Larry Fitzgerald: 4 Reasons DeSean Jackson Pales in Comparison to the Arizona WR

The headlines over the weekend coming out of Arizona have sent shock waves throughout the league, including Philadelphia. DeSean Jackson has a new point of reference in his contract negotiations thanks to Larry Fitzgerald's new contract. 

According to USA Today, Larry Fitzgerald agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals on an eight-year, $120 contract, $50 million guaranteed.

All the general managers across the league made a collective groan when they saw those figures come across the wire Saturday evening.

However, they were not the only ones to notice the new wideouts' staggeringly large contract. Holdouts and contract disputers across the league took notice. Most notably, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans and DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles have been in contract colloquy.

DeSean Jackson tweeted after the announcement of the deal congratulating his peer:

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"Congrats to my Big bro LarryFitzgerald!! Well deserved . . . Wideouts ballin!!"

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DeSean Jackson ended his hold out in hopes that the Eagles will reward him for his act of goodwill by showing up to training camp.The wide receiver has far outplayed his rookie contract and hopes to be compensated for his outstanding play.

When prompted by the media, Jackson has admitted that Fitzgerald "(is) a totally different receiver than I am."

Since Larry Fitzgerald has set the new benchmark at the position and DeSean Jackson brought up the different receiver notion, let's put the difference into perspective in the following slides to see how different the two are.

1. Production Consistency

There should not be a debate on whether or not DeSean Jackson has big play ability. The question needs to be: how much does DeSean Jackson tangibly do on offense outside of the home run plays for the Philadelphia Eagles?

Jackson had an unimpressive 47 catches during his 14 starts in 2010, a decrease of 16 catches from 2009, and 15 catches from 2008; given the jet-heeled wide receiver reeled in 1,056 receiving yards and an absurd 18.23 yards-per-catch.

The most catches Jackson had in 2010 came in a week eight win versus the Indianapolis Colts in Philadelphia, where he brought in seven catches. It remained the only game last season he had more than five catches.

What does this all mean?

It shows the exploitable flaws in Jackson’s game. The blow-by speed allows DeSean Jackson to take the top off the defense and get past the secondary. However, he can’t go over the middle anymore (not after he got introduced to Dunta Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons) and he does not run the routes needed to convert third downs.

Not to mention, the dual threat on offense and special teams would be rescinded if he signs a new contract. Jackson will not be lining up as the punt returner unless it’s an extraordinary situation à la at the Meadowlands last season.

Compare DeSean Jackson’s 2010 numbers to Larry Fitzgerald’s and you will see the difference in production that these two wide outs bring to the table.

Fitzgerald snagged 90 catches during his 16 starts in 2010; a difference of 43 catches in just two more games played. The Arizona Cardinal also recorded 1,137 yards and 12.63 yards-per-catch. Not bad for a season that saw Fitzgerald tie his career low from 2006 in touchdowns with a respectable six trips into the end zone.

The kicker that cannot be overlooked lies with who threw the ball to the Cardinals wide out. Fitzgerald did not receive passes from Kurt Warner or Michael Vick, but Derek Anderson and John Skelton.

How he caught 90 passes from those two baffles me.

2. Injury History

DeSean Jackson came into the NFL with a chip on his shoulders after being passed up by teams, and dropping out of the first round. Certain teams had issues with the California product’s personality and several other teams could not see past the 6’0’’ 178 pound speedster.

Jackson has proved all his critics wrong thus far about his missing stature by compensating with his untouchable speed. The explosive Philadelphia Eagles wide out has become the ultimate big play guy in the NFL. Where his size, or lack thereof, comes into play has been on the injury front. DeSean Jackson has been forced to miss four games in his three year career thus far.

Suffering two concussions, including a viciously violent hit last season against the Atlanta Falcons, has left the wide receiver one hit away from possibly being knocked out of the league. He has had two concussions in the last two seasons, making him prone to a reoccurring concussion in the future. The affects of a reoccurring concussion problem go way beyond the span of a football career.

Jackson has already missed four games during his short three year career due to the two concussions.

This problem has forced the Eagles front office into a "catch 22." Do you sign a player that clearly makes your team better from top to bottom for top dollar? Or, do you offer him a fair contract that may not be a top five salary at his position due to the uncertainty that he can withstand a few more years in the NFL?

Then I took a look at Larry Fitzgerald. The Arizona Cardinal makes DeSean Jackson look like a child if you compare his physique. Fitzgerald registers in at 6’3’’ and a rock solid 218 pounds. Compared to DeSean’s generous 6’0’’ listing, Fitzgerald has the wide receiver beat in the physique department.

Larry Fitzgerald also has the speedy wide out from California beat in the missed games department as well. He has missed only five games in seven seasons thus far in the NFL, which is quite remarkable given the nature of the position.

The Cardinals wide out missed three games in 2006 with a hamstring injury. No concussions or career dampening injuries have been suffered by the All Pro wide receiver.

3. Character

Where do we start with DeSean Jackson? His showboating, schoolyard antics riles up the Philadelphia faithful and injects humor along with excitement back into the no fun league ran by Roger Goodell.

In his rookie season against the Dallas Cowboys, he broke away for a touchdown. He then  flicked the football backwards before crossing the line in a demonstratively immature fashion. Not the way Andy Reid pictured his new starting wide receiver introducing himself to the league.

He has used his blow by, burner speed to race to the end zone and cross the line, strutting in backwards with a swagger that exemplifies the position.

In 2009, Jackson took a pass on a slant route across the middle from Kevin Kolb.  He turned on a dime, hit full speed in three strides, passed all defenders straight up the middle, and cart wheeled into a gymnastics’ style split.

He has come to a screeching halt, turned backwards, and plunged into the end zone against Dallas in 2010.

Do not get me wrong here, all this makes him one of the most riveting players to watch in my opinion, but he has his fair share of critics around the league. There is no denying the wide receiver has some maturity issues, but the fine line between having fun on the field and being immature, gets crossed more than it should.

Off the field, DeSean Jackson received some flak for his gay slur comment on the radio this summer, adding to the on field immaturity.

Then you take Larry Fitzgerald on the other hand. A man who’s personality and demeanor on and off the football field could not be any farther apart from his sideshow counterpart.

Fitzgerald upholds himself with a sophisticated manner. His maturity extends beyond his age and he has proven to be one of the league’s model citizens.

There have been no flashy end zone celebrations or showboating from the Cardinal wide receiver.  When he walks into the end zone, it's a simple flick of the ball to the referee and a hug to some of his teammates. Maybe if he becomes a little raucous after a touchdown, Fitzgerald might pat a couple teammates on the behind.

Both players clearly have different styles when it comes to celebration. One takes the entertainer approach and the other takes a business approach. Both are enjoyed by the different classes of fans in the NFL, but one rubs some spectators the wrong way.

4. Playoff Numbers

For all the hype and love that players get during the regular season, the true test of just how truly elite they are comes in the playoffs. DeSean Jackson has played in a playoff game in each of his first three seasons during Philadelphia.

The wide receiver has played in five total playoff games, but has been relatively irrelevant in all of them. In five games, with two Pro Bowl quarterbacks, Jackson has yet to haul in over 100 receiving yards. He has only managed to find the end zone twice and both of the games he scored in were losses.

Three out of the five playoff games in his career Jackson did not manage to even eclipse 50 receiving yards. An abysmal stat that has made Andy Reid and Eagles fans ask if Jackson realizes that he is counted on to make plays.

Jackson’s playoff numbers have gone largely under the radar in the national media due to his flashy playing style exhibited during the regular season. In my book, and any GM’s book for that matter, a wide receiver in the NFL that wants to be considered in the top tier of the league contract-wise, must not only perform in the playoffs, but step up to the occasion.

Larry Fitzgerald on the other hand has incredibly impressive numbers during his six games in the playoffs; quite stark in contrast to Jackson’s numbers to be frank.

Fitzgerald has four games of over 100 receiving yards.  In his worst career playoff outing, he still brought in 77 yards in a blowout loss during 2009 to the New Orleans Saints, when they went on to win the Super Bowl. His average yards-per-game comes in at 117.5 compared to Jackson’s 53.6.

Fitzgerald also has Jackson beat in touchdowns with nine trips into the end zone, scoring a touchdown in every playoff game except against the Saints in 2009. He even has him beat in Jackson’s career best statistical category — yards-per-catch — with 16.79 compared to 16.75.

 The numbers do not lie, but too often fans get involved with the flashiness and excitement of the play DeSean Jackson provides. Sure it sells tickets, jerseys, and commercial spots, but there are two ways to ask the question about Jackson’s contract value.

Does he deserve Larry Fitzgerald money? Or should he be given Larry Fitzgerald money?

The answer to both of those is a resounding no. Do not think for a minute the Eagles front office has not compared Jackson’s stats to the benchmarks in the league at the position, and have overlooked his subpar playoff performances.

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