“I Do Worry About His Focus And His Want”
March 6th, 2017
A former Buc is leery of DeSean Jackson
Speedster stud receiver DeSean Jackson, the 2016 NFL leader in yards per catch, doesn’t have the perfect resumé, and a prominent former Buccaneer has raised an eyebrow about what that might mean if Jackson joins Tampa Bay.
Jackson blew a hamstring with the Redskins and missed half a season with injuries in 2015. Shoulder woes cut his playing time in 2014. There’s also the thing about Jackson not always giving 100 percent on the field, a charge levied by many Redskins observers.
And Jackson is known for passing on optional spring practices.
But when he’s on the field, he always seems to be productive. In three years with the Redskins, Jackson averaged about 19 yards per catch through 142 receptions. Those are sick numbers.
Last year, Jackson only missed one game and his trademark explosiveness was on display through his 1,000-yard season.
At the Pro Bowl, Joe talked to Andy Reid about Jackson, who played for Reid in Philly. Reid raved about his football intelligence and all Jackson did behind the scenes to have a stellar rookie season and beyond.
Now Jackson is allegedly the Bucs’ top target when the free agency negotiating period opens tomorrow. ProFootballTalk.com reports Jackson will be paid a fortune. And ex-Bucs tight end Anthony Becht is leery.
“I do worry about, you know, his focus and his want at this point in his career, where his mindset is as far as a guy who wants to go out there, be a leader, give you that effort every single play and snap,” Becht told WDAE-AM 620 today.
Becht acknowledged Jackson’s explosiveness and danger to opposing defenses, but called Jackson “a tough call” for the Bucs.
Jackson is a tough call. It’s not like he’s a menace to society or a quitter; he’s had an excellent nine-year career. But he’s older and it’s reasonable to wonder whether he’s a classic take-a-fat-check-and-run guy.
However, Joe’s going to go old school here and say Jackson always reminded Joe of Mark Duper, the stud Dolphins receiver who caught balls from Dan Marino. Duper was lightning fast like Jackson and was a consistently explosive threat.
A little research today shows Duper’s final 1,000-yard season came when he was 32. He was washed up at 33. Joe would take that from 30-year-old Jackson in a heartbeat.
March 6th, 2017 at 2:42 pm
I say pass. John Ross will be there at 19 and I’d sign Kenny Britt
March 6th, 2017 at 2:42 pm
build through the draft and sign your own!…don’t care if they make a single signing of free agents…be better off for it down the road…Get McDougald, Spence, Shepard, Rodgers and Hawley signed!!!
March 6th, 2017 at 2:46 pm
@Supersam Yeah he’ll be there at 19, and he’ll be right there riding the bench for his whole career. I don’t even want to think about us drafting glass joe circa 2017.
March 6th, 2017 at 2:48 pm
After running that 4.22 Ross could be gone by 19.
March 6th, 2017 at 2:50 pm
People saying pass must not understand football. People saying pass because we could get Ross have even a lower level of understanding. If you feel you can get Ross, you still take Jackson. Ross, in the slot, and Jackson out wide(or vice versa) would do nothing but open it up for Evans. We would probably instantly, would Jameis big arm, be the top passing threat in football.
March 6th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
What’s the hole in K stills ? Am I missing something with him? Beside the 5 yr age difference ?
March 6th, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Forget that…draft a WR and sign desean….you need weapons and a proven playmaker…a game changer…forget odel wanna be stills and kenny britt …go big
March 6th, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Totally agree with Miko’s FA signings (McDougald, Spence, Shepard, Rodgers & Hawley) but … we’ve got too many holes (starters AND depth) to fix them exclusively through the draft. Bucs need a RB, WR, TE, Safety, DT/DE & preferably a C/RT and we’ll never get that many starters through the draft. No choice but to add at least 3 of them through FA if we expect to be competitive in the NFC South.
March 6th, 2017 at 3:04 pm
Even if we draft Ross , d jax will be the perfect bridge Player , I would take d jax over Ross any day , atleast we know what we are getting with d jax , Ross can be a bust , I want playoffs this season and d jax gives us a better chance , he prob got atleast 3 good years in him , kinda of reminds me of V jax , we got 3 good years out of him , we got a 2-3 years window to win it all and d jax can helps us more than Ross in that time periods.
Also if we get d jax in FA , it opens the draft to a RB in the first two rounds and get defensive in other rounds
March 6th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Dont matter desean will be in tampa tomorrow…and he will have a contract ready to sign thursday….he will be a buc tomorrow and officially a buc thursday…gonna get my jersey…go bucs
March 6th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
He’s a “take a fat check and run guy”
March 6th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Not a tough call to me.
Go after him and Calais and then draft another WR and another DL
March 6th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Chargedcbh
Ross will not be a reliable NFL player. He’s already had major knee issues. Combine speed means zero if you in the tub or not available. bucs need tough reliable football players not part time potential.
March 6th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Sign him! He will make opposing defenses have to make a choice between him and Evans! No guarantee that Ross will be there at 19! We got money! Go spend some of it Jason Licht!
Jackson, Mangold, Campbell, Poe!
March 6th, 2017 at 3:33 pm
As long as he takes a fat check and runs with the ball into the endzone for Tampa Bay, I’m good.
March 6th, 2017 at 3:41 pm
I think the skull cap Becht used to wear was too tight and cut off some circulation. The Jets spent one of the Keyshawn Johnson picks from the Bucs on this very mediocre professional tight end turned Bucs expert.
March 6th, 2017 at 3:43 pm
So he had one healthy year in the last 3 years and that came during a contract year and now he’s over 30 years old.
No thanks.
March 6th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Hi 1st time posting
I know everyone is all over DJ but does anyone else think Robert Woods would be a great fit? Then draft Corey Davis in the 1st or JuJu in the 2nd
March 6th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
You sign him and go into the draft with the intention of drafting the best player available instead of drafting for need. Not that hard and it’s not my money so as long as we are winning, I’ll be happy no matter what they do. If we pass on him and can’t fill all of our needs in that draft, and that’s a very real possibility, then I will be pissed.
March 6th, 2017 at 4:00 pm
No way on Ross, dude couldn’t even finish the 40 without looking like Barbaro
March 6th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Please sign T Pryor!! Maybe a little more pricey but not by much!!!!
March 6th, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Garcon would be a great veteran complement for this team.
March 6th, 2017 at 4:22 pm
Pass..I would rather hsv vjax back working for a year with a young receiver and spend the $$$$ spread out to those that want a SB and not just a paycheck
March 6th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Just saw a report that he can be had for 10-12 million. Unless you can get Pryor for the same, pay the man!
March 6th, 2017 at 4:42 pm
So $12M a yr for a 50 catch a yr guy?
Hard pass
March 6th, 2017 at 4:50 pm
I must admit, I’m not inside Djax’s head so I don’t know how he would react to being a Buc….but something is telling me that Jameis would be a huge positive influence on any Offensive player acquired…..especially one of his WRs.
We have a ton of cash….the only mistake we could make is not signing a weapon for him.
I am still in favor of using our 1st or 2nd or both draft picks on skill positions because we can use the low salary there for 4 or 5 years to off-set money spent on other positions.
March 6th, 2017 at 4:51 pm
Fair price is like $9-11 mill; but if he gets $12-13 it isn’t insane.
Randall Cobb / Allen Hurns / Tavon Austin / Jeremy Maclin / Emmanuel Sanders / Keenan Allen / Doug Baldwin
All guys making $10-11 a year. All except Maclin were re-signed to those deals (meaning cheaper than what they probably could have got on open market). I’d say Djax is as valuable if not more valuable than most of those guys; although they are all younger even if just by 1-2 years
March 6th, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Sign Jackson and draft a receiver. Team that up with Hump and Evans and we have depth at receiver again.
As far as Jackson not giving 100% every play, that is a cause for concern, especially for a young team like the Bucs.
March 6th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
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March 6th, 2017 at 5:04 pm
All you guys saying sign Jackson on Thursday the first day of FA must of not read Joe’s previous article that from a good source D.Jackson will be asking around $40 million GUARANTEED!!! SH*T NO.
March 6th, 2017 at 5:09 pm
John Ross 4.22 40. Wow did that really happen?
March 6th, 2017 at 5:14 pm
Love to see Mangold and Campbell signed.
March 6th, 2017 at 5:15 pm
He was available last year because he was in a contract year…DUH
PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS GUY! Looking for a payday and then he will vanish like a “fart in the wind.”
March 6th, 2017 at 5:16 pm
Too much risk…too much of a head case…too often injured. I wouldn’t even consider it at 10 mil a year
March 6th, 2017 at 5:17 pm
All this speculation can drive ya crazy, too many wants and needs, can’t have it all and who knows what JL is gonna do, but playing GM…. Sign Pryor, draft Ross, sign Campbell
March 6th, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Buc 1987 starting to sound like the Kevin,
Hitting the gas got the motor revin,
Sounds like a player drafted in round seven,
Licht signs mangold and Campbell I will be in heaven,
draft Ross to compliment Evans.
O-U-T
March 6th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
All this John ross love just beecause he ran a fast 40. Makes me want to vomit!
March 6th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
Kenny Britt….all day. Cheaper, younger and just as explosive
March 6th, 2017 at 5:29 pm
@Blake
Ironic since you are banging the table for Evan Engram after he ran a fast 40 lol
March 6th, 2017 at 5:31 pm
@SOEbuc
Actually if you read Joe’s previous article about Desean Jackson he is speculating if the Bucs would pay him $40 million guaranteed, not that he is asking for that. Obviously he would take that tho lol
March 6th, 2017 at 6:11 pm
Pass–We don’t need a guy that takes plays off and refuses to block.
March 6th, 2017 at 6:30 pm
If last year we were willing to have Vjax as a #2, why don’t we sign brandon marshall and draft back to back wr in rds 3 and 4.
March 6th, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Oh there you are Blake. You Pop and SB were kinda quiet on that other thread about the combine notes.
March 6th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
2 or 3 years then walk away. we have the cap room for 2 more seasons before we have to think about Jameis’ big contract. Jackson can be that same type of bridge vet as Ayers and Brent Grimes were meant to be – guys who allow you to have more reasonable timelines for developing your drafted talent, and a hedge against injuries or young players who don’t pan out
March 6th, 2017 at 6:40 pm
John Ross is as brittle as fine antique china.
He’s had a string of major operations already.
Unless he drops into the mid rounds, Just Say No.
March 6th, 2017 at 6:45 pm
Was SB even part of that discussion last night? Still getting called out lol
March 6th, 2017 at 6:49 pm
Sign Desean and Calais. We are on the verge. It’s time. If Cook is available at 19 take him too.
March 6th, 2017 at 6:51 pm
@joey the difference being that Evan Engram isn’t practically guaranteed to be constantly injured. Like John Ross almost certainly will be.
And idk about you Joey, but I really feel like Engram, being 6’3 235 running a 4.42 could end up being a better receiver than Mike Williams or Corey Davis.
He certainly has the tape and physical tools that suggest such a thing.
March 6th, 2017 at 6:52 pm
Just found out Torrey Smith will be a free agent. Couple years younger that Jackson, has elite speed to stretch the defense, will come at a reasonable price and does not have the injury concerns like Jackson. Something tells me Jackson will be another free agent bust.
March 6th, 2017 at 6:56 pm
Oh I like Engram too, just saying if he went out there and ran a 4.6 we are talking about him differently
March 6th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
When was the last time Torrey Smith had a productive season? 2012? Lol no way jose. I’d take Robert Woods over Torrey Smith.
March 6th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Curtis Samuel is still a far better option than Ross or DJAX.
He just smoked the fastest 40 any OSU player has ever turned in at the Combine.
A 4.31 40!!! And he’s not fragile. Played RB as well as WR…he is incredibly versatile and he’s a football player!!! I actually realize I now want him waaaay more than Ross and even more than DJAX. Don’t see how we can get him and Dalvin though.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:05 pm
I would also take Robert Woods over Torrey Smith
March 6th, 2017 at 7:05 pm
No doubt Joey. Because then he would be a guy who can’t really Block with nothing to seperate him from the pack. You can do a lot of good stuff with Size, speed, and hands like he has. 4.42 is blazing for a dude that large. And it differentiates him from every other big bodied pass catcher in the draft.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:08 pm
Where as we all knew John Ross would have at least 4.3 speed.
.08 seconds doesn’t make his extensive history of knee problems vanish.
I agree with Stpete 100 percent, Curtis Samuel would be a vastly superior pick.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:10 pm
Pop don’t get me wrong SB my Big homie but I’m competitive. And My Big Homes been kinda salting Dalvin name. So right now either you wit me or against me when it comes to this debate. And don’t worry Blake You can wave your white flag and ignore me all you want it ain’t over h3ll nall. Y’all pick the right one my G. This ain’t over until after draft night. So prepare your thoughts Pop.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:12 pm
There were a few survivors when they drop that bomb on Hiroshima. That had to be what it felt like for y’all when Joe revealed what he did on that other thread huh.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:14 pm
Ive been saying all along and I really really really hope they sign stills. He is blazing fast, and will produce. Hes got gritt and onky 25 years old. Guy is just peaking. Plus he has been playing amongst guys like rishard matthews, jarvus landry and devante parker. Hard to eat up targets with the roster. Djax is a sexy bug name pick. Years from now if we pass on Stills we will be regretting it painfully. Lets sign someone who can be here for the next 5 years and not maybe two with huge injury concerns.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:16 pm
Lol i havent waved nothing. I’m not gonna try and keep convincing you that we aren’t going to draft Dalvin. I’m already letting my money talk for me.
But since you insist. Dirk Koetter said this is the deepest draft at Rb he’s ever seen, but did his due dilligence to say that just because you can find success at Rb in later rounds, doesnt mean you can’t find guys in the 1st.
Thats basically just gamesmenship. A nonstatement. Couple that with the bucs meeting numerous times with Marlon Mack + Dirk explicitly expressing his desire to bring back Quizz = No Dalvin 4 u.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:17 pm
No other team knows djax like philly and philly wants stills. Wentz wants stils, the fans want stills. We shoukd sign stills.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:18 pm
What does Hiroshima have to do with the Bucs picking at #19 in the 2017 NFL Draft?
March 6th, 2017 at 7:18 pm
But you keep right on with your “wishful thinking”.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Pass on ross as well I will take mccaffrey or howard over ross
March 6th, 2017 at 7:22 pm
I like the idea that Commish brought up on one of his podcast. Maybe we sign a bigger back (physically bigger not name value bigger) and draft a complimentary back to him in the middle rounds.
His idea was Latavious Murray and Marlon Mack but there are other combos you can make and have the same outcome. The committee approach at RB is more popular than ever so I wouldn’t be shocked if we followed suit.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Bad teams sign guys like Djax at age 30. Very rarely works out. Bucs won zero playoff games with Galloway – I’ll just bring that up before everyone else introduces him as what Djax will bring. Draft and develop the #2. Long term chemistry with Evans and Jameis.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:41 pm
Only problem with that statement Tony is that Joey Galloway was our #1 receiver in those days.
Desean Jackson would be brought in to be our #2 in order to relieve some pressure off of Mikey.
We bring in Djax and its only going to result in more clean looks for Mike and Cam. In addition to whatever explosive plays Jackson makes for himself.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:44 pm
Yea draft and develop the #2 behind a vet like D-Jax
March 6th, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Not a tough call at all. Sign DeSean. That is all.
March 6th, 2017 at 8:25 pm
Damn honestly I’m torn, I’d rather have Pryor… I’m on the record with that. Damn get Stills. I just want whoever we get to be able ravish the league for years to come. NO BRIDGE PLAYERS @ skill positions. James need players who AUTOMATICALLY fall in line. DJax might, if he wants to be a EAST COST pirate who shares in the booty.
#3 = The Pirate King
#blacksails
March 6th, 2017 at 8:26 pm
^^^^^^^^
Best show EVER
#blacksails
March 6th, 2017 at 8:31 pm
@whatdabucisthis what exactly is wrong with Bridge players? I’d say that Ayers, Grimes, and Smith worked out pretty well last year bro.
March 6th, 2017 at 8:40 pm
@Mike… GAME OF THRONES… Best ever lol
@Blake… Sup big homie… Not now yo. IMO. Hire VJax in some capacity, as has been spoken aloud by the BUCS to groom any young players we will sign. Not my money, so it’s not that. But damn if our D can’t get off the field, and NOW our offense scores quickly. Guess what. We lose just like Atlanta in the BIG GAME. our signing of coach Smitty for 2 more years Is a sign we’re going Heavy D in the draft…
All I need is a bag of blue funk
Holla
March 6th, 2017 at 8:48 pm
Holla indeed.
March 6th, 2017 at 8:50 pm
I like GOT. But to me Black Sails is the $hit!!!!
I really hope it’s not actually over after season 4. It just makes me want to be a pirate SOOO BAD. Lol
March 6th, 2017 at 8:52 pm
@ItsaBucslife!!!!
March 6th, 2017 at 8:53 pm
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Lol
March 6th, 2017 at 8:55 pm
I’m not big on Jackson; never have been…….but if it happens, it happens. Go Bucs!
March 7th, 2017 at 12:06 am
1. Game of Thrones.
2. Breaking Bad.
Best ever.
Holla.