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FA Watch: LB Jackson Has Ties To Ryan
By Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With the NFL free agency period beginning next month, the Cowboys have some work to do. In this series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of the veterans who could wind up in Dallas. Today's featured player is Cleveland Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson.)
Name: D'Qwell Jackson
Position: Inside Linebacker
College: Maryland
Height/Weight: 6-0/240
Age: 28 (born Sept. 26, 1983)
NFL Experience: 6 seasons
Availability: Reports in the last couple of days suggest the Browns will franchise Jackson if he isn't signed to a long-term deal between now and March 5. An $8.8 million price tag could be considered risky for a player with his injury history, though. While he was injured for both of Rob Ryan's seasons in Cleveland, Jackson's familiarity with the Dallas defensive coordinator wouldn't hurt the Cowboys' case.
What He Brings: When healthy, Jackson has been an ideal playmaker for the inside of a 3-4 front. He had a career-best season in 2011, with 158 tackles, 3.5 sacks, plus an interception and a forced fumble. However, he had problems staying on the field the previous two years. After an impressive first six games of 2009 he hurt his shoulder and finished the year on injured reserve, then tore his pectoral muscle in training camp of 2010 and sat out the entire season.
Connections: In addition to two years around Ryan, Jackson's linebackers coach in 2009 and 2010 was Matt Eberflus, who is currently with the Cowboys. He's also familiar with secondary coach Jerome Henderson from three years spent together in Cleveland, and played with a couple of other Ryan imports, defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman and safety Abram Elam.
Where Would He Fit: If Jackson does make it through to the open market, the Cowboys should keep an eye on him, but must also consider the progress of 2011 second-round pick Bruce Carter. Though Carter gained little experience on defense last year due to his recovery from a torn ACL, owner Jerry Jones has expressed some optimism that he could take over a starting role as soon as the coming season. If coaches disagree, Jackson would be a fine option to start alongside Sean Lee. From a numbers standpoint, the team does need another inside linebacker or two. Chances are Carter at least gets to compete to start, and he's probably the favorite to win the job, which would seem to discourage the Cowboys from pursuing a more proven and therefore costly option like Jackson.
By Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With the NFL free agency period beginning next month, the Cowboys have some work to do. In this series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of the veterans who could wind up in Dallas. Today's featured player is Cleveland Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson.)
Name: D'Qwell Jackson
Position: Inside Linebacker
College: Maryland
Height/Weight: 6-0/240
Age: 28 (born Sept. 26, 1983)
NFL Experience: 6 seasons
Availability: Reports in the last couple of days suggest the Browns will franchise Jackson if he isn't signed to a long-term deal between now and March 5. An $8.8 million price tag could be considered risky for a player with his injury history, though. While he was injured for both of Rob Ryan's seasons in Cleveland, Jackson's familiarity with the Dallas defensive coordinator wouldn't hurt the Cowboys' case.
What He Brings: When healthy, Jackson has been an ideal playmaker for the inside of a 3-4 front. He had a career-best season in 2011, with 158 tackles, 3.5 sacks, plus an interception and a forced fumble. However, he had problems staying on the field the previous two years. After an impressive first six games of 2009 he hurt his shoulder and finished the year on injured reserve, then tore his pectoral muscle in training camp of 2010 and sat out the entire season.
Connections: In addition to two years around Ryan, Jackson's linebackers coach in 2009 and 2010 was Matt Eberflus, who is currently with the Cowboys. He's also familiar with secondary coach Jerome Henderson from three years spent together in Cleveland, and played with a couple of other Ryan imports, defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman and safety Abram Elam.
Where Would He Fit: If Jackson does make it through to the open market, the Cowboys should keep an eye on him, but must also consider the progress of 2011 second-round pick Bruce Carter. Though Carter gained little experience on defense last year due to his recovery from a torn ACL, owner Jerry Jones has expressed some optimism that he could take over a starting role as soon as the coming season. If coaches disagree, Jackson would be a fine option to start alongside Sean Lee. From a numbers standpoint, the team does need another inside linebacker or two. Chances are Carter at least gets to compete to start, and he's probably the favorite to win the job, which would seem to discourage the Cowboys from pursuing a more proven and therefore costly option like Jackson.
