Age: 23
College: Oklahoma
Height: 6’2” Weight: 250
Prelude:
Jackson was
taken by the Eagles in the first round of the 1988 NFL draft (13th
overall). He was a two-time All-American in college despite playing in a
ground-oriented wishbone offense, but while he caught only 62 career passes, he
averaged 23.7 yards per catch and scored 14 touchdowns. With speed to match
ideal size, Jackson immediately moved into the starting lineup for the Eagles.
1988 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Pass
Receiving
Receptions – 81 [6]
Most
receptions, game – 10 (for 76 yds.) vs. Cincinnati 9/11
Yards – 869
Most yards,
game - 92 (on 7 catches) at Dallas 12/18
Average gain
– 10.7
TDs – 6 [17,
tied with nine others]
Scoring
TDs – 6
Points – 36
Postseason: 1 G (NFC Divisional playoff at
Chicago Bears)
Pass
receptions – 7
Pass
receiving yards – 142
Average yards
per reception – 20.3
Pass
Receiving TDs - 0
Awards & Honors:
NFL Rookie of
the Year: Sporting News
NFC Rookie of
the Year: UPI
1st
team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News
2nd
team All-NFL: NEA
1st
team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl
Eagles went 10-6
to finish first in the NFC East. Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Chicago Bears
(20-12).
Aftermath:
While injuries
and holdouts marked his time in Philadelphia, Jackson caught 242 passes for
2756 yards and 20 TDs over the course of four seasons with the club. A fine
downfield receiver from the tight end position, he was less accomplished as a
blocker. Jackson was a consensus first-team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro
Bowl following each of his first four years. Granted free agency in 1992, he
signed with the Miami Dolphins and had a Pro Bowl season. Three years in Miami
were followed by two in Green Bay where he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the
fifth time in his last season which also resulted in a Super Bowl triumph.
Overall for his career, Jackson had 441 catches for 5283 yards (12.0 avg.) and
49 TDs.
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized
organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise
Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league
itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
[Updated 2/4/14]
[Updated 2/4/14]
