Pats show interest in this WR...

[DaBruinz]

I hope injuries have not zapped Jackson of that precious speed since he did not look "fast" on kickoff returns late this past season.

You need to remind yourself that Jackson was only about 10 months post op when he was doing those kick-off returns. It takes closer to 12-18 months for a knee to be fully healthy.

 

[ATippett56]

You need to remind yourself that Jackson was only about 10 months post op when he was doing those kick-off returns. It takes closer to 12-18 months for a knee to be fully healthy.

I fully understand that concept however some players after a torn ACL never fully regained that explosiveness as was the case with running back Edgerrin James.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well if Dexter Jackson can make the kind of impact in the return game that Yamon Figurs did for the Ravens, then he is well worth the 3rd round pick imo. Receiving ability is a bonus. The combine results also seem to indicate that his speed is for real so he may also contribute for the Pats as a receiver down the line.

I like the WR corps of Moss, Gaffney (or another vet WR like Booker), Welker, and Jackson. Troy Brown and Kelly Washington could still be around for depth. I'm not opposed to adding a young WR, but if I'm using a choice in the top 80 picks, I want one who's been successful in a pro-style offense and has had success against NFL caliber cornerbacks. That's why Andre Caldwell is at the top of my list.

Again, perhaps Dexter Jackson is a special player. I just don't know that he is. I would have to watch 4-5 of his games and see him absolutely dominate against D1-AA competition to consider him. Maybe he did.

Can Andre Caldwell make an impact on the return game?

 

[dryheat44]

Well if Dexter Jackson can make the kind of impact in the return game that Yamon Figurs did for the Ravens, then he is well worth the 3rd round pick imo. Receiving ability is a bonus. The combine results also seem to indicate that his speed is for real so he may also contribute for the Pats as a receiver down the line.



Can Andre Caldwell make an impact on the return game?

I don't know. Fast does not necessarily = good kick returner. Caldwell ran, I think, about 1/20th of 1 second slower than Jackson, so it's mice nuts.

But if I wanted to draft someone to serve as a kick returner first and foremost, I'd go through the list of D1 kick return yardage leaders and grab someone who will be available late.

I'd rather take Chris Johnson than Jackson in the 2nd or early 3rd, if I was hell bent on drafting a KR. Actually, in my mock I took Quentin Demps, because he returned kicks, punts, and can play both safety positions...and possibly nickelback.

 

[dryheat44]

You've already admitted to hardly watching anything he's done throughout his college career. So, how could he show you anything that indicates he could be a special player? What's the sense of even arguing over this player, if you haven't watched him play?

I don't understand you're arguments or points concerning Jackson either, as he has looked good when I've watched him, and some of the things you've said about NE's offense, their ability to use him, and his value to the Patriots don't really make sense to me. Also, his 4.27 speed is rare for a WR, especially when combined with his quickness.

Well, I doubt many of us have seen him outside of the Michigan game or the Senior Bowl. Yet by word of mouth various people have annointed the guy into the fastest player in the draft, the quickest player in the draft, the best returner in the draft, the best route-runner in the draft, the best hands in the draft, the best run-after-catch receiver in the draft, the best gunner in the draft, and the smartest receiver in the draft.

My argument is "based on what?" It's the snowballing of hyperbole we see every year right around now....falling in love with a player that we've seen very little of. And is 4.27 over forty yards really special when a half dozen guys have run in the 4.3-4.35 range? We're talking a couple of inches over the course of 40 yards....and it's extremely rare that someone ever runs 40 yards in a straight line unless it's kick coverage.

I admit I don't know how good Jackson is. My only point is that I don't feel comfortable using a top three round pick on a guy who has played against substandard competition. If you're trying to convince me that a D1-AA guy is good enough to be drafted in the top 90 picks of the NFL draft, he'd better have dominated the competition every week, and I don't know if he's done that. I don't think too highly of D1-AA cornerbacks as a group. I'd much rather take a proven D1 WR.

 

[Seneschal2]

This just in...

http://www.kffl.com/player/18441/nfl/news

Patriots | Team interested in D. Jackson - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:10:59 -0700
Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports the New England Patriots are showing heavy interest in Appalachian State WR Dexter M. Jackson.

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Rather than start a new thread, thought it would be best to add to this one. Wish I could find more to the story, as "showing heavy interest" is a real grabber. This is only the second time Jackson's been linked to the Pats. The first was at the Combine during an interview.

He's projected as a 3rd-4th rounder, but if the Pats want him, #69 may be a safe slot to take him.

 

[sebman2112]

Re: This just in...

http://www.kffl.com/player/18441/nfl/news

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Rather than start a new thread, thought it would be best to add to this one. Wish I could find more to the story, as "showing heavy interest" is a real grabber. This is only the second time Jackson's been linked to the Pats. The first was at the Combine during an interview.

He's projected as a 3rd-4th rounder, but if the Pats want him, #69 may be a safe slot to take him.

Already posted this in the prospect tracker thread, as I thought it was noteworthy. I really like the kid, and would take him on the Patriots any day.

 

[BRiZ]

eagles are interested in him to. They are really pissing me off. They are signing all our guys Samuel, trying to take Moss from us, and now they probably like Jackson because we like him. Andy Reid = :violent:

 

[sebman2112]

eagles are interested in him to. They are really pissing me off. They are signing all our guys Samuel, trying to take Moss from us, and now they probably like Jackson because we like him. Andy Reid = :violent:

They stole Stewart Bradley from the Pats last year, too. Trust me, the Patriots were going to select him, if the Eagles had not.

 

[BRiZ]

They stole Stewart Bradley from the Pats last year, too. Trust me, the Patriots were going to select him, if the Eagles had not.

huh! those filthy scumbags, they are taking all our players! Even their evil master Senator Sphincter is trying to take our coach and SB's away. Man the Eagles better watch it. Beatdowns coming!

 

[captain stone]

Re: This just in...

http://www.kffl.com/player/18441/nfl/news

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Rather than start a new thread, thought it would be best to add to this one. Wish I could find more to the story, as "showing heavy interest" is a real grabber. This is only the second time Jackson's been linked to the Pats. The first was at the Combine during an interview.

He's projected as a 3rd-4th rounder, but if the Pats want him, #69 may be a safe slot to take him.

I would try to wait until the end of the 3rd round, instead. I want to see two other needs (CB, OLB/DE) filled beforehand. RS (starting with Dexter Jackson) and ILB are then next on my list.

 

[brady199]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeuCmr5dfns

a highlight reel of him, he seems to bea good player, and a steal if we get him in the 3rd-5th round

I watched half of that, and i didn't see alot of seperation, and you got to think that competition wasn't that good.