Next time DeSean Jackson is racing toward the end zone, the rookie wide receiver should tuck the ball tightly under his arm, take it with him to the sideline and put it away for safekeeping.
Jackson's superb start with the Philadelphia Eagles — he became the second player in NFL history to have 100 yards receiving in each of his first two games — has been overshadowed by a colossal goof in a 41-37 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
Midway through a wild second quarter, Jackson sprinted past defenders, caught Donovan McNabb's long pass in stride and was on his way to a 61-yard touchdown reception. Eager to celebrate his first TD, Jackson casually flicked the ball backward before crossing the goal line. By the time he finished his dance, the Cowboys were calling for a review. The touchdown was overturned, but the Eagles got the ball at the 1.
"I had a lot of people messing around with me about it, but I'm just going to move on with it,"
Jackson said. "I've got a lot more football to play. I'm just not even worried about it."
No doubt coaches and veteran players scolded Jackson, who should've known better because he made a similar gaffe in a 2005 high school all-star game. That time, the showboating Jackson spread his arms for a swan dive into the end zone, only to land at the 1.
"For your first touchdown, that's not how you want to be remembered,"
McNabb said. "It was a rookie mistake. I don't expect that to happen again, and I'm pretty sure it won't. It was a great play, overall, and we, hopefully, look for more plays like that to happen."
Notes
• The Pittsburgh Steelers added rookie linebacker Patrick Bailey to their roster Saturday and released second-year running back Gary Russell. Bailey, an undrafted rookie from Duke, spent the first two games of the season on the Steelers' practice squad. Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend will sit out a second consecutive game today in Philadelphia because of a heel injury. He hasn't practiced either of the last two weeks.
• Tampa Bay CB Elbert Mack's appeal of a one-game league suspension was denied Friday, leaving the Bucs without the reserve for today's game at Chicago. The rookie out of Troy was suspended without pay for his helmet-to-helmet hit Sunday on Falcons QB Matt Ryan during a fumble return by the Bucs.
• Cleveland G Eric Steinbach didn't make the trip to Baltimore because of a shoulder injury and won't play today against the Ravens. Steinbach missed all week of practice.
