DeSean Jackson helped the Eagles offense start off with a bang on Sunday, but his 71-yard touchdown reception on the Eagles fourth play from scrimmage would turn out to be nothing more than a footnote in the team's disappointing 48-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
"We went out there and did the best we could do with the situation that was in front of us," Jackson said, "It was just unfortunate we weren't able to come off the field with a victory. There was just a lot going on, a couple of turnovers, and a couple of momentum drives where we couldn't keep it going. So it's definitely unfortunate that we weren't able to get the victory but we have to just keep playing football and staying together."
At the end of the first half, Jackson fielded a punt from the Eagles' two-yard-line that looked like it would be a long return, but it was nullified by two penalties on the Eagles. The play would pin the Eagles near their own goal-line, and would allow the Saints to take a 17-10 lead.
"I knew where I was (when I caught the punt)," Jackson said. "That didn't have anything to do with me catching the ball on the two. I have a little leeway from the coaches here on the punt return and I just caught the ball and it was a great return. Unfortunately, a couple guys on the team were called for a penalty.
"Wherever the ball is at, you have to be smart, but there wasn't anybody within ten yards of me, so I felt comfortable with that."
Jackson was hampered by a groin issue throughout the week in practice, and he didn't finish the game.
"My groin's been kind of banged up all week," Jackson said. "It just got a little bit worse. I was just out there fighting, doing what I could to help this team get a victory. But I'll be alright."
Jackson also assessed the performance of quarterback Kevin Kolb.
"I thought he played pretty good," Jackson said. "There were a couple opportunities where he threw a couple interceptions, sometimes that happens ... He did a great job. He got the balls in his playmakers' hands."
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 6:07 p.m., September 20
