Now that the season has concluded and DeSean Jackson realizes he needs a new contract, he could be starting to feel the heat. Jackson had an uninspiring 2011 to say the absolute least. Rather than talk about him hauling in an 80-yard touchdown pass and sparking the Eagles offense, we spent the season talking about Jackson avoiding contact and missing team meetings. On Sunday following an 86-yard day during which caught a 62-yard touchdown pass, Jackson tried to make amends.
“I can admit to certain things affecting me during the season,” Jackson said according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I just want to apologize. I probably could have handled it a little bit different, but now sitting here after the season’s over I can just say I was able to put it behind me and really just fight for my teammates, fight for my organization.”
Jackson also called Philly “home” and said he hopes he can return to the Eagles next season. While many believe the Eagles would create mayhem by trying to place the franchise tag on their star receiver, Jackson claims he would have no issue with that.
“Why wouldn’t I?” he said when asked if he would accept the franchise tag. “God got a plan, I’m going to roll with it.”
After a season in which he caught only 58 passes for 961 yards and four touchdowns, the franchise tag might not look all that bad for Jackson. He was considered a star receiver heading into this season, but he did nothing to build his stock and added to his reputation as a locker room issue. Michael Vick is proud of the way DeSean handled himself this season, so he may want him to stay. Andy Reid has also defended Jackson on numerous occasions. However, we have no reason to think his little apology and supposed attitude adjustment are anything more than a marketing ploy.
