Movielink, LLCSeahawks hope to trade WR Darrell JacksonWritten by: Mike Santo ? 2/25/2007Source: blogs.thenewstribune.comWhat might receiver Darrell Jackson return in a trade? The Seahawks plan to find out. This news doesn't come as a big surprise to those who have followed the team closely in recent seasons. The Seahawks' decision to shop Jackson stems from a long-simmering contract dispute and lingering distrust over the handling of a 2005 knee injury, sources have said. While the organization does not consider the relationship beyond repair, leaving open the possibility that Jackson could return, the team would prefer to trade him for a draft choice.Seahawks president Tim Ruskell and coach Mike Holmgren, speaking at the NFL scouting combine, declined to comment on the team's plans for Jackson, other than to say he remains under contract. The team has not yet shopped Jackson or informed his agents of their plans. "Darrell would love to retire as a Seahawk," agent Brian Mooney said, "but we are unsure what the Seahawks have in mind."It remains unclear what the 28-year-old receiver might command in a trade. There was no strong consensus among general managers polled anonymously at the combine. But given Jackson's relatively high salary for 2007 ($3.25 million) and recent injury problems, the Seahawks might not receive a first-day pick in return, they said.The evidence is mixed. While the Seahawks sent a first-round choice to New England for receiver Deion Branch, a former Super Bowl MVP without a 1,000-yard season, Philadelphia acquired former first-round choice Donte Stallworth from New Orleans for a conditional fourth-round pick and linebacker Mark Simoneau. Green Bay traded Javon Walker to Denver for a second-round pick. Denver acquired a much higher first-round pick in exchange for Ashley Lelie. Jackson has considerably better career numbers than any of those receivers. He is also under contract, whereas Walker was looking for a lucrative new deal.Markets can be difficult to predict because it takes only one team willing to pay a high price. The upcoming draft is considered strong for receivers, but the free-agent crop lacks star appeal. Jackson is an established player known for his quickness.Jackson was leading the NFL in touchdowns last season when a turf-toe injury forced him to miss the final three games. The injury prevented Jackson from achieving his third 1,000-yard season in four years and the fourth overall.Jackson still led the Seahawks with 63 catches for 956 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had six plays of at least 40 yards. Jackson set a franchise record with 87 catches in 2004. He has caught at least 60 passes five times in seven NFL seasons.But trouble arose in March 2004 when former Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt allegedly shorted Jackson on a contract offer. Jackson said he signed the deal anyway at the urging of his father, who has since passed. Whitsitt has dismissed the charge as preposterous, while Ruskell has resisted honoring a promise that another person denies making.The dispute has escalated ever since, with the Seahawks and Jackson's agents exchanging a series of blunt letters, sources said.When Ruskell became Seahawks president in February 2005, one of his first moves was to issue a letter to players outlining his expectations. He urged full participation in the team's offseason program, including minicamps, but Jackson let it be known he would honor his contract, but nothing more.Jackson subsequently skipped the voluntary portions of minicamps. The relationship soured further after Jackson suffered a knee injury during an Oct. 2, 2005 game at Washington. Jackson had bruised the knee earlier in the season, experiencing pain following a Sept. 25 game against Arizona. He suffered cartilage damage against the Redskins, raising questions in his mind about whether he should have been on the field at all, sources said.The cartilage damage did not show up on initial tests. The team recommended rest. Holmgren avoided giving a timetable other than to say he thought it would be "shorter more than longer" after speaking with Jackson. The team ruled out Jackson for the next game.Jackson, acting on the advice of Florida-based agents Mooney and Kendall Almerico, sought a second opinion from Dr. John Uribe, a prominent Miami orthopedist known for treating professional athletes. Jackson underwent surgery to repair his right knee's lateral meniscus, which consists of cartilage on the outer side of the knee. Jackson wondered if the team was trying to rush him back on the field. The team resented the implication. Jackson missed the next nine games, returning in time for the playoffs. He caught 20 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns in three playoff games, leading the team in each category (Jerramy Stevens also caught two touchdown passes).Jackson underwent a second procedure on the knee after the season. He missed minicamps and training camp, all while maintaining he would be ready for the opener. Jackson returned for the opener; his late catch-and-run helped the Seahawks beat Detroit, 9-6.But the team was already preparing for life without him. The Seahawks had shipped a 2006 third-round pick to Minnesota after signing Vikings receiver Nate Burleson, a restricted free agent. Ruskell followed that deal by sending a 2007 first-round choice to New England for receiver Deion Branch shortly after the 2006 opener. D.J. Hackett flashed starting potential last season, setting career highs with 45 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns. The team is expected to retain Hackett's rights by making one of the higher qualifying offers under rules for restricted free agents.Ruskell has also expressed hope for Ben Obomanu, a 2006 seventh-round choice who spent last season on the practice squad. The team added Obomanu to its active roster in the playoffs, when Jackson was struggling to overcome the toe injury. Veteran Bobby Engram presents another potential option, although he is scheduled to become a free agent March 2.Jackson has three years remaining on a six-year, $25 million deal. His remaining salaries are $3.25 million, 4 million and $4.75 million. The deal included an $8 million signing bonus. One-sixth of the bonus amount counts against the salary cap each season. But if the Seahawks traded Jackson for a 2006 draft choice, the final three years of prorated bonus would accelerate, resulting in a $4 million hit. Jackson's contract would count $4.58 million against the cap if he were to remain on the team.http://blogs.thenewstribune.com
Pretty good receiver. If the Jets weren't already set there I'd be interested assuming he passes an extensive physical on his Knee Injury. Hell, for a Day 2 pick like the article mentioned I'd be interested just because it's too much talent to pass up if he can pass a physical.
Or maybe not...INDIANAPOLIS -- The Seahawks wouldn't trade their leading receiver, would they?It all depends on the draft-choice compensation another team might be willing to part with to acquire Darrell Jackson.Jackson is available, sources said Sunday at the NFL scouting combine. But club president Tim Ruskell labeled the situation "combine talk" and stressed that nothing is imminent."We get a lot of interest at the combine, people asking about our players," Ruskell said. "We'll listen to anything, but it doesn't mean we're going to do anything."In terms of Darrell, he's under contract and we plan on having him back. That's where that stands."Jackson has three years remaining on the six-year, $25 million contract he signed in 2004, and his escalating base salaries of $3.25 million (2007), $4.75 million (2008) and $4.75 million (2009) could be a deterrent to any clubs that might consider a trade.Jackson, 28, has been a very productive player since being selected in the third round of the 2000 draft, averaging 63 catches and 920 yards and leading the club in receptions in four of the past six seasons.But he also missed 10 games because of a knee problem during the club's Super Bowl run in 2005 and sat out the final three games last season with a hyperextended toe.Those also would be factors in any trade talks, and determining what kind of compensation the Seahawks could expect -- especially in a year when they don't have a first-round draft choice."I doubt they could get a first-round pick for him, because of the injuries," one AFC assistant coach offered. "I would suspect you could offer a third, but might have to give up a second."This is, of course, all speculation. At least for now.Part of it is rooted in the fact that the Seahawks bolstered their receiving corps last year by trading their first-round pick in April's draft to acquire Deion Branch from the New England Patriots and also signing Nate Burleson in free agency.The development of D.J. Hackett, a fifth-round draft choice in 2004, made the situation even more crowded as he caught 45 passes for 610 yards and four touchdowns to exceed the totals from his first two seasons."It's unfortunate that that would be the speculation," Ruskell said. "Because the kid is going, 'Geez, what's going on? They don't love me.' "Jackson's agent, Brian Mooney, said he was unaware of any trade talk."I'm completely in the dark about this," Mooney said. "From our side, Darrell would love to finish his career in Seattle."Another part of the scenario is Jackson's lingering unhappiness with what he alleges was a promise for additional money that was made to him, but not kept, by former club president Bob Whitsitt when he signed his contract in 2004.The additions of Branch and Burleson, with contracts that exceeded the one given to Jackson, did nothing to reduce Jackson's discontent.But his state of mind did nothing to lessen his physical contributions to the offense last season. Jackson was leading the league with 10 touchdown receptions through 13 games, and also had 63 receptions for 956 yards. He caught a franchise-record 87 passes in 2004 and posted 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2001, 2003 and 2004.All that production despite a lack of breakaway speed, and the perception that he is not a true No. 1 receiver."Jackson has great foot quickness," one NFC scout said. "That's what allows him to separate, get open and put up the kind of numbers he does."The Seahawks, more than any team, are aware of what Jackson brings to the passing game."We'd listen to anything," Ruskell said. "But there's nothing up, there's nothing imminent, there's nothing about to happen."We're certainly happy with our wide receiver corps. It bodes well not only for now, but into the future. And Darrell's part of that."
