Desean Jackson Cut: A Surprise? Not As Much As You May Think

     In a move that may have surprised some people, the Philadelphia Eagles parted with superstar receiver Desean Jackson after he just had a career year for them last year.

     However in some ways, people should have seen this coming and here is why:

• ·      It recently was leaked that Desean Jackson was a part of a gang (Crips) originated in L.A. To make it clear, it is rumored that not only did he have friends in the gang, but he was also a part of it.
• ·      In 2012, Desean Jackson was questioned in a murder which was gang related. He was never a suspect and there was never a doubt that he had nothing to do with it, but he was associated with it.
• ·      Desean Jackson also apparently has been seen in pictures posted on his Instagram account flashing the gang sign, in one with a friend who was a murder suspect fresh out of jail. He was also seen flashing the sign to DeAngelo Hall of the Redskins in a game.
• ·      He also shot his music video “Diamonds on My Neck” with Snoop Dogg, a famous Crip himself and was seen in the video also throwing up the gang sign.

Desean Jackson apparently throwing up a gang sign vs. the Redskins 

     Many people may see this as a dumb move by the Eagles, and I would agree to a certain extent. However, I certainly can see where they are coming from and I believe personally that this was a move they had planned for a long time now, maybe even dating back to the start of last season.

     The entire Aaron Hernandez (former New England Patriots tight end) incident has really made teams be a lot more cautious with their players. Remember, Hernandez was charged with murder on June 28, 2013 and has since drawn additional charges against him. He was in a gang and it was said that Hernandez was strongly influenced negatively by his street friends.

     I believe it was around that time the Eagles decided they wanted to part with Jackson but obviously parting with your starting receiver in July seemed a little too late, especially considering they had just hired a new coach who would want all the talent possible at his disposal. Then, wide receiver Riley Cooper draws controversy with his racist comments and now you really can’t afford to lose Jackson. Not to mention, the projected starting quarterback for the Eagles was Michael Vick, a well-documented very close friend of Jackson. The two had a great rapport on the field and Michael Vick was a changed man for the better, so maybe he could have a positive influence on Jackson. Don’t forget, Vick is no longer in Philly.

     After the season was over, in which Jackson produced tremendously, the team re-signed wide receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin. I believe this was a sign of things to come. Then, the Eagles go out and get versatile pass-catching running back Darren Sproles.

Another sign.

     Then there were reports that Jackson and head coach Chip Kelly were not on the same page. Also, it was said he was seen as a negative influence on the younger players.

Another sign.

     Then, the Eagles were looking for a trade partner. Nobody was willing to take the cap number that would come with acquiring Jackson. 

Therefore, the last option was to cut him.

     It can be seen as unfair because Jackson has never been directly involved with anything off the field that can be pointed as gang-related.

     But I believe the Hernandez situation really made the Eagles think about their commitment to Jackson. And when they could not find a trading partner, they cut him.

     I believe Jackson is a superstar and will land on a team soon and help them tremendously. I would not be shocked if the new contract he got was short term or with ways that a team could get out of it easily without taking a hit. 

     As far as we know, Jackson is as innocent as anybody could be, and he could live his life that way. But the Eagles thought the risk was too high.

Along a pure team standpoint, the Eagles create 6.5 million dollars in cap room with the cut.

*Fun fact: As reports say, both Hernandez and Jackson are linked in one way. Both of their fathers played significant roles in their lives and both passed away. Desean Jackson’s father passed away in 2009. It has been said it had a significant impact on Jackson’s way of life.