DeSean Jackson's tough love

[dawkins20]

I like that Reid and McNabb are tough on DeSean and saying he is still a rookie and needs to prove he can step up every week. If anyone hasn't heard the press conferences, you should take a listen.

I just hope those two (Reid and McNabb) are also pointing at themselves and knowing it goes double dog ditto for each of them to push beyond where they have been as well

I hope the whole team has that attitude all year until they are bathing our lovable fat coach with gatorade and hoisting that Lombardi trophy

[FRESH]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

I like the general mesage that Reid and McNabb are putting out there, tho I do think they are laying it on a little heavy, especially McNabb. When McNabb laughs and says repeatedly "he's just a ROOKIE", and goes on to make comparisons to Pinky and Mitchell, and practically predicts Deseans demise......I think he goes too far. Minor thing. I wonder what they say to him face to face. It's important to keep the kid grounded. It's not important to insult him. I've never heard this stuff before about one of our rookies, have any of you????

[YourPalChrisMal]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

I like the general mesage that Reid and McNabb are putting out there, tho I do think they are laying it on a little heavy, especially McNabb. When McNabb laughs and says repeatedly "he's just a ROOKIE", and goes on to make comparisons to Pinky and Mitchell, and practically predicts Deseans demise......I think he goes too far. Minor thing. I wonder what they say to him face to face. It's important to keep the kid grounded. It's not important to insult him. I've never heard this stuff before about one of our rookies, have any of you????

No, but then how often do any of our rookies - particularly on offense - even play enough to warrant any sort of press-conference conversation at all?

[FRESH]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

Uncharted territory then, I guess. LOL!

[bullwinkle]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

I think they may have found a way to keep DJ motivated and focused. I'm sure if he does have a bad game, they will be the first to show their support for him.

McNabb threw to DJ several times yesterday when he did not have any separation. That means Mcnabb has tons of confidence in him. I would pay more attention to what McNabb does than what he says in press conferences.

[YourPalChrisMal]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

This is just another example of how McNabb is not a leader, and it's time to give the reigns to Kevin Kolb. Do it now while there's still time to save the season!

[FRESH]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

Agreed!!!!!!

[Flying Dutchman]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

McNabb threw to DJ several times yesterday when he did not have any separation. That means Mcnabb has tons of confidence in him. I would pay more attention to what McNabb does than what he says in press conferences.

Good point Moose!

[Vote for Kalas]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

Uncharted territory then, I guess. LOL!

The scuttlebutt is he became a problem child a bit at Cal due to his attitude and lower than expected work ethic. This is one reason, beside his size, that he dropped in the draft supposedly.

I think McNabb, Reid and Westbrook et al. want to make sure they push him to stay after it, keep working hard and keep growing as a player. From what I read, the reason McNabb referenced FMitch and Pinkston was in the context of high WR picks who were hyped too soon and when they struggled people judged them unfairly and even when they had success it was always recieved in a "its about time he did something" mode (in McNabb's eyes) since the expectations may have been too high to begin with. McNabb does not want that to happen to Jackson too; he wants Jackson to succeed and keep succeeding.

[Pedro]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

Uncharted territory then, I guess. LOL!

The scuttlebutt is he became a problem child a bit at Cal due to his attitude and lower than expected work ethic. This is one reason, beside his size, that he dropped in the draft supposedly.

I think McNabb, Reid and Westbrook et al. want to make sure they push him to stay after it, keep working hard and keep growing as a player. From what I read, the reason McNabb referenced FMitch and Pinkston was in the context of high WR picks who were hyped too soon and when they struggled people judged them unfairly and even when they had success it was always recieved in a "its about time he did something" mode (in McNabb's eyes) since the expectations may have been too high to begin with. McNabb does not want that to happen to Jackson too; he wants Jackson to succeed and keep succeeding.

I hear what you are saying, but then I recall the thousands of "Pinky is too frig'n skinny to last in this league" and "the Deer in Headlights" threads. Donny should read more forums if he thinks all fans are going to get over excited about any receiver since Reid took over. Maybe he is trying to keep Jackson grounded so he wont have to worry about fighting with Jackson for the leadership role after we come up with a song for him. Did I just say that?

[Vote for Kalas]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

Well, if Jackson struggles we'll see what happens, but I could easily see similar negativity about him emerging. There already was about his size after the draft and countless bashes about how the Eagles never get a "big" WR and how Jackson will never last a season and on and on.

Or look at Brown...he sets an Eagles rookie record for receptions, has an even better performance the next season and then "struggles" last season (still setting a new career high w/ 60 receptions) with an injured QB, no LJ and an inconsistent OL. He is being roasted on an open flame now....for having the audacity to be injured and people are talking about Jackson taking his job.

McNabb knows the media/fan environment here and how fickle & silly they can be....he is trying to protect Jackson. He knows if Jackson gives the fans/media any ammo to use against him the next scapegoat will be born. He knows Jackson needs to be successful for himself, for the team, for the coaches and yes for this city. The only way to do that is to keep working hard, keep your head down and make plays.

[eaglefan55]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

McNabb threw to DJ several times yesterday when he did not have any separation. That means Mcnabb has tons of confidence in him. I would pay more attention to what McNabb does than what he says in press conferences.

Good point Moose!

Yea, and more importantly he caught those balls!

[Leonard Tose]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

Well, if Jackson struggles we'll see what happens, but I could easily see similar negativity about him emerging. There already was about his size after the draft and countless bashes about how the Eagles never get a "big" WR and how Jackson will never last a season and on and on.

Or look at Brown...he sets an Eagles rookie record for receptions, has an even better performance the next season and then "struggles" last season (still setting a new career high w/ 60 receptions) with an injured QB, no LJ and an inconsistent OL. He is being roasted on an open flame now....for having the audacity to be injured and people are talking about Jackson taking his job.

McNabb knows the media/fan environment here and how fickle & silly they can be....he is trying to protect Jackson. He knows if Jackson gives the fans/media any ammo to use against him the next scapegoat will be born. He knows Jackson needs to be successful for himself, for the team, for the coaches and yes for this city. The only way to do that is to keep working hard, keep your head down and make plays.

Comparing Jackson and Brown is apples and oranges, no matter how much you want to try and pump up Brown, VFK. One guy is a star, the other is strictly a ham-and-egger.

I don't mind that they talk about Jackson that way to keep his head from popping out of his helmet, as long as they keep throwing to him all the time. I agree with bullwinkle -- actions speak louder than words.

Think about it: McNabb is a QB who has never wanted to squeeze balls in when guys are covered. He's always looking for lots of separation. But he's got enough confidence in Jackson to force it a little more.

[BIGPHILLY]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

Think about it: McNabb is a QB who has never wanted to squeeze balls in when guys are covered. He's always looking for lots of separation. But he's got enough confidence in Jackson to force it a little more.

I know this is really buying a ton of hype after only one week but this is really a tremendous point. McNabb is usually scared to death to throw into tight coverage. With Jackson he seems to trust that he can throw it in there and he'll make it happen.

[sfphillyfan]

Re: DeSean Jackson's tough love

DJ was NOT open on the first pass that mcnabb completed to him.