For Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, scoring a 91-yard touchdown Sunday night wasn’t enough: He also had to show up the Cowboys by stopping short of the goal line and falling backward into the end zone.
That drew a 15-yard celebration penalty, and it also drew some criticism in the Cowboys’ locker room after the game.
“It was disrespectful,” Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins said. “He knew he was going to score. That’s him. We beat him three times in a row last year, so he was going to come back and try to everything he could.’'
Orlando Scandrick used the same word but didn’t seem quite as bothered by it.
“We’re good friends and hang out in the offseason,” Scandrick said. “He’s just being himself. Some people might say a showboat. But we all play this game. It’s fun, and what goes on between those lines gets left out there. Is it disrespectful? Possibly.”
Of course, the Cowboys have no one to blame but themselves for letting Jackson run through their secondary. Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman, in particular, should be called out for his poor effort: After giving chase and getting within a few yards of Jackson, Newman just started jogging at about the 10-yard line. In college Newman won the Big 12 title in the 100-meter dash and the 60-meter dash, and if he had been going full speed there’s no way Jackson would have had enough time to taunt the Cowboys.
Scandrick understands there’s a simple solution to opposing players taunting you.
“Don’t let him get in the end zone,” Scandrick said, “and he can’t dance.”
UPDATE: Here are highlights from the game, including Jackson’s celebration:
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