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Bucs WR Dexter Jackson Faces A Tall Order

Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Bucs wide receiver Dexter Jackson catches a punt during special teams practice in the afternoon.

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 31, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA - One glance at Bucs rookie receiver Dexter Jackson during training camp usually leads to a second and more befuddling stare.

It is hard to believe Jackson, who has the stature of a high-schooler, is on an NFL roster. At 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, the possibility of Jackson surviving a hit by Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher and being conscious by nightfall are slim.

Jackson's small stature explains why Tampa Bay is figuring out ways to prevent him from getting hurt. The Bucs' solution is to use Jackson primarily as a return specialist and limit his activity at receiver this season.

"If he plays every down, he won't make it. There is no way he can make it," Bucs receivers coach Richard Mann said. "He's too small. This is a big man's game. Little guys don't last long playing every down."

Although Mann's assessment might seem harsh, Jackson agreed with the 27-year coaching veteran's honesty.

"For the most part, I can kind of agree with it, because in the league longevity is what's coached," Jackson said. "With me being the size I am, it's being utilized in key situations to make plays. It's kind of like a utility man."

There are small receivers who have become successful in the NFL, giving Bucs coaches hope as they work with Jackson.

Carolina receiver Steve Smith is the biggest "little receiver" in the NFL at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, but when he was selected in the third round out of Utah in 2001, his only purpose was to return kicks.

Smith returned 56 kickoffs for 1,431 yards and two touchdowns, and he gained 364 yards and scored one TD on 34 punt returns as a rookie. As Smith grew stronger and gained muscle mass, he evolved into Carolina's top receiver and became one of the NFL's elite players.

In addition, Wes Welker (5-9, 185) returned 57 kickoffs for 1,313 and a touchdown during his rookie season with Miami in 2004. He had 112 receptions for 1,175 yards and eight TDs last season as key member of New England's playoff team.

"When we took Jackson, he was small. We knew that," Mann said. "We took Dexter to be a returner. That's what we took him for, to get that field position. That's it. We're going to make him into a receiver."

Jackson will have to prove Tampa Bay did not make the wrong decision by selecting him with its second pick.

After no receivers were chosen in the first round of this year's draft, they began disappearing like half-priced Valentine's Day candy on Feb. 15. Nine receivers were selected before Tampa Bay picked, leaving the Bucs no choice but to snag Jackson before all of their top choices were gone.

Jackson had 110 career receptions for 1,846 yards (fifth in school history) and 17 TDs (fourth in school history) at Appalachian State, but he has to prove he can duplicate that success in Tampa Bay.

"There is nothing different for me," Jackson said. "Coming from Appalachian State, I-AA, we didn't really have a lot of scholarships like these bigger schools. I had to work to get there, and now that I'm here, I have to work even harder."

Tampa Bay needs Jackson to work hard on special team to improve its stagnant return game.

The Bucs' average field position on kickoffs last season was its own 26.5-yard line, which ranked 25th in the league. The Bucs finished tied for 11th in kick return average (23.3) and 28th in punt returns, averaging 6.7 yards.

"We want him to give our kickoff and punt return a jolt," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said.

Tampa Bay just does not want Jackson to be jolted by stronger defensive players this season.

Jackson is turning heads at training camp, but he hopes one day to have his skeptics nodding in agreement that he is a little player with gigantic talent.

"Being a rookie, whether or not I was drafted in the second round to be a receiver or return specialist, that's fine with me, as long as I can get on this field and contribute and not be on the sidelines," Jackson said. "I'll do kick return. If they want to play me at receiver, it's really my first year. I can't ask for too many things."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 731-8166 or arichardson@tampatrib.com

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