FanHouse Dexter Jackson

When the Steelers defeated the Ravens in the AFC Championship game nearly two weeks ago, Vegas immediately made them seven-point favorites over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

Of course, there is a disconnect between betting lines and reality, and just because gamblers like the Steelers a lot doesn't mean the Cardinals are doomed. In fact, Arizona has developed something of a following since that line was set, if not from fans who've made their way to Tampa, definitely from people who get paid to make such predictions.

Partly because Arizona has been playing out of its mind the last month, but also due to a story line we've had shoved down our throats this week: the Cards have an advantage heading into the big game because their head coach, Ken Whisenhunt, was on the Steelers staff from 2001-2006.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: If there is one constant on this team, it is Carson Palmer. Sure, Palmer didn't have his best season a year ago, but his off seasons are better than many QBs best years. In reality, other things factored into his poor season (injuries to the line, injury to Rudi Johnson, receivers pouting). The only issue here is what happens in Cincinnati if Palmer gets hurt. They have no one groomed to come in. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Rowe are in their second seasons with the team and Carson's brother, Jordan, is fighting for a spot. Heat Index: 8

Running backs: Injuries have hurt this unit in the past couple of years. Workhorse Rudi Johnson finally hit a wall; Kenny Irons blew out his knee in his first preseason game; Chris Perry has never been able to stay on the field. Well, Rudi and Perry are healthy again, with 2007 surprises Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey around to give the offense a different dynamic. Cincy needs this unit to get back to form to allow the entire offense to explode. Heat Index: 4

Receivers: Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are one of the best receiving combos in the NFL. T.J. tied for the lead in receptions; Chad was third in receiving yards. However, this could be the last season either is in Cincinnati. Johnson's issues with the team are well documented. T.J. is in his final contracted season. Chris Henry is finally gone and there are several guys trying to step into that #3 spot. Rookie Jerome Simpson will get a strong look, as will Andre Caldwell and Antonio Chatman. Chatman is the only one with experience and could get the nod. Heat Index: 8

You've seen them talk big on the red carpet of the EA Sports Rookie Madden Bowl, but do these NFL rookies actually have Madden skills? Follow along with underdog Dexter Jackson and overdog (?) Devin Thomas to find out how the tournament panned out. Stay tuned at 0:32 for an embarrassing cameo by Rashard Mendenhall. I ain't mad at you, Rashard!


AOL Video link. YouTube link.

EA Sports recently held its second annual Rookie Madden Bowl in Los Angeles. Players competed in a tournament just like the regular Madden Bowl held during Super Bowl week, but this one was just for rookies. Oh how I love rookies! With the exception of whiz kids like Matt Ryan, most of them are pretty goofy and not yet jaded by the media attention. Join me on the red carpet as I talk to Jake Long, Darren McFadden, Devin Thomas, Dexter Jackson, Kevin O'Connell, Andre Caldwell and others before the tournament.

Besides all the smack talking about Madden skills and player ratings, watch at 0:54 to find out if Dustin Keller can handle the heat of Jets questioning ... and make sure to stay for Jonathan Stewart's hilarious ramblings at the very end of the video.


AOL Video link. YouTube link.

This video of Appalachian State wide receiver Dexter Jackson is an incredibly detailed breakdown of his strengths and weaknesses as a prospect:

Most people who know Jackson know him because he had a big game in Appalachian State's upset of Michigan. He was also a college track star, and one of the fastest players at this year's combine.


But can he play wide receiver? I think he has a lot of work to do. His routes aren't great, his hands aren't great, and he hasn't played against the kinds of cornerbacks he'll see in the NFL.

I think the best-case scenario for Jackson is to spend his rookie year playing mostly special teams and then become a wide receiver, the way Steve Smith has in Carolina. Jackson is a lot like Smith; they're both speedy guys in the 5-foot-9, 185-pound range. It's not realistic to think Jackson will have the kind of NFL career that Smith has had, but that's the guy he should try to emulate.

Appalachian State wide receiver Dexter Jackson did exactly what he had to do today at the NFL Scouting Combine, turning in a blistering 40-yard dash time of 4.27 seconds. Here's a long Jackson highlight video:

Yes, he made some great plays in college, and although that 4.27 is unofficial -- the league hasn't yet released the official, electronically timed 40s -- it appears that Jackson will leave Indianapolis as the fastest player in the 2008 NFL draft.

Jackson is just 5-foot-9 and 178 pounds, and Michigan aside, he doesn't have much experience against top competition. So he's no sure thing as a high draft pick. But the time he turned in today gives him a chance at being chosen on the first day.

College football fans know wide receiver Dexter Jackson because he raced through the Michigan secondary, scoring the touchdown that gave the first inkling that maybe Michigan was going to have a bad day against Appalachian State (at the 45-second mark of this video):

But Jackson might be more than just a college football trivia answer. He's currently practicing for the East-West Shrine Game, and his coach in that game, Dick Vermeil, thinks he's definitely a legitimate NFL player.

"He's been very impressive to me," Vermeil told NFL Network. "He has a chance to be one of those kids who can make big plays."

Jackson has great speed -- he took second in the 100 meters and first in the 200 meters in the Southern Conference track and field championships -- but I do question whether he's big enough (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) or productive enough (30 catches his senior year) to play in the NFL. But he's got Vermeil's endorsement.

On a day that was completely dominated with stories about Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons went out and proved they could survive without him. Although it was only a preseason game, they did something they're going to have to do every week this year -- perform amidst the controversy.

Leading the charge was the man who was slated to be Vick's back-up quarterback, Joey Harrington. Although he was unable to avoid some of the pressure that Ookie no doubt would have, he remained poised and had a very solid and encouraging outing. He finished the night going 13 of 21 for 164 yards and more importantly, two touchdowns.

Harrington didn't look like a Pro Bowler, but he did look like a leader. He commanded the huddle and when he spoke, players clearly listened. He carried himself well, stayed cool under pressure and was relatively accurate for most of the game. Joey was something Vick rarely was -- a solid pocket quarterback.

The Bengals pretty much have the longest injury list in the NFL at this point. Here's what we've got headed into tomorrow's game against the Browns.

Chris Henry is probable with a hip flexor. He didn't practice on Friday though, which might not be a good sign. Most player who're probably usually play, but you never really know because so many coaches play games with the injury report. I don't know if Marvin Lewis does, but I do know he doesn't like giving out too much info, so it wouldn't surprise me if Henry is more hurt than he's letting on.

All three of Cincinnati's wide receivers are listed on the report, with Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh both listed as probable as well. Chad has a hamstring problem, while T.J. has bruised ribs.

Kelley Washington was upgraded from out to doubtful. Hopefully we'll be seeing him in the next couple of weeks as the fourth receiver.

Levi Jones was downgraded to doubtful, and I'm starting to wonder if he'll be healthy again this year. Sure there's six week left, but if he doesn't play Sunday it seems unlikely that he'll play next Thursday, and after that there's only four games left. You never know, but I'm skeptical.

Rounding out the offense is Willie Anderson who's probable with a bad shoulder, and Jeremi Johnson who practiced Friday and who's probably with a toe injury.

On the defensive side Brian Simmons and Keiwan Ratliff are both questionable, but both practiced this week. Getting Simmons back would be a nice boost. Dexter Jackson and Deltha O'Neal are both questionable as well. Jackson practiced this week, O'Neal did not. Sam Adams is probable (he's probable every week pretty much) and John Thornton is also probable.

And thus ends the longest injury report ever. This team really needs to get healthy.

More: Henry added to injury report as probable - Mark Curnutte's Blog

One of the reasons I was glad the Bengals brought in Dexter Jackson was because I'd read that he's a good character leader type, and the Bengals can obviously use more of those. He's starting to assert that leadership now, questioning the effort of some of his teammates:

"We got comfortable. We let up. They didn't quit. We had some guys quit. You saw the game. A lot of guys quit. It's time for some players to own up." It's time, Jackson said, to "tell guys, if you don't want to do it, get out of here."

I'm completely fine with this. Marvin Lewis has said that effort isn't a problem, that's it's execution, but I find that hard to believe. When a team scores 42 points in a half against you, there's a lot wrong. Scheme, effort, execution, heart, talent ... it's all a problem when a team gets ran over the way the Bengals defense did on Sunday.

Good for Dexter Jackson. I wish more players would speak up, if not in the media then in the locker room.

What kills me is that for the last two years the Bengals defense hasn't even had to be good. Mediocre would do the job, and it would have meant a win for the Bengals on Sunday. But mediocre is too much to wish for with the current crop of defensive players and coaches.

More: Bengals can't contain their anger - or Chargers' offense - Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati Enquirer