Cowboys spotlight: Quick feet, big-play ability make Redskins’ DeSean Jackson a threat
DeSean Jackson
Height: 5-10 Weight: 178
Season: 8th College: California
Strengths: DeSean Jackson remains a dangerous threat who can hit the home run in a number of ways. He scored 29 times in 36 games at California, excelling as a receiver, punt returner and running back. He’s done the same in the NFL. In nine games this season, Jackson has 10 receptions of at least 20 yards, including four of 40 or more. His 4.38 speed scares defensive coordinators. Jackson has quick feet. He is a natural receiver and not only runs precise routes but adjusts well.
Weaknesses: He has played all 16 games only twice in his career. This season he injured his hamstring in the season opener. He has played only nine games. After the 2013 season, the Eagles released Jackson despite a career year and a third Pro Bowl. They deemed him not worth the trouble on or off the field. Jackson is easily frustrated, sometimes losing concentration when he isn’t involved or when he lines up against mouthy cornerbacks. He can have a tough time getting separation against press coverage. Jackson sometimes gets himself in trouble trying to make something out of nothing as he did against the Cowboys earlier this month when he lost a fumble on a punt return.
Last game: He caught four passes for 40 yards in the Redskins’ 38-24 victory over the Eagles that clinched the NFC East.
Who has to stop him? The Cowboys rank fifth against the pass. They have allowed four 100-yard receivers this season. Jackson had six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown against them in a 19-16 loss Dec. 7. Brandon Carr’s last interception came Nov. 28, 2013. Carr, who could be playing his final game with the Cowboys, has allowed 45 receptions on 75 targets for 569 yards and six touchdowns. With Orlando Scandrick and Morris Claiborne out, the Cowboys are giving Terrance Mitchell and Deji Olatoye opportunities. Mitchell has an interception and has allowed four catches for 25 yards and three touchdowns. Olatoye also has an interception, and has allowed two catches on three targets for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Notable: Jackson has 30 receptions for 528 yards and four touchdowns the past eight games. … He had no catches in the season opener when he injured his hamstring and then missed the next six games. … For his career, he has 442 catches for 7,814 yards and 42 touchdowns. … Jackson has 24 touchdowns of 50 or more yards, fifth in NFL history and one behind Steve Smith for fourth. … Jackson was a second-round pick of the Eagles in 2008. … He is a three-time Pro Bowler, with berths in 2009, ’10 and ’13. … He was the first player in NFL history with at least 3,500 receiving yards and 1,000 punt return yards in his first four seasons. … In 13 career games against the Cowboys, Jackson has 49 receptions for 965 yards and three touchdowns. He also has five rushing attempts for 39 yards and 15 punt returns for 95 yards.
This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 7:20 PM with the headline "Cowboys spotlight: Quick feet, big-play ability make Redskins’ DeSean Jackson a threat."