A Diva In Our Midst
June 7th, 2017
Ira Kaufman, the most beloved and esteemed columnist in town, has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira’s columns pop here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
When the free agency clock struck in March and the Bucs pounced on DeSean Jackson, Stick Carriers took an avid interest.
But let’s not forget that the word “avid” spelled backwards is “diva,” and Mr. Jackson will never be able to outrun that label, no matter how many beaten defensive backs he leaves in his wake.
Jackson fits the diva profile — supremely confident in his ability, flamboyant in his actions and never shy about expressing his swagger.
We all know that wide receivers have a virtual monopoly on the diva tag. From Keyshawn Johnson to Chad Johnson, from Terrell Owens to Odell Beckham Jr., some of the game’s most accomplished wideouts have generated equal attention off the field.
Jackson fills the bill, whether he is picking up a penalty flag and parading around the stadium, or throwing a football at the Giants bench, nullifying a 50-yard reception.
You can’t be a scrub and be considered a diva. Kenny Bell will never qualify.
No, you’ve got to be a big-time target to garner diva status, and Jackson has been one of the NFL’s premier deep threats since entering the league with the Eagles in 2008.
In Jackson’s fourth season in Philadelphia, he got called out publicly … by a kicker. That’s like the Togo ambassador slapping you around in the United Nations.
“Team Guy?”
When Jacksonville’s Josh Scobee watched Jackson draw that taunting penalty against the Giants during a Sunday night matchup, he decided to throw a flag of his own.
“Relax people,” Scobee said on Twitter. “He’s just a punk, which to me means he doesn’t respect anyone or anything around him. Therefore, I don’t respect him.”
That Twitter blast from Scobee came during Dirk Koetter’s final year as offensive coordinator of the Jaguars. Now, Koetter is devising plays to spring Jackson into the open.
After the Eagles released him in 2014, Jackson went on to play three seasons in Washington before hitting free agency once again.
“Coming from Philly, the image they put out on me — I had three years to prove to everybody I’m not that type of guy,” Jackson said at the end of last season. “I’m a team guy. I love obviously to get the ball, but what receiver do you know that doesn’t want the ball? I haven’t gotten in any trouble off the field. I’m a family man, a man about his business.”
New Territory
Jackson and Eagles coach Chip Kelly had a strained relationship, even though Jackson set career marks for catches (82) and receiving yards (1,332) in 2013, Kelly’s first season on the Philadelphia sidelines.
After Jackson was released, reports circulated that he missed meetings and had an erratic work ethic. The Redskins heard the rumors but signed him anyway to a three-year deal with $16 million guaranteed.
Buc fans don’t have a lot of experience with diva receivers. Keyshawn wore out his welcome with Jon Gruden in 2003, sulking when he didn’t get enough passes thrown his way.
Eventually, Gruden gave Keyshawn his walking papers, channeling the words of Tom Petty: Don’t Come Around Here No More.
Antonio Bryant showed signs of developing into a Tampa Bay diva, but he played only two seasons with the Bucs and he was gone by 2010. He never caught another NFL pass.
Vincent Jackson turned out to be sheer class and Mike Evans prefers to do his talking between the lines, so DeSean Jackson finds himself front and center — just the way he likes it.
“Put the ball in my hands, I’m going to get it done,” he says. “I feel very confident that when the ball is in my hands, what I’m able to do with the ball – we could be on our 1-yard line, we could be on the opponents’ 15-yard line, wherever we’re at, put the ball in my hands, I feel like I’m going to get the job done.”
Buckle up, Buc fans. There’s a diva in our midst.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:28 am
jackson is just what the DR ordered. the bucs have been swaggerless too long. GMC and his perfect attendance crowd of choirboys failed miserably now it’s time for the real football players to take over. the players who thrive on winning and not ice cream. The new bucs are winners the holdovers are embarrassing.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:34 am
He can be a diva all he wants as long as he produces.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:37 am
Desean is *not* a diva on the level of TO, Key, or Ochocinco.
Bringing Keyshawn in didn’t end well, but we don’t win that ring without him. If trading 2 1st round picks for the ultimate diva paid off, I’m not concerned about burning cap room — of which we have a surplus — on a “mini diva” who, at the end of the day, has made every team he’s ever played on better.
Antonio Brown is working his way into mini-diva territory recently, too. You put up with it because he runs a 4.3, just like Desean.
I’m proud Desean Jackson is a Buccaneer, diva label be damned.
You put up with his baggage. He’s worth it.
I feel great about Desean in a Buc uni. If we’d acquired a Joe Mixon type, weighing talent over baggage, I’d feel sick to my stomach cheering for him.
Don’t be afraid of Desean Jackson. Don’t be afraid he be great.
He shows up on Sundays.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:40 am
I don’t know any eagles fans or redskins fans that were happy when they lost him. I’m happy to have him.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:45 am
This sounds a lot like a Washington Post story. No incidents to report on, so just inject some media spun drama.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:51 am
Love what Gerald McRuud said..
June 7th, 2017 at 11:54 am
all these buc fans worried about Diva’s and Slightly Flawed Character with talented football players need a freaking reality check. But yet this is just another example of the permeant damage Dungy the Clown left on this fanbase. All that NICE GUY BS was just that BS his team of choirboys underachieved and won a pathetic 2 playoff games in six years. completely and total failure under the smoke screen of good character and nice guy BS. Dominik tried to recreate a failed past with his Team Captain Good Guy BS withe the worse results. The most important element to winning a superbowl is talented team compressed of DRIVEN WINNERS… The world is not a perfect place nor will the roster of the winning buccaneer organization. stop nit picking with diva and he missed an ota bad character teammate bs. worst teammate on the bucs roster is cancer93 he not only accepts losing he enjoys and celebrates it. too much video evidence to dispute that fanboys
June 7th, 2017 at 11:59 am
Think he’s getting old?
Over the last 3 years, Jackson has averaged 19 yards per reception. Playing with Cousins, RG3, and Colt McCoy. Three noodle arms.
Every other WR in the history of the NFL with even 18 yards per reception retired prior to the 1998 season.
Top 5 active career YPC? In order, Desean, Malcom Floyd, Torrey Smith, Vincent Jackson, Kenny Britt. There are only two actual quality WRs on that list. They share a last name.
He’s not a diva. He’s a phenomenon. He’s among the best ever at doing what he does. And he’s a Buc. Buckle up, indeed.
June 7th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
*^^^Very interesting …….but STUPID!
June 7th, 2017 at 12:39 pm
*^^^ lol
June 7th, 2017 at 12:55 pm
Leave it to Tmaxcon to turn a Djax article into a GMC bashing….it’s getting old, bud….please find some other subject on which to express your expertise……
As far as Jackson being a Diva….I guess he does fit the definition…
“a self-important person who is temperamental and difficult to please”
Usually a Diva is associated with someone who has a great deal of success…..the cease to become Divas when the success is gone….
June 7th, 2017 at 1:33 pm
As long as he score touchdowns I’m all for it.
June 7th, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Attaching more labels to players is fruitless. The guys no Diva and has a great track record. Or is this just another clever Monken devised outburst of jealousy By IRA?
June 7th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
I wouldn’t say he is a diva. I would say he began his career as a player that may have been a bit immature. Most of his questionable actions occurred during his Philly days. It’s been 4 years and I’ve noticed a much more mature and focused Desean Jackson. Immature doesn’t equate Diva.
June 7th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
I personally dont like the idea of anyone ever missing practice. Voluntary or not. But as long as he produces on game days it wont matter.
June 7th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Not worried, Jameis will go Miss St speech on his a$$. I don’t think Jackson would bark back at #3.
June 7th, 2017 at 3:24 pm
doesnt sound like tmaxcon is a bucs fan!!!!!!!
June 7th, 2017 at 3:48 pm
^^ – he’s not. But he IS the leader of the loser posters culture, so there’s that.
June 7th, 2017 at 3:50 pm
#tj
I said the exactly same thing yesterday!!!
June 7th, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Just win baby just win.
June 7th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Steven007 Says:
June 7th, 2017 at 3:48 pm
^^ – he’s not. But he IS the leader of the loser posters culture, so there’s that.
…………
LOLOL……so True. He has stood on a wicker soap box for so long it is funny. I used to enjoy his posts until about three yrs ago.
June 7th, 2017 at 7:57 pm
Impeaching mccoy when the story is about wrs and divas is moronic. The act of a moron. I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by jackson. Similar grumblings about grimes but he’s turned into a real pro.
June 7th, 2017 at 7:58 pm
Tmax is a Debbie Downer every day. Definitely no Stick Carrier..
June 7th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
I LOVE DJax being here, and I don’t care about the “Diva” stuff. Although the price was real high for Keyshawn (too high, honestly), I agree we don’t go to and win the Super Bowl without his help. Also I never heard any mention of Joey Galloway, and he was “diva-ish”, but he produced when he was here too.
That’s what it all comes down to folks. Production. Will DJax produce when he steps onto the field for us? Yep. That’s what matters.
June 8th, 2017 at 4:29 am
What happens when a fan falls in love with a player- And the player politelyy rejects the love struck fans romantic overtures fan ?
TMAXIPAD
June 8th, 2017 at 5:09 am
Djax will be fine.
He needs to rest those legs. They are weapons.
He will be a good teammate, and an outstanding player
Trashing our new probowl WR already?
Seems a lil early- even for this place
June 8th, 2017 at 9:01 am
I remember when Joey Galloway came from Dallas, there were similar accusations made. But what we got was a mature player that knew exactly how to best prepare himself for the game and the season. Djax falls into this category for me until he proves otherwise. When Mike Evans is entering his 7-8th season, I will feel the same way.
I know Djax can’t quite match Galloway’s speed but he’s close enough. If we get 80% from Djax of what Galloway delivered. I’m elated