Did DeSean Jackson try to divide the Redskins' locker room by asking for Robert Griffin III's jersey number? (No, he did not). Also quoted Thursday: Brandon Cooks, Chris Conte and Jared Allen.
"But maybe by the time season starts we'll know. But maybe RG3 will wear No. 3 and I'll try to get in 10."
- DeSean Jackson
Hail to the slow news day! DeSean Jackson set off what could have been a media firestorm on a day void of exciting news if Robert Griffin III hadn't quickly squashed any potential conflict. You see, Jackson wants to wear No. 10 with the Washington Redskins, just as he did for six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. The problem is, that number is already occupied by Griffin, the franchise quarterback who has worn the number since high school.
Given Griffin's status as the Redskins' golden calf, not to mention the truckloads of jerseys already in circulation bearing his current name and number, changing his jersey number would be fraught with difficulties. Predictably, Griffin did not relent to Jackson's request.
Fans everywhere please calm down. Not changing my # @DeseanJackson10 will kick off his new beginning with us in a new one #HTTR
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 3, 2014That new number? The next best thing next to the No. 1 jersey that Jackson wore at Cal:
Disaster averted. No. 11 was worn by Aldrick Robinson last season. He'll have a new number this season, which means that Robinson fans will have to throw down another $100 if they want the latest official version of the wideout's number. Such are the sacrifices of odd NFL fanaticism.
In more heart-warming jersey-swapping news, Kirk Cousins was able to convince the recently acquired Andre Roberts to donate $12,000 to the Kirk Cousins Football Camp for the right to wear Cousins' No. 12 jersey. Cousins will switch to No. 8, which he wore throughout high school and through his senior year in college.
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"A lot of people will wonder, 'Can he do it like DeSean Jackson?' In my opinion, I can do it like him and do it better."
- Oregon State receiver Brandin Cooks
The Philadelphia Eagles are now void of a field-stretching wide receiver, and Oregon State's Brandin Cooks is considered one of the best among the speedy pass catchers in the 2014 NFL Draft class. Cooks told philly.com that he thinks he would be a great fit for Chip Kelly's offense, and perhaps become even better than the man who had 1,332 yards receiving for the Eagles last season before being released.
It should be noted that Cooks wasn't entirely dismissive of Jackson's game. He preceded the above quote by calling Jackson "unbelievable."
"The man can blow the top off, catch the deep routes, catch the underneath routes, produce in the return game. He's just special. He's a freak. I definitely admire his game."
Cooks just thinks that he, himself, is particularly unbelievable. Cooks is projected to go No. 28 overall to the Carolina Panthers in SB Nation's latest mock draft.
"Whenever you don't have a good season you do some soul searching. You find the reasons why you love the game."
- Bears safety Chris Conte
Chris Conte's position with Chicago Bears is in jeopardy after it was announced by the team that the safety underwent shoulder surgery late last month, and will miss four to five months while he recovers. Conte had three interceptions and 95 tackles last season, but was also a liability in coverage for Chicago. The Bears have signed several free agent safeties this offseason, giving Conte competition for when he finally returns.
Conte seems to be doing his best to embrace the situation. Speaking with the Bears' official site, he said that competition was a large reason why he loved playing football, adding, "I knew they would be bringing in players to compete. It doesn't bother me. It will only make me better."
Perhaps, but with the Bears signing M.D. Jennings, Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray, and re-signing Craig Stetz, Conte may be forced to be a better player somewhere other than Chicago.
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"You can't teach 6'5."
-Jets source on FSU receiver Kelvin Benjamin
The New York Jets are apparently dead set on improving the wide receiver position this offseason. They have already signed Eric Decker and Jacoby Ford off the free agent market, and are now very interested in acquiring Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin in the NFL Draft, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
The Jets' source is correct. You can't teach 6'5, but height doesn't necessarily make a good wide receiver, as the Jets should know after making 6'4 Stephen Hill a second-round pick in 2012. That said, Benjamin appears to be the genuine article, with size, skills and athleticism that have made him a first-round pick in many mock draft projections.
Benjamin is projected to go early in the second round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, No. 38 overall, in SB Nation's latest mock draft. The Jets are projected to take LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with the No. 18 overall pick.
"Minnesota has great fans so they're going to boo me."
- Jared Allen
Fans in the NFC North are a prideful bunch, something Jared Allen, having played six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, understands as well as anyone. He told NBC Sports Network (via Pro Football Talk) that he fully expects to be booed when he makes his return to Minneapolis next season as a member of the Chicago Bears, and that's OK by him.
"I'm sure I'll get some cheers later but absolutely they're going to boo and why shouldn't they?" Allen said. "I now play for a division rival but I love the fans in Minnesota, I had six phenomenal years there. That organization, that state will always be a part of my life and again there is nothing but respect and joy and everything so it'll be a fun time to play back against them but yeah I expect some boos."