Chad Jackson: What Th'?

[PatsFanInVa]

Okay. We all saw last year that Chad was at pains to stay on the field, and at even greater pains to contribute. That was among a WR merry-go-round system, with Gabriel popping in and then back out, with Caldwells and Gaffneys added as the need arose -- that is, always -- etc.

My question is this: Anybody here think he fights his way through to more than a bit part in Tom Brady's Flying Circus for the upcoming year?

There wasn't much to his performance last year. This year the WR logjam is formidable. To get to play he's looking at the guys who beat him last year (Gaffney, Caldwell,) plus a guy with "potential" written all over him (Washington,) a reliable slot guy (Welker), and two potential superstars (Moss and Stallworth.)

Does Chad emerge this year as "in the mix"? Anybody enthusiastic about him, and think he'll be this year's surprise?

My take -- Cap-wise, it would be great to see him shoot up the charts, of course. Probability-wise... well, let's just say it would also be great if I could crap icecream, and instead of raw physical attraction, supermodels responded to humorous muttering on bulletin boards. In other words, a desireable but improbable state of affairs.

Discuss.

PFnV

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I think that Jackson has as good a chance as any of emerging "in the mix," assuming that his work ethic is better than it was reported to be last year.

Right now, the receiver situation looks awesome on paper, but there are so many unknowns that almost anyone of the guys you name could emerge as a number one or two target.

You rightly chose the term "circus" to describe this, as there are going to be at least three rings and lots of juggling. Like everyone else out here, I'm hoping that the new pieces fall in place and mesh with Brady and that we have a lights-out offense with Maroney running for 1,000 yards to boot. But, no one's caught a pass yet.

 

[Tunescribe]

I would have to say that judging by all the WR help brought in it appears the coaching staff has little if any faith that Chad will contribute this year. Whether that's because of injury, slow development, or both, who knows? But I'd have to think from those moves and the numbers logjam that he's destined for IR. Put him in the bank and let him accrue interest for 2008.

 

[pats1]

I think this year will be more or less a redshirt season for him. He could go on PUP, but if he doesn't, I envision him as a 6th WR with a significant contribution to special teams.

Next year is the key.

Moss and Stallworth are likely out of here. Caldwell and Gaffney's contracts are up after this year. That leaves Welker, Washington, Jackson, and possibly a draft pick.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I think this year will be more or less a redshirt season for him. He could go on PUP, but if he doesn't, I envision him as a 6th WR with a significant contribution to special teams.

Next year is the key.

Moss and Stallworth are likely out of here. Caldwell and Gaffney's contracts are up after this year. That leaves Welker, Washington, Jackson, and possibly a draft pick.

I could see retention of Moss, if Stallworth excels, or if he is really "all about the rings" now. I could see Stallworth redoing his deal if he does not reach 1000 yards or thereabouts. In other words, this situation might be one or the other, rather than neither. Of course, if someone else rears up and becomes the #2 (seems unlikely, but in the Pats' passing game, whoever is open is the #1 that play...) well, it will be hard to argue for a massive expenditure if your number say you were #3.

I think for the future you're basically right, though... we're throwing it at the wall and seeing what sticks.

PFnV

 

[brdmaverick]

Chad Jackson should have another non-factor this year.

The good news is that it won't matter because of Moss, Stallworth, and Welker. Even if he wasn't having the injury problems, Jackson would still be hard-pressed to find time in our suddenly loaded WR corp.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

I think this year will be more or less a redshirt season for him. He could go on PUP, but if he doesn't, I envision him as a 6th WR with a significant contribution to special teams.

Next year is the key.

Moss and Stallworth are likely out of here. Caldwell and Gaffney's contracts are up after this year. That leaves Welker, Washington, Jackson, and possibly a draft pick.

Holy crap you think 4 WR's will leave without the team retaining one of them?

Honest to god i think right now they keep one of Stallworth or Moss.

 

[pats1]

Holy crap you think 4 WR's will leave without the team retaining one of them?

Honest to god i think right now they keep one of Stallworth or Moss.

If Stallworth performs well, he triggers his lucrative option.

If Moss performs well, he's g-o-n-e. Open market.

Caldwell and Gaffney could certainly be retained, but Gaffney's prospects of making the team this year to begin with are shaky.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

If Stallworth performs well, he triggers his lucrative option.

If Moss performs well, he's g-o-n-e. Open market.

Caldwell and Gaffney could certainly be retained, but Gaffney's prospects of making the team this year to begin with are shaky.

What is Stallworths trigger? I was unaware he had one.

 

[pats1]

What is Stallworths trigger? I was unaware he had one.

Not exactly a trigger, but there's a series of lucrative bonuses, starting after this season. So if the Pats want Stallworth to stay around, they'll have to pay those.

 

[mgteich]

I expect two of Washington, Moss, Stallworth, Caldwell and Gaffney to be on the 2008 squad. I expect one to be gone this year, probably Gaffney. I see no reason to believe that we would retain only one.

While I don't expect much from Jackson this year, if anything, the decision on who to keep next year depends on how they expect out of Jackson in the future.

I think this year will be more or less a redshirt season for him. He could go on PUP, but if he doesn't, I envision him as a 6th WR with a significant contribution to special teams.

Next year is the key.

Moss and Stallworth are likely out of here. Caldwell and Gaffney's contracts are up after this year. That leaves Welker, Washington, Jackson, and possibly a draft pick.

 

[ClevTrev]

Jackson, if healthy, will have an opportunity to prove his value to the team this season. Unfortunately, no one knows what his status is at this time given the way the team handles injury information. While he will not be a focal point WR this season, this may prove to be to his advantage. Given that the team has several high-quality players competing for time at WR, the question remains as to how they solidify this position in the years beyond this season.

With no long-term commitments and only options with the high-caliber WR veterans, Jackson's role looms very large this season in terms of future implications. Should Jackson have a break-out season and prove he can contribute with the quality play the team expects, this becomes huge for both player and team for at least two years beyond the 2007 season. It gives them a value option to weigh against entering into a much higher contract with one of the veterans. While the team has a great mix at WR, I'm pulling for Chad to come through this season big time.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I could easily see the red shirt option happening, since he is on a 4 year rookie deal... though that would put all his development on 1 year's work in 08 before his make or break contract year of 09

 

[patsox23]

Given Jackson's struggles last year and his injury now, this influx of talent at WR works on multiple levels. It provides us cover as he takes his time developing into what we hope(d) he can be, allows him to (eventually) learn from some pretty impressive, talented veteran wideouts, and lights a fire under him - seeing up close what he COULD be, and what he might NOT be, given his roster competition.

Good times.

 

[ClevTrev]

I could easily see the red shirt option happening, since he is on a 4 year rookie deal... though that would put all his development on 1 year's work in 08 before his make or break contract year of 09

I'm betting BB is pulling for this guy to establish himself this season. Therefore, there's no way he won't let him compete if he is healthy. BB will not hesitate to replace a veteran with Jackson if Jackson is deserving.

I see no way he'd not be given a chance to make the roster this season unless his health mandates PUP then IR.

While I understand the use of the term "red shirt" in these posts, the difference is they burn a year of his contract and value to the team if they sacrifice this season. Don't see that happening unless there is a compelling health reason.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think opportunity knocked for Jackson last year, and nobody was home. As a high second it will knock again this season but not nearly as loudly, and he'd better be prepared to answer the door. Best case scenario for him is knocking Washington or one of Gaffney/Caldwell off the roster in camp or replacing one of them off PUP. If he doesn't he may find it harder than ever to get a shot in 2008 because I could see any or all of Washington, Caldwell, Gaffney or even Randy signing cap friendly extensions (with Troy likely finally out of the mix in 2008) if they find themselves comfortable winning here. Guys who have been unhappy or struggled for whatever reason elsewhere sometimes (not always, granted) develop that desire to remain in their happy zone once they locate it even at the expense of leaving a couple of dollars on the potential earnings table.

And I don't understand why everyone assumes Stallworth is a one year deal or even requires restructure. He can be gone in 2008 at the teams discretion, which was a smart hedge on a substantial committment to the unknown, but his deal is basically the money we would have spent on Deion had he not lost his mind - $6M to be a #1.

If we even start the 2008 season with one of Stallworth/Moss, and two of Washington/Caldwell/Gaffney/Jackson, plus Welker then Chad could find himself stuck/pidgeonholed competing for a slot as a 4th or 5th WR heading into his contract season in 2009. A fate similar to what resulted in Stallworth and Washington and Caldwell and Gaffney looking for a place where they could get a do over in hopes of kickstarting a career 4 years in.

Of course on the other hand he could blossom at some point this season and then they would likely perceive him as what they likely intended when they drafted him - a #1 or 1b or #2. If that happens it could change the way they perceive Stallworth, or the way Stallworth or Moss perceive us. But there would also be concern at that time that should Jackson continue to blossom in a third season he likely would be looking for a deal that paid him more than $1M over the combined 2008-09 seasons. Stallworth right now is the veteran bird in hand with a decent track record and signed long term at a market or below rate for a legitimate, productive, durable #1 target for a HOF QB. So if he proves to be ALL of that this season Chad may never get a shot at that job here. And the same goes for the #2 job if any of Washington, Caldwell or Gaffney step up big early on and want to do reasonable extensions.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I'm betting BB is pulling for this guy to establish himself this season. Therefore, there's no way he won't let him compete if he is healthy. BB will not hesitate to replace a veteran with Jackson if Jackson is deserving.

I see no way he'd not be given a chance to make the roster this season unless his health mandates PUP then IR.

While I understand the use of the term "red shirt" in these posts, the difference is they burn a year of his contract and value to the team if they sacrifice this season. Don't see that happening unless there is a compelling health reason.

Miguel has this Reiss blurb on Jackson's contract:

"Chad Jackson- From Mike Reiss' blog - "Chad Jackson's rookie deal with the Patriots is a four-year package that doesn't include a signing bonus. Jackson will be paid a $452,000 roster bonus and has a $1.64 million option bonus, which is probably payable in March. He receives $90,000 workout bonuses in both 2008 and 2009, and $250,000 of his base salary is guaranteed in 2007. He also has a $100,000 bonus for winning the Rookie of the Year". Since Jackson's future salaries are $360,200 in 2007, $451,800 in 2008, and 633,000 in 2009, it seems safe to presume that his 2007 option bonus is protected by those salaries, that is, if he does not get the option bonus, those future salaries become guaranteed."

I wonder if we exercised the option in March. They likely went that route over signing bonus because he was injured from mini camp on. Seeing as he was also injured at the end of last season and reportedly wouldn't be running until June at the earliest, and running and potentially being ready for TC or to play come August are two seperate and distinct things, they may well have either negotiated a deferral on that roster bonus until September (if it was in fact due in March) or simply opted to not pick it up and guarantee his salaries which in total represent less than the option bonus alone.

I think BB pulls for guys who REALLY work hard at being the best they can be. And I think he will cut guys who don't regardless of cost.

 

[ClevTrev]

I think BB pulls for guys who REALLY work hard at being the best they can be. And I think he will cut guys who don't regardless of cost.

And that's the key with Jackson. If he works hard, and he deserves the playing time, he will get it regardless of the logjam or other players' years of service at WR. These are the things BB is pulling for in any player.

Good post.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I think this year will be more or less a redshirt season for him. He could go on PUP, but if he doesn't, I envision him as a 6th WR with a significant contribution to special teams.

Next year is the key.

Moss and Stallworth are likely out of here. Caldwell and Gaffney's contracts are up after this year. That leaves Welker, Washington, Jackson, and possibly a draft pick.

Given Jackson's injuries this year I think its best if everyone look at him as a rookie coming off an injury. He's got a bit more of a headstart than that, but I think that puts things in the proper perspective. But a redshirt/PUP year wouldn't be the end of the world for him.

He's working to develop so he can play a key role next year as you said.

Washington needs to earn a spot as well. I don't assume both Moss and Stallworth are gone... well actually I do kindof think Moss might be a one year rental since he's effectively in a contract year... but Stallworth could stick around.