The Impact Of DeSean Jackson
July 27th, 2017
More than just a deep threat.
Yes, when the Bucs signed speedy wide receiver DeSean Jackson, just about everyone pointed to his ability to stretch the field as the key to unleashing the Bucs offense.
Well, closer scrutiny suggests Jackson’s impact will be much more than just stretching the field.
This smart analysis comes from Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com. In a preview of the Bucs, Silva goes deep into numbers both last season and projections for this season. Silva’s work is specifically focused on fantasy football data but there is light shed on potential trends.
Before Joe gets rolling, overall, Joe thinks quarterback ratings are to football what WAR is to baseball. In other words, it’s the same thing that comes out of the backside of a bull when it becomes constipated. Quick — how is a quarterback rating calculated? Joe would lay cash 98 percent of football fans, without looking it up, couldn’t define it. Folks just parrot it because it is a friggin’ number without any context and sadly, we live in a slap-a-number-on-everything society.
(Want to know why Joe has little use for quarterback ratings? Check out the list of all-time quarterback ratings and there are some serious knee-slappers in there.)
However, in this case, quarterback rating gives folks a general idea of what is going on in Silva’s piece.
The Bucs made DeSean Jackson the highest-paid wide receiver in 2017 free agency with a three-year, $35 million deal. As Jackson ran the largest percentage of his 2016 routes (42%) at right-side receiver in D.C. last season – Evans ran his highest percentage (46%) on the left side – Jackson stands to upgrade a right-side receiver situation to which throwing last season caused Winston a dreadful 64.0 passer rating.
Pretty sure even someone who has an aversion to math so much they want to punch a nun like Joe does can gleam something from this. Sure, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, struggled when not throwing to the side of the field where Mike Evans was because — altogether now — Jameis had mostly practice squad-level talent to throw to.
Just because Jameis went back to pass didn’t mean every wide receiver was open. It stands to reason guys who Jameis threw to (not including Mike Evans) were counting their lucky stars just to be on an NFL roster and struggled to get a step on a starting NFL corner.
Just having Jackson lining up opposite Evans not only will put the fear of God into corners and safeties with the threat of getting burned deep, but Jackson provides Jameis with a competent if not proven star receiver opposite Evans — deep ball, medium ball or short.
That alone should result in more points.
July 27th, 2017 at 10:16 am
it’s the same thing that comes out of the backside of a bull when it becomes constipated.
Nothing?
July 27th, 2017 at 10:17 am
Agree completely! And when you think of OJ and Godwin being added to the mix it becomes truly exciting.
DJAX and ME13 are very experienced. Their veteran presence will take the need to rush either Godwin or OJ. By the second half of the season as the young guys hit their stride watch out!!!
I suspect we are going to be that team that others do not wish to face in the playoffs. We could be playing our very best ball at the end of the season.
July 27th, 2017 at 10:25 am
@china-you beat me to it lol
July 27th, 2017 at 10:26 am
@Joe … ” … aversion to math so much they want to punch a nun like Joe does.” Oh say it ain’t so Joe. And besides, with a 12″ ruler in their paw, some of the nuns I’ve known could probably do a number on ya.
Back to reality, from what I’ve read in the past Jameis has always had a tendency to throw better to the left & middle than to the right. Some folks have said it’s got to do with his throwing mechanics (baseball experience?) but I have no idea if that’s the case. If DJax gets open as often as I hope he will personally doubt any of that will matter … Jameis WILL get him the ball. Same with OJ.
July 27th, 2017 at 10:44 am
Actually, I believe the 3rd WR & TEs will be the primary beneficiaries of Djax…..someone will absolutely be wide open.
July 27th, 2017 at 10:57 am
It will be interesting to see if Winston can overthrow Flash Jax or not on deep routes. Maybe all of those balls that were 5 yards overthrown last season, will be right on the money this season.
July 27th, 2017 at 11:13 am
Speed Kills!
July 27th, 2017 at 11:21 am
Unfortunately, Defense Rules is right on this theory floating around. I took it as fact then started digging. There is a great breakdown of this “theory” from a JBF competitor. I really like the guys work and he absolutely attributes this to his throwing motion/baseball. But.. I disagree on this factor. If this were a mechanical shortcoming it would be revealed throughout a career. Looking at the body of work going back to FSU, I can find dozens of examples that prove or disprove this theory.
I see it a bit differently. My theory is that the left side of the line was consistently more secure and he was able to more consistently and confidently climb into that area of the pocket and deliver the ball.
Found this the other day.. I love all of the angles this has of his throws.. Check it out for yourself. Not sure who is doing the breakdown, not a huge Buc guy as he keeps getting players confused but the point is watch some of these throws to the right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjGHD84ZFhE
July 27th, 2017 at 11:40 am
DeSean,Start Your Engine.
July 27th, 2017 at 11:53 am
“competent if not proven star receiver” <— Say what? Jackson isn't a proven star to you? Damn you're hard to please LOL
July 27th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
tnew, thanks a million for that video of the Chicago game. Tried to focus on Jameis’ throws to the right like you suggested. Came away even more impressed with Jameis’ throwing … what an arm! Even though Bucs won by a wide margin 36-10, our OLine (especially #69) stunk up the joint & our run game never got going (71 yds from Martin & Barber together on 38 carries … bad). Jameis kept play-after-play alive until he could make something happen (ME13 & Cam Brate both had an excellent game). But the Bucs defense was really the story of the game to me. That’s where our 5-game win streak started & you could see how bad the Bucs D wanted that game.
July 27th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
3 out of 2 people have trouble with fractions…
July 27th, 2017 at 12:23 pm
good stuff DR and Tnew…GO BUCS!!!
July 27th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Tnew
You on fire today bro. I couldn’t finish the video but for the first 5 mins this dude said offensive live at least 10x. You can see who protection breaks down after 1 second. Wtf is Jameis supposed to do with 1 sec of protection? Yet he still gets it done.
The main reason I get so upset with posters is bc I don’t think anyone actually watches film. And you don’t have to be an NFL coach to see that the oline is going to get Jameis hurt. But whatever wtf do I know?
Talking to you Joe, constantly defending the oline and Mr twinkle toes himself. I wish there was a way for JBF readers to watch film together cuz lord knows 80% of ya need an education on football 101.
July 27th, 2017 at 3:00 pm
Props tnew. To add to the offensive line discussion, look how quickly Bears defenders are up field on Martin when he rushes. Somehow that’s been dismissed as Martin’s “drug” issue?! C’mon!
Now, having a DJax there will force the DBs to honor the pass and, as a result, open up the run. OR, if Jameis gets the ball out….FIRE THE CANNONS!!!