DeSean Jackson decided to report to training camp on Monday August 8.

Eagles star receiver DeSean Jackson ended his holdout, reporting to Lehigh just one day before he would lose a year of free agency not to mention the threat of a $30,000.00 a day fine for missing camp after August 9.

Jackson – drafted in the second round out of California – is in the last year of the four-year deal that is scheduled to pay him a reported $565,000.00 for this season.

By NFL standards for a player of Jackson’s caliber, the figure is peanuts.

While the Eagles backed up a Brinks truck to sign stars such as defensive backs Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie plus defensive linemen Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins, Jackson felt like he was not getting the attention – or the contract renewal consideration- his star power deserved.

Holdouts are never popular with anyone: fans, teammates, management.

Jackson acknowledged as much. He also said he never got mad at the Eagles and understood he had to honor his agreement.

“I never got to really a situation,” Jackson said at a press conference at training camp. “It’s really just about me wanting to step up and be a man about everything. A lot of people can say negative things, you know, but until somebody really goes through that and really are able to see how it feels. At the end of the day I have to be a professional. I can’t cry, I can’t moan about [my contract]. Being a man about the situation more than anything. I’ve been through a lot in my life, a lot of people always said different things about I was always too small, a lot of negative things. I’m still able to go out there and prove what I’m able to do on the field. I think my game speaks enough for everything. The only thing I can really control is playing in between the white lines. I can’t control contracts, I can’t control anything else. Realizing that, I just really want to go out there and let my play talk for itself. I really don’t have to do any other talking.”

Jackson’s play between the white lines has been nothing short of spectacular. In three seasons, the 5-foot-10, 175 pounder has 171 catches for 3,124 yards and 17 touchdowns. That equates to 18.3 yards-per catch career average.

Jackson has four career touchdowns via kick returns and three as a rusher. His game-winning walk-off punt return against the Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium in December was widely regard as the play of the year for the entire NFL season.

Jackson has made the Pro Bowl at two different positions: WR and kick returner.

He is being paid deep reserve money.

Jackson said he has put the holdout behind and turned over the contract talk to his agent Drew Rosenhaus and the Eagles brass.
Jackson said it is business as usual for him.

“I’m here to play for the Philadelphia Eagles,” Jackson said. “I have a year left under my contract. Hopefully something can work out, I think everything will. With the talks and things like that, we’ll just keep that disclosed, but I think everything will happen in a positive way. I will play, I will practice, I just kind of have to ease my way back into it as [Head] Coach [Andy] Reid and myself talked about.  I’m just ready to play, ready to get going.”

Eagles fans and Jackson’s teammates can all let out a sigh of relief.