The morning after Washington’s disappointing 27-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson posted a vague quote on his Instagram account: “You can’t do epic [stuff] with basic people.”
On Thursday, Jackson was asked to clarify his post. And he offered an equally vague explanation.
“Whoever felt like it was directed at them, that’s who it was directed at,” Jackson said. “I’m not talking about last week. I’m not here to talk about last week. It’s a new week, we’ve got a new team to play and that’s who the focus is on. Whoever felt I was talking to them, they can take it how it was taken.”
When asked about Jackson’s post Monday afternoon, coach Jay Gruden said he addressed it, and other messages that “got turned around a little bit,” in a team meeting.
The post appeared to be reference to Robert Griffin III’s postgame comments, though Gruden admitted he too did not know exactly what Jackson was referencing.
Griffin’s comments, Jackson’s post on social media and Gruden’s harsh criticism of his quarterback at the podium Monday were just the most recent chapters in another theatrical season in Washington. Wide receiver Santana Moss, who joined the Redskins in 2005, said the constant drama is a byproduct of losing, but does not affect how the team prepares.
“Plenty of people got stuff at home that they deal with every day and go out and put up big numbers and go out and handle their business,” Moss said. “Life throws you many obstacles. That’s how you live. If you’re not playing football, you probably have stuff going on and you’ve still got to go to work. At the end of the day, we’ve got to go to work.”
Jackson acknowledged that his first season in Washington has been a disappointment and stressed the importance of playing for pride in the final six games of the year. When asked if he has spoken to Griffin or feels badly about the media scrutiny that follows him, Jackson said it comes with the territory.
“We’re all professionals, man. That’s what comes with being a professional athlete,” Jackson said. “You have to know how to take it and know how to give it. Criticism is a big factor in this game we play, depending on how you play and how you show your game on Sundays or Mondays or Thursdays is what they critique you on. So the best thing you can do is go out there and play at a high level and put everything else to the side. Kind of erase what’s happened. Just play good on Sundays.”
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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