Desean Jackson is and always will be a far superior athlete compared to Simpson. Plus he is smarter. Even when chad and TJ were out Simpson still didn’t play because he is to dumb to learn the playbook. Jackson can return kicks and punts while Simpson cannot to either. Jackson went to a real school while Simpson went to school where people go for summer vacation, again referencing the dumb factor. If it were true he didn’t get to play because of chad and TJ then why does Caldwell start when they are out and Simpson doesn’t? Again because he is not that good and they wasted another pick. Anyone who watched college football knee Jackson was the better choice. I think we will eventually ompare this to the chris perry over Steven Jackson pick.

Jackson is- and was coming out of school, one of those rare athletes who are more than the position they play- see Warrick, Peter or Bush, Reggie. He’s one of those guys who you scheme for, the guy you want to give the ball in space. His route-running is subpar and, even with middle of the road veteran wideouts, he wouldn’t see significant snaps at receiver elsewhere. His strength is not one that has to be taught. He’s probably been every bit as elusive since he was in Pop Warner. So, he was ready to do what he does before he ever opened an Eagles playbook. It also remains to be seen whether, at his size, he can be durable- see Hall, Dante and, again, Warrick, Peter. Would he have added some pop in our return game? Sure, and he might even have got some time at #3 receiver.

Far as Simpson goes; first off, he’s not stupid. Coastal Carolina is a small school, not a bad one- and have you seen the entrance requirements for the public Universities of California, incidentally? Not exactly Stanford is it? Granted, Caldwell’s experience at Florida probably prepared him better for the speed and complexity of the pro game better than did Simpson’s Chanticleer days. Caldwell is also a lot more like DeSean Jackson in terms of his skill set- returns, end arounds with maybe even a pass option. It’s not likely you’ll ever see Simpson doing those things. He’s a receiver, a pure receiver, with big, soft hands, great leaping ability, good size, and deceptive speed. He is a bit of a project but remember the Steelers were ready to take him if we hadn’t- they opted for Sweed instead. He didn’t factor in to our plans for this year. We already had the starting three, he had a couple injuries, and, most important of all, we had good ol’ Fitzy calling the signals. With a healthy Carson in there, you could throw a newbie receiver out there for him to deal with and improvise out of the rookie’s inconsistencies. Fitz could barely even see over the offensive line. The only level of comparison with Jackson’s rookie season is the draft position itself and, when you consider we got Simpson and absolutely stole Caldwell io the late 3rd, it becomes similar to the Sedrick Ellis vs. Pat Sims and Keith Rivers argument. At this point, I have no regrets about this draft.

Desean Jackson is a better returner then both holt and chatman. He is a better reciever then Caldwell. If you believe caldwell is so awesome we could have had caldwell and jackson, not just caldwell and a bench warmer.By the way Simpson is an idiot and couldn’t learn the playbook thats why he sat and caldwell played. and who cares who the steelers were gonna pick? Too bad they didnt pick him, then THEY would have the stupid reciever who can’t learn a playbook.

DeSean Jackson had only one kickoff return all 2008 — a 12-yard return.
Caldwell was ranked 9th in the NFL with 10 returns or more (he only had 13, or something like that).
Holt averaged 24.1 yards, 23rd in the NFL (10 returns or more)

He was better than Chatman (our primary return man) on punt returns. DeSean averaged 8.8 yards per return, while Chatman averaged 7.5 yards per return. So, Jackson has a slight edge of 1.3 yards per return. He also had a touchdown.

If we’re going to debate potential, then have at it. The reality is that this debate between the two receivers is flawed. Both are in vastly different circumstances and scenarios. If after three years the same holds true, then fine. That’s the window most allow before grading drafted players — or the draft as a whole. Talking potential of a player’s abilities, one of whom is still relatively unproven, designated a week after the draft as a “project” type of player, known that he would get limited playing time while Caldwell was arguably ready having played in the bigger, get-you-ready-for-NFL college schools, as Iggy points out, isn’t a good debate. It’s like arguing who is the better quarterback, Otto Graham or Tom Brady. Both won their respective championships, but the two played in incomparable eras.

One last thing. There were 10 wide receivers drafted in the second round, if you include Jackson and Simpson. In order they were selected:

Donnie Avery (Rams) – 53 catches, 674 yards, 3 TD (69 yards rushing, rushing TD)
Devin Thomas (Redskins) – 15 receptions, 120 yards (53 yards rushing, rushing TD)
Jordy Nelson (Packers) – 33 receptions, 366 yards, 2 TDs
James Hardy (Bills) – 9 receptions, 87 yards, 2 TDs
Eddie Royal (Broncos) – 91 receptions, 980 yards, 5 TDs (109 yards rusyhing)
Simpson (Bengals) – 1 reception, 2 yards
Jackson (Eagles) – 62 receptions, 912 yards, 2 TDs (96 yards rushing, rushing TD)
Malcolm Kelly (Redskins) – 3 receptions, 18 yards
Limas Sweed (Steelers) – 6 receptions, 64 yards
Dexter Jackson (Bucs) – 0 receptions