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Seahawks intend to shop Jackson
MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Published: February 25th, 2007 01:00 AM
Enlarge image
OTTO GRUELE JR./GETTY IMAGES
The Seahawks would prefer to trade wide receiver Darrell Jackson for a draft choice.
Enlarge image
OTTO GRUELE JR./GETTY IMAGES
The Seahawks would prefer to trade wide receiver Darrell Jackson for a draft choice.
INDIANAPOLIS – What might receiver Darrell Jackson return in a trade? The Seahawks plan to find out. The decision to shop Jackson stems from a long-simmering contract dispute and lingering distrust over the handling of a 2005 knee injury, sources have said.
While the organization does not consider the relationship beyond repair, the team would prefer to trade him for a draft choice.
Seahawks president Tim Ruskell and coach Mike Holmgren, speaking at the NFL scouting combine, declined to comment on the team’s plans for Jackson, other than to say he remains under contract.
The team has not yet shopped Jackson or informed his agents of its plans.
“Darrell would love to retire as a Seahawk,” agent Brian Mooney said, “but we are unsure what the Seahawks have in mind.”
It remains unclear what the 28-year-old might bring in a trade.
There was no strong consensus among general managers polled anonymously at the combine. But given Jackson’s relatively high salary for 2007 ($3.25 million) and recent injury problems, the Seahawks might not receive a first-day pick in return, they said.
The evidence is mixed.
While the Seahawks sent a first-round choice to New England for receiver Deion Branch, a former Super Bowl MVP without a 1,000-yard season, Philadelphia acquired former first-round choice Donte’ Stallworth from New Orleans for a conditional fourth-round pick and linebacker Mark Simoneau.
Green Bay traded Javon Walker to Denver for a second-round pick. Denver acquired a much higher first-round pick in exchange for Ashley Lelie.
Jackson has considerably better career numbers than any of those receivers. He is also under contract, whereas Walker was looking for a lucrative new deal.
Markets can be difficult to predict because it takes only one team willing to pay a high price. The upcoming draft is considered strong for receivers, but the free-agent crop lacks star appeal. Jackson is an established player known for his quickness.
Jackson was leading the NFL in touchdowns last season when a turf-toe injury forced him to miss the final three games. The injury prevented Jackson from achieving his third 1,000-yard season in four years and the fourth overall.
Jackson still led the Seahawks with 63 catches for 956 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had six plays of at least 40 yards. Jackson set a franchise record with 87 catches in 2004. He has at least 60 catches five times in seven NFL seasons.
But trouble arose in March 2004 when former Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt allegedly shorted Jackson on a contract offer. Jackson said he signed the deal anyway at the urging of his father, who has since died. Whitsitt has dismissed the charge as preposterous, while Ruskell has resisted honoring a promise that a predecessor denies making.
The dispute has escalated ever since, with the Seahawks and Jackson’s agents exchanging a series of blunt letters, sources said.
When Ruskell became Seahawks president in February 2005, one of his first moves was to issue a letter to players outlining his expectations. He urged full participation in the team’s offseason program, including minicamps, but Jackson let it be known he would honor his contract but nothing more. Jackson subsequently skipped the voluntary portions of minicamps.
The relationship soured further after Jackson suffered a knee injury during an Oct. 2, 2005, game at Washington.
Jackson had bruised the knee earlier and experienced pain following a Sept. 25 game against Arizona. He suffered cartilage damage against the Commanders, raising questions in his mind about whether he should have been on the field at all, sources said.
The damage did not show up on initial tests. The team recommended rest. Holmgren avoided giving a timetable other than to say he thought it would be “shorter more than longer” after speaking with Jackson. The team ruled out Jackson for the next game.
Jackson, acting on the advice of Florida-based agents Mooney and Kendall Almerico, sought a second opinion from Dr. John Uribe, a prominent Miami orthopedist known for treating pro athletes.
Jackson underwent surgery to repair his right knee’s lateral meniscus, which consists of cartilage on the outer side of the knee.
He wondered if the team was trying to rush him back. The team resented the implication.
Jackson missed the next nine games, returning in time for the playoffs. He caught 20 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns in three playoff games, leading the team in each category (Jerramy Stevens also caught two touchdown passes).
Jackson underwent a second procedure on the knee after the season. He missed minicamps and training camp, all while maintaining he would be ready for the opener. He returned for the opener; his late catch-and-run helped the Seahawks beat Detroit, 9-6.
But the team was already preparing for life without him.
The Seahawks had shipped a 2006 third-round pick to Minnesota after signing Vikings receiver Nate Burleson, a restricted free agent. Ruskell followed that deal by sending a 2007 first-round choice to New England for Branch shortly after the 2006 opener.
D.J. Hackett flashed starting potential last season, setting career highs with 45 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns. The team is expected to retain Hackett’s rights by making one of the higher qualifying offers under rules for restricted free agents.
Ruskell also has expressed hope for Ben Obomanu, a 2006 seventh-round choice who spent last season on the practice squad. The team added Obomanu to its active roster in the playoffs, when Jackson was struggling to overcome the toe injury.
Bobby Engram may be another option, although he is scheduled to become a free agent March 2.
Jackson has three years remaining on a six-year, $25 million deal. His remaining salaries are $3.25 million, 4 million and $4.75 million. The deal included an $8 million signing bonus. One-sixth of the bonus counts against the salary cap each year. But if the Seahawks traded Jackson for a 2006 draft choice, the final three years of prorated bonus would accelerate, resulting in a $4 million hit.
Jackson’s contract would count $4.58 million against the cap if he were to remain on the team.
MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Published: February 25th, 2007 01:00 AM
Enlarge imageOTTO GRUELE JR./GETTY IMAGES
The Seahawks would prefer to trade wide receiver Darrell Jackson for a draft choice.
Enlarge imageOTTO GRUELE JR./GETTY IMAGES
The Seahawks would prefer to trade wide receiver Darrell Jackson for a draft choice.
INDIANAPOLIS – What might receiver Darrell Jackson return in a trade? The Seahawks plan to find out. The decision to shop Jackson stems from a long-simmering contract dispute and lingering distrust over the handling of a 2005 knee injury, sources have said.
While the organization does not consider the relationship beyond repair, the team would prefer to trade him for a draft choice.
Seahawks president Tim Ruskell and coach Mike Holmgren, speaking at the NFL scouting combine, declined to comment on the team’s plans for Jackson, other than to say he remains under contract.
The team has not yet shopped Jackson or informed his agents of its plans.
“Darrell would love to retire as a Seahawk,” agent Brian Mooney said, “but we are unsure what the Seahawks have in mind.”
It remains unclear what the 28-year-old might bring in a trade.
There was no strong consensus among general managers polled anonymously at the combine. But given Jackson’s relatively high salary for 2007 ($3.25 million) and recent injury problems, the Seahawks might not receive a first-day pick in return, they said.
The evidence is mixed.
While the Seahawks sent a first-round choice to New England for receiver Deion Branch, a former Super Bowl MVP without a 1,000-yard season, Philadelphia acquired former first-round choice Donte’ Stallworth from New Orleans for a conditional fourth-round pick and linebacker Mark Simoneau.
Green Bay traded Javon Walker to Denver for a second-round pick. Denver acquired a much higher first-round pick in exchange for Ashley Lelie.
Jackson has considerably better career numbers than any of those receivers. He is also under contract, whereas Walker was looking for a lucrative new deal.
Markets can be difficult to predict because it takes only one team willing to pay a high price. The upcoming draft is considered strong for receivers, but the free-agent crop lacks star appeal. Jackson is an established player known for his quickness.
Jackson was leading the NFL in touchdowns last season when a turf-toe injury forced him to miss the final three games. The injury prevented Jackson from achieving his third 1,000-yard season in four years and the fourth overall.
Jackson still led the Seahawks with 63 catches for 956 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had six plays of at least 40 yards. Jackson set a franchise record with 87 catches in 2004. He has at least 60 catches five times in seven NFL seasons.
But trouble arose in March 2004 when former Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt allegedly shorted Jackson on a contract offer. Jackson said he signed the deal anyway at the urging of his father, who has since died. Whitsitt has dismissed the charge as preposterous, while Ruskell has resisted honoring a promise that a predecessor denies making.
The dispute has escalated ever since, with the Seahawks and Jackson’s agents exchanging a series of blunt letters, sources said.
When Ruskell became Seahawks president in February 2005, one of his first moves was to issue a letter to players outlining his expectations. He urged full participation in the team’s offseason program, including minicamps, but Jackson let it be known he would honor his contract but nothing more. Jackson subsequently skipped the voluntary portions of minicamps.
The relationship soured further after Jackson suffered a knee injury during an Oct. 2, 2005, game at Washington.
Jackson had bruised the knee earlier and experienced pain following a Sept. 25 game against Arizona. He suffered cartilage damage against the Commanders, raising questions in his mind about whether he should have been on the field at all, sources said.
The damage did not show up on initial tests. The team recommended rest. Holmgren avoided giving a timetable other than to say he thought it would be “shorter more than longer” after speaking with Jackson. The team ruled out Jackson for the next game.
Jackson, acting on the advice of Florida-based agents Mooney and Kendall Almerico, sought a second opinion from Dr. John Uribe, a prominent Miami orthopedist known for treating pro athletes.
Jackson underwent surgery to repair his right knee’s lateral meniscus, which consists of cartilage on the outer side of the knee.
He wondered if the team was trying to rush him back. The team resented the implication.
Jackson missed the next nine games, returning in time for the playoffs. He caught 20 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns in three playoff games, leading the team in each category (Jerramy Stevens also caught two touchdown passes).
Jackson underwent a second procedure on the knee after the season. He missed minicamps and training camp, all while maintaining he would be ready for the opener. He returned for the opener; his late catch-and-run helped the Seahawks beat Detroit, 9-6.
But the team was already preparing for life without him.
The Seahawks had shipped a 2006 third-round pick to Minnesota after signing Vikings receiver Nate Burleson, a restricted free agent. Ruskell followed that deal by sending a 2007 first-round choice to New England for Branch shortly after the 2006 opener.
D.J. Hackett flashed starting potential last season, setting career highs with 45 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns. The team is expected to retain Hackett’s rights by making one of the higher qualifying offers under rules for restricted free agents.
Ruskell also has expressed hope for Ben Obomanu, a 2006 seventh-round choice who spent last season on the practice squad. The team added Obomanu to its active roster in the playoffs, when Jackson was struggling to overcome the toe injury.
Bobby Engram may be another option, although he is scheduled to become a free agent March 2.
Jackson has three years remaining on a six-year, $25 million deal. His remaining salaries are $3.25 million, 4 million and $4.75 million. The deal included an $8 million signing bonus. One-sixth of the bonus counts against the salary cap each year. But if the Seahawks traded Jackson for a 2006 draft choice, the final three years of prorated bonus would accelerate, resulting in a $4 million hit.
Jackson’s contract would count $4.58 million against the cap if he were to remain on the team.
