DeSean Jackson Released by Eagles [update]: Signed by Washington

[Deus Irae]

This one's going to hurt the pitchfork brigade:

#Chiefs & Andy Reid were intrigued by DeSean Jackson, but with limited cap space, can’t match the budding open market. Would’ve loved DeSean

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/450336961748684800

 

[Rob0729]

Obviously you need to do your homework on him before signing him to any kind of a significant deal. That's true for anyone with any kind of red flags. But the LAPD has already come right out and said that he wasn't involved in the two murders that everyone is referring to, and that his gang connections are standard for guys who grow up in gang-infested neighborhoods. So which is it:

1) growing up in a gang neighborhood and knowing a guy who was acquitted on a murder charge are big enough red flags not to sign him. By that standard, you've just ruled out signing a ton of players, most of which are never any kind of a problem.

2) it's the other concerns--the home robbery, and stuff like that--that sets him apart. It's a sign that where there's some smoke, there may be fire. Do you apply the same standard to someone like Alfonzo Dennard?

3) recognize that all of this stuff is pretty common for professional athletes. What isn't common is alienating your coaches and teammates as thoroughly as Jackson has.

Based on what's been reported so far, I don't see how the 'gang connections' are a big deal. They're worth looking in to, but that's it unless you find more. I think that the third reason is a far more legitimate and sensible reason to rule out pursuing him.

The reasons I don't want the Pats to sign this guy have nothing to do with these allegations. It has to do with his selfish actions and attitudes that can be detrimental to a team.

But you are missing other connections like one of the rappers signed to his label being an alleged murderer. But that doesn't necessarily make Jackson a bad person. But none of us know if he just associates with these type of people for business or he is part of the lifestyle. We cannot condemn him or dismiss the potential connections with the information we know.

Jackson is everything that Belichick hates in a player. Football doesn't seem to be priority in his life. He showboats on the field, sometimes to the detriment to the team. He constantly complains about money. He misses team meetings. He is a loner in the locker room. That is a reason to pass on him alone.

 

[Rob0729]

This one's going to hurt the pitchfork brigade:



https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/450336961748684800

If that is the case, I admit I was wrong last night. Still don't want the turd, but Reid has never been shy about employing talented turds.

 

[Ring 6]

If that is the case, I admit I was wrong last night. Still don't want the turd, but Reid has never been shy about employing talented turds.

Reid also may be doing his former player, who is getting ripped to shreds right now, a favor.

 

[TriplecHamp]

"Don't understand hood culture" sounds like a crutch, but I'll accept it. That, however, is not the same thing as racist. I would hope you can see that.

Which is why I personally called him prejudice instead of racist. If anything your ignorance to hood culture is a crutch for the tone of comments itt. I don't see how you can honestly say you know the ins and outs of what goes on in south central los angeles, its comical.

And you really have a hair across your arse about calling Jackson a turd? To be racially equal, I have also called Alex Rodriguez and Bill Romanowski turds. Have I filled the required quota? Jeezus, that's what we do on message boards. We have opinions on players. Jackson's behavior with the Eagles has been turd-like. Or piece of ****-like, as you seem to prefer. This has absolutely nothing to do with the alleged gang crap. He seems like he is a turd. All of your athlete opinions have been filled with nothing but butterflies and rainbows? Congrats. I guess I'm too negative.

I have no crosshair about the word Turd, it was you who isolated that word as if it were some child like innocent insult when we all know the theme of the conversation and the context as to which it was used.

And for the record, I would be all for Jackson getting a gang symbol tattooed on his face and STILL signing him.....IF he wasn't such a turd on the field.

Last summer Riley Cooper said something flat out racist. Nobody called him a wannabe racist or wannabe redneck or anything like that. Some called him a flat out racist and others who actually knew him said that they did not know him to be a racist. He was re-welcomed into the locker room and we moved on. Fact of the matter is, if Cooper were a politician he would have been forced to resign and we probably would never hear of him again. The culture of the NFL is not that of the real world. We have guys who come from different backgrounds and make mistakes. Desean has never been in trouble with the law and he has never made an off the field mistake that reflected poorly upon the Eagles. Yet itt: you would think that he's sitting somewhere strapped up with a blunt and double cup of dirty sprite in hand waiting for someone to try him. I don't necessarily want Desean because I don't think he's a great locker room guy and I'd rather get bigger at the position. Most of the people itt have run along with a narrative that Desean is a wannabe thug gangbanger and the next Hernandez. Marshawn Lynch is one of the biggest goons in the NFL yet he's loved by those in seattle. This whole thing just makes very little sense to anybody who has followed this sport and the culture surrounding it.

 

[BradyFTW!]

The reasons I don't want the Pats to sign this guy have nothing to do with these allegations. It has to do with his selfish actions and attitudes that can be detrimental to a team.



But you are missing other connections like one of the rappers signed to his label being an alleged murderer. But that doesn't necessarily make Jackson a bad person. But none of us know if he just associates with these type of people for business or he is part of the lifestyle. We cannot condemn him or dismiss the potential connections with the information we know.



Jackson is everything that Belichick hates in a player. Football doesn't seem to be priority in his life. He showboats in the field, sometimes to the detriment to the team. He constantly complains about money. He misses team meetings. He is a loner in the locker room. That is a reason to pass on him alone.

The rapper signed to his label was acquitted. And if employing a guy when he was accused of murder is a huge red flag in its own right, then we should be really concerned about Bob Kraft, I guess. He's no guiltier than Kraft is, which should demonstrate exactly how flimsy that whole connection is.

I agree with the rest, though. There's a bunch if red flags there, even if you completely ignore the 'gang connections' element. I would be pretty surprised if the pats signed him.

 

[Rob0729]

Reid also may be doing his former player, who is getting ripped to shreds right now, a favor.

That could be the case. I think that is why the Pats interviewed Britt. It might have been a favor to Schinano to help generate interest in one of his former players.

 

[Rob0729]

The rapper signed to his label was acquitted. And if employing a guy when he was accused of murder is a huge red flag in its own right, then we should be really concerned about Bob Kraft, I guess. He's no guiltier than Kraft is, which should demonstrate exactly how flimsy that whole connection is.

I agree with the rest, though. There's a bunch if red flags there, even if you completely ignore the 'gang connections' element. I would be pretty surprised if the pats signed him.

The difference between Kraft and Jackson is that Kraft doesn't associate with his players outside of team or NFL related functions for the most part. Jackson seems to spend a lot of his off time with his talent.

It doesn't make him guilty of anything, but it is different. From all accounts, Hernandez never associated with even his teammates nevermind Kraft.

 

[Dingleberry]

Which is why I personally called him prejudice instead of racist. If anything your ignorance to hood culture is a crutch for the tone of comments itt. I don't see how you can honestly say you know the ins and outs of what goes on in south central los angeles, its comical.



Last summer Riley Cooper said something flat out racist. Nobody called him a wannabe racist or wannabe redneck or anything like that. Some called him a flat out racist and others who actually knew him said that they did not know him to be a racist. He was re-welcomed into the locker room and we moved on. Fact of the matter is, if Cooper were a politician he would have been forced to resign and we probably would never hear of him again. The culture of the NFL is not that of the real world. We have guys who come from different backgrounds and make mistakes. Desean has never been in trouble with the law and he has never made an off the field mistake that reflected poorly upon the Eagles. Yet itt: you would think that he's sitting somewhere strapped up with a blunt and double cup of dirty sprite in hand waiting for someone to try him. I don't necessarily want Desean because I don't think he's a great locker room guy and I'd rather get bigger at the position. Most of the people itt have run along with a narrative that Desean is a wannabe thug gangbanger and the next Hernandez.

My comments on "hood culture" as it relates to Jackson are pretty limited. Work with me here. The gangbangers he has been pictured with are usually SELF-DESCRIBED thugs or gangbangers. Yes or no? Jackson hangs with them and flashes those cool gang symbols. One would assume he is either one of them or likes to pretend (hence the term wannabe) he is one of them. THAT'S IT. No big deal. I would sign him if that was the only "knock" on his character. Notice the quotations around knock. I am not saying it is a knock on his character. It just is what it is. As many would agree, he is a talented turd on the field and in the locker room.

When have I ever said, or hell implied, that I know the ins and outs of South Central LA? I have admitted I do not understand the culture. I had secret passwords and greetings in my tree house when I was 10 years old. I grew out of it. It's not my thing. Again, Jackson can change his name to Gang Symbol and I would still sign him if he wasn't a dink (better than turd?) on the field.

Based on your comment bolded above, I think we agree more than you realize.

 

[BradyFTW!]

The difference between Kraft and Jackson is that Kraft doesn't associate with his players outside of team or NFL related functions for the most part. Jackson seems to spend a lot of his off time with his talent.



It doesn't make him guilty of anything, but it is different. From all accounts, Hernandez never associated with even his teammates nevermind Kraft.

Fair enough, but that's because he's friends with the guy, who happens to have been acquitted if murder. The LAPD outright said that that level of association with someone who was alleged and acquitted of a gang-related crime is pretty common.

Is there an elevated risk simply by virtue of coming from a gang-infested environment? Sure. Is there an elevated risk relative to other guys--like Paul Pierce, for example--from the same environments? That's a much tougher claim to make.

 

[Ivan]

The rapper signed to his label was acquitted. And if employing a guy when he was accused of murder is a huge red flag in its own right, then we should be really concerned about Bob Kraft, I guess. He's no guiltier than Kraft is, which should demonstrate exactly how flimsy that whole connection is.

I agree, the photo of Kraft giving the Latin Kings sign in his FREE AARON HERNANDEZ SHIRT was really disturbing. But then again what else should we expect from the old G?

 

[TriplecHamp]

My comments on "hood culture" as it relates to Jackson are pretty limited. Work with me here. The gangbangers he has been pictured with are usually SELF-DESCRIBED thugs or gangbangers. Yes or no? Jackson hangs with them and flashes those cool gang symbols. One would assume he is either one of them or likes to pretend (hence the term wannabe) he is one of them. THAT'S IT. No big deal. I would sign him if that was the only "knock" on his character. Notice the quotations around knock. I am not saying it is a knock on his character. It just is what it is. As many would agree, he is a talented turd on the field and in the locker room.

I don't even know who these "gangbangers" are and I don't know if you do either. This is part of the gang culture that people really don't understand. The best example I can give you (which you probably still won't understand) would be Chief Keef and the rappers that he hangs out with. He has a record label called GBE (Glory Boys Entertainement), His gang is BD (Black Disciples, and he has multiple sets underneath that like 300, L's, and OTF. To you they are all gangs but L's just refers to Lamron which is Normal spelled backwards. Normal is a street in the neighborhood and if you're from that street you would throw up an L with your fingers. Its not an actual gang sign at all. OTF is a group of rappers and friends some (most) gang affiliated but OTF is not a gang. You can be in pictures with "gangbangers" throwing up the same hand sign and it have nothing to actually do with the gang. Like I said people don't know what goes on in these neighborhoods or what things mean. Your trying to put together a puzzle without actually looking at and comprehending how the pieces fit. It has nothing to do with being a wannabe or an actual trigger man or plug. But rather knowing and growing up with and maybe even being protected by someone who was.

When have I ever said, or hell implied, that I know the ins and outs of South Central LA? I have admitted I do not understand the culture. I had secret passwords and greetings in my tree house when I was 10 years old. I grew out of it. It's not my thing. Again, Jackson can change his name to Gang Symbol and I would still sign him if he wasn't a dink (better than turd?) on the field.

Based on your comment bolded above, I think we agree more than you realize.

I didn't read your posts prior to when I posted but if you were implying that Desean being in pictures or throwing up hand signals implies him being a wannabe gangbanger/thug, you have to think you know what he's doing and what it means. You equating your tree house and growing up to what goes on in these neighborhoods implies to me a gross misunderstanding or ignorance. The two aren't comparable man.

Just for *****s and giggles, here is Robert Kraft with a drug dealer and another picture with an alleged murder on a boat.

and here is Robert Kraft throwing up a the Roc. Guess he's a wannabe rapper.

here are some more pictures of wannabe thugs

warren buffet:

Harrison ford and his groupie gangbangers:

 

[kennyb]

I think the nfl should suspend him for a year for conduct detrimental. Giving gang signs and acting the wannabe thug. Any team that signs this cancer is a fool.

 

[Dingleberry]

I don't even know who these "gangbangers" are and I don't know if you do either. This is part of the gang culture that people really don't understand. The best example I can give you (which you probably still won't understand) would be Chief Keef and the rappers that he hangs out with. He has a record label called GBE (Glory Boys Entertainement), His gang is BD (Black Disciples, and he has multiple sets underneath that like 300, L's, and OTF. To you they are all gangs but L's just refers to Lamron which is Normal spelled backwards. Normal is a street in the neighborhood and if you're from that street you would throw up an L with your fingers. Its not an actual gang sign at all. OTF is a group of rappers and friends some (most) gang affiliated but OTF is not a gang. You can be in pictures with "gangbangers" throwing up the same hand sign and it have nothing to actually do with the gang. Like I said people don't know what goes on in these neighborhoods or what things mean. Your trying to put together a puzzle without actually looking at and comprehending how the pieces fit. It has nothing to do with being a wannabe or an actual trigger man or plug. But rather knowing and growing up with and maybe even being protected by someone who was.



I didn't read your posts prior to when I posted but if you were implying that Desean being in pictures or throwing up hand signals implies him being a wannabe gangbanger/thug, you have to think you know what he's doing and what it means. You equating your tree house and growing up to what goes on in these neighborhoods implies to me a gross misunderstanding or ignorance. The two aren't comparable man.

QUOTE]

Ok, ok, I tap out. I am sure DeSean is a choir boy. But once again, IT DOESN'T MATTER, at least to me. And the tree house secret password thing was a joke making fun of gang symbols. I may not understand it, but I have no problem laughing at the silliness of it.

If DeSean wasn't a crappy teammate and an idiot on the field, I would say, sign him up! That's how much this gangbanger thing means to me. We agree on this one!

 

[BradyFTW!]

DeSean Jackson released by Eagles

I think the nfl should suspend him for a year for conduct detrimental. Giving gang signs and acting the wannabe thug. Any team that signs this cancer is a fool.

For... what, exactly? What did he actually do that warrants any kind of suspension?

Man, this thread is just a cesspool of some of the dumbest, most ill-conceived posts I've ever seen on this forum. It's kind of depressing how many people here are expressing sentiments like this based on rumors and heresay that suggest a second or thirdhand connection to a crime that someone else was wasn't even convicted of. You're advocating banning a guy because someone that he grew up with was acquitted of a crime (not even convicted, FFS) that he had no knowledge of and was never a suspect in, and you don't even recognize how ******ed that sentiment is. While you're at it, might as well suspend Brady for a year because a bodyguard that he hired for his wedding tried to shoot a guy.

And don't bother replying with some straw man suggesting that I or anyone else thinks he's a choir boy, because nobody has said that. By all accounts he's a ****ty person, for reasons completely unrelated to his 'gang affiliations'. But last time I checked you don't suspend guys for a year just because they're *******s, or because their friends might have possibly committed a crime that they were ultimately acquitted of.

 

[kennyb]

A one year ban is fair. For being a punk.

 

[sb1]

I think something is up with this guy.

The fact the Eagles let a guy like him go, and the fact that nobody has jumped right in and signed this guy right away tells me there's more to him than meets the eye.

After we got burned by Hernandez... it's understandable why teams might be shying away.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

NFL is a PC, risk averse league
Over reacting to The Prisoner

 

[SB39]

People, can we please drop the Bob Kraft analogy? When discussing criminal activity, an "associate" is generally (usually) meant the be an associate in crime.

If the guy in the next office over from me robs a bank, the police will not consider me a "known associate" even though I work closely with him every single business day. But if he and I rob a bank together, then we will be considered "known associates."

I honestly don't know what Jackson's associations are with gang members. I've read a lot of rumors, a lot of denials, and honestly do not know what to believe.

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't even know who these "gangbangers" are and I don't know if you do either....

Jay's checkered past taught him a few things that he says will come in handy in his new role as a sports agent: “I know about budgets. I was a drug dealer,” he tells Robinson. “To be in a drug deal, you need to know what you can spend, what you need to re-up. Or if you want to start some sort of barbershop or car wash—those were the businesses back then. Things you can get in easily to get out of [that] life. At some point, you have to have an exit strategy, because your window is very small; you're going to get locked up or you're going to die.”

Jay Z says past as a drug dealer will help him as a sports agent - CBSSports.com