Great read on DeSean Jackson

[Buccs9755]

just saw this article on the NFL homepage thought it was a great summary of what DeSean Jackson brings to the table.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d807bbb91&template=with-video&confirm=true

personally i am not worried about his character, and to be honest i was never aware that scouts were talking about character issues with him..but all i can say is if jerry rice, probably the greatest football player of all time, and a great person none the less will put his name on the line for this kid..i am not worried at all

this article may have sold me on jackson

[TomatoVSC]

He just seems...frail. A 169 pound receiver might not last too long.

That said, I'm okay with drafting him.

[Chebington]

But...he's not 7 feet tall and 250 pounds of muscle!

[Chebington]

He just seems...frail. A 169 pound receiver might not last too long.

That said, I'm okay with drafting him.

The thing with a guy that size is that he has speed and explosiveness to make up for it. No one gets a clean hit on him, at least not often. Devin Hester never takes a good clean hit because of his speed. Barry Sanders rarely took one because of his quickness. Marvin Harrison never takes one because he's smart. Wes Welker just goes to the ground when he knows he's caught.

You don't need to be enormous to play a skill position. There are ways around taking big hits. And if the offensive coordinator is smart, he doesn't make a player that size run routes into linebackers, and a similarly wise QB doesn't hang his WR out to dry with those kinda throws.

[JamesWilder32]

The thing with a guy that size is that he has speed and explosiveness to make up for it. No one gets a clean hit on him, at least not often. Devin Hester never takes a good clean hit because of his speed. Barry Sanders rarely took one because of his quickness. Marvin Harrison never takes one because he's smart. Wes Welker just goes to the ground when he knows he's caught.

You don't need to be enormous to play a skill position. There are ways around taking big hits. And if the offensive coordinator is smart, he doesn't make a player that size run routes into linebackers, and a similarly wise QB doesn't hang his WR out to dry with those kinda throws.

Yes, and every single player you mentioned is 20 lbs or more heavier than Jackson. Jackson is fast but he is not fast enough to make up for 167. Considering he was .06 slower than Jacquez Green and was about the same size and Jacquez couldn't hold up, there is little reason to think a slower, less polished, less productive version of Green will be any better.

[Miller4Prez64]

Why do people care if Jerry Rice likes him? Last I checked he was a great player, not talent scout.

[TornadoRex]

Depending on who is still there, I don't think Jackson would be a bad pick. His great return skills fill one big need, and he will make a really good #2 deep threat guy at first, and has the explosiveness to be a premiere playmaker at least. I like the big guys to keep the chains moving, but an open-field guy thrown in doesn't hurt.

[Pantera Canes]

Just pick up Eddie Royal in the 3rd, get a better just as fast player, and one with less head aches. Also get to use the 1st on something else.

[TornadoRex]

I'd prefer Thomas if we go WR. Not as fast, but a lot bigger and can return too.

[TomatoVSC]

Just pick up Eddie Royal in the 3rd, get a better just as fast player, and one with less head aches. Also get to use the 1st on something else.

Eddie Royal is also strong as HELL!

[Cpt_Buckoneer]

"I am a competitor. That's what I bring to the football field. A very explosive, finesse route runner with great hands and ability to make people miss. Heart. The heart and will to score touchdowns."

He's a good guy, and I'm not saying that because he is on board with our group. My reputation is on the line with saying that. So, I say it, I mean it.

^^^^^
I cried reading that. Go Jackson! I hope we draft you, but if you were to go even earlier, I wouldn't mind.

[JamesWilder32]

Why do people care if Jerry Rice likes him? Last I checked he was a great player, not talent scout.

Jerry Rice probably liked his partner on "Dancing with the Stars" but I seriously doubt that would make her an NFL prospect... even though she probably wasn't much smaller than Smurf Jackson.

[JamesWilder32]

"I am a competitor. That's what I bring to the football field. A very explosive, finesse route runner with great hands and ability to make people miss. Heart. The heart and will to score touchdowns."

He's a good guy, and I'm not saying that because he is on board with our group. My reputation is on the line with saying that. So, I say it, I mean it.

^^^^^
I cried reading that. Go Jackson! I hope we draft you, but if you were to go even earlier, I wouldn't mind.


You cried reading that? Oh geez, did you get beat up a lot when you were growing up? Did your sister fight your battles for you?


Who cares what a guy says about his ability, it's what he shows of his ability on the field that matters and Jackson showed little in 07.

[Cpt_Buckoneer]

You cried reading that? Oh geez, did you get beat up a lot when you were growing up? Did your sister fight your battles for you?


Who cares what a guy says about his ability, it's what he shows of his ability on the field that matters and Jackson showed little in 07.

No, I was touched that despite all the bad things scouts say about him, he keeps his head up and argues that he's not "me-oriented" instead of just saying "I'll prove them wrong" or something similar. When you make a stand like that after being wrongly accused, that to me shows great fighting spirit. Oh, and I liked how Rice said he's a good guy.

[JamesWilder32]

Jackson is paying Rice to train him. Rice is obligated to say nice things about him. What else is he supposed to say? "He's pretty fast, though I didn't think they made WR's that small!" or "He's a tough guy, I would probably take him in a fight over Martin Grammatica anyday, Grammatica and him may be the same weight but Jackson's got the height advantage and he's a hair puller and Grammatica usually has that mullet".

[Buccs9755]

Why do people care if Jerry Rice likes him? Last I checked he was a great player, not talent scout.

why do people care if jerry rice likes jackson??

because jerry rice is hands down the greatest receiver, arguably the greatest player; ever to play the game of football..his records are almost untouchable, he is the standard to which every receiver will be compared to..he knows what it takes to become great. if he believes that this kid has what it takes to be a great player, i will take his word for it.

[Legacy]

why do people care if jerry rice likes jackson??

because jerry rice is hands down the greatest receiver, arguably the greatest player; ever to play the game of football..his records are almost untouchable, he is the standard to which every receiver will be compared to..he knows what it takes to become great. if he believes that this kid has what it takes to be a great player, i will take his word for it.
You didn't read the post directly above yours, did you?

[TampaBay012286]

You didn't read the post directly above yours, did you?

if i was desean jackson, id be paying jerry rice whatever he wanted to train me too, this will only help him in the long run

[Legacy]

if i was desean jackson, id be paying jerry rice whatever he wanted to train me too, this will only help him in the long run
Remember that hit Tanard Jackson put on Dallas Clark last season?

Jerry Rice can train DeSean Jackson all he wants, but he'll never be able to teach him how to take a hit like that. Jackson is going to get his head ripped off in the NFL if he tries to go over the middle for a pass.

[Chebington]

Yes, and every single player you mentioned is 20 lbs or more heavier than Jackson. Jackson is fast but he is not fast enough to make up for 167. Considering he was .06 slower than Jacquez Green and was about the same size and Jacquez couldn't hold up, there is little reason to think a slower, less polished, less productive version of Green will be any better.

Because we all know that a prospect drafted 10 years ago who played under a different coaching staff in a different offense has everything to do with how DeSean Jackson will play in the pros.

Who cares what a guy says about his ability, it's what he shows of his ability on the field that matters and Jackson showed little in 07.

Did you watch Cal last season? I'm going to go out on a limb and say you didn't. Because if you did, surely you'd know that his QB Nate Longshore underwent a terrible regression before being benched and his backups couldn't get Jackson the football.

[Buccs9755]

Remember that hit Tanard Jackson put on Dallas Clark last season?

Jerry Rice can train DeSean Jackson all he wants, but he'll never be able to teach him how to take a hit like that. Jackson is going to get his head ripped off in the NFL if he tries to go over the middle for a pass.

what is your point?, no one could have prepared for that hit..you are then inadvertently saying that what makes a guy a great football player is his ability to weather a highlight reel hit??

an offensive coordinator worth even a fraction of his weight will understand jackson is not a big body who will make the tough grab over the middle in the face of a 245lb linebacker.. he will have to be used similar to steve smith or else he will get lit up. lets face it we, know he is incredibly fast and illusive, there is nothing you can do to accommodate for his speed.

[Legacy]

what is your point?, no one could have prepared for that hit..you are then inadvertently saying that what makes a guy a great football player is his ability to weather a highlight reel hit??

an offensive coordinator worth even a fraction of his weight will understand jackson is not a big body who will make the tough grab over the middle in the face of a 245lb linebacker.. he will have to be used similar to steve smith or else he will get lit up. lets face it we, know he is incredibly fast and illusive, there is nothing you can do to accommodate for his speed.
No, my point was that he can be trained all you want, but it's not going to make up for his extreme lack of size.

He has absolutely no place on a team running a WCO unless it's as a returner and any team that uses a 1st round pick on a guy who can do nothing but return punts has a FO full of idiots.

[billdibello3]

You guys act like he's never been hit before, and about his weight, He'll add bulk without slowing down. Who said Tampa will stay a WCO forever. It isn't working here!

[Corsair]

He has taken hits, and they have forced him out of games.

Kevin Ellison ended the game for him.

[Miller4Prez64]

You guys act like he's never been hit before, and about his weight, He'll add bulk without slowing down. Who said Tampa will stay a WCO forever. It isn't working here!

As long as Gruden is here, we will be running a WCO. There's no way we draft a guy with them thinking Gruden will be fired or change his offense for one subpar WR.

[FromdaCrowsNest]

I'm not sold on the guy... this same issue keeps coming up.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/


CONCERNS SWIRL AROUND JACKSON
Posted by Mike Florio on April 13, 2008, 5:54 p.m.
Cal receiver DeSean Jackson is one of the best available receivers in the 2008 draft. But what will his efforts in the Pac-10 equate to at the next level?

Think Reggie Bush. Dominating Arizona State’s defensive backs is a little different than competing against NFL-caliber corners. That’s sort of what a veteran scout told Thomas George of NFL.com:

“This young man has all of the ability in the world. He can be as good as he wants to be. But is he going to do the things necessary to get there? I had a scout tell me to watch him in workouts with the receivers and see if he is not the last one in the line for drills. So, I looked. He was the last one in line for drills. But there are issues and there are issues. He’s not evil. He’s not robbing banks. If you draft this guy, you’d better have him on a short leash from the get-go. He seems to have always done just enough to beat those around him relying on the fact he was better than them. Well, at the next level, they are as good and better than him.”

Size also is a concern for Jackson. He’s five-foot-nine, and he weighs only 169 pounds.

But he ran the forty in 4.35 seconds at the scouting combine.

So where will he go? Said the scout to George: “He goes no later than the second round. He could get in the bottom of the first round.”

Jackson had visits last week with the Eagles and the Buccaneers. Next week, he’ll visit with the Rams and the 49ers.

In the end, Jackson’s true abilities at the NFL level won’t be determined until he competes against NFL talent. It was true of Bush, it will be true of Jackson. And it’s the only way to know whether any prospects, in any season, will be decent players at the next level.

Indeed, it’s the most important factor in assessing draft picks, but it’s the only piece of information that isn’t available to scouts.

[TampaBay012286]

Remember that hit Tanard Jackson put on Dallas Clark last season?

Jerry Rice can train DeSean Jackson all he wants, but he'll never be able to teach him how to take a hit like that. Jackson is going to get his head ripped off in the NFL if he tries to go over the middle for a pass.

i agree 100% with that, as would just about anybody, thats y any smart coach isnt gonna send him over the middle, he is gonna be making a living on deep routs, outside routes to the sidelines & screen passes, let the big guys like calvin johnson & TO handle going accross the middle, desean jackson isnt that type of reciever

[Chebington]

When when you guys get it through your heads that the Bucs don't run a traditional West Coast Offense?

When you do, I hope you start to understand that some principles of that offense we don't run do not apply to the offense Gruden has put together.

[mediator12]

what is your point?, no one could have prepared for that hit..you are then inadvertently saying that what makes a guy a great football player is his ability to weather a highlight reel hit??

an offensive coordinator worth even a fraction of his weight will understand jackson is not a big body who will make the tough grab over the middle in the face of a 245lb linebacker.. he will have to be used similar to steve smith or else he will get lit up. lets face it we, know he is incredibly fast and illusive, there is nothing you can do to accommodate for his speed.

I really do not think you understand an offensive philosophy if you make a statement that an offensive coordinator will use him differently if he is special. Every team has benchmarks for what a Position must do, in Gruden's WCO none of the Starting WR's are deep threat only types. Joey gets most of the deep balls because he gets behind the favorable coverages when teams play him one on one or with a lone safety up top. TB should not change their offensive philosophy to accomodate drafting a WR who is not a scheme fit as a Starter and lacks the skills to perform the offense.

You asked how you negate speed at the next level, its called press coverage. Jackson was not very good at getting off press coverage in college. He uses his speed to seperate, but he lacks the savy of quality route running a Marvin Harrison had coming out of Syracuse. Plus, he is a miserable blocker and would be wasted on over 50% of the snaps the offense takes.

Now, is the guy a talented WR, Absolutely. Talent does not make a player great, though. It takes a lot more than that, and mentally his football character is scary. Football character refers to a player's ability to maximize his potential. The same things that scare me about Limas Sweed, are in play with DeSean Jackson. He lacks even average football character watching him play from year to year. He was much better in 2006, but he did not ever get right in 2007 after getting Injured early. Then, he got injured again late causing him to miss several games late in the year. The guy struggles playing with pain and its going to get tougher at the next level. Steve Smith plays through pain.

[mediator12]

When when you guys get it through your heads that the Bucs don't run a traditional West Coast Offense?

When you do, I hope you start to understand that some principles of that offense we don't run do not apply to the offense Gruden has put together.

No one really runs a traditional WCO anymore, but the basic principles in the passing game are all the same for SEA, DEN, PHI, and TB. Most of the adjustments have gone to their respective running game philosophy. The same style WR's are preferred and the types of route combinations are all very similar.

If anything, TB has put the more value on larger WR's in the Gruden era. It just so happens the roster has lost a lot of that with Galloway and Hilliard. The guys they have drafted have been the Clayton and Stovall types. Before that you had Keyshawn, Joe Jurevicious, and Keenan. Those are all WCO WR's. Galloway is bigger than I thought too. He is 5'11 197 which is at the small end of a WCO type WR, but he does get the job done on the slants and crossing routes as well as the 9's.

[real bucs fan]

I think what this article clears up is that Jackson might not be the headache he's being made out to be.

That said his IS a major concern. However small players have done it before, and he's alot more than just a speed guy. He's a natural wideout with great instincts and owns the best hands of any receiver in the draft.

[Legacy]

I think what this article clears up is that Jackson might not be the headache he's being made out to be.

That said his IS a major concern. However small players have done it before, and he's alot more than just a speed guy. He's a natural wideout with great instincts and owns the best hands of any receiver in the draft.
:lol:

[TampaBay012286]

:lol:

i guess we will find out who is right in a few months

[maryjanewatson]

I began last season as a big Jackson fan...but at this point, I will be deflated if we draft him. I really, really get worried when there are so many concerns about a prospect's dedication to improving his game. It seems like a poorly kept secret that to this point, Jackson has not worked up to his potential. Just the fact that he's made so little effort to bulk up, even though some time in the weight room would improve his game and help draft stock, is a red flag, just the same as if he was a lineman who couldn't keep the weight off.

The fact he played in a no-defense conference, and was not the most productive receiver on his own team, doesn't help.

I'm not really worried about it, though. There's a very short list of guys under the 5'11 range who've played the position for Gruden. He doesn't seem to have very much use, looking at his history, for smurfy/slot types. Galloway (who's a shade under 6'0) is the closest thing I can think of to an exception, but Rice, Porter, Brown, Keyshawn, K-Mac, JJ, Stovall, Clayton, even 5'11 Ike, etc...Not many midgets to be found.

[real bucs fan]

:lol:
Maybe that was an exaggeration, but out of the top tier WR in the draft he has the best hands IMO. I've also heard this mentioned by some of the talking heads on the NFL network, so I'm not the only person of this opinion.

[Cpt_Buckoneer]

I began last season as a big Jackson fan...but at this point, I will be deflated if we draft him. I really, really get worried when there are so many concerns about a prospect's dedication to improving his game. It seems like a poorly kept secret that to this point, Jackson has not worked up to his potential. Just the fact that he's made so little effort to bulk up, even though some time in the weight room would improve his game and help draft stock, is a red flag, just the same as if he was a lineman who couldn't keep the weight off.

The fact he played in a no-defense conference, and was not the most productive receiver on his own team, doesn't help.

I'm not really worried about it, though. There's a very short list of guys under the 5'11 range who've played the position for Gruden. He doesn't seem to have very much use, looking at his history, for smurfy/slot types. Galloway (who's a shade under 6'0) is the closest thing I can think of to an exception, but Rice, Porter, Brown, Keyshawn, K-Mac, JJ, Stovall, Clayton, even 5'11 Ike, etc...Not many midgets to be found.

Maybe he finds it hard to bulk up? He will if he has a fast metabolism (like he seems to do)

[real bucs fan]

He's also one of the best athletes I've ever seen. Reminds of TJ Ford in terms of his superhuman quicks...

[maryjanewatson]

Maybe he finds it hard to bulk up? He will if he has a fast metabolism (like he seems to do)

If he can't bulk up at least some, he's going to have a short NFL career. It's a really short list of skill position guys that played a lot of years south of 175 lbs.

[warrensappisgod]

Yes, and every single player you mentioned is 20 lbs or more heavier than Jackson. Jackson is fast but he is not fast enough to make up for 167. Considering he was .06 slower than Jacquez Green and was about the same size and Jacquez couldn't hold up, there is little reason to think a slower, less polished, less productive version of Green will be any better.

Jacquez ran an OFFICIAL 4.29? I doubt it. And his production was system production. Thats like saying a Hawaii WR was more productive.

C'mon JW. Don't throw out garbage points that you know don't hold up. :grinno:

[warrensappisgod]

The same things that scare me about Limas Sweed, are in play with DeSean Jackson. He lacks even average football character watching him play from year to year. He was much better in 2006, but he did not ever get right in 2007 after getting Injured early. Then, he got injured again late causing him to miss several games late in the year. The guy struggles playing with pain and its going to get tougher at the next level.

11 starts and 12 games played in college doesn't tell me he missed "several" games. Not really comparable with Sweed missing almost a whole season. Or that Jackson was a complete stud as a WR/PR in 06, while Sweed was only above average as a WR.

[mediator12]

11 starts and 12 games played in college doesn't tell me he missed "several" games. Not really comparable with Sweed missing almost a whole season. Or that Jackson was a complete stud as a WR/PR in 06, while Sweed was only above average as a WR.

I think you are missing the point. Jackson played three games very poorly with an early injury and when he was healed he played much better. Then, he got hurt again late and missed 90% of that game and the next versus Stanford. Injuries hurt his on field play as much as they caused him to miss the majority of 2 games he actually played in. That is a problem at the next level.

As for Sweed, his football character concerns me. He never got better in college at any major aspect of his game. How is he going to get better at the next level where his pure athleticism is NOT going to dominate NFL DB's? Guys who struggle to progress in College, generally do the same at the next level. It is not that they can not do it, but why will they suddenly learn to get better once they get paid? That is what scares me about both Jackson and Sweed as prospects. They both have holes in their games that they had opportunity to address and did not.

Add that to the fact that Jackson is NOT a prototype WR at the next level like Sweed definitely is. Jackson is a very good WR, but he has flaws that are not going to be easy to fix at the next level. Why should he project well when he has not been able to progress at the lower level? The ONLY real argument is that his QB play was not up to par with NFL level standards. However, the CAL QB's were better than their counterparts of other elite Prospects outside of Sweed and Manningham.

[Pantera Canes]

I believe Rice was saying the great things about David Ball last year too?

Because we all know that a prospect drafted 10 years ago who played under a different coaching staff in a different offense has everything to do with how DeSean Jackson will play in the pros.

About as much as another player on another team with another coaching staff does when people keep saying he will be the next Steve Smith, though Smith is all muscle.

[BigPictureBuc]

Jacquez ran an OFFICIAL 4.29? I doubt it. And his production was system production. Thats like saying a Hawaii WR was more productive.

C'mon JW. Don't throw out garbage points that you know don't hold up. :grinno:

Ourlads had Jaquez at 4:40 even coming out.

[maryjanewatson]

Ourlads had Jaquez at 4:40 even coming out.

Jacquez Green! That's a good comparison!

[warrensappisgod]

I think you are missing the point. Jackson played three games very poorly with an early injury and when he was healed he played much better. Then, he got hurt again late and missed 90% of that game and the next versus Stanford. Injuries hurt his on field play as much as they caused him to miss the majority of 2 games he actually played in. That is a problem at the next level.

Jackson was pretty good in the early season. Very well rounded game against Tennessee with that return that was the highlight of week 1, long TD run against CSU, just lit up Oregon. I don't see how you can say he's got an injury clearly affecting his play when one week he's not so good and the next he's doing great or vice versa. The Washington/Stanford games, I agree with you.

As for Sweed, his football character concerns me. He never got better in college at any major aspect of his game. How is he going to get better at the next level where his pure athleticism is NOT going to dominate NFL DB's? Guys who struggle to progress in College, generally do the same at the next level. It is not that they can not do it, but why will they suddenly learn to get better once they get paid? That is what scares me about both Jackson and Sweed as prospects. They both have holes in their games that they had opportunity to address and did not.

The one thing I can say for both is that I think the move to the pros should help them. And I think DeSean gets a lot of unwarranted despise from a lot of people, and I really dislike the lack of criticism on Sweed. So I'm not playing favorites here. But Sweed was the man at Texas, even though I was under-whelmed by his numbers. Jackson was the same at Cal, likewise with his junior #s. But the guys opened up opportunities for other WRs, and don't seem to be no doubt #1s themselves at the next level (consensus, not necessarily my opinion). You seemed to have watched even more of Jackson than I, so you saw how much teams keying in on Jackson helped Lavelle produce. I think at the next level, when they likely aren't looked to in that manner, they could both thrive as niche WRs. Obviously Sweed as a possession #2, and Jackson as a deep threat, big play #2.

Add that to the fact that Jackson is NOT a prototype WR at the next level like Sweed definitely is. Jackson is a very good WR, but he has flaws that are not going to be easy to fix at the next level. Why should he project well when he has not been able to progress at the lower level? The ONLY real argument is that his QB play was not up to par with NFL level standards. However, the CAL QB's were better than their counterparts of other elite Prospects outside of Sweed and Manningham.

I don't know if I'd question his progress so much, except for his junior year. He really came into his own his sophomore season, after being flashy yet impressive for a frosh. His inconsistency in his junior season was a downer, but he was still highly productive for I'd say 85% of his college career,and likely would have had a big year if he returned to Cal. He still has a ways to go route-running-wise, but aside from that I'm happy with his progression from start to finish in college. Again, he didn't make that jump in his junior year, but I don't think it's too worrisome.

[mediator12]

Jackson was pretty good in the early season. Very well rounded game against Tennessee with that return that was the highlight of week 1, long TD run against CSU, just lit up Oregon. I don't see how you can say he's got an injury clearly affecting his play when one week he's not so good and the next he's doing great or vice versa. The Washington/Stanford games, I agree with you.



The one thing I can say for both is that I think the move to the pros should help them. And I think DeSean gets a lot of unwarranted despise from a lot of people, and I really dislike the lack of criticism on Sweed. So I'm not playing favorites here. But Sweed was the man at Texas, even though I was under-whelmed by his numbers. Jackson was the same at Cal, likewise with his junior #s. But the guys opened up opportunities for other WRs, and don't seem to be no doubt #1s themselves at the next level (consensus, not necessarily my opinion). You seemed to have watched even more of Jackson than I, so you saw how much teams keying in on Jackson helped Lavelle produce. I think at the next level, when they likely aren't looked to in that manner, they could both thrive as niche WRs. Obviously Sweed as a possession #2, and Jackson as a deep threat, big play #2.



I don't know if I'd question his progress so much, except for his junior year. He really came into his own his sophomore season, after being flashy yet impressive for a frosh. His inconsistency in his junior season was a downer, but he was still highly productive for I'd say 85% of his college career,and likely would have had a big year if he returned to Cal. He still has a ways to go route-running-wise, but aside from that I'm happy with his progression from start to finish in college. Again, he didn't make that jump in his junior year, but I don't think it's too worrisome.

1. 2007: Suffered a badly sprained left thumb in the season opener vs. Tennessee (9/01) and the injury would hamper him throughout the season, as he was forced to wear a cast in practices and be heavily bandaged for several games...Missed the second half of the Washington game (11/17) and sat out the season finale vs. Stanford (12/01) with a thigh/quadriceps contusion.

He had 2 seperate injuries his senior year and the thumb injury caused him to have at least 3 fumbles while he played with it. The injuries kept him from being more productive, and that was my point altogether. He played through them, but he was much less effective because of them. That will not get any easier at the next level and if he plays ST's like most project him to do it could be much worse.

2. I agree wholeheartedly on both being more SE's than Flankers at this point. That is why I think their value should comparatively be less than first round grades. Sweed is not that comfortable going over the middle either. That is why I do not understand why people like him so much. He was a limited production WR that ran 3 routes effectively the go, Deep out, and Comeback. His size allowed him to shield smaller and less talented DB's from the ball on the later 2 routes.

3. Jackson can get deep and catch the ball, his QB's just struggled to get it there. He has more route versatility coming out, but his routes are not crisp. He will go over the middle, but he also gets the dreaded alligator arms when he hears footsteps. I would too if I was 5'9 and 169! As for his progression, neither really showed technique, route, or situational improvement on film. They were average improvers in playmaking ability with Injuries derailing their 2007 seasons. What

I have yet to understand is how they both are rated so highly from that versus a guy Like Marcus Monk who has been a major progression WR that came into the year just behind Sweed as a top WR, but was really injured all year. Monk was a top 5 WR and now is looking to be a late 6th rounder from Injury alone! I think Monk has better football and personal Character than either and has shown the playmaking ability in his junior year that neither Sweed or Jackson showed as WR's. And that in the Arkansas offense that McFadden even admitted was one diminsional as well :confused:

[warrensappisgod]

1. 2007: Suffered a badly sprained left thumb in the season opener vs. Tennessee (9/01) and the injury would hamper him throughout the season, as he was forced to wear a cast in practices and be heavily bandaged for several games...Missed the second half of the Washington game (11/17) and sat out the season finale vs. Stanford (12/01) with a thigh/quadriceps contusion.

He had 2 seperate injuries his senior year and the thumb injury caused him to have at least 3 fumbles while he played with it. The injuries kept him from being more productive, and that was my point altogether. He played through them, but he was much less effective because of them. That will not get any easier at the next level and if he plays ST's like most project him to do it could be much worse.

2. I agree wholeheartedly on both being more SE's than Flankers at this point. That is why I think their value should comparatively be less than first round grades. Sweed is not that comfortable going over the middle either. That is why I do not understand why people like him so much. He was a limited production WR that ran 3 routes effectively the go, Deep out, and Comeback. His size allowed him to shield smaller and less talented DB's from the ball on the later 2 routes.

3. Jackson can get deep and catch the ball, his QB's just struggled to get it there. He has more route versatility coming out, but his routes are not crisp. He will go over the middle, but he also gets the dreaded alligator arms when he hears footsteps. I would too if I was 5'9 and 169! As for his progression, neither really showed technique, route, or situational improvement on film. They were average improvers in playmaking ability with Injuries derailing their 2007 seasons. What

I have yet to understand is how they both are rated so highly from that versus a guy Like Marcus Monk who has been a major progression WR that came into the year just behind Sweed as a top WR, but was really injured all year. Monk was a top 5 WR and now is looking to be a late 6th rounder from Injury alone! I think Monk has better football and personal Character than either and has shown the playmaking ability in his junior year that neither Sweed or Jackson showed as WR's. And that in the Arkansas offense that McFadden even admitted was one diminsional as well :confused:

I disagree with most everything you said here, but I'm going to cut it short because I haven't the patience to defend Jackson from rampant and constant criticism since the season ended. Luckily the draft is only a week and a half away and those who think he's a god-awful WR prospect will forget about the kid.

Monk is a nice, underrated WR who should go bottom of the 3rd IMO. Don't know if he will, shouldn't fall much further than that. I really don't care for the character argument too much though as great guys and hard workers are usually overshadowed by the more flashy, questionable character players. Especially at WR where athleticism is key. Even the epitome of this currently, Wes Welker, has superior athleticism. I disagree that Monk was more of a playmaker than Jackson was, but again, tired of defending the kid. Monk was a legit deep threat in college, likely won't be in the pros. He's not made in the form of a Marques Colston. If I'm going to take a later WR on the merit of play-making ability it's going to be Adarius Bowman even later after his arrest, because he was consistently, highly productive and unlike Monk did a lot of work over the middle.

EDIT: I forgot about D.J. Hall as well, but with his stock, I guess everyone else has too.

[BucFanSinceTwo]

Desean Jackson is the type of player we need. He's a star quality gamebreaking wide reciever who could be the X-factor. He is small but his body will develop. We need a guy like him who can scare the secondary. Im tired of the opposing team stacking the line because they don't respect our speed. Yeah we got Galloway but he's getting old and we could use a firey young guy to take his place.