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Let's face it, many people on this board thought Jackson would be a bust from day one. He is one of those classic workout warriors that looks great in practice but ultimately lacks that killer edge on the field. During the draft Jackson was the type of player the Pats almost always ignore, the shiny, glittery combine god that suddenly jumps up the board as teams drool about "potential" and "upside."
I think this was one of the few times when Belichick tried a "get rick quick" scheme rather than taking a step back and evaluating a player based on risk-reward and his long term value. David Givens had just bolted, and Deion Branch was threatening to hold out. The thought of an immediate impact player was too tempting to pass up, even for the Yoda-level mental discipline of Belioli.
Of course, one could say that things could have gone different. A torn ACL can never be predicted, but even before it was torn there were clearly problems with his work ethic, attitude, and chemistry. Definitely not like a second round pick (especially that they trade up for) that I've seen them draft before. Consider how many receivers with less talent than Jackson have been able to click with Tom Brady throwing them the ball: David Patten, Jermaine Wiggins, Reche Caldwell (that same year), Jabar Gaffney... the list could go on and on. Bottom line is, New England is probably the easiest system to succeed in the NFL if you are a receiver and willing to put in the work. And as much as the rookie card gets pulled, consider that Givens, Branch, and others were able to at least look like they belonged on the field in their first year.
Bottom line: An uncharacteristically poor draft pick
I think this was one of the few times when Belichick tried a "get rick quick" scheme rather than taking a step back and evaluating a player based on risk-reward and his long term value. David Givens had just bolted, and Deion Branch was threatening to hold out. The thought of an immediate impact player was too tempting to pass up, even for the Yoda-level mental discipline of Belioli.
Of course, one could say that things could have gone different. A torn ACL can never be predicted, but even before it was torn there were clearly problems with his work ethic, attitude, and chemistry. Definitely not like a second round pick (especially that they trade up for) that I've seen them draft before. Consider how many receivers with less talent than Jackson have been able to click with Tom Brady throwing them the ball: David Patten, Jermaine Wiggins, Reche Caldwell (that same year), Jabar Gaffney... the list could go on and on. Bottom line is, New England is probably the easiest system to succeed in the NFL if you are a receiver and willing to put in the work. And as much as the rookie card gets pulled, consider that Givens, Branch, and others were able to at least look like they belonged on the field in their first year.
Bottom line: An uncharacteristically poor draft pick