Nice little article about JC Jackson

[Simpelton]

Patriots Immediately Knew JC Jackson Wasn’t A Typical Undrafted Rookie

“I feel like a lot of people doubted me,” Jackson said. “I still think about that to this day, like, ‘Man, so many people doubted me, man.’ So, I just work hard. I just grind to let everything play out. You won’t ever see me get down or nothing like that. I just keep grinding. Just keep grinding.”

Man o man, this kid gets it. Could be TB12 saying that. Another guy from nowhere with the talent to play and a fire in his belly.

Bill sure knows how to get value outside the draft, especially on defense. I'm just amazed as he routinely pulls low round and UDFA guys out of his back pocket that turn into key contributors, and he just did it again. Jackson made some huge plays in the defense and his ability to play man to man against very good receivers allowed our defense to shine like it did in the playoffs, especially against KC and LAR. Good call, Mr. Belichick.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

That's the scouts doing their homework, great find and they didnt waste anytime signing him right after the draft.

 

[Snooky97]

Was outstanding throughout his first year, BB eased him into the season and with every game he played better. The fact you don't hear his name and Gilmore name in commentary is always a good sign. Has been a Class Act.

 

[BlueThunder]

Finding a gem like him while drafting near the end of every round is what makes the Pats as tough to beat as they are...well, of course then there's The GOAT and Coaching..

 

[Sicilian]

The kid has great instincts while the ball is in the air. Hopefully the grinder attitude continues this offseason because with another year of coaching he could really refine his game. Having two lockdown corners opens up so many things for the front seven and the safeties.

 

[patfanken]

2 points -

1. I'm curious to know what was the final result on that B&E charge? probation? Dismissal? etc

2. After reading that fine article on Jackson, my mind went to Keon Crossen, the 243rd pick in last year's draft. By the end of the season the Pats had both Jackson and Crossen getting significant snaps during the playoffs.

Think about it. The superbowl winning team had TWO rookies playing significant snaps and neither was deemed good enough to be picked before 243.

Here are 2 links re: Keon Crossen

The first one shows you the numbers that made the Pats have him on their radar, and an interview that shows the great mind set he has.

Meet Keion Crossen, the 2018 NFL draft's diamond in the rough at DB

The second shows what the TV draft gurus thought of him. BTW-at that point in the draft, NONE of the guys who talk about the top picks were there.

Patriots select Keion Crossen No. 243 in the 2018 NFL Draft

 

[SBLIII]

Terrific find.

 

[farn]

UDFAs contributing has been essential to NE's success. What is key : BB is strong enough abd confident enough to "go with the best guy" and not fall for the whole "draft picks automatically make the team"... Firstly, it makes for a better team. Secondly, it encourages UDFAs to choose NE over other teams.

 

[patchick]

1. I'm curious to know what was the final result on that B&E charge? probation? Dismissal? etc

He was found not guilty on all charges.

Jackson is an interesting case, because he wasn't really a "find" like Butler. He was pretty universally considered a draftable talent, the questions were all on the character side.

 

[scott99]

Between him and Jonathon Jones, two key UDFAs that play major roles for this team. Crossen was another good find late in the draft. I also think Jason McCourty's role in helping the young DB's can't be understated, I hope we resign him.

 

[edkk323]

JC Jackson can certainly run. You do not see him get beat often but seemingly got flagged for every snap at time. If he can clear up those mistakes, we are set at DBs for awhile.

 

[patfanken]

He was found not guilty on all charges.

Jackson is an interesting case, because he wasn't really a "find" like Butler. He was pretty universally considered a draftable talent, the questions were all on the character side.

Thanks, PC. I wonder what happened. I have to believe that the questions about him were solely due to that ONE incident? Especially if, in the end, he was acquitted.

His actions, both on the field and off it, while he's been here seem to show that he's as good a guy as any of them. He's been diligent, hard working, quiet, and a good teammate. That's a huge drop off for someone who had one bad mark from years before the he was not drafted?

Just sayin'

 

[patfanken]

Usually I wait for someone ELSE to do the hard work and find out information I'm too lazy to find for myself. But for some reason, I was motivated to do some work myself.

Below is a link of an article that was writte after the Pats has signed Jackson, but before he went to camp

A series of life-threatening events didn't halt J.C. Jackson's NFL dreams

I STILL find it hard to believe that no one took even a late round flier on this kid. He had 3 years of good behavior after his Gator experience. We've all seen guys drafted who had even worse experiences. Sure their stock dropped because of it, but they still got a call.

BTW- What I couldn't find was an article that talked about WHY the Patrtiots, with what seemed to be a LOADED DB group would sign another guy who was already "tainted". Perhaps a better question would be to ask Jackson WTF would he choose to sign with the Pats when he and his agent KNEW that the Pats seemed to be set at the position?????

 

[Simpelton]

Usually I wait for someone ELSE to do the hard work and find out information I'm too lazy to find for myself. But for some reason, I was motivated to do some work myself.

Below is a link of an article that was writte after the Pats has signed Jackson, but before he went to camp

A series of life-threatening events didn't halt J.C. Jackson's NFL dreams

I STILL find it hard to believe that no one took even a late round flier on this kid. He had 3 years of good behavior after his Gator experience. We've all seen guys drafted who had even worse experiences. Sure their stock dropped because of it, but they still got a call.

BTW- What I couldn't find was an article that talked about WHY the Patrtiots, with what seemed to be a LOADED DB group would sign another guy who was already "tainted". Perhaps a better question would be to ask Jackson WTF would he choose to sign with the Pats when he and his agent KNEW that the Pats seemed to be set at the position?????

it's simple.

1: There's a sense that the Patriots are a team that WILL give players a chance, even if they have an unconventional background

2: When you're a Patriot, you're always playing for the best and with the best, and fighting for the top.

3: Set at the position? By the time the 2018 draft rolled around the Patriots secondary had just been DESTROYED in SB52 and there was a very strong sense that the defense in general and the secondary in particular had just been exposed. A hardworking player who was good and knew it could win playing time in an environment like that, especially with an openminded coach like BB. Anyone should be able to see that BB needed to clean house in the secondary, and Jackson would have seen that when he signed.

And so Jackson signed, worked very hard, and went from a depth signing to making the team to earning snaps to playing significant snaps to arguably being our #2 CB in the Superbowl as BB cut the dead wood and rewarded strong play.

I don't think it's a coincidence that Jackson and our overall defense both improved steadily in the second half. Gilmore is a great CB1, but the lack of a dependable CB2 was hurting us and had been obvious since Butler left, at the risk of starting that tired old argument again. Jackson coming up big for us filled that gap and allowed the entire secondary to be a much more complete coverage unit.

To put it simply, Jackson completely replaced Butler and I don't think any of us saw that happening quite so quickly, possibly including BB himself.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Once this kid gets more experience playing zone coverages hes never leaving the field.

 

[Simpelton]

Once this kid gets more experience playing zone coverages hes never leaving the field.

When he was green, there was a game where he he was getting some ticky tack PI called on him it happened more than once, and I noticed that each time the very next play he didn't change his style, he was still all over his man trying to dominate the matchup, a lot of defenders get timid when the stripes have their eye on them, Jackson didn't. I definitely like to see that. And yeah, he's really good in man coverage, once he broadens out his skillset he's gonna be tough to keep off the field.

 

[Hyped]

I am interested as to whether the Pats had hin graded high, but knew he would be undrafted OR did they have a low grade and rolled the dice. If its the former....wow...

 

[Simpelton]

If they had him that high they'd have taken him in the 7th round. Pretty clear that they saw JC Jackson as something of a project -- talented, but in need of some polishing. His ability to adapt so quickly to play man coverage at an borderline elite NFL level practically out of the box is something of a pleasant surprise for all of us.

That said, when you put yourself in a position like that with a lot of different players, when you scout well and know what you're looking for, it definitely puts you in line for pleasant surprises. Having a track record of propelling UDFAs into the center of your roster doesn't help in signing the guys you want and think you see something in either.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

He was found not guilty on all charges.

Jackson is an interesting case, because he wasn't really a "find" like Butler. He was pretty universally considered a draftable talent, the questions were all on the character side.

And yet no one (admittedly, not even NE) was willing to take a chance on him in the 7th. . . .

 

[ctpatsfan77]

3: Set at the position? By the time the 2018 draft rolled around the Patriots secondary had just been DESTROYED in SB52 and there was a very strong sense that the defense in general and the secondary in particular had just been exposed.

The CW might have been that the Pats were "exposed," but they didn't really change it as much as you might have expected.

What changed?

• Jordan Richards and Johnson Bademosi weren't on the 2018 team.
• They signed Jason McCourty.
• Jonathan Jones was on IR during SB52, while Eric Rowe was on IR for SB53.
• Chung got injured, and IIRC they moved Jones to S in response.
• J.C. Jackson and Crossen got minutes.