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Dexter Jackson Seeking A Breakthrough

Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

Dexter Jackson hopes to make some plays for the Bucs on kick returns against the Packers on Sunday.

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Bay believed Dexter Jackson would turn heads, but instead he has many starting to scratch their skulls after three games.

The Bucs made Jackson their second-round draft pick (58th overall) in April, fully expecting him to energize their kickoff and punt return units. So far, Jackson has returned eight kickoffs for 185 yards, a 23.1 average, ranking him 20th in the NFL, while Tampa Bay's unit is 25th overall.

Jackson's biggest struggles have come on punt returns with a 3-yard average that ranks him last in the NFL. He is rarely used as a receiver.

Now, Tampa Bay's coaches have been forced to make an adjustment, which could be evident on Sunday when the Bucs host Green Bay.

"We'll have some other guys that contribute," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "Whether Dexter does it exclusively or not is something we'll decide when the ball is kicked Sunday afternoon, but he's a big part of our plans."

Tampa Bay expects to use receiver Michael Clayton more on kickoff returns, and Ike Hilliard to catch punts deep in its territory.

Jackson slipped on both of his returns last week against Chicago, which he blamed on his cleats. Tampa Bay went with Clayton on kickoffs as a result of Jackson's struggles.

Clayton had a 37-yard kickoff return against Chicago last week negated because of a penalty, but he hit the hole more aggressively than Jackson. Clayton is expected to share the workload and lead by example until Jackson becomes more comfortable.

"He took a bad shot the first game of the season in New Orleans. It's the NFL," Clayton said. "He's not the biggest guy 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, but he has a big heart and he'll learn how to do it."

This is not the position Tampa Bay expected to be in after drafting Jackson, whose averages are lower than those of his predecessors.

Mark Jones, who was Tampa Bay's seventh-round selection in 2004, returned 10 kickoffs for 286 yards (28.6 average) last season before a season-ending knee injury, while Micheal Spurlock had 16 returns for 444 yards (27.8 average) and one touchdown.

Jones had 12 punt returns for 143 yards (11.9), Ike Hilliard added 15 for 92 yards (6.1), and Phillip Buchanon contributed 16 for 55 yards (3.4).

Jackson admits his problem has been learning how to run through holes and not worrying about being tackled.

Tight end John Gilmore told Jackson he just needs to trust that the blockers will create a hole for him by the time he hits the wedge.

"It's basically just me being back there and trusting them," Jackson said. "I have to show the coaches that I can just trust it and hit it hard."

Clayton said the key to being a successful returner is running with confidence.

"You can't be scared," Clayton said. "You've got to just to hit it up in there through the hole and get all you can get. Dexter is a young guy. He's going to learn how to do it."

Jackson, who never returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown at Appalachian State, is being asked to excel at both on the NFL level.

"It's new for him. Every time it's a snowflake," Bucs special teams coach Richard Bisaccia said. "He's going to get a little bit better, hopefully this week. Everybody will get better making their blocks, and hopefully we'll all get better."

Jackson still has a chance to turn heads this season, but it will happen only when he stops thinking so much.

"It's just me believing in my teammates, trusting myself, ball security and just hitting it north and south," Jackson said. "It's going to take a little bit, but I feel like if the coaches stay with me, I'll make something happen."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com

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