DeSean Jackson is a 'freak of nature' for the Eagles

DeSean Jackson is a ‘freak of nature’ for the Eagles

By Sam Farmer

Nov. 20, 2010 12 AM PT

Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson is so speedy, one of his Philadelphia Eagles teammates describes him as “a different breed” and “a freak of nature.”

It wasn’t some plodding offensive lineman who called him that, but hard-to-impress quarterback Michael Vick, who relies on Jackson (and receiver Jeremy Maclin) to stretch the field and test the limits of a defense. Jackson will be a key offensive weapon Sunday night when the Eagles play host to the New York Giants with first place in the NFC East on the line.

“Me and DeSean, we have chemistry,” Vick said recently. “I know where he’s going to be, and it’s funny because 90% of the time I throw the ball to him deep and I think I overthrow him. He just goes to get it. He’s a very dynamic player.”

And an essential one. The Eagles were reminded of that earlier this season after Jackson was knocked out of a Week 6 game against Atlanta with a concussion, the result of a scary collision with cornerback Dunta Robinson.

Jackson sat out the next game, a 37-19 loss to Tennessee, and the Eagles — with Kevin Kolb at quarterback in place of the injured Vick — missed him. Their offense sputtered, failing to garner any points from three takeaways and repeatedly stalling in the fourth quarter.

Jackson has rolled up at least 100 yards receiving in three of his four games with Vick at quarterback, and he had 98 in Monday’s 59-28 blowout of Washington because he really wasn’t needed much after the Eagles built a 28-0 lead in the first quarter.

On the first play of that game, Vick hit Jackson on a near-flawless bomb down the middle, opening the game with an 88-yard touchdown.

“Honestly, man, in my career there hasn’t been too many quarterbacks that can really get the ball to me without me having to slow down and wait for the ball,” Jackson told reporters.

“He’s one of the few quarterbacks that can put it out there and let me run and go get it.”

Jackson can get to the ball. But defenders have to wonder, do they have a prayer of getting him?