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| 28th September, 2009 - 7:26 pm |  Andrew Perna/RealGM - Over the last decade, the Philadelphia Eagles have made numerous trips to the NFC Title game but only one Super Bowl appearance.
Many blamed the team's lack of a big-game wide receiver for their inability to get over the hump, but the acquisition of Terrell Owens in 2004 momentarily solved that problem.
Owens caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns that season, even though he missed the season's final two games due to injury.
With a hobbled Owens, they nearly defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX, but fell short in 24-21 loss.
Now, five years later, the Eagles may finally have another big-game receiver in second-year man DeSean Jackson.
Jackson, who led the team in receiving in his rookie year with 62 catches for 912 yards and two touchdowns, is on pace to nearly match Owens' numbers from Philadelphia's Super Bowl season in 2004.
Through the season's first three games, Jackson has 12 receptions for 259 yards and two touchdowns. His yards per catch average is an excellent 21.6.
If you project his numbers over the full season, you'll get a line that looks similar to those of Owens five seasons ago -- 64 catches for 1,381 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Fewer catches, yes, but more yards due to Jackson's superior speed. Also, the 11 touchdowns may not directly match the 14 Owens recorded, but DeSean does already have one punt return for a touchdown in 2009.
Jackson may be five inches shorter than Owens and lack the Iron Man physique, but his big plays so far this season have allowed him to jump into the future Hall of Famers shoes.
The Eagles have had just one 1,000-yard receiver since Owens' efforts in 2004. Kevin Curtis eclipsed the mark in 2007. [READ] |
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