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Getting the Right Jackson: Draft Do-Overs

During to introduce DeSean Jackson and Chris Baker as the newest Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jackson told a story about running into Jon Gruden at the Washington Redskins' facility. Prior to the 2008 NFL Draft, the highly-regarded receiver from Cal had visited One Buccaneer Place, where he had first met Gruden. Year later and now playing for Gruden's brother, Washington Head Coach Jay Gruden, Jackson learned that he came relatively close to becoming a Buccaneer.

Jackson recalls Gruden bemoaning the fact that the Buccaneers ended up drafting Appalachian State wide receiver Dexter Jackson instead. The Bucs' pick played a total of seven NFL games in one season in Tampa; DeSean Jackson turned into one of the NFL's best big-play receivers over the next nine years (and counting).