FanHouse DexterJackson

Cornerback Larry Brown was the first defensive player I remember who parlayed an MVP Super Bowl performance into a big payday. Brown intercepted quarterback Neil O'Donnell two times to help the the Cowboys defeat the Steelers during Super Bowl XXX. That offseason he signed with the Raiders for a nice little sum based primarily on that one performance.

He played just 12 games in two years with the Raiders, and he was out of football a year after that. I was reminded of Brown when reading about former Bucs safety Dexter Jackson. Jackson won MVP honors when Tampa Bay throttled Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVIII. And like Brown, he used the experience to pad his bank account.

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.