Dexter Jackson visits the Panthers

[TampaPanthersFan]

I watched this guy when he played for the Bucs. They took him out of special teams duty towards the end of the season because he would return the kick off and as soon as any opposing team player would get near him he would suddenly "trip" or dive to avoid being tackled. I have never seen anything like it. He shied away from contact unlike any player I have ever seen. He wasn't very dynamic because I don't remember him ever getting much on his returns. He was a huge bust. They drafted him for his speed but unfortunately he can't catch.

[1789Cardiac Cats9020]

Why not? Munnerlyn showed more potential than Moore as a returner.

He fumbled over half of his return attempts....what's so great about that?

[Mr. Scot]

Roster options if Jackson (or Mark Jones) is signed:

Put Jonathan Stewart on IR (unlikely, for the moment)

Put Charles Godfrey on IR (if that happens, and I don't think it will, it won't be due to this)

Cut Garry Williams (possible, but more likely to sign another OL)

Cut Hilee Taylor (seems unlikely; the team likes to keep nine Dl, and that's what they have)

Put Sherrod Martin on IR (the move that makes the most sense to me)

I have Martin as inactive anyway, but putting him on IR means someone else will be deactivated.

[Mr. Scot]

Jackson's return stats from last year (over 7 games):

PR: 20-97, Avg 4.85, Longest 19, 0 Fumbles, 0 TDs, 0 fair catches

KR: 14-327, Avg 23.4, Longest 45, 1 fumble, 0 TDs

Decidedly average, on the whole.

For comparison's sake, Mark Jones in 2008 (16 games):

PR: 39-443, Avg 11.4, Longest 55, 0 Fumbles, 0 TDs, 20 fair catches

KR: 40-958, Avg 24.0, Longest 59, 0 Fumbles, 0 TDs

Jackson is markedly faster than Jones, but between the two Jones saw more time and averaged more than twice as many yards on punt returns (kick returns are about even).

Do those stats translate to this year? Unknown. Situations have changed for both players.

[Kevin Greene]

Jackson's return stats from last year (over 7 games):

PR: 20-97, Avg 4.85, Longest 19, 0 Fumbles, 0 TDs, 0 fair catches

KR: 14-327, Avg 23.4, Longest 45, 1 fumble, 0 TDs

Decidedly average, on the whole.

For comparison's sake, Mark Jones in 2008 (16 games):

PR: 39-443, Avg 11.4, Longest 55, 0 Fumbles, 0 TDs, 20 fair catches

KR: 40-958, Avg 24.0, Longest 59, 0 Fumbles, 0 TDs

Yep, it was just a visit for Crissakes. We'll see if Hurney and Co saw anything worthy of a contract offer.

[1789Cardiac Cats9020]

To be fair, without the wedge, Mark Jones wasn't going to do much for us this season had we signed him. Still..I think Moore is our best option

[Mr. Scot]

Jones vs Jackson is another example of the age old debate.

"Reliable but average" vs "unproven but potentially great".

Which of the two you'd choose probably depends a lot on which side of that debate you fall on.

Which one winds up a Panther (if either) depends on which side of that debate John Fox falls on.

(any guesses?)

[TylerDurden]

jackson offers nothing as a WR..the bucs tried him there and he was horrible

Neither did Mark Jones. I think his first career catch was with us last year, and that is b/c all the guys behind Smitty and Moose sucked.

I don't see why we don't just go ahead and sign him. Yeah, he's got blazing speed and turned out to be a "bust" last year, but I think being around Smitty could be big in developing him.

Look at his college highlights, the guy has game and potential. He just needs to be coached up and should've been a late-round project guy instead of a Day 1 pick. We can sign him to a longer-term deal, and see how he develops (although I'm willing to bet we sign him to a 1-year deal if we do sign him).

Personally, I hope we bring him in. If he catch a punt, he's better than what we have right now.

[rayzor]

Roster options if Jackson (or Mark Jones) is signed:

Put Jonathan Stewart on IR (unlikely, for the moment)

Put Charles Godfrey on IR (if that happens, and I don't think it will, it won't be due to this)

Cut Garry Williams (possible, but more likely to sign another OL)

Cut Hilee Taylor (seems unlikely; the team likes to keep nine Dl, and that's what they have)

Put Sherrod Martin on IR (the move that makes the most sense to me)

I have Martin as inactive anyway, but putting him on IR means someone else will be deactivated.

if i had to decide i would cut teal. i think the guy is a bum tackler.

still...i don't think that this kid is an upgrade and worth cutting anyone for.

[Mr. Scot]

if i had to decide i would cut teal. i think the guy is a bum tackler.

still...i don't think that this kid is an upgrade and worth cutting anyone for.

Depth at safety already isn't great. That's why the only guy I can see dropping (to IR) is a guy who isn't likely to see time this season anyway.

Teal's stuck around this long.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I could see us putting Fiammetta on IR.

[beastson]

If he can't catch, that's going to be a problem. Hopefully he can... WR that is. Not as a PR

[1789Cardiac Cats9020]

Neither did Mark Jones. I think his first career catch was with us last year, and that is b/c all the guys behind Smitty and Moose sucked.

I don't see why we don't just go ahead and sign him. Yeah, he's got blazing speed and turned out to be a "bust" last year, but I think being around Smitty could be big in developing him.

Look at his college highlights, the guy has game and potential. He just needs to be coached up and should've been a late-round project guy instead of a Day 1 pick. We can sign him to a longer-term deal, and see how he develops (although I'm willing to bet we sign him to a 1-year deal if we do sign him).

Personally, I hope we bring him in. If he catch a punt, he's better than what we have right now.

Clearly you don't know a thing about Mr. Dexter Jackson.....the kid is a bust, bad work ethic, no production, and all that speed they talk of...you never see it. I would've preferred Yamon Figurs...but even he's a terrible option. There is NO potential here. Wonder if Taye Biddle would be an option...at least he produced when given a chance and he's blazing fast.

[hdevonxz]

Dexter Jackson got cut? wow.