SMH.....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/desean-jackson-is-a-singular-talent-who-might-not-work-in-redskins-plan/2015/09/15/a2407dae-5ba9-11e5-9757-e49273f05f65_story.html

Redskins/NFL
DeSean Jackson is a singular talent who might not work in Redskins’ plan
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Photo gallery: Redskins vs. Dolphins
View Photos DeSean Jackson pulled his hamstring running this deep pass route in the first quarter of the season’s first game.

By Jerry Brewer Columnist September 15 at 12:11 PM

For now, the concern is whether the Washington Redskins’ offense can cope without DeSean Jackson.

For the future, however, the concern is whether the team can move forward with him.

Jackson presents a complicated case, as usual, a player so essential in the present yet so incompatible with the franchise’s long-term direction. The conundrum crystallized Monday after it was revealed that the wide receiver suffered a hamstring injury early in the season opener that could keep him off the field for up to a month, leading to scrutiny of Jackson’s preseason conditioning.

While it’s impossible to arrive at a definitive answer, Coach Jay Gruden entertained the thought that Jackson’s legs weren’t ready for regular-season intensity before expressing doubt. But the mere fact that suspicion exists is an issue that shouldn’t be ignored. It’s exactly the kind of thing the team doesn’t want to worry about anymore.

With a head coach and new general manager who preach competition and a blue-collar mentality, it’s a problem when a player skips a bunch of voluntary spring workouts, nurses a training-camp shoulder injury for longer than expected and then suffers an injury that is common for athletes still getting into football shape. Plenty of players approach the offseason and preseason in their own manner, away from the regular supervision of team trainers, and everything works out just fine. But when something like this occurs, it’s fair to question the diligence of a player’s preparation.

Jackson is an electric player, a true star, a three-time Pro Bowler whose speed and deep-threat skills make him a rare commodity. On any team, his talent gives him leeway that other players won’t receive. That’s fine, in moderation. These aren’t Stepford athletes; it’s just not realistic to suggest that they should be universally coached a certain way.

But there are limits, and Jackson is known to stretch those limits as well as he stretches the field. If you don’t think Gruden and Scot McCloughan are worried about whether they can continue letting Jackson be different and still demand greater accountability from most everyone else, then you’re being naïve.

The hamstring injury brings the matter into focus. It might the cost the team its most explosive offensive player for nearly one-third of the season. The running game could suffer without the threat of Jackson creating space. Even if the running game keeps thriving, quarterback Kirk Cousins will be missing the perfect big-play receiver to burn teams with play-action passes and deep throws. Pierre Garcon will be blanketed heavily the next month, and there’s extra pressure on tight end Jordan Reed to stay healthy and productive.

There are also opportunities for young wide receivers Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant and Rashad Ross, and perhaps a final chance for Andre Roberts to become reliable. It’s an important evaluation period. No doubt, the front office will pay careful attention to life without Jackson, considering it in the short and long term.

Jackson is in the second season of a three-year, $24 million deal that included $16 million in guaranteed money. It was basically designed as a contract that Washington could exit after two years without major cap implications in the third year. Jackson will turn 30 during the 2016 season. Washington will have to decide after this year whether to take on that third year at a $9.25 million cap hit or swallow $2.5 million in order to cut him.

Actually, next season will be a defining year for Jackson, Garcon and Roberts, who are slated to count a combined $24.45 million against the cap in 2016 unless something changes. All are easy to cut and create cap room with minimal dead money. And even if McCloughan likes any or all of them, it would seem prudent to renegotiate those deals.

The front office sent two messages recently. By re-signing linebacker Ryan Kerrigan and left tackle Trent Williams to huge deals, the Redskins rewarded the type of tough, competitive, football-focused players that McCloughan wants to collect and retain. And by re-evaluating the starting quarterback job and changing from Robert Griffin III to Cousins, they showed a willingness to eschew preconceived thought and embrace competition. Although the quarterback situation remains a source of passionate public debate, both of these statements have strengthened the credibility of this rebuilding effort inside the locker room.

Where does Jackson fit into this movement? Well, he’s still a talent that is almost impossible to duplicate. His special skill set carries significant weight in any evaluation. He might return and put together a 1,000-yard receiving season in only 12 games. He’s that gifted.

It’s also not really Jackson’s fault that the roster hasn’t been strong enough to make him feel any pressure of competition. His role as the No. 1 wide receiver was secure, never in doubt. There was little motivation to get back on the field as quickly as possible.

McCloughan must determine if there’s an impressionable bone left in Jackson’s body after eight NFL seasons. If so, there might be a way to bridge the wide receiver’s independence and the team’s need for commitment. But when you’re changing a culture, it often takes a consistent, intolerant approach initially to establish a system of accountability and a fear of disobeying.

Currently, the perception is that Washington needs Jackson too much to make him bend to the new order. One way or another, that belief must change. For too long, this franchise has allowed its stars to conduct themselves in a manner incongruous with the rest of the team. If the Redskins enable that again, this new plan is doomed, too.

For now, you anticipate Jackson’s return.

For the future, you also should want his diligence.
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