Jackson was a bright spot when Washington lost to the Eagles, 37-34, on Sep. 21 in Philly, finishing with five catches, 117 receiving yards and an 81-yard TD reception.
By David F. Cohen
It’s only a couple of days before the Eagles’ rematch with the Washington Redskins, so you would expect that the Birds’ former bad boy/great receiver DeSean Jackson would be champing at the bit to get revenge on the team that cut him last March.
But no.
Jackson insisted on Wednesday he would not be focusing on revenge, that it won’t be the same as facing off against them back in September at the Linc:
“You know, first game was first time playing them. Now, the whole season has went on. They’re playing. I’m playing here, so I’m not going to put too much energy into that.”
Jackson, of course, signed a three-year, $24-million contract with the Redskins after Philly unceremoniously released him back in March.
Jackson would not bite when asked if there would be any extra motivation. He’s taking the same approach this time around. About the only mention of the Eagles Wednesday came when Jackson acknowledged former teammate LeSean McCoy’s impression of him: “He got me on that one. That was me.”
He did, however, address quarterback Robert Griffin III’s return to the starting lineup this week, noting the two still have “good chemistry.” But Jackson admitted the revolving door under center has had an undeniable effect on this year’s team.
“To really not have stability at the quarterback position is tough, you know, one quarterback and another quarterback and another quarterback,” Jackson said. “So just trying to deal with that and trying to find a leader as far as the quarterback position was really hard because we’ve just been through three quarterbacks, so can’t fault that.
“Still, at the same time, I’ve got to go out there and whoever is out there behind center, you just got to support them and play for them and play through them and play with them. Regardless of that, it’s definitely been tough, you know, losing season. Nobody wants to be a loser, so we just got to figure out a way to get it done.”
That, Jackson added, contributed to why he was slow to return to the huddle after running deep routes throughout Sunday’s game. Washington Coach Jay Gruden has criticized Jackson for failing to get back to the huddle, which in turn slowed the pace of the offense, the past two weeks.
He finished with three catches for 15 yards, his second-worst showing of the year.
“Really, running that far down the field and trying to get back to the huddle within that time is tough,” Jackson said. “You know being out a week, a little winded, had something to do with that, too. So I just got to figure out a way. Hopefully, get someone else in there maybe. If they see me go down the field with the long pass or, you know, coming back 50 or 60 yards to the huddle and trying to get off another play in time is tough. We’ll try to do a better job with that.”
Jackson’s session with reporters then ended with another question about the Eagles, and specifically their defense. True to form, the star wide receiver avoided controversy at all costs before walking off.
“Not talking about them, bro,” he said.
