Wednesday, October 27, 1999
Jackson makes opportunities count
Ex-Jags receiver Bengals' No. 3
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Willie Jackson is tied with Darnay Scott in touchdown receptions this year. He has a better yards-per-catch average than Carl Pickens. But Jackson won't rock the Bengals' sinking boat.
“I could be a No.1 or 2 receiver anywhere, but I'm always behind the guys with the contracts,” said Jackson, the Bengals' No.3 receiver.
This Sunday, Jackson faces another team that used him as its No.3 receiver, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The sixth-year NFL veteran led the expansion Jaguars with 53 catches in 1995 but played third fiddle to Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith in 1996 and '97.
“It's not always the best player playing, but I understand that,” Jackson said.
The Jaguars released him just before the 1998 season began, and the Bengals signed him. He wound up playing in eight games last year and caught just seven passes, but his 23.6-yards per catch average easily led the team.
Jacksonville has never quite replaced him, either, as the Jaguars often use double tight end sets instead of a third wideout.
Jackson said he has no special motivation to beat his former Jacksonville coach, Tom Coughlin, one of the NFL's most demanding coaches. Jackson reminds that he went to the playoffs twice under Coughlin.
“He understood that I wanted to play, but I'm never going to be an attitude guy,” Jackson said. “I'm a guy that when it's time to play, you go out and perform.”
That was the case early this season, when Jackson started the first two games in place of holdout Pickens. Pickens didn't join the Bengals until three days before the season opener, which gave Jackson an early chance.
He caught a 17-yard TD pass in the season-opening 36-35 loss at Tennessee. But the Bengals didn't give Pickens a five-year, $23 million contract to have him sit, and Jackson yielded his starting spot in Week 3.
Since then he has been the No.3 receiver. But he still is tied with Scott in TD receptions (one each) and leads Pickens in yards per catch (11.8 to 9.9). And Jackson is just a shade behind Scott's 11.9-yard average.
For the season, Jackson is third on the team with 15 catches for 177 yards and one TD. Sunday at Indianapolis he caught two passes for 27 yards, both receptions yielding first downs.
“I don't know what's gone on for him before he came here, but I know he's been solid for us,” Bengals President Mike Brown said of Jackson. “Up here, he's had to contend with Darnay and Carl. But he's big and strong, he catches well and runs well with the ball, and he's a willing and effective blocker.”
Jackson was the AFC leader in kickoff return average (29.8 per return) earlier this year but no longer qualifies, because he has had only six returns. He filled in until No.1 returner Tremain Mack came back from his substance-abuse suspension in Week 5.
Jackson, 28, is in the final season of a two-year contract, and it is not clear where he'll be next season. Last year's 3-13 Bengals season and this year's 1-6 start have worn thin, as the clubhouse threatens to come apart.
“I've never been in a situation where there's so much ne gativity,” Jackson said. “When (reporters) write or say something about different guys, that affects the whole team. I can understand it, but it's still hard to deal with.”
He also won't give up on his goal of being a No.1 receiver again. He left the University of Florida as its No.2 all-time receiver, and the star turn never got out of his blood.
“Hopefully,” he said, “before my career's up, I can find a situation where I'm the guy, and I can play all the time.”
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