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  • Wentz has some work to do to make DJ a happy camper

    Is DeSean Jackson actually a good fit for the Eagles?
    19
    The Eagles brought back a fan favorite in DeSean Jackson, but is he right player to help Philadelphia’s offense take off?
    By Charles McDonald@FourVerts Mar 19, 2019, 3:42pm EDT


    The Philadelphia Eagles made a headline-grabbing move to open the 2019 league year when they traded for Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was originally drafted by the Eagles in 2008. On the surface level, it’s a deal that made sense for both sides. Philadelphia needed more explosive playmakers on offense, while the Bucs needed to trade Jackson to alleviate cap space for the free agency period.

    Jackson is a big-name player who had big-time moments with the Eagles in the six seasons he played for them from 2008-13. After leaving the Eagles, Jackson spent three seasons with Washington and then two seasons with Tampa Bay — all five of those seasons away from Philadelphia were up-and-down.

    While the 32-year-old still has a lot to offer an NFL offense and it was a good idea for the Eagles to add weapons for a quarterback on a rookie deal, it might not be a perfect match for Philadelphia and Carson Wentz. Jackson can still take the top off of a defense, but he might not be entering the best situation for a player of his specific talents — again.

    Why didn’t Jameis Winston and DeSean Jackson click?
    Jackson has been one of the most dangerous deep threats in the NFL since he entered the league in 2008. He thrives on getting open deep down the field and outracing defensive backs to the end zone. For his career, Jackson ranks 39th all-time among qualifying receivers at 17.4 yards per reception. Yet even with his proven track record, he never really jelled well with Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston.

    Winston isn’t exactly one of the best deep throwers in the league, and it’s the main reason why he and Jackson couldn’t connect deep down the field. According to Sports Info Solutions, Winston had a passer rating of 66.6 on throws that traveled at least 20 yards in the air. That ranked 27th out of 37 passers with at least 15 attempts where the ball traveled 20 yards in the air.

    Here’s an example of his shaky accuracy from the Buccaneers’ first game against the Falcons last season.

    Jackson isn’t wide open, but a decent throw would still allow him to make a play on the ball. Instead, Winston sails the ball deep down the field where it was intercepted by Damontae Kazee. Jackson never had a chance to catch the ball considering Winston overthrew him by four or five yards.


    Winston struggled to throw routes that typically develop down the field. On posts, deep crossers, and go routes, Winston had a passer of 75.8. That ranked 30th out of 37 passers that had at least 15 attempts on these types of routes.

    Even with Winston’s issues throwing the deep ball, Jackson was able to have a productive season down the field — thanks to help of Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick had a passer rating of 108.1 on these deeper throws, which ranked sixth in the league out of the 37 passers with at least 15 attempts. He and Jackson were absolutely torching teams to start the season — including the Eagles. Over the first two weeks of the season, Fitzpatrick completed all nine of his attempts to Jackson for a ridiculous 275 yards and three touchdowns.

    Fitzpatrick and Winston took turns taking starts throughout the season and Jackson’s production fell off. After torching the Eagles for 129 yards and a touchdown in Week 2, Jackson only had one more 100-yard game and one more touchdown in the final 10 games that he played. He only ended up catching two touchdowns from Winston over the 26 games he played in Tampa.

    While getting away from Winston is likely a good move for Jackson as he enters the tail end of his career, the quarterback he’s going to might not be the best fit for him either.

    Are Carson Wentz and DeSean Jackson a good fit?
    Wentz didn’t exactly light it up on deep throws last season, either. On throws that traveled 20 or more yards in the air, Wentz actually had a worse passer rating than Winston. Wentz’s passer rating on those throws was 59.8, which ranked 30th out of the 37 quarterbacks with at least 15 throws that traveled 20 yards in the air.

    Wentz has been a hot-and-cold deep thrower throughout his entire career so far. As a rookie in 2016, Wentz had a passer rating of 48.7 on passes that traveled 20 or more yards in the air. In 2017, that passer rating jumped all the way up 102.7 before falling down this year. It could be that there’s just an inherent randomness to being a good deep passer given the difficulty and precision of the plays, but there are some things on the field that Wentz can clean up to help him out.

    It’s not the physical ability Wentz lacks. Like Winston, Wentz is prone to making some silly mistakes when throwing down the field. This interception from the Eagles’ game against the Jaguars is a perfect example. Jalen Ramsey doesn’t have any immediate threats in coverage, so he rotates towards the middle of the field where he can intercept Wentz — who doesn’t even see him.


    Here’s another example from the Eagles’ regular-season game against the Saints. Wentz doesn’t see Marshon Lattimore undercutting the deep route before he picks it off. The ball was underthrown as well.


    The caveat with Wentz’s numbers compared to Winston’s is that Winston was throwing to better receivers last year. Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, and Chris Godwin are a bit more of a formidable trio (at least going deep) than Alshon Jeffery, Golden Tate, and Nelson Agholor.

    Even with sporadic quarterback play, Jackson has proven he can still a formidable deep threat — he might be able to help correct some of the issues with Wentz’s deep ball as he makes his return to Pennsylvania.

    Philadelphia is continuing its quest to surround its young, franchise quarterback with talent that will allow him to continue to grow into one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. On paper, it might not look like the best marriage of quarterback and receiver, but Jackson does give the Eagles a dynamic they didn’t have last year: speed, speed, and more speed.
    "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

  • #2
    This article lacks a bit of perspective regarding Wentz. In his rookie season, he was hampered by issues on the offensive line, which probably effected his ability to get the ball deep. Last season, he was effected by a back injury. We all could tell there was something off, we just didn't know what it was until they shut him down for the season.

    If healty, and with protection, Wentz throws a decent deep ball, from what I've seen.

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    • #3
      Wentz has a more than adequate deep ball as long as Doug calls for one and the line gives him enough time
      Last edited by WCPhan; 03-20-2019, 02:48 PM.

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      • #4
        I hope we haven't signed a very expensive decoy....

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        • #5
          Once again the problem with metrics without context. Except for the games in 2017 when he had Torey Smith (who is not anywhere near the threat that Jackson is), Wentz has not had a deep threat receiver. Oh and to use the metrics they used he had a QB rating of 102.7 in those games that Torey Smith played. By the time he came in last year, Mike Wallace was hurt. In 2016 he didn't have a deep threat receiver.

          Wentz is going to be just fine on the deep ball with Jackson. Now how much Doug calls it is another story.

          Articles like this are just click bait. Using metrics to try a prove a point that is not there.
          Were from Philly F in Philly no one likes us we DON'T CARE!

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          • #6
            Just some food for thought that I put out here for some downtime conversation guys. The only guy that Brady has ever had a deep connection with was Randy Ross and his lack of chemistry with other wideouts obviously never prevented him from scoring TDs. 95% of his game has been with slot receivers and TEs with a ton of YACs. Hopefully Carson and DJ hit on a few bombs this season making defenses having to respect Jackson's abilities.
            "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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            • #7
              I don't feel the article is fair either. Wentz has a good ability to look off receivers and find 2nd & 3rd reads. Add to it his elusiveness in the pocket to extend plays and you can be sure he'll find Jackson wide open in these circumstances. I have no worries about Wentz' deep ball accuracy. I do hope they call deep balls from time to time rather than the dink & dunk.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Eagle60 View Post
                Just some food for thought that I put out here for some downtime conversation guys. The only guy that Brady has ever had a deep connection with was Randy Ross and his lack of chemistry with other wideouts obviously never prevented him from scoring TDs. 95% of his game has been with slot receivers and TEs with a ton of YACs. Hopefully Carson and DJ hit on a few bombs this season making defenses having to respect Jackson's abilities.
                exactly. Our bread and butter is with possession receivers and especially this year when we have two TE sets. Jackson will help open this up.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Eagle60 View Post
                  Just some food for thought that I put out here for some downtime conversation guys. The only guy that Brady has ever had a deep connection with was Randy Ross and his lack of chemistry with other wideouts obviously never prevented him from scoring TDs. 95% of his game has been with slot receivers and TEs with a ton of YACs. Hopefully Carson and DJ hit on a few bombs this season making defenses having to respect Jackson's abilities.
                  Except in the Super Bowl when he was hitting Chris Hogan for bombs all over the place.

                  But you are right. The best QB's in this league work the quick passing game like masters. Then they hit the deep ball at times to keep the defense honest.

                  Getting Jackson is going to open up the short to mid game where Ertz, Alshon and Agholor will feast.
                  Were from Philly F in Philly no one likes us we DON'T CARE!

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by taz View Post
                    Getting Jackson is going to open up the short to mid game where Ertz, Alshon and Agholor will feast.
                    Goedert too!
                    Last edited by stevemc; 03-20-2019, 01:21 PM.

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                    • #11
                      I agree Jacksons value will not only come from catching some deep balls, but also for altering how the entire defense plays.
                      Although it will only be at it's best if we have some sort of viable running game also.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by MDFAN View Post
                        I agree Jacksons value will not only come from catching some deep balls, but also for altering how the entire defense plays.
                        Although it will only be at it's best if we have some sort of viable running game also.
                        Judging from their strange silence in regards to not bringing in a veteran rb I've got to believe that Clement is a lot healthier right now than he was last season and they are confident that he will step up from his rookie year.
                        "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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                        • #13
                          Frankly I think I might like a healthy Agyai more than a healthy clement--- but neither one is gonna scare a defense.

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                          • #14
                            I don't think if its a strange silence on bringing in a veteran RB. Aside from Bell who got way overpaid there really wasn't a difference making back out there. Remember they signed Blount after the draft in 2017 and traded for Ayaji later on.

                            Howie is going to get a back, most likely in the draft, as early as there 2nd pick in round 2. Lots of good options there.
                            Were from Philly F in Philly no one likes us we DON'T CARE!

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by taz View Post
                              Once again the problem with metrics without context. Except for the games in 2017 when he had Torey Smith (who is not anywhere near the threat that Jackson is), Wentz has not had a deep threat receiver. Oh and to use the metrics they used he had a QB rating of 102.7 in those games that Torey Smith played. By the time he came in last year, Mike Wallace was hurt. In 2016 he didn't have a deep threat receiver.

                              Wentz is going to be just fine on the deep ball with Jackson. Now how much Doug calls it is another story.

                              Articles like this are just click bait. Using metrics to try a prove a point that is not there.
                              this
                              We're looking for people that are fundamentally different,” vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl said Saturday night. “The love and passion for football, it's non-negotiable. They're caring, their character, they do the right thing persistently, and they have a relentless playing style that you can see on tape. The motor, it burns hot. You see them finishing plays. They have a team-first mentality. They're selfless individuals.

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