Reid Defends DeSean Jackson


 There were two plays in Sunday’s game against the Cardinals involving DeSean Jackson that have been put under the microscope.

The first came early in the second quarter when Jackson appeared to stop tracking the ball after contact with corner Patrick Peterson along the right sideline. Instead, he looked to the officials and put his hands in the air while Michael Vick‘s pass dropped to the ground ahead of him. There was no flag on the play.

“I felt that I got a good route on him,” said Jackson. “Vick threw a great ball. I kind of got in his cushion and was about to run right around him. He kind of just threw his arms at me and dang near almost tackled me. I know if you rewind the play, you will probably see. It’s just something we have to continue to deal with. Once the ball is in the air, you have to play your technique. In my eyes, that’s not right. For a DB to grab you, it’s definitely frustrating. Especially when you can have a big play. Them missing it, it’s just very frustrating. But you just have to keep playing.”

It didn’t look like Jackson followed his own advice.  Andy Reid, though, did not place the blame at Jackson’s feet.

“There was a bit of contact that took place,” said Reid, trying his best to not openly criticize the officiating.

Would you like to see Jackson finish the route?

“You would like to see that as long as someone is not grabbing him, yeah…Just make sure you take a look at the [film]. I’m kind of tied on what I can say.”

The second play in question came at the end of the first half on a 14-yard reception that brought the Eagles down to the one-yard line. Replays seem to show that Jackson had a chance to dive forward and possibly break the plane of the goal line, but instead went into a defensive posture before falling to the ground.

“It was one of those bang-bang plays,” said Jackson. “I kind of felt somebody right on me. But we still had the ball at the one-yard line, so you’re still supposed to score. A little frustrating that I didn’t get in on that but through the course of the game things happen like that, so you’ve got to keep playing.”

Added Reid: “I’m glad he caught the ball; I’m glad that part took place. I think he would have liked to score right there, and we would have liked him to score right there. ”

Instead, James Sanders was rumbling 93 yards the other way three plays later.