When the Ravens signed large receiver DeSean Jackson to the apply squad Tuesday, one query got here to thoughts: Does the 15-year veteran nonetheless have the eye-popping pace that made him a three-time Professional Bowl choice?
After Wednesday’s apply, Lamar Jackson had a solution.
“He’s nonetheless flying,” the Ravens’ star quarterback mentioned of his new large receiver, who took the sphere for the primary time in Baltimore sporting a No. 15 jersey and a pair of Dior cleats. “Though it’s 12 months 15 for him, it appears like 12 months One.”
With out second-year professional Rashod Bateman, who returned to apply Wednesday for the primary time since struggling a foot damage in Week 4, Baltimore’s wideouts totaled simply 45 yards in Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the New York Giants. DeSean Jackson is hoping to carry a spark to a receivers room that has mixed for 42 catches and 587 yards this season, the third fewest within the NFL.
“No matter they requested me [to do], and every time [my number] is named on, I’m simply going to do the whole lot I can to prepare,” he mentioned.
For the primary time in 14 years, Jackson mentioned he might sit again and revel in life with out worrying about offseason coaching actions or coaching camp. However as he watched the NFL season progress, the 35-year-old felt he might nonetheless contribute.
When Jackson was requested what he might carry to the Ravens, he rapidly responded: “The tape speaks for itself.”
All through Jackson’s profession with 5 groups, together with eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and three with the Washington Commanders, he was recognized for being a big-play risk, utilizing his pace to run previous defenders with ease.
In 14 seasons, Jackson has 632 catches for 11,110 yards and 58 touchdowns whereas topping 1,000 receiving yards in 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
The speedy receiver, who turns 36 on Dec. 1, had 20 catches on 34 targets for 454 yards final season over seven video games with the Los Angeles Rams and 9 with the Las Vegas Raiders. He graded out because the NFL’s No. 73 general large receiver, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus, simply forward of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, whom the Ravens traded this previous offseason.
In his third recreation with the Rams final season, Jackson had two of the quickest recorded speeds of Week 3 in a five-catch, 120-yard efficiency towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
[He’s] nonetheless floating round, operating nice routes,” Lamar Jackson mentioned. “He’s going to carry quite a bit to the desk for us; we’re simply going to should see if he will get on the market.”
DeSean Jackson mentioned he’s stored an eye fixed on the Ravens quarterback for some time, noting the 2019 Most Useful Participant has comparable traits to Michael Vick, whom Jackson performed with in Philadelphia. Jackson has damaged a number of of Vick’s data, together with probably the most 100-yard speeding video games by a quarterback (11).
“[Lamar] has beat a few of [Vick’s] data, so he's the brand new Michael Vick,” Jackson mentioned. “To play with Michael Vick and are available and play with Lamar is a blessing. I’m excited to have the ability to be right here.”
When Jackson tried out for the workforce together with veteran large receiver and Baltimore native Tavon Austin, coach John Harbaugh mentioned Jackson was “in nice form, fluid [and] wholesome.”
Harbaugh didn’t say whether or not Jackson will play Sunday towards the Cleveland Browns, however the 2008 second-round choose mentioned “he nonetheless acquired some juice within the tank.”
“I’ve been doing this for a very long time,” Jackson added. “It’s nothing [for me] to get into high form like I must.”
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