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Buccaneers: Time for DeSean Jackson to be unleashed

By James Yarcho

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 11: DeSean Jackson of the Washington Redskins runs past Leodis McKelvin of the Philadelphia Eagles to score a touchdown in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 27-22. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 11: DeSean Jackson of the Washington Redskins runs past Leodis McKelvin of the Philadelphia Eagles to score a touchdown in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 27-22. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers making their 2017 debut, it’s time to unleash the $30-million dollar man – DeSean Jackson.

All the buzz this off-season has been about “weapons for Winston”. The Buccaneers drafted O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin, realigned the offensive line, and are putting their faith in Doug Martin when he returns from his suspension in week five. But there was no bigger weapon acquisition than that of DeSean Jackson.

And he is about to be unleashed.

Jackson didn’t do much worth talking about in the preseason. In fact, we knew that was going to be the case as the man said as much himself when training camp kicked off;

"“I’m going to save my plays for the regular season when it counts. But, obviously preseason is something we have to go through. I’m sure we’ll get some reps, get some plays in there. Not try to show too much because we’re expecting a big year this year, come out and light it up September 10th. So as far as preseason, it will definitely be good to get out there and get some play timing down. Getting everything we’ve been working on out versus somebody else.”"

What it all boils down to is this; who on the Chicago Bears is going to be able to cover him? For that matter, who do they have that can cover Mike Evans? The duo the Bucs have in place will have the opportunity to be on full display Sunday in Tampa and believe me when I say they’re both going to get theirs.

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As we discussed on this week’s Walking The Plank Podcast, DeSean Jackson will get his first explosive play opportunity within the first six to eight plays of the game for the Bucs’ offense. It may be in a second-and-short situation, it may be on first-and-ten, but Jameis Winston is going to air it out to Jackson early in this game for a few reasons.

First, it’s because they didn’t get to in the preseason and we all know these two have been dying to let it rip. Now, whether or not it’s complete is a totally different question. We all know Jameis gets extra amped early in games and has a tendency to be a little erratic early in games, so he may very well test the theory that you can’t overthrow DeSean Jackson.

Second, it’s going to keep the defense honest and on their toes. If Dirk Koetter is willing to air it out on first down or second and short, the defense will know that they can fire this weapon at any point, in any situation, and it will open up other plays later in the game.

Next: Five Game Changers For Bucs/Bears

We’re all excited for Buccaneers football to kick off this weekend – likely no one more so than Jameis himself – but you can bank on DeSean Jackson finally getting to make the plays he was brought in to make. No more saving them. Now, they count.

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