Wake-Up Call: Source Says ‘Done Deal’ In D.C.

 DeSean Jackson is expected to sign with the Washington Redskins, according to a member of the receiver’s camp.

“Done deal,” wrote one source Monday evening following Jackson’s sitdown with the Redskins brass. The meetings between the receiver and the Redskins are expected to continue into Tuesday. Multiple people we spoke with anticipate that something will get done.

Jackson was released by the Eagles on Friday and has since drawn interest from several teams, including the Raiders and Bills, per multiple reports. Washington is the only team Jackson has visited to date, and he may not leave town before signing a deal.

Oakland would bring him closer to where he grew up but many of those looking out for Jackson would prefer that he stay away from the west coast and the potential distractions that come with being near his hometown. By contrast, the D.C. area contains “a strong support network” for Jackson as he enters a critical point in his career.

“I’m excited about everything right now,” said Jackson to a handful of reporters at Dulles International Airport Monday. “It’s a new beginning, new chances.”

The receiver added that there isn’t much allure in playing the Eagles twice a year.

“I’m not too much worried about that, man, I’m just moving forward in my life,” he said.

On Monday night, Jackson hung out with a few Redskins players.

Is it official? Picture with Desean Jackson, Wale, Pierre Garçon and Deangelo Hall. pic.twitter.com/PZAQN9SOiW

— DC Maryland Virginia (@DMVFollowers) April 1, 2014

WHAT YOU MISSED

The Eagles are scheduled to host Florida DB Jaylen Watkins this week.

Offensive lineman Andrew Gardner has been added to the fold. 

Are there a couple of mystery teams in on Jackson?

Kelly needs receivers that can beat man coverage.

Sheil looks at the different players that will be impacted by the loss of Jackson.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Louis Riddick says that whatever team signs Jackson needs to understand what they’re doing and has to have a plan in place.

“I’ve been place where there wasn’t a plan for dealing with a player as a person and it just blew up. It was bad business. In this case you have to do your due diligence and do it very thoroughly … Obviously there’s no secret about DeSean [and his issues] and I’m not talking about the gang nonsense. I don’t know anything about that. But I’ve seen what happens when you just look at the player and how you’ll use him on the field and then think about his off-field [behavior], ‘We’ll just figure it out.’ It’s such a recipe for disaster I can’t begin to tell you how ridiculous that is. You can’t do that here. You have to make sure you know what you’re doing.”

 Andrew Kulp of the 700 Level says we shouldn’t sleep on Jeremy Maclin.

The fact that Maclin will only turn 26 this year should offer some hope, along with the knowledge that he will be 13 months into his rehabilitation by the time the season begins.

The good news is, as we’ll explore further in the coming days, it’s not all on Maclin to supplant Jackson’s production. That being said, as long as Maclin is healthy, it’s not as if every one of those 82 catches, 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns suddenly disappeared from the offense. In terms of pure numbers, the Eagles may not miss Jackson as much as we think.

COMING UP

We’ll keep tabs on Jackson and continue to get you prepped for the draft.