DeSean Jackson is going to remain a Giant headache after all.
The Philadelphia Eagles receiver who spent years tormenting Big Blue is staying in the NFC East. According to reports, the Washington Redskins came to terms with Jackson late Tuesday night, just three days after Philly dumped the explosive receiver. The deal is for three years and $24 million (including $16 million guaranteed) according to ESPN.
'IT'S GOIN DOWN !! BURGUNDY & GOLD,' Jackson tweeted after the deal was done, adding an Instagram picture of ESPN announcing his signing.
There is a bevy of concerns surrounding Jackson. Reports had the Eagles worried about his work ethic and his influence on Philly's younger receivers, and an NJ.com report alleged that he had associations with gang members in Southern California.
Still, Jackson wasn't out of work for long. At least seven teams showed interest over the weekend, and the Daily News reported Friday that some in the Jets organization had an interest. Gang Green GM John Idzik, however, is not known to have reached out to Jackson.
The Redskins were the first leg on the brief Jackson free-agency tour on Monday, and he spent two days in Washington. On Monday night, he hung out with Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon, cornerback DeAngelo Hall and rapper Wale, who posted an Instagram photo of the quartet on Tuesday morning. And by Tuesday evening, Jackson and the Redskins were negotiating.
Even though he comes with character questions, Jackson is the first big splash of a quiet offseason for the Redskins, who went 3-13 last season. The Eagles spent weeks trying to trade Jackson before ultimately deciding to release him, despite the fact that he is just 27, in the prime of his career and coming off a season that saw him catch nine TD passes and rack up a career-best 1,332 receiving yards. He's one of the NFL's few players who can instantly change the complexion of a game, something the Giants can attest to, as the speedster took a punt back for a TD in the waning moments of an Eagles come-from-behind win over Big Blue in 2010.
Jackson instantly upgrades a Redskins offense that already had reason to hope for an improved 2014. If Robert Griffin III, more than a year removed from the ACL tear that ended his stellar rookie year, is fully healthy, the Redskins could have an explosive offense.
Still, there's plenty of risk. Eagles players didn't exactly lament the loss of Jackson, with center Jason Kelce tweeting Friday that he couldn't be 'more excited or happy' with the team's direction. But Philly's loss may prove to be Washington's gain and the Giants' loss, too.
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, April 3, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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