Vincent Jackson: 10 Teams That Need Him Most After Week 1 Results
Vincent Jackson's holdout isn't showing any signs of coming to an end anytime soon. That's not good news for the Chargers or the multitude of NFL teams in need of his services.
The Pro Bowler is currently serving a three-game suspension, and there has yet to be any tangible progress in discussions with the Chargers.
It's entirely possible he will end up sitting out the entire season, even with the potential lockout looming on the horizon.
A number of fairly prominent NFL teams exhibited weak passing games in Week 1.
Here's a look at 10 teams that could use Vincent Jackson's services.
No. 10: Seattle Seahawks
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The Seahawks 31-6 win over the 49ers suggested the team might not be a complete work in progress after all this season in the historically-inept NFC West.
It might be worth taking a look at Vincent Jackson in an effort to give Matt Hasselbeck another weapon on the outside.
Seattle's passing game is counting on Deion Branch and the revitalized Mike Williams to produce, and the release of T.J. Houshmandzadeh leaves the team in need of a marquee receiver.
The ineptitude of the running game is yet another reason why the Seahawks need all the help they can get through the air.
No. 9: Atlanta Falcons
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Matt Ryan has Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez as his primary targets in the passing game, but he needs someone else.
That someone could be Vincent Jackson.
Ryan's effectiveness hinges largely on the Falcons' ability to establish the run and open up the play-action game.
If opposing defenses don't have to respect the run, it's much easier to roll coverage towards the dangerous White.
Atlanta is in desperate need of a No. 2 receiver, and acquiring Jackson would be a bold move that could lift the team to a Wild Card berth in the NFC this season.
No. 8: Carolina Panthers
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Much like the Falcons, the Panthers are in need of a No. 2 receiver after the failed development of Dwayne Jarrett and a host of other candidates.
Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen need all the help they can get in order to be effective, and a strong running game and the presence of the aging Steve Smith hasn't been enough to suggest success is likely to come easily for Carolina's offense.
Jackson would legitimize the Panthers' place as a possible playoff team.
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No. 7: Chicago Bears
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Sure, Jay Cutler threw for 372 yards in his first regular season game in the Mike Martz system, but the Bears' wide receivers could clearly use an upgrade, as 151 of Cutler's yards went to running back Matt Forte, who figures to produce in the passing game all season.
Johnny Knox, Devin Hester, and Greg Olsen is a solid supporting cast, but the Bears are in desperate need of a true No. 1 receiver.
Despite the problems he brings, Jackson would fit that mold perfectly.
Chicago wasn't afraid to spend big to acquire Julius Peppers in the offseason, and another blockbuster move could prevent the Bears from being an afterthought in the NFC North this year.
No. 6: Washington Redskins
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The Redskins had fate on their side Sunday night in the win over the Cowboys, but they didn't have a star receiver in the lineup.
Donovan McNabb has made a career out of making average players look good, but his best season came with an interested Terrell Owens in the mix in Philadelphia.
His experience with Pro-Bowl caliber receivers might be limited, but the output of a McNabb-to-Jackson combination would be enough to thrust the 'Skins into the spotlight for all the right reasons.
Daniel Snyder is crazy enough to make such a move happen, if the Chargers are willing to listen.
Maybe San Diego would like an upgrade along the defensive line...
No. 5: Oakland Raiders
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It's not a good idea for a team to trade one of its best players to a divisional rival. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened and couldn't happen again.
Oakland has been trying to find a solid No. 1 target for years now and is still searching.
In addition to having to deal with a porous offensive line, new quarterback Jason Campbell has a young, inconsistent, and below-average group of receivers on the outside.
Acquiring Jackson and signing him to a long-term deal would be a rare example of foresight by the Raiders, who aren't that far away from contending in the AFC West.
No. 4: San Francisco 49ers
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It's much too early to write off Michael Crabtree yet, but the 49ers can't afford to wait for him to develop into the time-flight receiver he was expected to be coming out of Texas Tech.
Crabtree had an awful performance in Week 1 after sitting out the preseason.
Alex Smith has a strong running game and arguably the best tight end in football. To this point, that hasn't been enough to make him a successful quarterback.
The Niners have built through the draft in recent years but might be ready to swap picks to acquire a proven commodity in Jackson, who would help San Francisco in the NFC West race and possibly beyond.
No. 3: New York Jets
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The Jets have plenty of receivers, but they just might need a better one.
Owner Woody Johnson has stretched his resources thin in an effort to assemble a roster capable of winning a Super Bowl, which could make a deal for Jackson unlikely.
At the same time, the Jets aren't afraid to make bold moves and try to fit polarizing egos together.
Jackson and Santonio Holmes would give Mark Sanchez two Pro Bowl targets capable of making big-plays, something the anemic Jets' offense as presently constructed figures to lack this season.
At this point, the Jets probably need a quarterback more than anything else.
No. 2: Minnesota Vikings
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Sidney Rice is expected to return this season, but he is far from a sure thing.
Brett Favre could use another big, athletic deep target.
Like the Jets, the Vikings don't appear to have a great deal of resources remaining to meet San Diego's lofty asking price.
A deal probably will never happen. But that doesn't mean it wouldn't be a perfect match for both sides.
Jackson would suddenly be one of the best players on a Super Bowl caliber team, while the Vikings would no longer have to rely heavily on the inconsistent Bernard Berrian.
One thing is certain: Chargers general manger A.J. Smith will drive a hard bargain before he is willing to move his star receiver.
No. 1: San Diego Chargers
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It makes sense for the Chargers to pay the man already. But as history has shown, A.J. Smith doesn't always do what makes sense.
The stubborn G.M. hasn't budged on the demands of Jackson or tackle Marcus McNeill, another player holding out who will clearly be missed.
Philip Rivers needs his primary weapon to return and bolster what has suddenly become a very average wide receiver corps.
Jackson's holdout could make what appeared to be a one-horse race in the AFC West suddenly become very competitive.
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