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I figured there is going to be a lot to talk about with Jackson and a lot of things written about him in the next couple of weeks, so I wanted to kick off a DeSean thread here.

Obviously, he's off to an amazing start in the offense and the return game. The return ability isn't all that surprising, but I'm flat out shocked how good he's been in the offense this early. In both aspects of his game, we've seen massive jumps forward in each contest as he seems to be gaining confidence and learning the speed of the game.

I'm still wondering how much the Eagles will give him once the season starts because he's a rook and they are obviously trying to downplay expectations, but this article had some pretty interesting quotes from players. Some enlightening and one hilarious.

The server wouldn't let me post italic or bold tags, so I'll separate them out as best I can.

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"It's obvious that he's going to stretch the field,” Westbrook said yesterday. “The defense is going to have to plan for him and see where he's at on every possession. His being alone is something that they are going to have to reckon with, and he'll continue to get better as the season goes on as long as we continue to put the ball in his hands.

“He's going to be able to make plays, and like we said before, the more playmakers that you can have on the field at once, the more things the defense has to prepare for.”
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This one REALLY surprised me, because Westbrook is essentially ripping (mildly) the other WRs:
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“I'm tired of seeing eight men in a box,” said Westbrook, the NFL's total offense leader last year. “I want to see an opportunity where the defense has to respect our receivers.”
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Another one from Westbrook:
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He's an exciting player,” Westbrook said. “I think probably since I've been here he probably is one of the more exciting rookies. ... He's gone out there and his moves, his speed have really been exciting for me and for the other guys on the team as well. We expect a lot of him.”
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This one is from Dawk:
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“When you have a receiver who can get up the field like he gets up the field ... (he) makes it look effortless,” Dawkins said. “The thing I've seen a lot of good receivers have is a step-back move - to be able to catch the ball and once you catch it, make the first guy pause and stop his feet.

“That's what he has. He has the ability to step back once he catches the ball and make that first cat miss. Then he has the acceleration to get away from him really fast. Not a lot of people have that. He definitely has it.”
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This quote from Samuel is unrelated, but cracked me up:
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After intercepting Donovan McNabb while covering Jackson, Asante Samuel shouted out, “75 percent of the world is covered by water. The other 25 percent is covered by Zont,” which is Samuel's nickname.


click here

FD, Fred Smoot said that when he was picked up as a FA by Minnesota several years back. Cracked me up as well.

ntf, jules. i think i have heard that used by centerfielders in the past, as well.

Vin Scully said that about Garry Maddox and I'm sure someone before him.

I think F-d was actually laughing about Samuel referring to himself as "Zont"

I think the figure of speech is funny, but it's definitely not the first time I've heard it.

Reading the quote, I was far more interested in "Zont" because I couldn't stop from thinking about General "Zod" AND this is the first time I've ever heard of the nickname.

So, I looked up the nickname and found it's short for Asante (don't ask me why his nickname isn't "Sant"). I also found this quote from Asante in 2005, which is really the crown jewel:

"It's a Swahili name," said Samuel. "It means 'powerful king."

Immediately after I read that, it took about 1 second to google the meaning of his name and verify that it, in fact, means "Thank You".

NTF.


link

ntf indeed. yeesh.

Asante = Thank You

Zont = ? could not find the definition.

He was saying Asante means "powerful king".

Obviously, he's off to an amazing start in the offense and the return game. The return ability isn't all that surprising, but I'm flat out shocked how good he's been in the offense this early.


THE VOICE OF DOOM

While I agree you you that it has been a pleasant change of pace to watch a Eagles rookie WR with more than "average" talent- I still realize that the shine that Jackson is showing now will have a tough time retaining its' luster into the regular season. The defenses won't be vanilla, and teams will be hitting HARD- trying to test his chops. Having said that, at least unlike in years past (other than T.O.) there is some hope that WITH EXPERIENCE he can develop into a Marvin Harrison type player. Maybe even better as an open field player. He's certainly got "the wiggle", the intangible attribute which makes Westbrook the great player he is.

However, this optimism has to brought back to earth by the fact that he is a rookie, and how much can you really expect him to contribute? Enough to keep the Eagles in it until Curtis comes back? Remember that everyone was clamoring for a #1 WR even when Curtis was healthy. Sadly, I think that (and I think someone else here said it already) the Eagles are going to use the hype surrounding Jackson as a reason to justify the status quo. What would really make me happy is if while Jackson was showing all this promise, they were secretly negotiating now from a decidedly less weak position- at least perception wise- for Boldin or Williams...

curtis was interviewed on 950 today.


said he expects a quick recovery and doesnt see himself missing more than a few games. my gut reaction when i heard it was abt 4 gms, maybe the bye week.

Maybe the Eagles will use Desean a little like the Saints used Reggie Bush a couple of years back. They will use him a little sparingly, in space. Maybe limit the number of plays he has to learn. That kind of picture makes me think he'll do a lot of good in his rookie season.

I hope he turns into another Colston.

said he expects a quick recovery and doesnt see himself missing more than a few games. my gut reaction when i heard it was abt 4 gms, maybe the bye week.

I heard that, but I'm not holding my breath. The track record with this injury and the Eagles isn't good, so if they get 8 good games out of Curtis, I'll be happy.

My biggest concern is they'll rush him back too quickly and he'll hurt himself again (like LJ)...it just seems like a really tricky injury.

However, this optimism has to brought back to earth by the fact that he is a rookie, and how much can you really expect him to contribute?

That's a totally legit question and no one knows the answer. If I'm reading the tea leaves correctly, they are quietly expecting quite a bit from him...maybe 60 catches/700 yards or more.

I keep getting the distinct impression they are downplaying his potential contribution more for his benefit than anyone elses. I just get the feeling they know what kind of confidence (maybe bordering on cockiness) DeSean has and they are most concerned about this all going to his head too quickly.

He's not going to be a #1 stud this year or anything like that, but after seeing the glimpses, I don't see how they can keep the ball out of his hands this year. He has something no other offensive skill player on this team has (other than Westbrook) and I can't believe they'd put a lid on it just to prove their point. With Curtis out, DeSean would be my #2 option in this offense right now, after Westbrook, until he proves otherwise.

"I can't believe they'd put a lid on it just to prove their point."

Obviously we watch two different teams.

I heard that, but I'm not holding my breath. The track record with this injury and the Eagles isn't good, so if they get 8 good games out of Curtis, I'll be happy.

fwiw, the doc who performed the surgery on curtis, supa 5 and LJ said that the damage to the latter two was far more extensive than was to curtis. so we'll see.

"I hope he turns into another Colston."

I'd take a mini-Colston at this point.

I'd take a mini-Colston at this point.

Hoping for a mini-anything is a good bet when it comes to the Eagles draft strategy.

By 2015 I predict they'll grab a 4'7" WR who is rumored to have a 12' leap.

I heard that, but I'm not holding my breath. The track record with this injury and the Eagles isn't good, so if they get 8 good games out of Curtis, I'll be happy.

Sports Hernias : Eagles = Concussions : Flyers

I've been impressed with Jackson's ability to take a hit. He's gotten tagged a couple times and held on to the ball. Wasn't expecting that. I think he'll have 35-40 catches this year with a nice average per. Oh and LJ will lead the team in catches with 75.

Jackson will have at least 60 catches this season.

BMA, here's hoping you're right, but...


Even the great Fred Barnett didn't have 60 recepts in his rookie season. Neither did Jerry Rice, Steve Smith, Steve Largent, Lance Allworth, Michael Irvin, Lynn Swann, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Chad Johnson...


Colston and Moss are two that come to mind that hit these numbers- can you guys think of other rookie WR's that hit big time right away?

I think Harrison surpassed 60 as well, if I'm not mistaken

Ok, time for this frontrunning fan to put the Phils on- eagerly await F-D's expectations on Desean numbers wise

Far more realistic for him to have 35-45 catches. I think he's more Randle El than he is Colston. He'll probably have a high YPC and pretty good YAC.

I think it'd be reasonable for him to have a 14-15 yards/catch average. As long as the Mule doesn't keep passing to him in the flat on 3 and 15.

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