After meeting at a recruiting visit in high school, Reed Doughty and Vincent Jackson clicked. They decided to commit to the University of Northern Colorado after that visit. And they roomed together as freshman.
Doughty now wants to recruit him to Washington.
Jackson is a free agent receiver, reportedly on the Redskins wish list. One NFL source cautioned that he’s not sold on the Redskins’ interest in him. However, it is known that they want a playmaking wideout and Jackson can definitely make plays. He’s also one more positive drug test away from a one-year suspension – like tight end Fred Davis and tackle Trent Williams.
In the past week, with free agency starting Tuesday, Doughty spent time on Twitter trying to woo Jackson. He said they have communicated recently only via Twitter. They have also stayed in contact since college, talking more in the offseasons.
“My pitch to him is that obviously we traded up to do something special, get a playmaker here at quarterback most likely RGIII,” Doughty said. “I think he can be excited about that. He’s ready for a change.
“We tweeted back and forth. I know ultimately he’ll do what’s best for him and his family. It’s not like I’ll sway him one way or the other. I’m hoping he’ll give us a real consideration.”
Here’s why: Jackson is a 6-foot-5 receiver who has surpassed 1,000 yards in three of the last four seasons and has a career average of 17.5 yards per catch.
“I went against Vince numerous times in practice over our four-year careers [in college],” Doughty said, “and when you get in the red zone it’s a whole new ballgame. You might have a 45-inch vertical leap, but when you’re 6-5 and he probably has a 35-inch leap anyway …
“This is a guy with three years over 1,000 yards receiving and a lot of touchdowns and Pro Bowls who has never hit the market. It’s a great opportunity for him. As much as a 28-year-old guy can have a chip on his shoulder, who has been in the league and had Pro Bowl seasons, he still has that chip to prove he’s worth the money.”
But how much are teams willing to pay someone who could be lost for a year with one more positive drug test?
“I can’t speak to some of the off-field issues,” Doughty said. “I never saw him have those issues. He’s from an outstanding family. His dad is a military guy. He has great parents. He has a great head on his shoulders. He’s made mistakes and hopefully he learned from them. But on the field, wow. He has an ability to get the ball at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds. He can still run, but he can absolutely go get the ball. We can use that in the red zone.”
Meanwhile, another Redskin – safety LaRon Landry – likely will leave, according to multiple sources. Landry is still rehabbing his Achilles.
“LaRon, when healthy, has been a very intimidating dynamic player for us,” Doughty said. “He has all the tools to be a perennial Pro Bowl safety. He has to stay healthy and keep progressing. Sometimes staying healthy is a lot harder than people realize. I’m hoping whether it’s for us or someone else that he can stay healthy.”
