DeSean Jackson has been taking hits from nearly all angles, but at least one former teammate has come to his defense.
During an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio Monday, former Eagles safety Kurt Coleman, who is now with the Minnesota Vikings, defended Jackson and described his former teammate as a “good guy” in the locker room.
“I’m very surprised and I think Philadelphia is going to miss him big time,” Coleman said of Jackson. “I find it troubling to hear some of the stories — and I don’t know who is really putting them out there. I thought DeSean was a good guy in the locker room. He was someone that I could talk to and could relate to.”
Coleman’s comments are particularly noteworthy because a CBS Philly report that said Jackson threw tantrums on coach Chip Kelly also quoted a source who pointed out that none of Jackson’s teammates came out to defend him. Now we have an official source on record defending Jackson.
“Did he at times kind of do his own thing? Yeah. But we kind of all do our own thing in our own way. But when it came game time, I would talk to him every game and I would ask him, ‘Is 10-mode on?’ And there was no question. He would give 100 percent. He would take those big hits for the team. And he was one of those guys that you wanted to play every single Sunday because the explosiveness, the X-factor that he brought to a team is [unmatched]. I think Philadelphia is going to miss him.”
“I appreciate him as a teammate and I can’t say anything bad about him,” said Coleman. “I think it’s unfortunate the rap that he got. He is a good person.”
Few teams wouldn’t miss Jackson’s playmaking ability, but it’s everything else about him that has been an issue. Also keep in mind that at least one current Eagle was happy with the decision to cut him, and that was Jason Kelce, who played on the same side of the ball. Maybe Coleman would feel differently if he were an offensive player dealing with Jackson more frequently.
H/T Philly Mag
