It’s been sometime since I or anyone else at the Daily Cal has paid attention to the NFL Draft. But with just a few days before now and one of the most over-hyped weekends of the sporting calendar, it’s kind of hard to stay away from it.

It’s also been somewhat surprising to see what the so-called pundits have been saying about former Cal receiver DeSean Jackson. What’s prompted all of this is what Stewart Mandel wrote today on SI.com.

You know how the wide-receiver position tends to attract an inordinate share of head cases? Here’s your next one: Only Jackson won’t be anywhere near as productive as a Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson.

Can anyone please tell me where the national media is getting that DeSean Jackson has a few character issues? Everyone’s saying it, as evidenced by this story in the Contra Costa Times.

OK, sure, Jackson has a mouth, but show me an NFL receiver who isn’t named Marvin Harrison who doesn’t.

OK, maybe his “MeSean” attitude isn’t conducive of a great team atmosphere, but it is the League, where most of the players are there to cash in a paycheck more than anything else.

And like Jackson’s father, Bill, told the San Francisco Chronicle, it’s not like Jackson is breaking any laws.

This just reminds me of all the “character issues” that people said Marshawn Lynch had last year, which turned out to be a bunch of bull if you asked me, Lynch or anyone in the Buffalo Bills organization.

It’s just a bunch of misperception. These guys just don’t know Jackson.

And for those who say that Jackson won’t be productive, I’ve got the fresh memory of a 77-yard punt return for touchdown against Tennessee and a great performance against Oregon that says otherwise. Jackson offers a flash of brilliance anytime he touches the ball. And I’d take that out of this draft class.

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