JACKSON AND McCOY ARE TOP STORIES GOING INTO JETS GAME
admin
DeSean Jackson will be looking to improve his stock with the Eagles brass this Sunday against the Jets.
When the home NFL team is 5-8 and doesn’t just need a miracle, but 15 Tim Tebow clones to play in every game for the rest of the season in order for the Eagles to make the playoffs, looking for other goals, other accomplishments are needed to make the season fulfilling.
One big one accomplishment would be for the LeSean McCoy and the Birds offensive line to win the rushing title.
The Eagles running back entered week 15 with 1,172 yards on 242 carries, 50 yards behind league leader Maurice Jones-Drew.
Jones Drew produced 117 yards on 17 carries in Jacksonville’s 41-14 loss to Atlanta Thursday night, so McCoy has his work cut out for him.
The Eagles face the New York Jet (8-5) on Sunday (4:15 p.m. CBS). The Jets have a very real chance to make the playoffs but need desperately need the win over the Eagles to keep those hopes alive.
The Jets enter the game allowing 109.2 yards per game, 12th best in the league.
Guard Evan Mathis says the Eagles have only one goal this week.
“We can’t worry about distractions,” Mathis said. “Either way, we can’t let it affect our preparation and our focus for the task at hand. We can only control what is in front of us and right now, that’s the Jets.”
***
Another story Eagles fans can focus on is how wide receiver DeSean Jackson performs on Sunday.
The speedy but disgruntled playmaker has this season been distracted at times over a contract dispute.
Many thought the Eagles would extend Jackson’s contract and give the second round pick out of California a sizable raise. It hasn’t happened.
Jackson’s size, durability and concussions are believed to be the reason the Birds have not locked up their mercurial wide out.
On Sunday Jackson will have his toughest test of the season when he and the rest of the Eagles receiving corps faces the NFL’s top corner in Darrelle Revis.
Quarterback Mike Vick was asked if Jackson could improve his stock with the team and his image with the fans if he can have success against Revis.
“DeSean is confident and I think he’s ready to play a big game,” said Vick, who took starter’s reps at practice Friday. “Obviously if he goes out there and plays well it only helps him; or any player when you have success. I’m looking forward to DeSean having a good game as well as the rest of the guys.”
Coach Andy Reid was asked how a team prepares when playing Revis.
“You flip your receivers,” Reid said. “So even if they don’t flip their corners these guys…[WR] DeSean [Jackson] will be going against them, Jeremy will be going against them and so on and so forth. You don’t worry too much about that, you go about your business and make sure that the routes aren’t going to change according to whose covering you. And I’m not taking anything away from him [because] he’s one of the best corners in the business. So if they do match them up, to answer your question, that’s okay. And then, if they go right or left you’re still going to have to play against him.”










