Broncos sign WR Darrell Jackson

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Originally published 02:14 p.m., April 16, 2008
Updated 03:00 p.m., April 16, 2008

Photo by Chris Schneider

Darrell Jackson, being tackled in a 2006 game by Broncos safety John Lynch, had three 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Seahawks.

The Broncos have gone for strength in numbers at the wide receiver position this offseason, and they added another player to the fold today.

Darrell Jackson signed a one-year contract after passing his physical today.

The eight-year pro, who spent the bulk of his career with the Seattle Seahawks before a one-year stop with the San Francisco 49ers last year, is the third free-agent pass-catcher signed by Denver, following Keary Colbert and Samie Parker.

The move likely means Denver won’t expend a high draft pick at the position with such holdovers Brandon Marshall, Brandon Stokley, Glenn Martinez and others.

Jackson, 29, had three 1,000-yard seasons with Seattle but also had his share of injuries there. He was acquired by the Niners last spring for a fourth-round draft pick but, like the rest of San Francisco’s offense, never got in a consistent groove with quarterbacks Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer, who both eventually were injured. Jackson had 46 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns in ’07.

In his career, Jackson’s caught 487 passes for 6,942 yards and 50 touchdowns.

• April 16, 2008

  2:46 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Squatch writes:

  Nice way to not address this positon in the draft.

• April 16, 2008

  2:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  linmoo writes:

  Darrell Jackson drops way too many balls (think Darius Watts kind of bad). He'll be in Shanny's doghouse by the end of training camp.

• April 16, 2008

  2:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  AWM writes:

  Yo B-Marshall..... You paying attention to all of this? Get your crap together. It's obvious Shannahan is preparing for you to screw things up agian.

• April 16, 2008

  2:57 p.m.

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  newshound writes:

  how about trying to shore up that defense? Scoring points wasn't a problem last year.....for the opponent.

• April 16, 2008

  3 p.m.

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  Spencer writes:

  he's always hurt. Bad fantasy player

• April 16, 2008

  3:01 p.m.

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  RaiderNation82 writes:

  The Genius at work again. Shanahan couldn't pick his nose let alone put together a championship team. They should send him packing and not even let him coach a pop warner league that bum.

• April 16, 2008

  3:03 p.m.

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  kmeissner writes:

  We should be trying to trade all these no-name receivers for Chad Johnson. He's fed up in Cincy and I think he would give Marshall in incentive to actually get on the field and not get hurt. That would be a great battle to see who the #1 would be.

  newshound... the Offense didn't score last year. If we would have gotten into the end zone and not relied on Elam, the defense wouldn't have looked so bad. They had to keep us in most games and they shouldn't have 100% of the pressure.

• April 16, 2008

  3:06 p.m.

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  RaiderNation82 writes:

  I saw a pee wee offense that would have put up 28 against that buch of panty wastes. The D sucks they need to something if they want to win

• April 16, 2008

  3:08 p.m.

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  jonnyrotten writes:

  nothing wrong with Darrell's hands... its his knees that are the trouble. Nothing more that a 3rd or 4th WR assuming BM has two working hand this summer.

• April 16, 2008

  3:10 p.m.

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  kmeissner writes:

  I agree with rg2020 that the D sucks, but at the same time, Shanny has a great winning % and we could be doing a heck of a lot worse. Just because we haven't won a SB trophy in almost 10 years doesn't mean we won't soon. The draft hasn't even hit yet. Maybe they'll draft some great OL's and DL's and we'll get right back to the top of the AFC West, and hopefully, another SB.

• April 16, 2008

  3:36 p.m.

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  KJA writes:

  Wow, glad to see we have so many positive people leaving comments.
  Sure, Shanahan has made his share of mistakes, but signing Darrell Jackson is a great move. As for Jackson being a no-name receiver, a 3rd or 4th WR at best, thats pretty ridiculous. Not only was he Seattle's #1 WR most of his years there, but he also has 50 career TDs, more than any other receiver currently on the Broncos. Plus, he costs way less than Chad Johnson, Javon Walker, Randy Moss, etc. So give Shanahan a little credit. As for addressing the D, we've signed a couple linebackers, a couple safeties, and most likely will draft a couple more defensive lineman. So all you Shanahan haters need to calm down

• April 16, 2008

  3:40 p.m.

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  musicman80 writes:

  Who was coaching when the Broncos won the superbowls?

• April 16, 2008

  3:49 p.m.

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  arvada_mark writes:

  It's nice to see we have so many Broncos supporters here. What, we don't need WR help? The Broncs have a heaping pile of DEs & DTs. Or can you not remember the last 2 drafts, or the rest of free agency (starting LB & 2 potential starting safeties)? Our defense will be fine. Remember, they were mostly rookies & 2nd year players. We're looking at Elvis, Jarvis, & Marcus accross the line this year as well as for years to come. Our offense is what's in need of help. Jackson is a solid pick up. Yes, he could have 500yds & 3TDs again, but he could also have 1000yds & 10TDs. Now we don't have to waste a pick on another WR. Think positive kids, the sun will come back tomorrow. You guys are sounding like fans of that team from Oakland. I think I'm going to be sick.

• April 16, 2008

  3:57 p.m.

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  T1anda writes:

  All of you Shanahan haters....WHO would you hire as the next coach of the Denver Broncos?????????? I can hardly wait for the answers.

• April 16, 2008

  4:16 p.m.

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  AKuser writes:

  I love all these johnny come lately Bronco fans. Anybody could of won a super bowl with John Elway? Really I watched every game Elway played and I am pretty certain that Dan Reeves could not win one with him. All you fair weather Colorado newbies remind me of a great bumper sticker, 'Californian's go home and take a Texan with you'

• April 16, 2008

  4:28 p.m.

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  McGowdog writes:

  All of you Shanahan haters....WHO would you hire as the next coach of the Denver Broncos?????????? I can hardly wait for the answers.

  Ummm. Bring back Red Miller! Oh wait! That's a little too old school.

  How about Marty? He loves Denver!

  So I guess we should just wait until we get another walk-on like Rod Smith....

  ....

  ....

  Still waiting...

  ....

  ...

• April 16, 2008

  4:35 p.m.

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  linmoo writes:

  It has nothing to do with hating the Broncos. It has everything to do do with the consistently bad free-agent pickups over the last few years when Shanny has had final say. You can see exactly what the 49ers fans thought of D-Jax at
  http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/defaul...
  The only good thing you can say about all the WR deals is that they have a lot of upside. Like low dollar bets on long odds, Shanny's banking on one of them to pay off even though the odds are against him.

• April 16, 2008

  4:43 p.m.

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  MiamiMike writes:

  I love this get but once again we are damned if we do or if we don't.
  We sign these guys to multi year deals and we get screwed. Now that we sign these guys to one year deals we just put ourselves in a bind next year. We will then be running around trying to get players to fill spots. We then will have to get W.R's in the draft anyways. Lets just do it the right way NOW and draft our players and develop them. We need to draft 2 W.R.'s THIS year and get them developed. I thought the idea was build from the draft. Sure this makes everyone happy because we now are set (FOR ONE YEAR) then we are back to square one. Most of you forget the reason we are in this mess is because of poor drafts, not developing players, and getting players off the free agent market. Lets Draft and teach our players how to play. Yes it will take a year longer but signing them to 1 year and then having to start over does nothing for us in the long run. Yea great get on Jackson for this year and it makes yo feel good because you can know think we did something great for the team. We only put off getting this team built correct for another year.

• April 16, 2008

  4:47 p.m.

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  FatTony writes:

  God, all you haters sound like that Bernie Lincicome joker that somehow still has a job!!!!

  The offseason isn't over yet. Shoot we still have the draft! Give it a rest and let things play out for goodness sake.

• April 16, 2008

  4:50 p.m.

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  McGowdog writes:

  In defense of The Rat, the Broncos couldn't win Super Bowls without him.

  Prior to winning Super Bowls, Elway couldn't beat him. Remember that 42-24 beat-down the Raiders put on Elway and the Broncos back in 93? If you want to put the past behind us, then let's look at the recent past.

  Last year, our O-line and D-line was pretty lousy. I'm no coach, but I think we ought to start there.

• April 16, 2008

  4:53 p.m.

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  MiamiMike writes:

  FatTony it's not about giving it a rest. When a team makes the same moves over and over for the past few years it becomes reality. Denver has not done much in terms of showing they plan on building through the draft. When they can do it for say 2 years in a row then I will say it's time to give it a rest. The track record on bad players picked up traded for or passed over in the draft speaks for itself. Yes every now and then we found a good one but all in all the record is not in our favor. So please do not start listing the players that have made it on this team because I will give you 2 for everyone that has been a poor get. You can still be a fan and expect your team to do the right thing. By speaking up does not make you any less of a fan.

• April 16, 2008

  4:59 p.m.

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  ES writes:

  Jackson is a great pick for Denver. Shanny is doing a great job of bringing in talent this year. Despite all the Irve and Joe comments listed above. Too bad all the Raider fans are posting here. Or disgruntled (i really don't care about their opinion) Bronco fans.

  Boy Denver really has a bad attitude towards their teams. Some of the comments above show a lack of respect, sportsmanship, and loyalty to their team. I cannot bring my son to the game anymore because of all the profanity, fights, and drunks in the stadium. One guy actually spilled beer on my son and refused to apologize. We then stopped our season tickets. Too bad.

  I think Shanny is very bright and puts a ton of work in his job. Sometimes things don't work out. Get over it and move on. Shanny is one of the best coaches in the NFL. Next to Gary K.

  Bad picks are a thing through the entire league. Most teams loose people. The worst thing is the constant wining from fans that are watching a game for free on the television.

• April 16, 2008

  5:16 p.m.

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  T1anda writes:

  Did you see the new 2008 schedule??? ONCE AGAIN the Patriots have an easy cupcake schedule!!! But then....Bellicheat must really kiss arse for these lovely scheds. Of course he is a real genius right?? Oh yeah I forget he doesn't have to be... he plays Buffalo, the Jets and Miami twice a season. Sooo where's the names of other coaches beside Marty??? I don't think Marty would give Denver the time of day!! How bout Bobby Petrino?? Cam Cameron?? Norv(gag)Turner! Hmmmmmmm.

• April 16, 2008

  5:25 p.m.

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  linmoo writes:

  Way to lump everyone who has a problem with the Broncos's personnel in with the beer-swilling drunks (aka Raiders). I love the Broncos through and through, but I hate seeing the team talent go down the toilet like this. I'm not questioning Shanny's coaching ability one bit. But the man is a bad judge of talent...and there's ample evidence.

• April 16, 2008

  5:27 p.m.

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  T1anda writes:

  P.S. D-Jax will do just fine in Denver!!! Remember he had Alex Smith throwing??? to him last season... I don't think even Mike Martz can save the crappy 49'ers coach... Mike Nolans job!

• April 16, 2008

  7:27 p.m.

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  ClockworkOrange writes:

  I remember back to the days when the broncos could not seem to get over the hump so they hired a young head coach who bought bunch of 2nd tier players like Eddie Mcaffery, Tony Jones, and a 6th round running back. They also pieced together a make shift defense with a combination of veteran players and relatively no name free agents like Traylor, Romawski, Cadrez, and Alfred Williams...

  No big names... Just a bunch of hard working guys that made plays...

  What we have seen the last few years is the big name deals and it has given us Redskin like results. This off season is shaping up to be one of the best since 1996.

  I am not making any predictions, but I will say that this offseason, we are doing things the right way…

  Look for a low key draft with relatively few Bronco moves. I have a feeling we may see a Mendenhall, a Sims, and six more guys to come in and bring some strong competition to TC…

• April 16, 2008

  8:45 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kooiman writes:

  What idiotic things some so-called fans write. I've got an idea. Why don't you bitch at your wife instead of coming on a fan site and complaining about stuff you can't change anyhow. Stuff happens that you may not particularly agree with, but you don't have to be so negative about the upcoming season. Shanahan is as good a coach as most and will bring the Broncos back to their winning ways. I just wish that some of you will come back on then and say "I was wrong I guess he doesn't suck." I like the low-dollar bets and beleive some will pay off in one way or another. Either on special teams or fill in for an injured player or something.

• April 16, 2008

  8:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kooiman writes:

  I personally see a very good season for us this year. O.K. so we may be in over our heads at N.E. and at S.D., but other than that I think we got a good shot on the rest of the games. A fan does not look at this schedule and say we suck we're gonna be 4-12. Champ M.V.P.

• April 16, 2008

  9:05 p.m.

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  Spider writes:

  News Flash: Broncos win super bowl behind Cutler, Marshall and Jackson. Bailey and Lynch named co-MVP's. Fans: I told you Shanahan knows how to draft and find player from the FA pool. Yeah, Shanahan's the best coach ever!

• April 16, 2008

  9:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  NYQTN writes:

  I think the Broncos need to draft a wr in this draft, they should take James Hardy from Indiana. He could be a second day pick (i hope) He's 6'7 230lbs, and paired with Marshall, the WR position will be set for a long time. Hardy, marshall, stokely, jackson, colbert, parker, martinez doesn't sound too bad to me. How about that Bronco Nation.

• April 17, 2008

  1:27 p.m.

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  RustyWon writes:

  Darrell Jackson on a one year deal for low dollars is a great signing. Parker is not as good, but you never know, he may rise up against his old team if nothing else.

  It seems like Shanahan is getting some depth and insurance in place before the draft. That makes sense to me.
  We have stocked reasonable players at safety, linebacker, and wideout.
  The only place were are really still exposed is O-line and D-line.
  The draft will be full of those for the taking.

  I still think Clady from Boise St. is our best bet. Of course the LB Rivers from USC, or the DL, Harvey, out of Florida would be good fits as well.

  Go Broncos!

• April 17, 2008

  3:22 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  HBBeough writes:

  All you whining babies crying for Shanahan’s head need to shut up. Almost all of the “great” current rosters (San Diego, Indy, the Bengals, Dallas, ect…) didn’t draft their best talent after winning seasons. The reason Shanny has bad drafts is because half the time he has a double digit win season and the rest of the league gets their picks first. Don’t blame the man for consistently having success. Do you idiots really want to replace him with some retread or golden boy college wannabe? The only reason the Broncos have Cutler is because Mike was smart enough to trade out of a weak draft. Go ask a Raider fan if they would have liked to rebuild with one seven win season instead of stringing together a bunch of years in the toilet. Bates messed up this team last year not Shanahan. When the D-line is allowed to jump in the running lanes again instead of “blocking” for the linebackers things will change and the offense will take advantage of it.

• April 17, 2008

  6:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  broncosfaninohio writes:

  I'm not a Shanahan hater. But when he does leave us. I would hire Patriots Off. Coord. JOSH MCDANIELS