DeSean Jackson Suspension Is Desperate Attempt to Save Eagles' Fading Season

At 3-5, the Philadelphia Eagles' lofty Super Bowl expectations are very close to going up in smoke. A microcosm of their problems has been wide receiver DeSean Jackson who has performed well below the level many thought he would.

Now, after showing up late to a team meeting on Saturday, Jackson will be deactivated by head coach Andy Reid for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite Jackson's struggles he is still a big part of Philadelphia's offense and his presence will be missed by the Cards.

As strange as it may sound, though, I believe this is exactly the type of situation Reid has been waiting for to spark his team. The team continued to fall short of its promise in a loss to the Chicago Bears last week with Jackson being a main culprit thanks to his two-catch, two-fumble performance.

Jackson being late to a meeting gives Reid the excuse to do something he might have wanted to do all along, and that is make an example out of Jackson. While being without Jackson will hurt because of his presence as a deep threat, Reid probably figures the Eagles can get past the Cards.

This move is more about the long-term success of the team than Sunday's result, though. Reid felt he had to send a message to his team that such disregard for the rules won't be tolerated and that it needs to be corrected before the team can reach its true potential.

It may sound crazy, and it is most certainly desperate, but Reid is in a position where he has to lay all his cards out on the table. The Eagles were saddled with what could be called unrealistic expectations after several high-profile signings in the offseason, and they have bombed under that pressure.

Reid knows that the talent is most certainly there for the Eagles to make the playoffs and make some noise as well. There won't be any more outside help coming in, so Reid can only work with what he has in terms of his roster and the tool of motivation.

It's hard to say whether it will work or not, but Reid's one-game suspension of Jackson shows that he is a no-nonsense guy who thinks the culture of the team needs to change. If the Eagles beat the Cardinals, it won't prove anything as Arizona is simply a very poor team.

The true effect of Reid's decision won't be felt until the games following. Not only is this move meant to get Jackson angry and motivated, but it is meant to do the same for the team as a whole. The Eagles' season may very well be in shambles, but Reid is going to pull out every trick in the book until the bitter end.