Chad Jackson is healthy (1 Viewer)

[NorrisB]

Foxboro — The last thing Chad Jackson wanted was a repeat of his first season as pro.

After missing most of rookie training camp because of a balky hamstring, Jackson made a tiny contribution on offense. He lined up in just 12 games and caught 12 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns last year.

The ultimate kick in the shorts to the highly touted second-round pick came when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing as the gunner on special teams in the Patriots' 38-34 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in AFC championship game.

Jackson had surgery to repair the injured joint in the offseason and completely missed what would have been his second training camp. Jackson was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list before the start of the season. Considering the possible future implications and heavy duty competition at receiving positions, it would be understandable if Jackson was becoming impatient.

"No, not at all," Jackson said. "I'm being patient, standing back and staying in the playbook. I'm just staying focused on what I need to do. I have a few more weeks to go. Hopefully I'll get out and contribute to the team."

Jackson's eligible to come off of PUP after Week 6. Jackson's agent, David Canter, feels that his client has made remarkable strides during summer and will be back to full health when they hit the deadline.

"The strongest football team in the NFL gets stronger in three weeks," Canter said. "He's very excited about being able to get out there with the guys. He's healthy."

One of the players that Jackson's bonded with is wide receiver Randy Moss, who's tied for the NFL lead with five receiving touchdowns and second with 403 receiving yards. The receiving corps, in large part due to Moss and Wes Welker, has played a large role in why the Patriots have flourished this season.

"It's exciting watching a guy like Moss and all the other receivers — they're doing a pretty good job," said Jackson.

"Right now we've got to keep focused and keep progressing with Tom (Brady) and everything will keep going right along ... I'm proud to be a player in this great organization with Bill (Belichick) and Mr. (Robert) Kraft running it. The offense and defense is just clicking right now. Like coach Belichick said, 'You hope didn't have your heart set on just winning two or three games.' We've got to win more games and keep progressing on during the season."

He's just hoping to be a part of it starting in late October.

"There's a lot of balls being thrown," he said, "and, I want to catch some."

 

[twitch]

He tore his ACL in January, had surgery and wants to come back and play in October the way New England is rolling? That's 9 months. Its not happening. I love his attitude, and Im sure he wants to contribute. But New England wont rush the kid back to the field even if they really need him. They have other practice players they can go to. Troy Brown is still out there on PUP waiting to come back and contribute if needed. Jabar Gaffney isnt really even playing right now, and he was going off down the stretch last year. Jackson's got being 'healed' confused with being 'ready'. Im really glad he's healed. But there's no way he's ready.

 

[Bri]

Hey kid, learn from Troy while you're on PUP, then learn from Welker and Moss. See ya in 2008

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

He's a has-been who never-was...

Too injury prone, and I heard too stupid to learn the playbook. He's waiver material in all leagues.

 

[Illegal Pants Downfield]

He's a has-been who never-was...

Too injury prone, and I heard too stupid to learn the playbook. He's waiver material in all leagues.

X X X

That's 3 strikes, one for every one of your comments. He's only a 2nd year guy, was a first round pick in most dynasty drafts last year and you've already made this decision based on....?

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

He's a has-been who never-was...

Too injury prone, and I heard too stupid to learn the playbook. He's waiver material in all leagues.

X X X

That's 3 strikes, one for every one of your comments. He's only a 2nd year guy, was a first round pick in most dynasty drafts last year and you've already made this decision based on....?

Chronic hamstring problems. A torn ACL. Buried in the depth chart. Felt to be overrated by many scouts/mags before the draft. And slow to learn the system, (basically he couldn't remember plays and what to do on them.)

 

[benm3218]

I like how he says that Randy Moss is doing "a pretty good job". Hey thanks for your incites genius. Now go warm the bench up.

 

[PMENFAN]

Can he come back? Obviously the team felt he could, hence the PUP rather than IR> IIRC, his 'tear' was a partial tear, not a seperation. Significantly cuts the recovery time.

So, what would it do to thier WR corps? Moss, Welker, Stallwoth, Jackson <-> Gaffney, Brown? Washington has done nothing. It wouldn't surprise me to see him cut soon.

Just curious to see how this plays out.

 

[Illegal Pants Downfield]

Can he come back? Obviously the team felt he could, hence the PUP rather than IR> IIRC, his 'tear' was a partial tear, not a seperation. Significantly cuts the recovery time. So, what would it do to thier WR corps? Moss, Welker, Stallwoth, Jackson <-> Gaffney, Brown? Washington has done nothing. It wouldn't surprise me to see him cut soon. Just curious to see how this plays out.

I tend to think they might IR him for this year, even if he is healthy enough to come back. The Pats definitely seem to have plenty of serviceable depth at WR, and everybody might be better off in the longrun if they sit Chad down for the season and let him get fully healthy for next year when (I believe?) Stallworth is a FA?

 

[identikit]

I like how he says that Randy Moss is doing "a pretty good job". Hey thanks for your incites genius. Now go warm the bench up.

Id

 

[twitch]

I just cant see him factoring in this season. Id be shocked if he was active on the roster for any game other than wk 16 or 17 when theyre simply resting guys, including Brady. The bigger factor imo is the chemistry and lack of practice time. I just dont see it happening in the middle of the season on a Superbowl mission. Theyre already too good at the position, and Washington has at the very least been working with Brady the entire off season.

 

[moderated]

Can he come back? Obviously the team felt he could, hence the PUP rather than IR> IIRC, his 'tear' was a partial tear, not a seperation. Significantly cuts the recovery time. So, what would it do to thier WR corps? Moss, Welker, Stallwoth, Jackson <-> Gaffney, Brown? Washington has done nothing. It wouldn't surprise me to see him cut soon. Just curious to see how this plays out.

I tend to think they might IR him for this year, even if he is healthy enough to come back. The Pats definitely seem to have plenty of serviceable depth at WR, and everybody might be better off in the longrun if they sit Chad down for the season and let him get fully healthy for next year when (I believe?) Stallworth is a FA?

That would seem like the best plan.Stallworth is a FA next season and i don't see NE shelling out any kind of significant money for an over-rated WR like Stallworth.Chad could be a really nice flyer in dynasty leagues though. Welker is more of a #3 so he could compete for the #2 slot in NE in 08'.