2014 Free Agent Profile: D’Qwell Jackson
Former Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson is now headed to Indianapolis on a four year deal (Photo credit: cbssports.com)
By: Matt Harmon
March 6, 2014
Backyard Banter free agent breakdown tier:
Good starter
How he fits with the Colts:
In Jerrell Freeman, the Indianapolis Colts have one solid starter at the inside linebacker spot of their 3-4 defense. Signing D’Qwell Jackson will help fill out that second spot, where the Colts have failed to establish a permanent fixture. Jackson has played in a similar set up the past few years in Cleveland, so there won’t be much of a learning curve.
A few years ago, you could have made the argument that D’Qwell Jackson was amongst the best middle linebackers in the game. He was quite good in 2011 after returning from injuries that wiped out most of his 2009 and 2010 seasons. Jackson’s closing speed was not compromised, and it showed on game day as he chased down opposing ball carriers.
Unfortunately, Jackson’s performance has begun to dip in recent years. He wasn’t the same effective player in 2012 and was a flat out liability at times in 2013—don’t look at his tackle numbers watch his play to see it. Jackson is only 30 years old, but perhaps his injuries have added years to his body and its led to an early decline. Of course, maybe it’s not a coincidence that he had two bad years in a row while playing in a 3-4 defense. Jackson is a smaller linebacker and is at his best when given more protection and space to operate, as he was as a middle linebacker in a 4-3.
It’s fair to wonder if Jackson made a mistake by choosing to go to another 3-4 team. On the other hand, Chuck Pagano and his staff have had success with smaller inside linebackers in their scheme—Jerrell Freeman himself is only about 234 pounds. Pagano also comes from the Baltimore Ravens coaching tree, where they reaped a ton of good by protecting guys like Ray Lewis with big-bodied defensive lineman.
Perhaps Indianapolis’ coaching staff can get D’Qwell Jackson’s career back on track. They need an aggressive player to help elevate their run defense, and maybe that’s Jackson.
What he leaves behind with the Browns:
The Browns elected to release D’Qwell Jackson, so clearly they didn’t view him as vital part of their future. Cleveland is undergoing yet another coaching change with Mike Pettine now aboard. Pettine and his staff will have to find a new leader for the middle of their defense.
Just because Jackson’s salary far outweighed what Cleveland wanted to pay for his current performance, doesn’t mean they’re better off without him. Tank Carder and Craig Robertson are the remaining players at the position, and they are both unknowns at best.
With Jackson out of the picture, inside linebacker becomes one of the bigger areas of need to address for the Browns. With big holes at quarterback, and other skill positions on offense, don’t look for them to sink heavy resources into that search. However, do expect the Browns to add at least one player in free agency at the inside linebacker position.
Contract Analysis:
March 6, 2014
Backyard Banter free agent breakdown tier:
Good starter
How he fits with the Colts:
In Jerrell Freeman, the Indianapolis Colts have one solid starter at the inside linebacker spot of their 3-4 defense. Signing D’Qwell Jackson will help fill out that second spot, where the Colts have failed to establish a permanent fixture. Jackson has played in a similar set up the past few years in Cleveland, so there won’t be much of a learning curve.
A few years ago, you could have made the argument that D’Qwell Jackson was amongst the best middle linebackers in the game. He was quite good in 2011 after returning from injuries that wiped out most of his 2009 and 2010 seasons. Jackson’s closing speed was not compromised, and it showed on game day as he chased down opposing ball carriers.
Unfortunately, Jackson’s performance has begun to dip in recent years. He wasn’t the same effective player in 2012 and was a flat out liability at times in 2013—don’t look at his tackle numbers watch his play to see it. Jackson is only 30 years old, but perhaps his injuries have added years to his body and its led to an early decline. Of course, maybe it’s not a coincidence that he had two bad years in a row while playing in a 3-4 defense. Jackson is a smaller linebacker and is at his best when given more protection and space to operate, as he was as a middle linebacker in a 4-3.
It’s fair to wonder if Jackson made a mistake by choosing to go to another 3-4 team. On the other hand, Chuck Pagano and his staff have had success with smaller inside linebackers in their scheme—Jerrell Freeman himself is only about 234 pounds. Pagano also comes from the Baltimore Ravens coaching tree, where they reaped a ton of good by protecting guys like Ray Lewis with big-bodied defensive lineman.
Perhaps Indianapolis’ coaching staff can get D’Qwell Jackson’s career back on track. They need an aggressive player to help elevate their run defense, and maybe that’s Jackson.
What he leaves behind with the Browns:
The Browns elected to release D’Qwell Jackson, so clearly they didn’t view him as vital part of their future. Cleveland is undergoing yet another coaching change with Mike Pettine now aboard. Pettine and his staff will have to find a new leader for the middle of their defense.
Just because Jackson’s salary far outweighed what Cleveland wanted to pay for his current performance, doesn’t mean they’re better off without him. Tank Carder and Craig Robertson are the remaining players at the position, and they are both unknowns at best.
With Jackson out of the picture, inside linebacker becomes one of the bigger areas of need to address for the Browns. With big holes at quarterback, and other skill positions on offense, don’t look for them to sink heavy resources into that search. However, do expect the Browns to add at least one player in free agency at the inside linebacker position.
Contract Analysis:
D'Qwell Jackson has agreed to terms with the Colts. 4yrs $22M with $11M guaranteed. Beats the 2014 guaranteed money he would've had with CLE
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 6, 2014The contract is by far the most puzzling piece of this signing. Jackson is essentially being paid more than what he would have earned had Cleveland kept him on this season. $11 million guaranteed is a lot to give a player who might be right in the middle of his decline. Of course, it was reported that some team was willing to pay Jackson even more than what he received from the Colts—some have theorized the Dolphins as the culprit.
Colts general manger, Ryan Grigson, was lauded for the work done during his first offseason on the job; which included the no-brainer drafting of Andrew Luck. Since then, Grigson has produced a series of curious moves. He spent all of last offseason overpaying for mediocre to poor players in free agency, and followed that by giving up a first round pick for Trent Richardson.
If the Jackson signing is any indication, Ryan Grigson and the Colts will continue in that vein this offseason. These moves will excite owner Jim Irsay, but will only confuse those in the know about football.
It’s hard to understand why the Colts are making these seemingly desperate moves. They have a young, potentially great franchise quarterback and the makings of a nice core, but they behave like a team in the midst of a short window. The Jackson signing continues to perpetuate that confusion.
Predicting 2014 production and beyond:
The smart money would be to bet that Jackson’s play continues to fade. Once older players start their decline, its rare that they all the sudden return to form. However, as was mentioned, Chuck Pagano has had success with Jackson’s type of linebacker before. Perhaps he can squeeze a few more years of productivity out of this player.
The most likely scenario is that the Colts are getting a middling starting linebacker, who will give them a pretty fifty-fifty type of performance. That sort of production can be found anywhere for much less money. You can expect the Colts will try to get out from under this contract in the not so distant future.
Colts general manger, Ryan Grigson, was lauded for the work done during his first offseason on the job; which included the no-brainer drafting of Andrew Luck. Since then, Grigson has produced a series of curious moves. He spent all of last offseason overpaying for mediocre to poor players in free agency, and followed that by giving up a first round pick for Trent Richardson.
If the Jackson signing is any indication, Ryan Grigson and the Colts will continue in that vein this offseason. These moves will excite owner Jim Irsay, but will only confuse those in the know about football.
It’s hard to understand why the Colts are making these seemingly desperate moves. They have a young, potentially great franchise quarterback and the makings of a nice core, but they behave like a team in the midst of a short window. The Jackson signing continues to perpetuate that confusion.
Predicting 2014 production and beyond:
The smart money would be to bet that Jackson’s play continues to fade. Once older players start their decline, its rare that they all the sudden return to form. However, as was mentioned, Chuck Pagano has had success with Jackson’s type of linebacker before. Perhaps he can squeeze a few more years of productivity out of this player.
The most likely scenario is that the Colts are getting a middling starting linebacker, who will give them a pretty fifty-fifty type of performance. That sort of production can be found anywhere for much less money. You can expect the Colts will try to get out from under this contract in the not so distant future.
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