RICHMOND, Va. — DeSean Jackson is trying to keep a low profile with everything but his play as he settles in with the Redskins.
As soon as training-camp practices are finished here, Jackson is one of the first people off the field, usually sprinting past the crowd of waiting reporters on the way to the locker room.
After the beating his reputation took during the offseason, one seemingly unprecedented for an NFL receiver coming off a 1,300-yard campaign, Jackson’s shyness is understandable.
“Honestly, I just want to help my team win games and lead by example,” Jackson said in one of his rare interviews since Washington’s camp began last weekend. “I don’t really have to say too much.”
That’s because plenty was said — often at a whisper — about Jackson by other people during a tumultuous offseason that saw one of the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers suddenly and inexplicably cut loose by the Eagles.
Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly insisted the move was done “purely for football reasons,” which didn’t make a lot of sense on its face considering Jackson was coming off his best season as a pro (82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns) and appeared to be a perfect fit for Kelly’s breakneck offense.
The off-the-record insinuations that appeared to be coming from the Eagles about Jackson’s perceived selfishness and the allegedly shady people he was hanging out with at least made the decision understandable, even if Jackson has always considered it unfair character assassination.
The Redskins swooped in and kept Jackson in the NFC East with a four-year, $32 million deal that included $16 million guaranteed. Watching Jackson these days, it’s clear he just wants to focus on fitting in with Robert Griffin III and the rest of Washington’s locker room and putting the Eagles experience behind him.
About the only thing that brings a smile to Jackson’s face on the subject of Philadelphia is the Redskins’ trip there Sept. 21.
But according to Jackson’s new teammates, fitting in hasn’t been a problem — at least in the locker room.
“It’s a hand-in-glove fit,” veteran offensive tackle Trent Williams said. “When you get a dynamic player like that, I think it would be quite hard for him to not fit in anywhere. He’s fit right in here, and he definitely adds that threat to our offense that I think every offense would love to have.”
At least on paper, Jackson’s addition gives Washington one of the deepest and most threatening receiving corps in the NFL. Jackson will be paired with Pierre Garcon, who led the league with 113 receptions last season, and the two will get no shortage of opportunities in new coach Jay Gruden’s West Coast attack.
The Redskins are so stacked at receiver, in fact, some are wondering if there will be enough footballs to go around — especially considering how headstrong Jackson, Garcon and Santana Moss can be.
“I’m sure that’s the question everyone will want to know,” Jackson said. “Honestly, to me it’s very dangerous and it’s very scary. I’d rather be on the team that has all the weapons. It just makes it easier for Robert.”
Teaming Jackson with a healthy RG III would seem to give the Redskins a potent deep threat, even though that combination still appears to be very much a work in progress.
The two have acknowledged that getting in sync has been slow going, and it was clear to everyone watching workouts this week that Jackson and Griffin aren’t yet on the same page.
In one 11-on-11 practice this past week, Griffin tried three deep balls to Jackson. Two of them were broken up, while the third was easily intercepted.
“One or two practices don’t tell you anything about chemistry,” Griffin said. “DeSean knows if I miss him one time, I’m going to get him the next. And if he misses something, then he’ll make that play for me.
“That chemistry’s going to be there. He’s a dynamic football player, and we look forward to him making dynamic plays.”