Free agent defensive back Marlin Jackson met the Philadelphia media during his visit to the NovaCare Complex and said that there is mutual interest between himself and the Eagles, but that no deal is imminent.
"The one thing about coming from Indianapolis is that I'm used to winning and that's number one for me, to win and to be part of an organization that has something built and something set up," Jackson said. "That's what they have here. They've won each and every year. Andy Reid has done a great job. You look at the roster, they have a top quarterback in the league, they have a great offensive line, they have weapons on offense, they generate great pass rush, they have defensive backs already here. They have all the pieces that are already needed to win a championship."
Jackson was scheduled to be a restricted free agent but his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, did not offer him a tender, allowing the University of Michigan product to hit the open market. He is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered in early November of 2009 that ended his season. It was the second straight season that was ended because of injury for Jackson, who tore his right ACL in 2008.
"I'm at four months in my ACL rehab," Jackson said. "I'm sprinting, running, back-pedaling, breaking, things like that so I'm ahead of schedule. I've been blessed so far with my rehab, it's gone very, very smooth. Like I said before, I'm ahead of schedule."
He added that Eagles doctors were pleased with his physical and that he expects to be ready to participate in a limited fashion during OTAs wherever he may be.
"I would be capable of doing what is needed to as a football player by mid-May, June," he said. "By training camp, wherever I am, I'll be ready to go full go."
Jackson's most marketable asset is his versatility, as he has experience playing cornerback, safety and nickel at a high level. As he said, "whenever I've played and been on the field, I've played well."
Jackson came to Philadelphia on the heels of a visit with the Baltimore Ravens and he'll also be visiting the New York Jets this afternoon.
"I had a positive visit with Baltimore, things sounded good," Jackson said, "and it's been an even more positive visit here and I have another visit lined up and I'll take that as well and see how things go. I'd like to get something done here pretty soon.
"It's been a great visit. I think there's some mutual interest here. They feel that I'm capable of playing corner, safety, nickel and kind of what to see where things shake out to find out where the biggest need is at in order if I come here where I would play."
Jackson has also been in touch with his former college teammate, the recently extended Jason Avant.
"I've talked to Jason Avant and he's said nothing but positive things about the organization," he said. "Anyone who knows Jason Avant knows that he's a great person and you know his opinion is really held in high regard with me."
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 11:48 a.m., March 10
