FanPost

It’s Not The Time To Trade For Jackson

The Washington Redskins have again found themselves at the center of an NFL trade rumor. This time the trade talk centers on San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Jackson is currently a restricted free agent under the current CBA guidelines and has been spending the offseason at a distance from the Chargers organization because he wants a better contract. Add to the mix the fact that the Redskins could use a proven #1 wideout on their team, as well as the rumor that Jackson has been working out with one Donovan McNabb in Phoenix this offseason, and the rumor wheel is off and spinning. But even if Washington is interested in making a trade for Vincent Jackson, now is not the time to make the move.

There are a couple of reasons to hold off:

  • First, the price is too high. Right now, the trade buzz is at its highest and that drives up the price of any trade deal that would be made. Also, the Chargers offered Jackson an RFA tender worth just over $3 million dollars, with first- and third-round compensation attached. That doesn’t mean that that’s what it will take to acquire the disenchanted wideout, but considering that Jackson has put up back to back 1,000 yard seasons with the team and is far and away Philip Rivers’ favorite receiver, that’s likely to be where the asking price will start. The Redskins are rebuilding; they can’t afford to trade away any more future picks.
  • Second, the NFL has just suspended Jackson for the first 3 games of the 2010 season. So even if the trade price wasn’t too high, Vincent Jackson would only have 13 games to prove that he is worth the cost. An inflated price for less playing time is not a good deal. But the suspension does provide the Redskins with a strategy. A 3-game absence will undoubtedly make Jackson less attractive to other teams, increasing the possibility that he’ll still be unclaimed down the road. The longer he sits unclaimed and unhappy, the more likely that the Chargers will lower their asking price. Jackson’s pricey now, but he might be cheaper later on.

There is also the strong possibility that the Chargers will win their standoff with their star receiver and keep him on the roster. For all that the team has acted like it wouldn’t miss Jackson if he didn’t play in 2010, it’s not hard to call their bluff. They know that he’s a valuable part of their team. Jackson has developed into a productive first receiver for the Chargers and losing him would set their offense back a step. And considering the compensation requirement attached to his tender, the team knows that it can’t afford his absence. So if the Chargers can’t keep him, they’re going to demand significant compensation in any kind of deal. Because of that, the Redskins would be wise to sit back, let the dust settle, and see if there isn’t a better deal to be had down the road.

Scribblednotespa.com