Could DeSean Jackson Join the NFL Revenge Tour?
By Erik Lambert
Sep 9, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) runs with the ball as Washington Redskins strong safety Bacarri Rambo (24) attempts the tackle in the first quarter at FedEx Field. The Eagles won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Few things irk an athlete more than being doubted, either for his ability or his commitment. DeSean Jackson reached that point in Philadelphia. Could he be on the warpath for revenge in 2014?
Washington Redskins move would send clear signal
It’s no surprise teams from around the NFL have interest in D-Jax. The receiver is not only one of the fastest in the league, he’s also a Pro Bowler and just 27-years old. He’s in his prime and should grant some serious firepower to whichever offense he eventually joins. It’s easy to think he’ll likely take the most money offered, making the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills prime candidates to land him, but as proven over the past few years so much more goes into a free agent signing. Money is important but sometimes can be trumped by one simple thing: pride. Players don’t like being run out of town regardless of the reasons. It antagonizes their competitive spirit, spawning a growing need to show that team they made a terrible mistake letting him go. Could that be the primary reason DeSean Jackson is taking a serious look at the Washington Redskins. The NFC East rival will face the Eagles twice in 2014, giving Jackson ample opportunity to show Chip Kelly and the entire organization exactly what they let go. Obviously Jackson will use money, the fan base and playing with Robert Griffin III as excuses for why he chose the Redskins, but anybody with common sense would know the real reason.
Brandon Spikes and Julius Peppers among several rival signings
Besides, it’s not like Jackson would be the first of the 2014 NFL free agent class to go that route. A number of notable names have done just that. Arguably the most talked about was Julius Peppers. The eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end saw a terrific four-year stint in Chicago come to end when the Bears released due to age and salary cap concerns. Barely on the market for a few day he swiftly signed a three-year deal with the Green Bay Packers, the long-time rival and the same team that broke his heart not six months earlier. Then there is linebacker Brandon Spikes. A fixture for years for the New England Patriots, after enduring a lost season because of injury, he’d hoped three solid years of work at inside linebacker would be enough to earn at least a one-year deal to prove he deserved a long-term extension. Instead the Patriots declined, so Spikes took $3.25 million to join the Buffalo Bills.
DeSean Jackson has every reason to feel slighted by the Philadelphia Eagles after producing a Pro Bowl season in 2013. Whether that will push him to seek revenge by joining the Washington Redskins will become clear soon.