Statistically, Eagles WR DeSean Jackson is performing in line with his career averages. But numbers tell only part of the story. Jackson, through eight games, has failed to produce the one thing that has made him so special and arguably on par with the best receivers in the game: the big play.
It’s one reason why the Eagles are off to a disappointing 3-5 start.
"For myself, at times, it’s frustrating because I am used to the big plays, scoring long touchdowns," Jackson said Monday night after the Eagles blew another fourth-quarter lead and lost to the Bears, 30-24. "But right now it’s not really working. Defenses are not letting it happen."
Jackson’s longest play -- a 61-yard catch -- is the Eagles’ longest from scrimmage this season. But his longest touchdown was on a 31-yard screen pass four games ago at Buffalo. He has only one other score -- a six-yard touchdown in the opener at St. Louis.
While placing emphasis on the distance of a touchdown may overstate its worth, for Jackson it’s what separates him from many players. Of his 28 career touchdowns, 20 have covered 30 or more yards.
But it’s not just the long touchdowns that are missing from Jackson’s resume. It’s the long ball in general.
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