The Great DJax/JMac Debate

While basking in the glory of a perceived “A” 2009 NFL draft, I keep reading and hearing naysayers comparing first-round pick Jeremy Maclin to last year’s second-round pick DeSean Jackson. Actually, it’s not so much comparing as it is declaring they are the same player. There is no difference between the two. All they do is run fast and return punts/kicks. Oh yeah, and they are the same size.

Unless your blind, you can easily see they are not the same size. I hate to repeat myself, but I guess it’s warranted since some people aren’t getting it. Maclin is 6’0″, 200 lbs. DeSean is 5’10”, 175 lbs. Do the math. My nine-year-old niece just did, and she informed me the first player is bigger than the second. A quick check tells me she’s correct. What can I say, she’s smart for her age.

They both returned punts in college. Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t a lot of wide receivers return punts in college? It’s not as if players like Tim Brown, Derrick Mason and Steve Smith have parlayed their return abilities into fruitful careers as wide receivers. Oh, wait a second. My niece just told me those guys are considered great NFL wideouts. My mistake. What would I do without her?

I recall some comments insinuating Maclin is nothing but another Ted Ginn, Jr. That’s a bold statement. First off, the Eagles didn’t trade up to the 9th spot to select Maclin. They traded up two spots from 21 to select a Top 10 player. I do remember the Dolphins “reaching” big time in 2007 for Ginn, Jr., who was not considered a Top 10 prospect. Upon closer inspection, let’s do a real comparison between Ginn Jr.’s stats at Ohio State and Maclin’s numbers at Missouri. You be the judge. Same guy?

Alright, I’ll give you that Maclin played in a more pass friendly offense, but it’s hard to argue with his production. Maclin’s numbers would have been off-the-charts if Chase Daniel could throw a pass further than 20 yards. I’d say JMac’s 182 catches and 22 touchdowns in two seasons are slightly more impressive than Ginn Jr.’s 135 receptions and 15 touchdowns in three seasons. JMac scored 33 total touchdowns, while Ginn Jr. had 26. Bottom line: Maclin is a wide receiver who can return punts and kicks, while Ginn Jr. is return man trying to be a wide receiver.

I have no idea why Reid would want this bum Maclin on his team. It’s not like he’s a legit deep threat who can play the X receiver opposite DeSean, who is a natural Z receiver. What the hell was Big Red thinking? Why get another outside threat to go along with inside/slot receivers like Curtis and Avant? Obviously, Reid had zero plan when he decided to draft a player 18 teams had rated as the top wideout of the 2009 draft class. One of those teams, the Giants, even had a trade in place to acquire Maclin before the Eagles pounced. Reid is such a fool!

Listen, I am not a psychic. I have no crystal ball or witches brew to predict the future. Maclin may turn into a major bust, just like his detractors suggest. Or he could end up being the next Reggie Wayne or Torry Holt. None of us know. But to simply pass him off as another DeSean clone is not fully comprehending the Eagles’ West Coast offensive design. This isn’t the Raiders school-yard-everyone-go-deep philosophy; the Eagles utilize a sophisticated route tree that requires different skill-sets for each receiver.

Derek, over at Igglesblog, made an excellent point regarding the Birds lack of a true X receiver since the days of – dare I etch his name – Todd Pinkston! For all his faults, Pinky Stinkston Coward Todd was a speed guy. He caught his share of rainbows from DMac once upon a time, which made defenses respect the threat. Hey, I kinda like that – “Respect the Threat.” Nobody steal that, it’s mine.

Back on topic. In the ten seasons since Reid took control of the team, we have had to endure the likes of Torrance Small, Charles Johnson, James Thrash, Freddie Mitchell, Greg Lewis, Reggie Brown and the aformentioned Pinkston patrolling the starting split end and flanker spots. A future consisiting of DJax and JMac looks beyond tantalizing in the eyes of Eagles Nation.