Does anyone know how Chad Jackson is doing?

[KYPack]

Has ANYBODY seen these guys play in college?

Just repeating stats doesn't say much. I find the most useful posts about draftees are from people who followed the team of a player in college and have some insight. It was interesting, for instance, when OregonPackerFan said James Lee was gonna be a dog.

I'm not telling everyone to STFU, if you want to form a hard opinion based on combine numbers, that's your choice. It's just kind of a hollow argument.

HH is right. I always remember the" James Lee exchange" with OPF was dead on. When teams draft/acquire players, there's that little rush of positive hype about the guy.

The most accurate info can come from a savvy fan who has actually seen the guy play in games. Two free agents that came from the Bengals ( I see 'em all the time) that had a lot of hype were Nick Luchey and Matt O'Dwyer. They were touted as world-beaters, but I knew they were what they are, marginal players from having seen 'em in game action.

You can't know what these guys are like until you've seen 'em play. I don't really watch enuff college ball to say what either one of 'em will be. That's one reason I like the forum. There's usually a poster that's seen most of the top propects and can give you an honest appraisal.

I could be a Jackson spammer, too. He had one scary combine. Fast, strong, quick, with soft hand. But, I've held my tongue. He hasn't played in a game yet, & his production wasn't that high at FSU.

Let's see what the guy does in pre-season.

[Brandon494]

I could be a Jackson spammer, too. He had one scary combine. Fast, strong, quick, with soft hand. But, I've held my tongue. He hasn't played in a game yet, & his production wasn't that high at FSU.

He went to Florida, not FSU.

[KYPack]

I could be a Jackson spammer, too. He had one scary combine. Fast, strong, quick, with soft hand. But, I've held my tongue. He hasn't played in a game yet, & his production wasn't that high at FSU.

He went to Florida, not FSU.

Told ya I didn't know that much about the kid!

Ya got me on that one Brandon.

Guess I thought he shudda went to FSU.

He's got a ton of potential, let's see how he pans out.

[woodbuck27]

WHAT ABOUT CHAD?

Fr. PFT

As more and more folks are expressing concern regarding the decision of the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft, via a trade up from No. 32 to No. 25, receiver Santurdio in round one of the 2006 draft, more and more folks are asking why the Steelers didn't sit tight and take Florida receiver Chad Jackson.

Instead, Jackson went to the Patriots (who traded up with the Packers) at No. 36.

If the Steelers had stayed at No. 32 (and assuming that the Pats wouldn't have traded into the bottom of round one to get Jackson), the Steelers could have had Jackon instead of Santurdio -- and kept the third-round and fourth-round picks that were sent to the Giants for the ability to move up by seven spots.

At first blush, the reason for picking Holmes over Jackson is simple: Holmes has superior punt-return and kick-return credentials, and the Steelers needed a replacement for Antwaan Randle El. But the fact that the Steelers took return specialist Willie Reid in round three suggests that Holmes was selected primarily for his potential contributions to the passing game.

Though Jackson wasn't regarded as a choir boy, the Pats obviously concluded that he'll respond well to strong on-field and off-field leadership from guys like quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick. Jackson has proven himself worthy of the team's trust so far, in light of his strong performances during the helmets-and-underwear practices of May and June.

And perhaps the real difference between Jackson and Santurdio is that, because Jackson didn't attend a school that finishes its classes in June, he was able to join his NFL team early enough for said strong leadership to slap him upside the head, if necessary. For Santurdio, isolation from the team through early June due to the stoopid rule aimed at placating college coaches might have contributed to his Memorial Day weekend arrest, which in turn might have contributed to the overall stress that resulted in him allegedly roughing up one of his baby mamas.

But shouldn't the Steelers, who apparently were aware of potential concerns regarding Santurdio, have considered the fact that he'd be off limits (but for one weekend minicamp) well into June? Our guess is that some members of the organization took that into account, and that others either chose to ignore it -- or to disregard it.

In the end, the best play for the Steelers might have been to address another position at No. 32, or to trade out of the spot. It's not as if the Steelers in the Cowher era have found high-quality, high-character receivers in round one (see Troy Edwards, Plaxico Burress).

At this point, any strategy other than the one on which the team embarked would have been a better one, especially in a town that has low tolerance for turds.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Anybody know why Chad Jackson was put on the PUP list in New England? Last I heard Reche Caldwell will likely be starting opposite Branch. If Branch doesn't hold out. Otherwise, they'll almost have to start Jackson. Man, the Patriots have really been depleted recently. I think their run is over. It will be interesting to see how Brady and the Boys do over the next few years.

[Bretsky]

I think their D will be tough this year.

Branch will be playing by game one. It would not surprise me to see the Pats right back in the Big Game.

[Partial]

I think their D will be tough this year.

Branch will be playing by game one. It would not surprise me to see the Pats right back in the Big Game.

I would say either them or Carolina have the best DL in the league. Is Bruschi playing again? What about safety-whose-name-escapes-me?

[HarveyWallbangers]

McGinest and Givens are gone. They've lost depth on the OL and have some injury prone starters on the OL. Their corners and wideouts are suspect. Harrison is getting old and coming off a serious injury. Can they count on Bruschi and his bad heart? Who knows what Dillon will give them--although he seems motivated. They lost Vinatieri. They'll still be a good team, but they aren't the favorites anymore.

[K-town]

I think their D will be tough this year.

Branch will be playing by game one. It would not surprise me to see the Pats right back in the Big Game.

I would say either them or Carolina have the best DL in the league. Is Bruschi playing again? What about safety-whose-name-escapes-me?

Rodney Harrison. I think he's supposed to be ready to play by the start of the season.

[PackerPro42]

Chad Jackson is doing really well and its reported that he might start outside of Deion Branch.

[PackerTimer]

the chad jackson love fest is getting really old. i question the accuracy of your information. i'm curious how well he can be doing and i highly doubt he's reported to be the starter opposite branch considering he's on the pup list.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532952

Brady doesn't even have rookie Chad Jackson, New England's second-round pick, or Bam Childress, who spent most of last season on the practice squad before being activated for the final regular-season game, to throw to. Both are on the physically unable to perform list.

[PackerPro42]

My info came strait off ESPN so if you want to doubt me doubt the #1 sports information distributer in the nation. And I don't think you will.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I've read ESPN, FOX, etc. and they report that Reche Caldwell leads Jackson for the starting gig. It shouldn't be tough to beat out Reche Caldwell for a starting gig. He makes Robert Ferguson and Rod Gardner look like studs.

[SD GB fan]

caldwell was actually a servicable 3rd WR in SD. caught some tough catches just had major fumbles when it counted. i believe he lost two games for the chargers on two critical fumbles.

[PackerPro42]

The problem with Caldwell is that he is to inconsistant and he can never stay healthy.