Vincent Jackson: 5 Reasons San Diego Chargers Sign Star WR in 2012

The chance of star wide receiver Vincent Jackson signing a long-term deal to stay in San Diego is quietly becoming a distinct possibility; provided, that is, that he can keep his nose clean and his agent on a short leash.

With the uncertainty surrounding the return of TE Antonio Gates, and the inability of Malcolm Floyd and Patrick Crayton to stay healthy, Jackson's stock in San Diego is skyrocketing.

The drama between the Chargers and disgruntled star wideout Vincent Jackson has been well documented, as has GM AJ Smith's steadfast refusal to negotiate with holdouts. So it's difficult to understand what Vincent Jackson hoped to accomplish when, prior to the 2010 season, he elected to forgo training camp in lieu of a long-term deal.

No matter which side you take in the dispute, calling Smith's bluff was a questionable decision at best. This is especially true given what any agent should have have known by then about the surly, old bugger in the Hawaiian-print.

Even after Smith laid down the ultimatum that Jackson's tender would be reduced from $3.268 million to under $600,000 if he failed to report, somehow Jackson interpreted that as a sign that Smith's resolve was weakening. It was a gross miscalculation that cost the talented, young receiver nearly $2.6 million. In any case, here are five major reasons why the San Diego Chargers sign their star receiver this offseason.

What a Difference a Year Makes

Not that Jackson's performance on the field didn't warrant a new contract, as is it most certainly did, but Jackson's off-field antics gave the Chargers legitimate reason for concern. He'd been arrested three times since being drafted, twice for driving under the influence. A third arrest would, in all likelihood, have resulted in a four-game suspension.

Left tackle Marcus McNeill, who had been threatening to hold out along with Jackson, wisely caved in by Week 2. His agent, Alvin Keels, saw the writings on the wall. McNeill signed his reduced tender, joined the team, and what do you know, signed a lucrative, long-term deal just four weeks later.

Nevertheless, Jackson and his agent, Neil Schwartz, inexplicably dug their heels in, apparently still convinced somehow Smith would fold. He didn't.

As gruff and unyielding as Smith has been, he has consistently rewarded players who chose to honor their contracts and show up to work, ready to play. Hate it or love it, the strategy has worked out well for the Chargers, by shifting all of the negotiating leverage into Smith's favor.

That is not to say that the advantage has not come without a price. The argument could be made that Jackson's presence last season may have been the difference between making the playoffs and not. Bolts fans can at least take small comfort in the fact that current management will never be raked over the coals by players and agents who have their own short-term interests in mind, as opposed to the long-term success of the franchise.

However, all of this may ultimately turn out to be no more than water under the bridge as the circumstances in San Diego have changed quite a bit since last season. Not only does the Jackson camp seem to have caught on, but the Chargers suddenly find themselves very thin on star-caliber targets for quarterback Philip Rivers.

By the Numbers

No doubt Vincent Jackson has established himself as a top-flight NFL receiver, with an extraordinary combination of size, speed and athleticism which make him nearly impossible to cover. Prior to last year, he had posted two consecutive thousand-yard seasons, averaging over 17 yards a catch.

Moreover, at 28, Jackson is entering his prime and has demonstrated a fair degree of durability, missing only two games since becoming a starter in 2007.

It's not a matter of whether or not Jackson will get paid, just a question of who will be signing the check. Given the Chargers' track record with wide receivers, Jackson might not want to get too comfortable.

But the speedy giant with questionable decision-making skills may just have an edge on former Bolts like John Jefferson, Wes Chandler, Anthony Miller and Tony Martin, all of whom were sent packing once the price tag climbed into the stratosphere of the league's top five. That's because, as things stand, VJ may be the only legitimate, down-field target Rivers has.

Uncertainty Surrounds Return of Antonio Gates

The uncertainty that surrounds Antonio Gates' ability to return is bound to have a significant influence on the Chargers' decision regarding Jackson. Chargers fans may have a hard pill to swallow as Gates' injury, plantar fasciitis, could turn out to be a career killer for a 260-pound, 31-year-old tight end.

Gates missed six games last year and is now expected to miss at least three to six more this season after aggravating the injury against New England during Week 2. While it might be too soon to write the future Hall of Famer off entirely at this point, the odds that he's finished increase exponentially with each game he misses.

With no clear heir apparent in sight, Jackson's value to the Bolts goes through the roof if Gates can't come back. Outside of Gates, Jackson is the only member on offense that can draw double teams with any measure of consistency.

It's no consolation, but if the Chargers were to lose Gates, his release would free up a considerable chunk of change that could be used to re-sign Jackson.

After Gates, Jackson, Chargers Are Thin at Reciever

The china-bone tea set that makes up the rest of the Chargers receiving corps isn't detracting any from Jackson's value either. As impressive as Malcolm Floyd and Michael Crayton have been, they've each spent far too much time on the sideline to be counted upon.

Floyd's performance on the field has been nothing short of spectacular, but since signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2004, he's been inactive 50 times in 112 starts.

The Chargers' slot receiver, Patrick Crayton has been equally impressive on the field, but missed seven starts after coming over from the Dallas Cowboys last year and has missed two more so far this season.

Tight end Kory Sperry, along with wide receivers Brian Walters, Vincent Brown and Richard Goodman are still projects and, at least at this stage of their careers, can't be expected to carry the load on offense.

Can Chargers Afford to Let Jackson Go?

Further supporting the case for Jackson's future in San Diego is the amiable, cooperative demeanor he's adopted of late—a stark contrast from last year. Perhaps it's the franchise tag salary bonus that has softened Jackson's angst. Or maybe he and his agent finally got the memo.

Whatever the cause, they've both been on their best behavior since getting ruined by Smith in a game of contract chicken last year; not without good reason too, as Jackson is auditioning for the entire league right now and will be under the microscope all year long.

Judging by the looks of it, Jackson is well aware of the fact that turning out another thousand-yard season, without falling into the back of any SDPD cruisers, is the only thing standing between him and somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million-plus.

At the same time, this year's Chargers may not be able to afford the luxury of letting a player of Jackson's caliber go.