Reid blasts NFL Network to defend DeSean Jackson

To hear Eagles coach Andy Reid tell it, when it comes to DeSean Jackson, the NFL Network is guilty of trick photography.

After an overnight flight from Seattle - site of the Eagles' most recent debacle, a 31-14 nationally televised loss to the Seahawks - Reid, rarely impassioned about anything in his day-after news conference, blasted the network and specifically sideline reporter Alex Flanagan for creating drama around the controversial receiver. There was none of that, Reid said.

"I'm disappointed in a lot of things," Reid said less than 24 hours after the Eagles dropped to 4-8. "I'm disappointed with the NFL Network, very disappointed in the way they portrayed that. I'm going to tell you now that DeSean was all-in in that game, and he had a great attitude during that game. You can take a camera and make some things look any way you want to make it look, but that kid was all-in last night. I was proud of that."

During the game, Flanagan reported that Jackson was not speaking with teammates while on the sideline. And the network's cameras honed in on Jackson seemingly ignoring Vince Young while the quarterback - who threw four interceptions, including a horrendous pick intended for Jackson on the team's first offensive play - was talking to him.

And before the game started, Jackson was seen carousing with defensive teammates rather than warming up with his fellow receivers.

Later, Jackson was the focus of scrutiny by the network when it appeared that he was not running full-speed on a deep rout. Reid explained Friday that Jackson was the fourth option on the play - behind receiver Jason Avant, tight end Brent Celek, and one other player - and that it's Jackson's job to draw the corner and the safety away from the underneath coverage.

"He wanted to win that game as much as anybody," Reid said. "This is all petty stuff right now; that's what I can tell you. There was nothing on the sidelines. No commotion with he and Vince. There is nothing there. Nothing."

Whether or not the NFL Network trumped up its coverage of Jackson to make a Thursday night game between two lousy teams more watchable is debatable. Calls to the network were not returned.

Nevertheless, the Eagles, losers of four of their last five games, continue to be the primary author of a once-promising season that has become the most disappointing around these parts in years.