Post by EagleGene on Jul 20, 2006 17:41:06 GMT -5
Jackson: Harder Work Ahead
July 20, 2006
By ZACH BERMAN
It's no secret the Eagles place a premium on offensive linemen, and the organizational philosophy under head coach Andy Reid and president Joe Banner has always been to identify core players and secure them to long-term contracts.
It made June's contract extension with guard/tackle Shawn Andrews a no-brainer. It was also the motive behind Thursday's agreement to terms with center/guard Jamaal Jackson on a seven-year contract extension, providing the Eagles with a strong, long-term foundation on the inside of the offensive line for at least the next seven seasons.
The extension was an indication that the team has big plans for the 26-year-old Jackson.
"Of course, with the organization willing to put so much into guys such as ourselves, I feel that way," Jackson said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday afternoon. "Seven years is a long time."
It's an especially long time for a player like Jackson, who unlike the first-round pick Andrews, entered the NFL with no security in professional football. He was a rookie free agent in 2003 and spent the entire rookie season on the practice squad. When the Eagles reached the Super Bowl in 2004, Jackson was on Injured Reserve the entire season with a triceps muscle tear.
"That's a part of my career I try to forget," Jackson said. "I don't ever want to go back to practice squad or being injured. It was hard for me, took a lot, but it got me where I am today."
It wasn't until veteran center Hank Fraley was injured mid-way through last season that Jackson was able to see the field. Once that happened, the 6-foot-4, 330-pound offensive lineman proved to the Eagles that he's a viable option.
He started the final eight games last season at center on an offensive line that suffered various injuries. While it wasn't a banner year for the team or the offensive line, it was enough to provide the Eagles with evidence that Jackson was worth a long-term commitment.
"Last year was just the beginning of something that is kind of half way because I was thrown in there," Jackson said. "I have a long way to go. I'm young and still developing. With the coaching staff and (offensive line coach) Juan Castillo's techniques, I'll be great."
How soon Jackson expects to become great is the question. One of the most anticipated position battles entering training is Jackson and Fraley's pursuit of the starting center job. Fraley has more experience and is a proven commodity, although Jackson's performance last season and this long-term commitment proves the Eagles are high on the Delaware State product.
During the Organized Training Activities in the spring, both Fraley and Jackson, mentor and protégé, acknowledged the training camp battle. But Jackson admitted the contract extension wouldn't change anything.
"It gives me a little bit of security and I don't have to worry about the nest couple of years now," Jackson said. "But I still have the same mindset, go in there and compete and give the best crack at it. Just because they give you a new contract doesn't mean you'll go in there and be a starter."
July 20, 2006
By ZACH BERMAN
It's no secret the Eagles place a premium on offensive linemen, and the organizational philosophy under head coach Andy Reid and president Joe Banner has always been to identify core players and secure them to long-term contracts.
It made June's contract extension with guard/tackle Shawn Andrews a no-brainer. It was also the motive behind Thursday's agreement to terms with center/guard Jamaal Jackson on a seven-year contract extension, providing the Eagles with a strong, long-term foundation on the inside of the offensive line for at least the next seven seasons.
The extension was an indication that the team has big plans for the 26-year-old Jackson.
"Of course, with the organization willing to put so much into guys such as ourselves, I feel that way," Jackson said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday afternoon. "Seven years is a long time."
It's an especially long time for a player like Jackson, who unlike the first-round pick Andrews, entered the NFL with no security in professional football. He was a rookie free agent in 2003 and spent the entire rookie season on the practice squad. When the Eagles reached the Super Bowl in 2004, Jackson was on Injured Reserve the entire season with a triceps muscle tear.
"That's a part of my career I try to forget," Jackson said. "I don't ever want to go back to practice squad or being injured. It was hard for me, took a lot, but it got me where I am today."
It wasn't until veteran center Hank Fraley was injured mid-way through last season that Jackson was able to see the field. Once that happened, the 6-foot-4, 330-pound offensive lineman proved to the Eagles that he's a viable option.
He started the final eight games last season at center on an offensive line that suffered various injuries. While it wasn't a banner year for the team or the offensive line, it was enough to provide the Eagles with evidence that Jackson was worth a long-term commitment.
"Last year was just the beginning of something that is kind of half way because I was thrown in there," Jackson said. "I have a long way to go. I'm young and still developing. With the coaching staff and (offensive line coach) Juan Castillo's techniques, I'll be great."
How soon Jackson expects to become great is the question. One of the most anticipated position battles entering training is Jackson and Fraley's pursuit of the starting center job. Fraley has more experience and is a proven commodity, although Jackson's performance last season and this long-term commitment proves the Eagles are high on the Delaware State product.
During the Organized Training Activities in the spring, both Fraley and Jackson, mentor and protégé, acknowledged the training camp battle. But Jackson admitted the contract extension wouldn't change anything.
"It gives me a little bit of security and I don't have to worry about the nest couple of years now," Jackson said. "But I still have the same mindset, go in there and compete and give the best crack at it. Just because they give you a new contract doesn't mean you'll go in there and be a starter."
