DeSean Jackson Not A Fit For The Arizona Cardinals
By Scott Allen
Dec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) returns a punt against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 48-30. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals may be looking for another wide receiver to add to the mix. Then again they may not. They haven’t officially said one way or the other. I can tell you this though. It won’t be DeSean Jackson, who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. Someone will swipe Jackson up. It just won’t be and shouldn’t be the Cards.
I’ve seen a lot of people ask the local media over the past two days if the Cards plan to pursue him and the answer is always no or probably not. There is no doubt Jackson is a talent. There is no doubt he will help any team who signs him. However given the reasons for his release and his known work ethic, it is the type of player the Cards usually stay away from.
Even if all the gang stuff in relation to Jackson was sketchy and a reach at best, you still have the work ethic to deal with. I get it. He’s great in the community and he’s a great player, so why wouldn’t you want that mix? Well, would you like a player who is late to meetings, takes plays off, etc? No. I don’t care how good you are. Character means a lot. Of course a lot of people answer that with “well the NFL will sign anyone, they don’t care.” Well, actually teams do care, especially in the post Aaron Hernandez era.
It is also troubling to me that not one Eagles player came to Jackson’s defense and wanted to argue his release. Not one. That to me, says it all. So sure, he has the talent but he doesn’t seem like a guy players want in their locker room. That goes a long way these days with teams looking at players. Can the guy fit in a locker room? If he isn’t getting along with teammates, then how do you expect that guy to be well received and perform at a high level for you?
People are forgetting the Cards also already signed Ted Ginn Jr. He has a chance to be the third receiver. Even if he isn’t, there is no reason to believe the Cards can’t draft a receiver either. There is also the waiver wire this summer during camp. There will be opportunities to bring in the right guy.
Jackson will find his team and most likely soon. There are always going to be a few teams interested in a player like Jackson, no matter what his character is. However it is my belief those teams have less of a chance for success on the field. I do hope he can change people’s perception of him. I do. He’s a fun player to watch when he’s on. Even with his lack of effort at times last season, he still put up really good numbers, so he’ll win you games. At what point though do you say stop, this is becoming detrimental to the team. The Eagles had enough. For whatever reason, they gave up on him and quick. You don’t give up on a player of that caliber that quick unless there are underlying issues. You just don’t. Especially for a team like the Eagles who seem to be headed in the right direction. So are the Cards and to keep in that direction, they need to stay away from Jackson.