With everyone genuflecting in Jackson's presence, there have been questions about whether his ego will be kept to a manageable size.
Jackson was in the locker room recently when I watched him exchange a sloppy, incredibly awkward manshake with WIP's hirsute Howard Eskin. You know the maneuver: the one-armed backslap/chest bump/handshake employed by guys everywhere. It was like that scene in Starsky & Hutch when one says "I like your moves," and the other says "I like your style."
Like that, but more unnerving and less funny.
Thereafter, Jackson was going on about being a humble person who enjoys being humble and enjoys eating pie but only of the humble variety. I'm paraphrasing. Then, when asked if he'd gotten any feedback from the fans, he added: "Oh, yeah. When I'm out, people are noticing me, telling me how great I am, how happy they are that I'm an Eagle." Pause. "I just want to stay humble. I'm a humble guy."
I mean this in all seriousness: I hope Jackson drops the false modesty and embraces his inner T.O. Since interviews stopped being conducted en masse during spontaneous driveway workouts, the Eagles have become soporific. They're a reflection of their coach, who will never be asked to play a lounge show in Vegas - or even Jersey.
As much as we pretend otherwise, we don't want bland and safe. It's why Randall Cunningham captivated when he was "back scrambling," why Buddy Ryan and Charles Barkley are revered to this day. Philly is hungry for a star receiver, but it's equally starved for a fresh Eagles story line that doesn't involve Donovan McNabb or dry heaving.
Jackson could provide the missing drama. Some outrageous quotes. A new nickname (uno cero?). Maybe work on his fly pattern with Alycia Lane. (What, too subtle?) Boom - instant entertainment as thrilling as watching Jackson shoot past Pacman and into the end zone.
