The Patriots announced the signing of CB Eddie Jackson yesterday. Jackson, formerly with the Dolphins, is 6'0" 200 lbs. He's 26 years old and has made a name for himself as a special teams player. His presence will add depth to the cornerback position behind Asante Samuel, Ellis Hobbs, Chad Scott, Randall Gay, and Willie Andrews. Like Andrews, we don't expect to see him used on the defensive side of the ball, appearing only in kickoffs and punts. If he does get defensive playing time (due to injuries, fatigue), it will only come as an nickel cornerback.
Jackson was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an rookie free agent (not drafted) in 2004. He then went to Miami for the next two seasons. On December 25th, he tore his ACL and was placed on the injured reserve.
If his ACL doesn't heal properly, expect the Patriots to dump him rather than placing him on the PUP or IR lists. Unfortunately for Jackson, the Patriots have had no problem releasing cornerbacks for performance reasons before the season begins (i.e. Eric Warfield). Regardless, he'll be given a chance to make a serious impact. His scouting report reads as follows:
Jackson has a decent combination of size and athletic skills. He has some play strength and can have some success from a press position. He matches up pretty well against bigger receivers downfield when the ball is up. He can open his hips in transition and run with vertical routes. He has enough short-area quickness to close on plays in front of him. But Jackson lacks experience and is inconsistent in run support. His play recognition and zone awareness aren't great. He doesn't play to his timed speed. He has an upright pedal and limited bend. He doesn't show a lot of suddenness and lacks ideal range in deep zones. His balance and tackling are liabilities against the run. He isn't physical in separating from blocks. [ESPN]
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