Philadelphia Eagles Best or Worst Decision: Cutting DeSean Jackson
By Todd Duvall
Dec 20, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) makes a reception as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Bradley Fletcher (24) defends during the second half at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Watching the Philadelphia Eagles lose the way they did to a horrible team was hard to do. Painful, actually. There have been articles and posts blaming Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez‘ for the loss. But there is plenty of blame to go around regarding the loss to the hapless Washington Redskins.
Eagles
But one thing that stands out, love him or hate him, Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson is a serious deep threat to any defense. He has more 40+ (12) than any other wide receiver in the league. True, he only has five touchdown receptions this season but when you can get your team 40 yards or more in one play, you are setting your offense up for easy touchdowns. And he’s done this with three different quarterbacks this season and in his first season with a new team.
But he’s not without his share of bad attitudes. Take the tweet from Jeff McLain below. Jackson is displaying his usual poor winner attitude.
DeSean Jackson dancing as he enters tunnel. "Get the f-ing Birds out of here," he said. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/J30c7C3duB
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 21, 2014
Even with his behavior don’t you think the Eagles could have been better off this season with Jackson? More than one article has been written by writers on this site cheering the move. Especially after seeing what a jerk he’s been since leaving. I have written that the Eagles are better off with out him. But I could have been wrong.
Facing playoff elimination this fan starts looking at what could have been. I applauded Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly’s decision to cut him. I bought into his thought that all his players needed to buy into his system. But at what cost?
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin has seven 40+ yard receptions and five more touchdown receptions with 10. He also has one more 20+ yard reception at 16. His production is comparable to Jackson’s. Just think if they were both on the Eagles’ squad.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper has his own issues. I was high on Cooper for a while even after a video surfaced with him using a racial slur at a Kenny Chesne concert prior to the NFL 2013 regular season. If it weren’t for former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick rushing to his side he would not have made it through the season.
One year later, he’s [Cooper] given a five year contract. And they cut DeSean Jackson.
In life and social circles some may choose to not hang around with a questionable element. But in football, you need players on the edge. And DeSean Jackson lives on the edge and is an amazing talent. Cooper’s season has been bad, with 53 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns. Not sure the amount of dropped passes and missed opportunities but there are a plenty.
I think the Eagles would have been better served cutting Cooper and keeping and dealing DeSean Jackson. This fan would rather have a locker room full of players going to the playoffs rather than a room full of men sitting around singing Kum By Yah after each game.
But I digress.