Yahoo Criticizes DeSean Jackson’s Punt Return

You can criticize him for many things.

Talk about his two bonehead plays that took away two touchdowns from his resume.

Even chastise some of the things that come out of his mouth.

Don’t bring anything negative out of his 65-yard walk-off punt return that took the Eagles off in style last week against the Giants; because you can’t.

We all know what happened.

The Giants punted to DeSean Jackson with the game tied.

Jackson, with three career punt returns for touchdowns in his career (including his two that lead the league last season) and a 2008 combine 40 of 4.35, took the line drive boot back with impressive composure considering he initially fumbled the liner.

No doubt that composure stems from confidence, an area never lacking within Jackson.

He did celebrate, one hand in the air as he continued to run with uncatchable speed. No one was within five yards of him.

Running back D.J. Ware was the closest to Jackson, but his 2007 Pro Day 4.61 40 was no match for Jackson.

Ware said it himself,  in comments to New York Newsday. “When he ran across the field, I couldn’t catch him then. He had a little bit more burst than me,”

In the same interview, Ware said he was just waiting for Jackson to celebrate just as he did in Dallas this season – stopping at the one inch line, back to the endzone, and flopping on his back for the score. Then Ware would have put the hit on him.

Best believe it would have been the hardest hit of his life – both Jackson’s and Ware’s.

Certainly a hit that could have jarred loss the football; a hit that, if done correctly, could have stopped Jackson at the one and salvaged the game for the moment for Ware and the Giants.

Only, DeSean did the right thing. The biggest touchdown thus far in his career was only celebrated with an arm in the air.

No somersault.

No back-flop over the goal line.

No premature fumble.

That turn, said Ware who is the Giant, caused him not to catch Jackson.

He had already blown two known touchdowns in his football career for his teams. In Dallas, his team later scored from the one. In the All-American game, his team lost the ball.

There was not a chance that Jackson would risk not scoring this touchdown.

In a column posted yesterday on Yahoo’s football column Shutdown Corner, writer Chris Chase discussed the possibility of a penalty being called on Jackson because his teammates rushed onto the field before he crossed the goal line, a clear breaking of the “to many men on the field” rule.

Even though Chase agreed that the referees did the right thing by “looking the other way,” his comments about Jackson were outrageously inaccurate and disgusting to see on a internationally-known site such as Yahoo.

“As the [Jackson] was running parallel to the end zone,” wrote Chase, “delaying his touchdown for maximum showboating effectiveness, a number of his teammates ran onto the field from the sideline …”

“Delaying his touchdown for maximum showboating effectiveness.”

“Delaying his touchdown for maximum showboating effectiveness.”

Did he really type those words?

Why would Jackson celebrate in that way? He knows that this play will win the game. He can do whatever he wants after he scores, anyway. Who cares about the fine he will get? Hell, he had already celebrated by putting his hands up.

If anything, he had already stopped celebrating because he was worried about being caught by Ware.

Anyone’s 4.35 forty can be cut to a 4.61 by merely running with his arm in the air.

Let’s recall what D.J. Ware said.

“When he ran across the field, I couldn’t catch him then. He had a little bit more burst than me.”

That “showboating” is what prevented Jackson from being caught from behind.

I am assuming Chase didn’t read Newsday.

Chris Chase, a native of Bethesda, Maryland, located in the heart of Redskins country, has a clear distaste for Eagle green.

“Not surprising that Eagles fans who have made ‘Superbowl’ a trending topic don’t know how to spell it,” tweeted Chase on December 19.

On December 15th, Chase tweeted that Eagles quarterback Michael Vick “still doesn’t get it,” because he said he would like to own a dog one day.

Only a clear hatred for the Eagles would blind someone of the real reason Jackson ran sideways.

When he made the run, Jackson took a look behind him, making sure the clock showed only zeros. Jackson only wanted to cross that goal line when the game was over.

Sure, what is going to happen if he leaves a second on the clock?

Did we just forget that Jackson just ran back a punt for a score?

The comments on Chase’s post agree with some asking for Chase’s articles to be filtered and others calling names.

Was Jackson showboating? Yes, if you’re a Redskins or Giants fan.

Was he really? No.