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DeSean Jackson, for the second straight week, was primarily shut down in an ugly loss for the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson finished with a measly two catches for 34 yards as he failed to get separation, a big part of the Eagles’ offensive struggles in Week 4.
Jackson was matched up 1-on-1 for a majority of the afternoon with former teammate Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Advantage DRC. Rodgers-Cromartie smothered Jackson in man coverage and used his rare speed down field to blanket Jackson from getting deep on him. It really makes you wonder where these type of skills were when he was in Eagle green.
Adding insult to injury even with Champ Bailey out, the secondary receivers and tight ends failed to make an impact on the game as well. Guys like Riley Cooper, Jason Avant, Zach Ertz and Brent Celek have to take advantage of lesser corners and linebackers if this offense wants to have a chance to be as successful as it can be. Once again, that did not materialize.
Jackson and running back LeSean McCoy are simply getting no help right now. Cooper, while an excellent blocking wide receiver, has failed to stand out in any other way and simply isn’t making plays thus far. To the surprise of many, the tight ends also haven’t been a big part of the game plan at all four weeks into the season.
In particular, Zach Erz and James Casey haven’t had many opportunities and when they have, the two haven’t had much of an impact on the game.
It may be time for head coach Chip Kelly to draw another game plan up and get the tight ends more involved. Whatever he has done the last two weeks has not worked in terms of scoring points. Yards are nice, but points in the red zone are what wins you games. Go back to the drawing board starting in Week 5, coach Kelly.
