By Sarah Berkowitz
Eagles fans eager to bolster the team’s woeful wide receiver ranks have turned their eyes southward toward Washington, D. C., where the Redskins have a major decision to make about their two talented wide receivers:
Former Eagle DeSean Jackson (above) and Pierre Garcon, both of whom are facing free agency.
It is conventional wisdom that the Redskins can only afford to sign one.
Which of their two veterans should they bring back — the durable, consistent Garcon or the explosive Jackson?
There are arguments for each player.
Garcon, who turns 31 on Aug. 8, hasn’t missed a start in five years. He doesn’t shy away from contact, making tough, contested catches and fighting for yards after the catch. And he brings the same intensity to practices, which has helped Cousins develop a keen sense for this timing and tendencies.
Jackson, who turned 30 on Dec. 1, is a study in contrasts — blessed with rare speed, terrific ball-tracking skills and, as a result, often alters the way defenses play him. When he streaks past defenders to turn routine receptions into 67- and 80-yard touchdown catches, Jackson makes it easy for fans and coaches to feel he’s irreplaceable.
But he’s less reliable in practice, opting out of offseason workouts and practice as it suits. He can also go through spells during games when he doesn’t appear fully engaged. Both Garcon and Jackson boast skills that other teams will gladly pay for on the free-agent market. But of the two, Garcon comes closer to the tough-nosed, blue-collar, team-first qualities that the Redskins value in players.
