The Eagles better announce their offensive starters at the Linc before Sunday’s season opener against Washington.
Because I want to hear what happens when No. 10 gets announced.
After five years away, DeSean Jackson will suit up for the Eagles on Sunday. And it’s going to be loud. Very loud.
“It’s going to be a very special occasion,” Jackson said. “I’ve been looking forward to this since I’ve been back. All I can think about is the first time when I’m entering the field into the Linc.”
Jackson, 32, never wanted to leave Philly when Chip Kelly released him after the 2013 season. He played three seasons in Washington, two in Tampa Bay and Howie Roseman traded to get him back for this year.
Ever since that trade on March 11, Jackson has waited for Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. Now, it’s almost here.
“But it’s Wednesday,” Jackson said. “I can’t peak too soon.”
NFL
Despite a broken ring finger on his left hand, Jackson will play on Sunday. He admitted it was an obstacle — it’s his first broken finger — but it would have taken a lot more to keep him out of this return.
And don’t let him fool you.
“I got a broke finger, man,” Jackson said. “They might not use me. I might be a decoy. I can’t let you know nothing now, man. You just gotta wait until Sunday to check that out.”
If the open practice early last month is any indication, Jackson is going to quickly return to fan-favorite status this season. No player received a bigger ovation on Aug. 4 at the Eagles’ public practice. And that was just a practice.
Even though Jackson is a veteran player, we all know he’s going to be hyped for his first game back. Doug Pederson said he won’t even try to rein in Jackson this week.
“I try to let him just feel it, feel the emotion of the game,” Pederson said. “He's been in a lot of these. I don't think it's going to be any different. It's going to be a great welcome back for him when he makes that first catch or hopefully a touchdown.”
Hmmm … interesting. When he makes that first catch … or hopefully a touchdown.
Would it really surprise anyone if the first play of Sunday’s game was a deep bomb to Jackson? Heck, we all thought that was going to happen in the first play against Jackson’s Tampa Bay team last year … and then it did. The Eagles still couldn’t stop it.
Jackson was asked what that first long bomb this year will feel like, but he said as much as he can visualize it, he won’t know until it happens.
“Man, I wish I could tell you,” he said. “I don’t want to peak too soon, man.”
The Eagles will face one of Jackson’s former teams on Sunday and he tried to play that off like it doesn’t matter to him. But if you look at his history, Jackson has killed his former teams — most notably the Eagles.
In seven games against his former teams (6 vs. Eagles, 1 vs. Redskins), Jackson has 29 catches for 636 yards (4.1/90.9) and 3 touchdowns. In four of those seven games, he’s gone over 100 yards receiving.
11/11/18 — vs. WAS: 5 rec, 67 yards
9/16/18 — vs. PHI: 4, 129, 1 TD
12/11/16 — vs. PHI: 3, 102, 1
10/16/16 — vs. PHI: 4, 55
12/26/15 — vs. PHI: 4, 40
12/20/14 — vs. PHI: 4, 126
9/21/14 — vs. PHI: 5, 117, 1
What makes him so successful in those games?
“Ah man,” Jackson said. “They had an opportunity to keep me, I guess, and they didn’t. So I get to take out whatever it is I feel on the team or the opponent. Make it no more special, but obviously I’m where I’m at now and I can only be where my feet is. I’m happy to be a part of what we have here; it’s special.”
Sunday is going to be pretty special too.
“Numberrrr Tennn … De-Sean Jack-Son!!!”
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