Jones notes, though, Cousins is “a little salty” and is well aware of the differing opinions on him that exist within the organization. There aren’t any indications the sides could be closer together on terms, and Jones adds a $24MM franchise tag looms as a high likelihood despite more than five months remaining until the extension deadline. A tag for Cousins basically ensures he’s not with the Redskins in 2018, Jones writes. A tag then — at 144 percent of his 2017 salary — would come out to roughly $35MM, and the quarterback in this scenario could see the Redskins as having no faith in him if a second tag is the reality come mid-July.
DeSean Jackson is likely to depart as a free agent, with Jones noting the deep threat is too inconsistent for the Redskins brass’ taste. The team has a higher opinion of fellow 30-year-old UFA Pierre Garcon, who has said he wants to stay in Washington. But with other teams seeking receiver help and many performers who could have been on the 2017 market (Emmanuel Sanders, Doug Baldwin, Allen Hurns, etc.) being extended, Garcon is one of the top pass-catchers available. That could complicate his return. The Redskins have not entered into negotiations with Garcon or Jackson, but that’s not necessarily seen as a deviation from the norm nor should it signal that neither wideout will return.
Washington hired James Rowe as its new assistant defensive backs coach, per Jones. This comes a day after the Redskins announced the hiring of Torrian Gray as their top secondary boss. Rowe comes straight out of the Division II ranks, having served as Valdosta State’s defensive coordinator in 2016.
Prior to moving toward Gray, the Redskins wanted now-Rams assistant Aubrey Pleasant to serve in Gray’s capacity. Money served as an issue that led to an irked Pleasant departing, with the move to Los Angeles coming after the Redskins previously blocked teams from interviewing their coveted assistant. Jones also notes league insiders wonder if Gray will be able to gel with some Redskins veterans who preferred Pleasant and avoid being given the “inflexible” tag previous secondary coach Perry Fewell was upon being fired along with DC Joe Barry.
Washington does not view defensive end Chris Baker as a high priority, instead being “lukewarm” on the lineman, Jones writes. He’s expected to want more than the Redskins are willing to pay. A Redskins starter for three seasons, Baker notched 10.5 sacks in 2015-16.

Redskins Notes: Davis, WRs, Cap Casualties

February 8th, 2017 at 5:50pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

With the exception of tight end Vernon Davis, the Redskins haven’t yet had any discussions with their pending free agents regarding new contracts, according to John Keim of ESPN.com. Aside from Davis, the team’s list of unsigned players includes quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, and defensive end Chris Baker, among others. As Keim notes, though, the team’s decision not to engage with any of its potentially soon-to-be available players isn’t necessarily cause for concern, writing that “there’s no urgency yet and multiple agents weren’t surprised no one has been contacted.” Nevertheless, it would behoove the Redskins to retain at least one of Garcon or Jackson, opines Keim, who argues that better options in free agency will be few in number. Garcon and Jackson were the only Redskins targets to exceed 1,000 receiving yards last season, and losing the pair would leave them with Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson – who endured a lost rookie year because of an Achilles injury – as their top two wideouts.

NFC Notes: Saints, 49ers, Smith, Jackson

December 28th, 2016 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Drew Brees does not expect to be playing for a different Saints coach in 2017 despite Sean Payton‘s name again being a constant in the coaching rumors section of the NFL news cycle. The quarterback who signed a one-year extension just before this season “absolutely” expects Payton to stay in New Orleans for what would be his 12th year with the franchise.

“I’ve heard some of the same stuff that I heard last year, and I felt like I had a pretty good feeling last year,” Brees said, via Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com. “And I don’t see why it would be any different this year.”

Payton has been connected with the Rams after a report emerged indicating the 52-year-old having “sincere interest” in acquiring the veteran coach in a trade. A report pegged the Saints as being open to exploring a Payton trade, with another denying the team was thinking of shopping him. The Saints have made the playoffs just once in the past five seasons, although the 2012 absence came without Payton due to the Bountygate suspension.

Here’s more from the NFC as teams make Week 17 preparations.

Saints outside linebacker Michael Mauti underwent surgery for a large intestine issue, leading to the Saints placing the fourth-year player on their NFI list in November. But the Penn State product revealed he hopes to play in 2017, Katzenstein reports.
The Saints tried out linebackers Frank Beltre and Deon Lacey, a source tells Nick Underhill of The Advocate (on Twitter). Earlier today, they signed linebacker Brian Blechen to their practice squad.
Carlos Hyde described the MCL sprain he sustained as being worse than the one that sidelined him at Ohio State in 2012, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News reports. The 49ers‘ backfield starter will enter a contract year in 2017. He’s expected to return, injury problems notwithstanding, but Inman projects Trent Baalke and DC Jim O’Neil to be fired at season’s end. However, the reporter expects Chip Kelly and OC Curtis Modkins to stay, citing some sense of continuity is needed to avoid having four head coaches in four years. Inman also anticipates none of the 49ers’ three quarterbacks to be back but points to both Torrey Smith and Jeremy Kerley staying in what should be a turbulent offseason.
Tyron Smith expects to be ready to go by the time the Cowboys are due to play their divisional playoff game, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. The cornerstone left tackle said he did not have knee problems before spraining an MCL on Monday night.
After drafting wideouts the past two years, the Redskins figure to let DeSean Jackson walk, Elliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com reports. This would open the door for the deep threat to reunite with former teammates on the receiver-starved Eagles. This would make sense from a need standpoint, and there have been multiple connections between D-Jax and his former team, but Philly is projected to be $800K-plus over the cap in 2017 after signing numerous players to extensions this offseason. The Eagles would need to shed salary to make room for Jackson. For his part, the 30-year-old wideout said he’s “intrigued” about being a free agent.

NFC Notes: DJax, Eagles, Panthers, Rivera

December 27th, 2016 at 12:40pm CST by Zachary Links

Is Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson on his way back to the Eagles this offseason? Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham seems to think so.

“I’m just happy because I kinda knew already. I’ve talked to him. I talked to him when Doug (Pederson) got hired. He was like, ‘Tell Coach come get me,'” Graham said (via Corey Seidman of CSNPhilly.com). “We have fun during the season. He’s like, ‘B.G., I’ll be back.’ But now that it’s official, as far as the season about to be over, I think you’ll be hearing a lot of noise about DeSean. … I’m saying official as far as the end of season, now we’re gonna really see.”

Former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy also recently said that Jackson told him that he would be back with the Eagles next season. We’ve been hearing reports of strong mutual interest between the Eagles and DJax for some time now. All signs are pointing to a reunion, but Graham should probably stop speaking on the subject before the team is hit with penalties for tampering.

Here’s more out of the NFC:

Will there be major changes to the Panthers‘ roster and coaching staff? Coach Ron Rivera seemed to hint at some turnover in 2017 when talking to reporters this week. “You have to evolve. Things are going to change after six seasons,” Rivera said, via Bill Voth of Black And Blue Review. “When this is all done, we’ll take a look back at some things and see what we’ve got to do as we go forward.” After Saturday’s loss to Atlanta, the Panthers are 6-9. They close out the season on Jan. 1 against the Bucs.
Panthers defensive end Mario Addison has been labeled a one-trick pony in the past, but he has shown his full arsenal this season and is due for a big payday, David Newton of ESPN.com writes. Once looked at as strictly an edge rusher on passing downs, Addison had two tackles for loss against Atlanta’s Devonta Freeman over the weekend. The only thing really holding him back on the open market will be his size as he stands at 6’3″ and 260 pounds. The speedy Addison has a team-high and career-high 8.5 sacks this season with seven of those coming in his last six games.
Many of the Lions‘ mid-tier free agents will be cashing in on their incentive-laden deals, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin will make $1.45MM in playtime and performance incentives, maxing out his deal. Others cashing in include linebacker Tahir Whitehead, safeties Tavon Wilson and Rafael Bush, cornerback Johnson Bademosi, and defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker.

East Notes: Taylor, Cowboys, D-Jax

December 11th, 2016 at 9:38am CST by Rory Parks

We heard several days ago that Bills GM Doug Whaley was unwilling to commit to Tyrod Taylor as the team’s starting quarterback of the future until after the season, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that no talks regarding who will be the team’s 2017 quarterback have taken place. The Bills’ decision-makers appreciate that Taylor has just 26 career starts to his name, and they will evaluate his entire body of work–including the final four or more games of 2016–with that in mind.

If they decide Taylor is their man, the Bills could pick up his 2017 option, thereby kickstarting a new five-year, $80MM+ deal, or they could redo his contract to make it more palatable, which Rapoport believes is the more likely option. If Buffalo moves on, Rapoport expects the team to be active in the veteran quarterback market with a possible eye on Tony Romo. Jay Cutler and Colin Kaepernick also could be on the Bills’ radar.

Now for more from the league’s east divisions:

We learned last night that the Cowboys would be without return specialist Lucky Whitehead for tonight’s game against the Giants, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Whitehead was indeed left home in Dallas for missing a team meeting, which has been a recurring issue for him.
Even if the Cowboys reach a point in the regular season when they have nothing to play for, they do not plan to rest their starters, according to Rapoport. Dak Prescott would be a logical exception to that rule, though Tony Romo may not be the replacement if Prescott comes off the field. As Rapoport writes, Dallas would want to keep Romo safe in case Prescott should suffer an injury in the playoffs (Twitter links).
Despite recent reports that the Eagles will pursue Redskins wideout DeSean Jackson at season’s end, and despite reports that the interest is mutual, Jackson himself says that free agency is not on his mind at the moment, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Jackson said, “Who knows what happens in free agency? If I’m a free agent, I might seek some options and wherever it takes me, it takes me. It’s not my focus now. We have four games left here. Whatever happens, happens at the end of the season.”
Jets wideout Devin Smith is expected to finally get back on the field Sunday, and as Mark Cannizarro of the New York Post writes, the embattled former second-round pick is embracing a new beginning even in the midst of a lost season for the Jets. Smith said, “I just have to continue to [prepare] and we’ll see come Sunday. I’m going to continue to keep working hard and my chance is going to come.’’
We learned earlier today that Jets head coach Todd Bowles is expected to keep his job, but that Chan Gailey might not be so lucky, Nick Mangold may be considering retirement, and that Woody Johnson might not be the one in charge of the team’s day-to-day operations in 2017.

DeSean Jackson Interested In Eagles Reunion?

December 7th, 2016 at 9:55am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles are expected to pursue DeSean Jackson in free agency this offseason. Apparently, the interest is mutual. A source close to DeSean Jackson believes the wide receiver would be “intrigued” by a possible return to Philadelphia, Tim McManus of ESPN.com writes.

As you may recall, Jackson did not have the cleanest breakup with the Eagles in 2013. After catching 82 passes for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns, Chip Kelly unsuccessfully tried to trade Jackson and ultimately released him. This came right around the same time as a story alleging that Jackson had gang ties that the Eagles found to be troubling.

Years later, Kelly is out of the picture and it sounds like top exec Howie Roseman wants to make things right. It also helps that new coach Doug Pederson is a fan of the 30-year-old. A reunion would make a lot of sense for both sides and it is a situation to watch as we look ahead to March.

The Eagles face the Redskins in Philly on Sunday.

Eagles To Pursue DeSean Jackson

December 4th, 2016 at 10:15am CST by Rory Parks

The Eagles’ wide receiver corps is perhaps their biggest weakness, and there are no indications that any wideout currently on the roster will be a major contributor in the future (outside of Jordan Matthews, that is). As such, Philadelphia will need to address the position in the offseason, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the club is expected to pursue old friend and current division rival DeSean Jackson.

Jackson is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and the diminutive and mercurial wideout could represent the deep threat and speed element that the Eagles presently lack. And although the Redskins will have their own receiver problems to deal with–Pierre Garcon will also be a free agent, and Josh Doctson has missed almost the entire season–their attention will be fixed upon getting a new deal done with Kirk Cousins, and Schefter suggests that the club would rather bring back Garcon anyway.

Of course, Jackson is not the perfect solution for the Eagles, or for any club. As Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com tweets, Jackson just turned 30, has a game built primarily on speed, and his yards-per-catch average this year (15.4) is the third-lowest of his career. That number has dropped 5.4 yards since 2014, his first season in Washington, which suggests that Jackson’s skills are declining (which is true of many skill position players when they turn 30). And that does not take into account Jackson’s erratic personality and injury history, both of which could deter the Eagles from handing him the type of deal he is likely to score from a similarly needy team on the open market.

This season, D-Jax has posted 38 catches (on 70 targets) for 585 yards and three scores.

East Notes: Jets, Bennett, D-Jax

November 13th, 2016 at 12:30pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at some notes from around the league as Week 10 gets underway in full force:

Rich Cimini of ESPN.com does not believe Jets head coach Todd Bowles will be fired at season’s end, but that does not mean that there will be no changes to the coaching staff. Cimini writes that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, for instance, will almost certainly be on the hot seat.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that, prior to signing his mega-deal this past offseason, Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson sat down with Bowles to discuss his past disciplinary issues. During that meeting, Wilkerson vowed to behave and assured Bowles that he understood the responsibility that comes along with such a lucrative contract, which makes last week’s letdown all the more disturbing (Twitter links). Wilkerson’s 2016 numbers are already down, and a floundering Jets team cannot afford for him to be a disappointment both on and off the field.
Bryce Petty will be getting the start for the Jets today, largely because Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s knee is not quite game-ready. However, Fitzpatrick is serving as Petty’s backup today, while Christian Hackenberg is inactive. That decision shows just how raw Hackenberg really is; as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets, it is clear that the Jets view an injured Fitzpatrick as a better option than a healthy Hackenberg.
Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports that, when the Patriots acquired tight end Martellus Bennett this offseason, the two sides explored a scenario that would have added a year on to Bennett’s existing contract. However, no agreement was reached, and Bennett will consequently become part of New England’s large free agent class at season’s end.
DeSean Jackson is out this week with a rotator cuff injury, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the Redskins wideout is likely to miss at least next week’s game as well. Rapoport’s source says that Jackson’s prognosis is “not good.”
Earlier today, we examined the quarterback dilemmas of the Jets and Cowboys.

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