In a bizarre move, the Philadelphia Eagles released Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson on Friday.
All of the talk about gang ties is suspect.
If he was in a gang, the NFL and the Eagles would have known that after all of the pre-draft background checks back in 2008. His release likely had more to do with his $12.5 million salary cap number and the Eagles decided to re-sign Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper.
Don’t expect Jackson to stay unemployed long.
Here are five reasons why the Falcons should sign Jackson.
- AGE: He's 27 and his future is ahead of him.
- INSURANCE: He provides another weapon and insurance against Julio Jones' foot and Roddy White's age. There's no guarantee that Jones will return to the level of play he was ascending to before his injury. White is 32 and turns 33 in November. He's not going to play forever.
- WEAPON: He's had three 1,000-yard seasons. Last season he amassed 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns and went to the Pro Bowl.
- RETURNER: He can also return punts.
- ENEMY: The Falcons wouldn't have to face him if he's on their team. Back in 2010, he almost single-handedly scorched the Falcons. He scored on a 31-yard run on an end around and a 34-yard reception, before Dunta Robinson leveled him with a helmet-to-helmet hit. The hit knocked both players out of the game.
FALCONS REWIND
--Blog: Falcons are not switching to a 3-4 defense front, they've been using it for past 2 seasons
--Blog: New jersey numbers picked; Devin Hester to wear No. 17
--Blog: Falcons awarded three compensatory picks
--Blog: Lamar Holmes was a performance-pay leader in 2014
--Blog: Umenyiora will return in 2014, no restructured deal
--Blog: Falcons release FB Bradie Ewing
--Blog: Falcons WR Roddy White owes Mercer fan some prime tickets
--Blog: Falcons owner Arthur Blank engaged to be married.
--Blog: Former Falcons WR Kevin Cone to work out for Carolina
--Blog: Falcons re-sign defensive tackle Peria Jerry
--Blog: NFL to move forward on cleaning up 'on-field' language
--MyAJC ($): Falcons spend $80 million in free agency to buy toughness
--Las Vegas doesn't like Falcons' free agency moves
--Falcons Free Agency Tracker -- Falcons have committed $107.36 million to salaries
--Q&A with PR/KR/WR Devin Hester
--Q&A with Falcons right guard Jon Asamoah
--Q&A with Falcons defensive end Tyson Jackson
--Q&A with Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai
2014 NFL DRAFT CENTRAL
--Mock Draft 1.0: Falcons trade out of sixth spot to land Pryor and Ebron
--12 teams who could draft UGA star Aaron Murray
--Louisville LB Preston Brown to work out for the Falcons
--Louisville DE Marcus Smith to work out for the Falcons
--MyAJC ($): OT Greg Robinson, DE Dee Ford shine at Auburn's Pro Day
--VIDEO: Tackle Greg Robinson on Auburn's Pro Day
--VIDEO: Running back Tra Mason on Auburn's Pro Day
--Blog & VIDEO: Clemson QB Tajh Boyd has stellar Pro Day showing
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