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Jan 53:43PM CT
By Tim MacMahon
IRVING, Texas – Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson hasn’t done anything of note this season against the Cowboys, unless you count some postgame Twitter trash talk.
The Cowboys have made Philadelphia’s explosive offense ordinary by containing Jackson, who has only five catches for 76 yards in two losses to Dallas.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, the Eagles average 10.7 yards per attempt to Jackson against opponents other than the Cowboys. That stat drops to 6.3 yards per attempt on the 12 throws to Jackson against the Cowboys this season.
Why can’t Jackson get going against the Cowboys?
“It's not the kid,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “The kid is working his tail off and doing the things we ask him to do. They've just done a better job of coaching than I have.
“They have done a great job against him, but it's a matter of me putting him in the right position so he can make the plays. They've done a nice job of in-and-outing him, different schemes they've used and individually they've done well.”
The Cowboys have treated Jackson like an elite receiver, meaning he gets double-teamed occasionally, but it’s not like Wade Phillips has come up with all kinds of crazy ideas to contain him.
“It’s us being disciplined and still being aggressive,” said free safety Ken Hamlin, who batted down a deep ball intended for Jackson in Sunday’s shutout. “We have corners who are aggressive enough to play those guys.”
There have been three major factors: 1) a ferocious pass rush that makes it tough for McNabb to sit in the pocket long enough to throw downfield; 2) outstanding play by cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman with help from the safeties; 3) a little luck, such as when McNabb overthrew Jackson when he got open Sunday night behind Newman.
By Tim MacMahon
IRVING, Texas – Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson hasn’t done anything of note this season against the Cowboys, unless you count some postgame Twitter trash talk.
The Cowboys have made Philadelphia’s explosive offense ordinary by containing Jackson, who has only five catches for 76 yards in two losses to Dallas.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, the Eagles average 10.7 yards per attempt to Jackson against opponents other than the Cowboys. That stat drops to 6.3 yards per attempt on the 12 throws to Jackson against the Cowboys this season.
Why can’t Jackson get going against the Cowboys?
“It's not the kid,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “The kid is working his tail off and doing the things we ask him to do. They've just done a better job of coaching than I have.
“They have done a great job against him, but it's a matter of me putting him in the right position so he can make the plays. They've done a nice job of in-and-outing him, different schemes they've used and individually they've done well.”
The Cowboys have treated Jackson like an elite receiver, meaning he gets double-teamed occasionally, but it’s not like Wade Phillips has come up with all kinds of crazy ideas to contain him.
“It’s us being disciplined and still being aggressive,” said free safety Ken Hamlin, who batted down a deep ball intended for Jackson in Sunday’s shutout. “We have corners who are aggressive enough to play those guys.”
There have been three major factors: 1) a ferocious pass rush that makes it tough for McNabb to sit in the pocket long enough to throw downfield; 2) outstanding play by cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman with help from the safeties; 3) a little luck, such as when McNabb overthrew Jackson when he got open Sunday night behind Newman.
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