Scott Zolak Has High Praise For Vincent Jackson
BOSTON (CBS) - The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching and now less than a week away. All trading for 2014 ends at 4:00 p.m. ET this coming Tuesday.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting "a ton of calls" about wide receiver Vincent Jackson.
Head coach Lovie Smith said on Monday that the team is not shopping Jackson, but at 1-5 and a potential replacement already on the roster in rookie Mike Evans, it would be unwise for the team to not at least entertain offers.
98.5 The Sports Hub's Scott Zolak is a big fan of the 6-foot-5, 230-pound wideout, and he offered Jackson some high praise Tuesday afternoon.
"I like Vincent Jackson as a player. I go back to the two weeks [of joint practices] in the (2012 and 2013) preseason. Josh Freeman couldn't hit a barn from three feet away with the football in any of the drills they were doing. But what stood out was the difficulty the Patriots cornerbacks had in covering Vincent Jackson in the red zone and other drills," said Zo.
"He was just running away from guys. He's just a big dude. Standing next to him you can't believe he's a wide receiver. Some wide receivers are strong runners that just aren't quick enough, but I think Jackson has all of it. I don't know that much about him, but just watching him in those selected practices and in the game, that guy can run. He can run routes, he's precise. He works hard. He didn't dog any of those practices. Vincent Jackson is a premiere, elite receiver."
Between Isaac Sopoaga, LeGarrette Blount, Deion Branch in 2010 and more famously Aqib Talib, the Patriots are not averse to making trades if it will improve the team.
Given the state of the Bucs and the Patriots' salary cap space, Jackson seems to make a great deal of sense for both parties.
"I never thought the Patriots would have a chance at this guy. They've got the money to do it," said Zolak, before addressing other potential factors. "But can he pick up the offense? How much would the quarterback hesitate throwing him the football? All that's in play too."
Listen below for the full conversation with Andy Gresh:
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