NFLPA to investigate Eagles release of WR Jackson

Did the Eagles smear DeSean Jackson? (USATSI)

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DeSean Jackson might be in Washington now, but that doesn't mean the NFL Player's Association isn't still interested about the way his career ended in Philadelphia.

The NFLPA has a few questions it wants answered about Jackson's release, so the organization is going to investigate what happened, according to executive director DeMaurice Smith.

"We've been in touch with DeSean, and first and foremost he is a tremendous football player and great young man," Smith told ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike. "On the issue of how he was released, whether or not there were comments or leaks from the team, misinformation to the media coming from the team, that's something that we're going to look at. We've always been aggressive about protecting the integrity of our players."

The Eagles still haven't commented about Jackson's release, so it's not completely clear yet why the team dumped him. In the hours before he was released on March 28, NJ.com reported that the Eagles were 'concerned with his "continued association with reputed Los Angeles street gang members who have been connected to two homicides since 2010."

Of course, there's also a few other reasons Jackson could have been cut. Chip Kelly may not have liked Jackson's locker room demeanor -- he was reportedly selfish -- and it's highly probable that money played a factor. Jackson had three years left on a five-year deal that was going to pay him over $10 million in 2014.

Whatever the reason was though, the Eagles aren't saying and that seems to be Smith's problem.

"To me, the real issue is this is the business of football. If you want to make a decision to cut a player, tell a player he's cut," Smith said. "Make a decision. But if you want to smear a player with innuendo or something that is less than proof... you know that I was very aggressive in calling a few GMs cowards for what they said about a young man coming out of college [former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam]. It seems to me that the same thing applies... if you want to smear someone and you don't have any evidence."

The downside here for the NFLPA is that if it does investigate why Jackson was released and it turns out he was released for being a selfish, me-first player, that information could leak and make Jackson look bad. For an organization that's about 'protecting the integrity of our players,' that wouldn't be a good look.

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TE Owen Daniels joins Ravens



The Houston Chronicle's John McClain reported via Twitter today that former Texans tight end Owen Daniels has agreed to a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. The deal will reunite Daniels with Gary Kubiak, Baltimore's new Offensive Coordinator. Kubiak was Houston's head coach from 2006-2013, which is the same time frame that Daniels was with the Texans.Daniels played in 5 games for the Texans in 2013, catching 24 balls for 252 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was released by the Texans March 11.



The good news is definitely for the Ravens, as they now have two of the top pass-catching tight ends in the game. Based strictly on fantasy points per game, Daniels (13.4) and Dennis Pitta (10.7) were both in the top 14 in PPR leagues last year. Granted, they missed a combined 23 games. But, when playing, they were effective. Both players have had success prior to last year as well, so it's not like it's a fluke thing. They're good players.The bad news for FANTASY owners is that the Ravens now have two of the top pass-catching tight ends in the game. This is a fact that will more than likely diminish both player's value.More than likely, Daniels will be Pitta's backup, but will also play in two tight end sets. Kubiak likes him. Quarterback Joe Flacco likes PItta, as evidenced by the chemistry they showed in Pitta's last full season. In 2012, Pitta caught 61 balls for 669 yards and hauled in seven touchdowns. He missed most of the 2013 season due to a fractured and dislocated hip suffered in the preseason.The Ravens drafted two receiving tight ends (Pitta and Dickson) the same year the Patriots did with Gronk and Hernandez, so they have wanted this dual threat TE role for quite some time, but odds are Pitta will be a low-end TE1 and Daniels will be a Bye Week filler. Don't be surprised though, if Daniels still has something left in the tank.