Wide receiver DeSean Jackson certainly has a flair for the dramatic.
Jackson opened eyes in his NFL debut a year ago when he caught six passes for 106 yards in a blowout win over the Rams. Well, he certainly didn't disappoint as the Eagles opened the 2009 campaign with a convincing win over the Panthers.
On a 57-yard booming punt from Jason Baker, Jackson sidestepped the initial defender and was off down the left side of the field untouched for an 85-yard touchdown. It was the Eagles' second touchdown of the day as the Eagles took control with a 28-point second quarter. Jackson said he knew it was a touchdown as soon as it got in his hands.
"I saw Chris (Gocong) make a heckuva block," Jackson said. "I just saw the kicker (punter Jason Baker) and it's a rule in my book not to get tackled by the kicker. I had to get around him."
Jackson finished the game with six total touches for 148 all-purpose yards. The punt return for a score was the second of his career and his fourth career return of 60-or-more yards including playoffs.
Even when he didn't get the ball, Jackson put on a show. After Brent Celek's 4-yard touchdown reception on the Eagles' next drive, Jackson was caught in the middle of a touchdown celebration that drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. It wasn't a costly one as the Panthers went three-and-out on their next possession.
"That had nothing to do with me," Jackson said. "Celek gave the ball to Jamaal (Jackson) and he spiked it and the ball hit me and I fell. It wasn't planned. It's over with now."
Jackson was utilized in a number of ways to get the ball in his hands. In addition to his receiver duties, Jackson took a direct snap out of the shotgun formation and gained 8 yards on a run to the left side in the first quarter. In the third quarter, Jackson 25 yards on a reverse to the left side. Even on an incomplete pass thrown to him down the left sideline in the fourth quarter from Kevin Kolb, Jackson put in the effort to go for the lofty pass to keep the ball from being picked off.
"It's huge to know that every time you go out on the field, you have the confidence in yourself to make these big plays for the team," Jackson said. "That's what I live for. I'm just going to keep doing what I have to do to put this team in a great position."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 5:22 p.m., September 13
