Willie Jackson signs with the Gatorskins

WR Jackson signs with Redskins
By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer
October 31, 2002


ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Willie Jackson signed with the Washington Redskins on Thursday, giving coach Steve Spurrier another ex-Florida receiver.

Jackson was waived Monday by Atlanta after he complained he wasn't getting the ball enough. Jackson was the Falcons' third-leading receiver with 18 catches for 199 yards.

To make room for Jackson, the Redskins released Kevin Lockett. Lockett took a pay cut to stay with the team this season and started two games, but he had not played since a costly fumble at Green Bay two weeks ago.

The Redskins were interested in Jackson during the offseason when he was a free agent, but he signed a three-year, $3.5 million contract with the Falcons. The 10-year veteran has also played with Dallas, Jacksonville, Cincinnati and New Orleans.

Jackson set career highs with 81 receptions for 1,046 yards last year with the Saints. He also made 28 catches on third downs, second-best in the NFC. That's a better season by far than any of the other Redskins receivers have had.

Jackson's arrival gives Spurrier five former Gators, joining quarterbacks Shane Matthews and Danny Wuerffel and receivers Chris Doering and Jacquez Green. Another former Florida player, Robert Gillespie, is on the practice squad.

Jackson's familiarity with Spurrier's offense should help him fit in quickly. The Redskins play at Seattle on Sunday.

"I think realistically he could be ready within a week,'' said Doering, who played with Jackson in high school as well as college. "He just needs to get refreshed in what we're doing.''

 

Too rich for us. I'm SO GLAD we passed.

 

The article doesn't say how much he signed for. I'm assuming the 'Skins picked him up off the waiver wire and honored his existing contract from Atlanta?

Meat, are you really glad we passed on him? $1M and change doesn't seem like an excessive amount of money for a quality #2 receiver.

 

What about Kevin Lockett? Cheap and serviceable

 

I was kind of wondering about that. Does anyone think he'd be a good signing? Where would he fall on our current depth chart?