The Eagles have yet to speak about the release of DeSean Jackson and have no plans to as of yet (Image Courtesy NBC Sunday Night Football)
DeSean Jackson will forever live in Eagles history for his unique and exciting playmaking ability. Whether Jackson was catching a deep bomb or creating magic like the “Miracle at the Meadowlands, part II,” the wide receiver often kept the Eagles faithful on the edge of their seats. Even now in the off-season, over the past two weeks, DeSean Jackson is still keeping Eagles fans on the edge of their seats.
As we now know, Jackson signed a three-year contract with the division rival Washington Redskins. The California native, after learning of his release, released his statement, and since then has held a phone conference with reporters and spoke to Stephen A. Smith of ESPN. But, what about the Eagles?
On March 28, the Eagles released the following statement:
After careful consideration this offseason, Eagles decide to part ways with DeSean Jackson. The team informed him of his release today.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 28, 2014
That’s it. 21 words. Since then, radio silence. It is not the “norm” for the Eagles to avoid releasing a statement thanking a player for their service, especially someone of DeSean Jackson’s skill and history with the organization. When Jason Avant was released earlier this offseason, the Birds owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman both issued statements about the character of Avant and how “releasing a player like Jason is one of the toughest parts of the job.”
For Jackson? Nothing.
Going further back, Philadelphia had issued statements on players of varying skillsets and tenures. When Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington, Lurie again released a statement about who McNabb was and what he represented. When defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins was released, a player who spent only two years in Philadelphia, Roseman issued a statement.
Meanwhile DeSean Jackson, a player drafted by the Eagles and up until his release was one of the longest-tenured players, still no statement. So what should the fan base expect going forward regarding Jackson’s release? As of right now, don’t expect a thing.
Unlike the movies, silence is not golden. If the Eagles wanted to cut off any further discussion or controversy, they should have released a statement wishing their former star receiver luck and thanked him for his service, both on the field and off. Although Jackson may not have been the most liked player to walk through the doors at the NovaCare Complex, he's contributions will live on in Philadelphia. Whether the Eagles want to acknowledge that or not is their decision, but my guess is we'll be waiting a long time to hear the truth on DeSean Jackson.
Hal Greenblatt covers the Eagles for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter: @HMGreenblatt
