Versatility because Jackson's skillfulness as a runner, receiver and blocker largely explains the Green Bay Packers' selection of the former Nebraska I-back late in the second round. Vindication because ma
STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, April 30, 2007 7:00 pm
For all I know, Brandon Jackson is walking around northwest Mississippi at this precise moment shouting, “I told you so, suckers!” and toasting himself repeatedly with sparkling glasses of Courvoisier.
OK, probably not.
However, two words surface immediately when contemplating the low-key Jackson’s good fortune in last weekend’s NFL Draft — versatility and vindication.
Versatility because Jackson’s skillfulness as a runner, receiver and blocker largely explains the Green Bay Packers’ selection of the former Nebraska I-back late in the second round.
Vindication because many people questioned Jackson’s decision to leave school following his junior year, figuring he was a middle- to low-round draft pick.
“I’m sure in his mind there is (vindication), but he ain’t gonna say it,” said Larry Gann, who coached Jackson at Horn Lake (Miss.) High School.
“Brandon will just smile and keep it to himself. That tells you what kind of character he has.”
In a lifetime, you make a few key decisions that tend to chart your future. You get only so many at-bats. In this case, with his decision to bolt for the big leagues, Jackson appears to have smashed a towering home run.
Oh, sure, Jackson still must prove himself worthy on the field. But he already has accomplished one objective: He can better care for his mother Barbara, a diabetic who works as a registered nurse in a nursing home.
“I want to be there for her because she was there for me throughout everything I’ve done,” Jackson said.
Jackson was the 63rd overall selection in the draft. The same selection last year received guaranteed bonuses totaling $1.1 million on top of the league minimum annual salary. This year’s league minimum is $285,000.
Gann had an inkling Jackson was headed for good fortune in the draft, recalling a conversation with a Denver Broncos scout “who told me Brandon would go a lot higher than people were talking about.”
Yet skeptics made a formidable case. Jackson had had surgery on both shoulders. He lacks breakaway speed. He started at Nebraska for a little more than half a season after beginning last season as a fourth-stringer.
On the other hand, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Jackson possesses strong work ethic and tremendous all-around skills. Last season he not only rushed for 989 yards, averaging 5.3 per carry, but he also made 33 receptions for 313 yards, including a few nifty downfield catches.
He performs naturally, as if he were born to be a running back. Some things you simply can’t teach a guy. For instance: Field vision. Jackson’s field vision and cutback ability should fit well in Green Bay’s zone running schemes.
“Their (offensive) linemen get the defense going one way, and it’s up to the running back to find the crease,” Gann said.
Jackson is a decisive sort with the ball tucked in his arm.
“A guy can’t be stutter-stepping around back there,” Gann said. “You’ve got to get to the hole.“
Green Bay wasn’t exactly teaming with running back talent in the wake of ex-Husker great Ahman Green’s offseason free-agency departure to Houston. Jackson’s main competition appears to be a pair of third-year players, Vernand Morency (96 carries for 434 yards and two touchdowns last season) and Noah Herron (37-150).
“If one individual can carry the load, then we’ll go that way,” said Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy. “If not, we’ll play it by situations, back-by-committee, however you want to label it. We’ve added a very good player at running back — that’s the way I view it.”
Said Gary Wichard, Jackson’s agent: “Obviously, Green Bay’s bringing in Brandon to run the rock. They’re not wasting a second-round pick for him to sit and learn.”
Jackson became the first Nebraska running back to be drafted since Correll Buckhalter and Dan Alexander in 2001. Buckhalter is from Collins, Miss., in the southern part of the state. His home was nestled in the woods, on poorly marked dirt roads. NU coaches struggled for hours to find the house during their recruiting trip.
Buckhalter surprised his naysayers by finding his way to the NFL.
Seems these Mississippi running backs are chock full of surprises.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.