Redskins Sign Safety Tanard Jackson

[Boone]

For Immediate Release
April 13, 2012

REDSKINS SIGN S TANARD JACKSON

ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Redskins announced today that they have signed free agent safety Tanard Jackson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Jackson (6-0, 200) spent his previous five NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. He has started all 56 regular season games in which he has appeared, and recorded 239 tackles, 10 interceptions, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns.

Last season, Jackson started in 10 games and registered 35 tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and three passes defensed, according to NFL GSIS.

In 2009, Jackson tied for the team lead in interceptions (five) despite missing four games. Coaches credited him with a career-high 102 tackles in 2008, a season in which he started in all 16 regular season games.

As a rookie, Jackson started in all 16 regular season games as a member of the Buccaneer’s defense that finished second in the NFL in yards allowed per game (278.4) and first in passing yards allowed per game (170.5).

Jackson played collegiately at Syracuse where he was a second-team All-Big East selection at cornerback as a senior. He appeared in 45 games with 34 starts and totaled 165 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five interceptions and 14 passes defensed. Jackson attended Bullis School in Potomac, Md.

 

[China]

Sounds like Raheem Morris' influence is being felt.

 

[NavyDave]

Looks like a good signing but isn't this kid in the same situation as Davis and our Left Tackle?

 

[Boone]

I don't like bringing guys with 'issues' in - I don't care if they can play or not. Say what you will, but if you're fortunate enough to be playing in the NFL, and you don't have the discipline or common sense to recognize you have to set aside whatever 'recreational' habits you have, you're a dumbass of epic proportion - and I don't want you on my team. I think it calls Morris' judgement into question as well.

 

[McD5]

I just returned from a weekend in the Florida Keys. While there, I spoke with my father about this player, and about Raheem Morris.

My father is a huge Bucs fan, after leaving NOVA twenty years ago. Anyway, here are his thoughts:

He loves the player on the field. He believes he's a fantastic player. He was sad to see him leave Tampa. He did acknowledge some off the field issues, but believes he is worth the risk to see if we can get his head straight.

He wasn't so optimistic about Raheem. He described him as a "player's coach". But to an extreme, and to the detriment of the team. His reputation in Tampa is someone who let the players slack off too much, and a coach who wasn't feared or respected. My father believes he was more interested in being "one of the guys" instead of instilling discipline.

He said team management thought Raheem was too soft on the players, and he was slow to penalize any misconduct. Raheem was also believed to be okay with too many head cases on the roster......like Haynesworth. These traits infuriated management, and he was sent packing.

Hopefully he learned from his experience in Tampa, and can mature into less of a friend, and into more of a coach.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting.

 

[b&g_lady]

Hopefully he learned from his experience in Tampa, and can mature into less of a friend, and into more of a coach.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting.

Interesting tidbit. Thanks. Maybe Morris will alter his approach after the firing. It had to be a wake-up call.

 

[McD5]

Interesting tidbit. Thanks. Maybe Morris will alter his approach after the firing. It had to be a wake-up call.

I sure hope so. He is very young, and maybe he just wasn't ready to be a HC yet. A few years under Shanahan might be exactly what he needs.

It does explain a little better as to why Raheem was fired, and maybe as to why he is bringing Jackson with him.

 

[Henry]

Position coaches and coordinators can afford to be 'one of the guys.' Morris may just be one of those guys who makes a better position coach than head coach.

Anyway, let's hope so.

 

[burgold]

Position coaches and coordinators can afford to be 'one of the guys.' Morris may just be one of those guys who makes a better position coach than head coach.

Anyway, let's hope so.

Yeah, I don't think it's as big a deal as a position coach. Raheem can be as soft and cuddly as he likes, but Shanahan has no fear of being the disciplinarian and laying down the hammer. Just ask Albert Haynesworth.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Two things to keep in mind.

First, Raheem Morris is an excellent secondary coach and it will be many years until he will be considered for a DC or HC job. That is good news for the Redskins.

Second, Jackson stayed clean and sober last season and that is to his credit. He is an extremely talented FS and will quickly make us very happy - and for many years to come.

Bottom line - we got a major steal when Morris agreed to coach the secondary. We got another major steal with Jackson.

 

[tshile]

i don't mind the signing because we're not in a position to turn away anyone with talent, especially at the safety position.

but i do wonder where the 'we want good character guys' attitude from last years draft and signings has gone.

 

[Elephant]

Two things to keep in mind.

First, Raheem Morris is an excellent secondary coach and it will be many years until he will be considered for a DC or HC job. That is good news for the Redskins.

Second, Jackson stayed clean and sober last season and that is to his credit. He is an extremely talented FS and will quickly make us very happy - and for many years to come.

Bottom line - we got a major steal when Morris agreed to coach the secondary. We got another major steal with Jackson.

I am not too concerned with the signing, my concern is his health. If his shoulder is not a serious problem, I like his youth and the fact that he has worked with Morris before. I have to think Morris had some input on this signing.

I do have to ask you BB, why do you believe that it will be many years until he is considered for a Defensive Coordinator position? Wasn't he offered the DC position in Minnesota this year, but had committed to the Redskins prior to the offer so he stayed with us in a lesser role?

 

[Bulldog]

We already signed Meriweather who has had some off the field issues as well. Bellichick doesn't just cut a two time pro bowl player because he is bored.

The Redskins need to solve their secondary issues esp at safety and with now more limited picks are going to have to take some risk that Meriweather, Jackson and Williams come on and provide greater productivity and depth.

If I see Reed Doughty out there as a starter in the opener I am going to scream.
Posted via BGO Mobile Device

 

[Lanky Livingston]

First, Raheem Morris is an excellent secondary coach and it will be many years until he will be considered for a DC or HC job. That is good news for the Redskins.

I do have to ask you BB, why do you believe that it will be many years until he is considered for a Defensive Coordinator position? Wasn't he offered the DC position in Minnesota this year, but had committed to the Redskins prior to the offer so he stayed with us in a lesser role?

I was thinking the same thing. I think Morris will only be a year or two before he's getting interviewed for a DC position.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Don't be surprised if Mr. Morris is given a bigger title/position with the Redskins next year.

 

[Neophyte]

Where is he going to go from where he is, BB? He doesn't have a background in the 3-4 at all so I doubt he becomes DC and I can't see him taking Bobby Turner's Asst Head Coach position. Turner held the same position under Shanahan for years in Denver and was nearly Mike's first hire here in Washington.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

No aruguments there, but it is unlikely that Coach Shanahan lets Morris get away so easy. The plan is to keep him here for a while - sometimes that is easier said than done, but it is the plan.

One other thing. Morris was quickly hired after leaving Tampa. Word of "Club Med" and "Easy Street" in Tampa didn't become widely known until he was a member of the coaching staff at RP. Morris is a great secondary coach, but time will be needed before he moves up again.

 

[McD5]

The "insiders" are suggesting that he will be our DC in 2013, because the team is upset with our current DC, mainly for speaking to that fan about our future plans.

No idea if that is true or not.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Well now, see, ya let the cat out of the bag.

 

[Goaldeje]

Wow. That's not a done deal though, I'm assuming?