Vincent Jackson Signs 5-Year Deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Free-agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson has signed a five-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth a reported $55.55 million. Jackson is 29 years old and in the prime of his career. 

The San Diego Chargers slapped the franchise tag on Jackson in 2011 but elected not to do so this year. Meanwhile, the Bucs were set on giving their young quarterback Josh Freeman some help. Mike Williams, Tampa's electric young receiver, is much more dangerous when he has someone else to help stretch the field. Williams hit a sophomore slump in 2011, and the addition of Jackson should help open Williams up. 

The emergence of running back LeGarrette Blount gave the team high hopes for last season, which ended up being a big disappointment and got the head coach fired. Josh Freeman is a very talented QB, and Tampa clearly realized they needed to get him some offensive help. Having a guy who can force defenses to focus on him allows the rest of Tampa's play-makers to get touches. 

This move should boost Jackson's stats as well, as he becomes the go-to guy in a big-play offense. He is used to playing with Philip Rivers, who is more of a pocket passer. Jackson is one of the NFL's best when it comes to getting open after a play breaks down. Freeman is a mobile QB who likes to roll outside  the pocket and make defenses spy him quite a bit.

Jackson will thrive with this type of QB play, along with one less defender to worry about. His best games in San Diego were when Rivers threw to him deep after he was forced from the pocket.

Jackson had nine touchdowns last season, and will be looking to do much more damage in 2012.