The first two NFL seasons were samplers for Vincent Jackson. Now, the Colorado Springs native and University of Northern Colorado product is positioned where he wants to be, as the No. 1 receiver in San Diego.
A second-round pick in 2005, Jackson was a backup for the Chargers as a rookie, catching three passes. Last season he had 27 receptions, six for touchdowns, as the No. 3 receiver. Jackson made enough of an impact late last season that it was clear he’d have a chance to win the top job. A strong preseason has thrust him into the starting lineup, where he’ll be Sunday when the Chargers play the Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“This has definitely been the goal,” said Jackson, who has caught 16 passes for 231 yards in four games. “I think I showed in my first two years that I can do this job.”
Jackson wants to be part of the Chargers’ recent winning ways, but this season the big story is San Diego’s poor start. After going 14-2 last season, the Chargers are 1-3 under new coach Norv Turner, who replaced Marty Schottenheimer.
Jackson said he and his teammates are shocked at their start, but the prevailing mood is not as dire.
“We won our first game, and then it just fell apart,” he said. “I’m not knocking anyone, because every team is legitimate, but we thought we’d beat teams like Green Bay and Kansas City. We have a sense, of ‘Wow, we’ve dug ourselves a hole,’ but we’re definitely not panicking.”
Lewis’ job on the line
Don’t be shocked if these are the final months of the Marvin Lewis era in Cincinnati. The Bengals just aren’t getting it done.
The team was expected to be a playoff contender the past two seasons. They failed last season and have been a disappointment at 1-3 this season. In their last 16 games, the Bengals are 6-10.
Monday night against New England, receiver Chad Johnson and quarterback Carson Palmer argued on the sideline, and after the game Lewis blasted the team for being selfish. Another factor against Lewis is the lack of improvement on defense despite his reputation for being a defensive guru.
Unless he can turn things around, we may be watching the final 12 games of Lewis’ tenure in Cincinnati.
Moss must gather gold
These are happy times in New England with Randy Moss. The team is 4-0 and he has been a legitimate receiver for Tom Brady. Moss is the first player in league history to have 100-yard receiving games in his first four games with a new team.
The questions will come in the offseason. Moss took a big pay cut when he was traded from Oakland to New England on draft weekend. If the Patriots make a Super Bowl run and Moss is a big part of it, he’ll want big money again.
The Patriots usually don’t play that game and things could become contentious. Both sides will need to realize this is a good combination and come to a financial compromise.
Linehan needs turnaround
The Rams are 0-4, and if they continue to stumble, coach Scott Linehan could be in trouble.
Linehan led the Rams to an 8-8 record in his first season last year, and there were high hopes for 2007.
After the winless September, there are grumblings Linehan should go, but he is in only his second season, is a young coach and is well-liked.
If the Rams pull the trigger, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett would be a candidate to be the interim coach because of the success he had as head coach in New Orleans.
Ricky not a fit in Denver
While a local pro-marijuana group would like the Broncos to acquire Ricky Williams, don’t expect the Broncos to heed such advice. They were interested in Williams before his February 2006 suspension. But that was a long time ago. The team now has NFL leading rusher Travis Henry.
There will be some tepid interest in Williams, who is the property of Miami, if he is reinstated. Green Bay and Tampa Bay would be potential candidates to acquire him.
Around the league
Tampa Bay has been calling around, looking at running backs because of Cadillac Williams’ season-ending knee injury. Don’t be shocked if the Buccaneers inquire about the availability of Broncos backup fullback Mike Bell. The Broncos haven’t been interested in dealing Bell, who was converted to fullback late in the preseason. … Some folks around the league say Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas suddenly looks like an old player. Thomas turned 34 last month. … The Lions’ disappointment with tackle George Foster culminated last week when he was benched. Foster and running back Tatum Bell were sent from the Broncos to the Lions for cornerback Dré Bly in March. … Everything is dandy in Green Bay today with the Packers at 4-0, but this team needs to find a running game or it will have trouble against a strong passing defense and at home late in the season during poor weather. … There still are plenty of NFL scouts who think the 4-0 Colts are simply average except for quarterback Peyton Manning, but he makes them special. … Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden is getting kudos for his early turnaround in Tampa Bay. … Giants defensive end Michael Strahan will soon release a book in which he discusses the usage of legal and illegal painkillers by NFL players. He’ll also talk about his relationship with coach Tom Coughlin and former teammate Tiki Barber and he’ll call out the league’s dirtiest players. … With starter J.P. Losman out, rookie Trent Edwards led the Bills to their first victory last week. A quarterback controversy could be looming. … Here is a scary thought: Devin Hester will face the Broncos’ special teams unit in seven weeks. Yikes! … One Denver special-teams player who is doing well is punter Todd Sauerbrun, who is leading the NFL with a 51.7-yard gross average. He is one free agent the Broncos may want to retain. … Former Cincinnati linebacker A.J. Nicholson, who had a recent tryout for the Broncos, has to show better speed if he is going to get another chance in the NFL.
