Bobby’s back—so long, D-Jack

By Chris Cluff  |   Tuesday, March 27, 2007  |  Comments( 1 )

Seattle Seahawks
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Bobby's back. And that's surely the first step to the Seattle Seahawks saying, "So long, D-Jack."

The Seahawks won't admit it, but re-signing receiver Bobby Engram is a precursor to trading Darrell Jackson. Engram's return gives the Seahawks five starting-caliber receivers, including Deion Branch, Nate Burleson and D.J. Hackett. That's too many hands for one football to accommodate, and the Seahawks know it.

It's also a lot of money for one position. Jackson is set to make $3.25 million in 2007, and he, Branch, Burleson and Hackett (a restricted free agent) will count a combined $15 million against Seattle's $109 million salary cap. That's a lot of money tied up in receivers, and it doesn't even count Engram's undisclosed deal (although that probably is rather modest; his last contract, signed four years ago, averaged $1.5 million per season).

Team president Tim Ruskell set the table for Jackson's departure last offseason when the Seahawks signed Burleson and traded for Branch. Ruskell made those additions after watching Jackson and Engram miss a combined 13 games in 2005.

While Jackson made it through most of 2006 and led the Seahawks with 10 touchdown receptions, the team doesn't trust him to stay healthy. And he simply doesn't trust the team.

Jackson has long held a grudge against the front office for allegedly shorting him on the contract he signed in 2004. The six-year deal was worth $25 million, including an $8 million signing bonus, but Jackson alleged that former team president Bob Whitsitt reneged on part of the agreement. Although he signed it, Jackson was never happy and has expressed his displeasure by not showing up for voluntary workouts in the offseason ever since. Jackson also reportedly was unhappy with the way the Seahawks treated his knee injury in 2005.

When the Seahawks gave Branch a six-year contract worth $39 million and including $13 million in bonuses last September, Jackson's envy was obvious during the next game when he taped his cleats with the phrase, "DB money." The message was clear: He wanted Deion Branch money.

Add it all up, and the Seahawks have an unhealthy and unhappy camper -- one who well might hold out if he's still with the team this summer. Ruskell surely knows he has further alienated Jackson, which is why many believe the Seahawks will try to trade the receiver.

At the combine last month, Ruskell would not say the team was trying to get rid of Jackson, but he left the door open.

"We'll listen to anything, but it doesn't mean we're going to do anything," Ruskell said. "In terms of Darrell, he's under contract, and we plan on having him back. That's where that stands."

But the Seahawks also stand five deep at receiver -- a quality quintet that includes the emerging Hackett, who looks ready to become a starter this year -- and know they would be better off if they can get something for Jackson. But can they get any value (i.e., a first-day pick) for a guy with so much baggage?

There seems to be a market for a receiver with Jackson's skills. Among the teams supposedly interested are San Francisco, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Cleveland. Others in need of another starting receiver are Buffalo, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, San Diego, Tampa Bay and Tennessee. But the draft is filled with wideouts, and many of those teams might prefer a younger, cheaper, healthier guy. But someone might bite on a receiver who has been as productive as Jackson (three 1,000-yard seasons, 47 career touchdowns).

The Seahawks ideally would get at least a third-round pick for Jackson, who was selected in that round in 2000. They also could use him to move up in the second round to get a tight end, guard or defensive tackle.

Jackson's departure would then open the door for Burleson and Hackett to vie for the starting spot opposite Branch. And with the dependable Engram back in the slot, the Seahawks would still have a passel of pass catchers -- even without D-Jack coming back.

Get weekly Seattle Seahawks insight at RealFootball365.com
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding,...
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