Desean Jackson

We've reached interesting territory with DeSean Jackson. Philly is certain the rookie receiver is destined for greatness. It's one of the few things - aside from believing Mets fans should be tarred, sprinkled with Phanatic feathers, and made to dance for our amusement - that we can all agree on. Regardless of the fact that he has yet to catch a pass that matters, Jackson's legend grows bigger each day. Soon, someone will tell you he's not only fast...

DeSEAN JACKSON was asked yesterday about comparisons. With Jackson seeking a new contract, reporters would like to know who the fourth-year wideout sees himself as, more or less. Not much luck on that front, probably by design. If Jackson has any real thoughts on that subject, they are likely to be delivered to the Eagles across the bargaining table directly, from agent Drew Rosenhaus. "Growing up, I kind of looked up to Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin," Jackson said. Good chance neither Rice nor Irvin will be negotiating a deal this year.

DESEAN JACKSON turned 24 on Wednesday. No truth to the rumor that Andy Reid got Jackson the new iPhone. Last night, with the Eagles trailing and reeling, Jackson, the biggest playmaker on Reid's offense, needed to drop the PDA and make a play. No tweets, no texts; the only networking Jackson needed to complete was with quarterback Michael Vick, the way Texans money man Andre Johnson just had on the Texans' go-ahead drive. In the old-fashioned manner, coach Reid delivered that message to Jackson after Sunday's loss in Chicago.

SEATTLE - This isn't Pop Warner. This isn't JV football, or high school or even college. This is business. DeSean Jackson is an asset. He is an underperforming asset, and, at $600,000, embarrassingly underpaid. He also is selfish and churlish. Isolationist. Cowardly. So what? Pay him. This is the NFL. There is no lesson to be taught by staring down an immature nonprofessional. He is too valuable. He is irreplaceable. Jackson wants a long-term, big-money contract extension.

Someone dark and deep and brilliant once said that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. I think it was Charlie Sheen. You don't have to look too far into the past to find an example of an ugly and public argument over money between the Eagles' organization and one of its players. Let's see: There was Sheldon Brown. He's gone. There was Lito Sheppard. Also gone. Brian Dawkins was a fan favorite. He's gone, too. Before that, there was Jeremiah Trotter. They got rid of him a few times.

DeSEAN JACKSON leaves you open-mouthed in wonder. It is what he does. He does it with these big plays, enormous plays, game-changers. You would think that opposing defenses would take him away at all costs, but it hasn't happened, not yet. Once or twice a game, they leave him so free that the defender isn't even in the frame of the snapshot. He is more exciting than Brian Westbrook was, and that is about as big a mouthful as most of us has ever said. He gives the Eagles' offense the belief that it is never out of anything.

ST. LOUIS - DeSean Jackson spoke for himself Sunday. With his actions on the field and with his words in the postgame locker room, Jackson made it clear that he will play just as hard and just as well as ever. The speculation that he might be preoccupied with his contract situation, and that he might skimp on effort or energy, was proven wrong with his first reception of the 2011 season. Jackson had two defenders draped on him as he went up for Michael Vick's pass. He came down with the ball and without his helmet.

When the NFL lockout finally ended last summer and practices began, DeSean Jackson stayed away. Stuck in a contract dispute with the Eagles, Jackson skipped the first 11 days of training camp, setting in motion a season that would quickly turn sour for the receiver and his team. This year, though, Jackson is already looking forward to the full-team practices that begin Tuesday, sounding reenergized by finally putting his contract saga behind him. "The [off] time's been long enough already," Jackson said Saturday.

Aaron Rodgers now owes DeSean Jackson both an apology and a big thank you. The apology stems from Rodgers' role in recruiting Jackson, a highly sought-after receiver in high school, to the University of California, then leaving a year early before he could ever throw to him. And the thank you? "That play he made at the end of the Giants game - it really helped us out," Rodgers said yesterday. Without the Eagles' come-from-behind victory over the Giants on Dec. 19 - punctuated by Jackson's 65-yard punt return for a touchdown as time expires - Rodgers and the Packers might not be poised to play in Philadelphia Sunday.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Agent Drew Rosenhaus avoided the question as well as his top Eagles client evaded pass coverage during the season. Asked about DeSean Jackson's contract situation, the agent said he wasn't inclined to discuss it as he continued to head upfield yesterday after the NFC squad's Pro Bowl practice at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Comcast SportsNet cited two sources as saying Rosenhaus is getting...