DeSean Jackson seems to be the type of guy who wants to be the man, the center of attention, the guy people 'ooh and ahh' over. He'll get the chance to do something on Sunday that no Eagles wide receiver has ever done under Andy Reid: start in his very first NFL game.
With his lighting quick speed, Eagles fans are hoping Jackson has the ability to change a game anytime he touches the ball. DeSean is ready to play, "My plan was to come in here and help this team right away."
Eagles stud running back, Brian Westbrook, is looking forward to seeing DeSean translate what he did in the preseason into a game that matters, "I like seeing that confidence. He has proven what he can do in the preseason and now we need to see that in the regular season. I think he understands the preseason is gone. The regular season is a whole different level than the preseason. He knows what we expect from him."
Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid tried to mute the hype surrounding Jackson a bit.
Eagles beat writer Les Bowen correctly wrote that when asked about the contributions DeSean would make to the offense Donovan McNabb went into "max-protection mode."
"I think all our guys are important, not just DeSean,'' McNabb scolded. "I think you have to remember, he's still a rookie. This isn't the preseason anymore, this is the regular season, where you'll see a lot of different things that you didn't see in the preseason. I think the one thing that we can do to help DeSean is, every other guy has to step their game up and be able to make as many plays [as possible] so we won't count on him so much. He's going to be doing a lot for us; you talk about special teams, you talk about playing offense, rotating in and out, having to know what plays are being called, where he's at, moving him around.''McNabb also reminded us of the high expectations that were once bestowed upon a former number one draft choice, Freddie Mitchell. So while hopes are high surrounding the Cal standout, we still need to see him play a down in a real NFL game.
Andy Reid stressed the offense's ability to spread the ball around and rely less on any one player, trying to downplay Jackson's role.
There will be exciting, meaningful football played on Sunday and DeSean Jackson is one guy that Birds fans are pumped about. Even if his impact as a wide out is minimal in week one, remember: no more Reno Mahe returning kicks!
