DeSean Jackson rested, committed, and back in pads, and the fans are loving it

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - DeSean Jackson was back on the field Saturday with a new tattoo but the familiar connection with quarterback Michael Vick.

Jackson, in pads for his first full-fledged practice since ending his training camp holdout, looked crisp and dangerous, catching nearly every ball thrown his way and adding some practice bite to the first-team offense.

"It felt good to get back in the swing of things. My teammates [were] happy to have me back," Jackson said. His play was greeted by cheers from fans, and, at one point, a chant of "Pay DeSean!"

"My legs [were] feeling good, and I'm feeling fresh . . . just ready to get back out there and contribute," Jackson said.

Jackson battled all three of the Eagles' star cornerbacks. He beat Asante Samuel twice in one-on-one drills. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie ran step-for-step with Jackson in another matchup, but the receiver still hauled in a Vick pass. (It looked as if he may have drifted out of bounds before he got control of the ball, though).

"He's got fresh legs compared to the other guys who are tired. He always has a little bounce in his step anyway," coach Andy Reid said. "He's got that great speed, and the nice part is that you can tell he's been working. He was able to function at a high level out here and that's a plus."

Vick was thrilled to see the playmaker back, though possibly not as excited as Jason Avant and Riley Cooper, who have had heavy workloads in the absence of Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

"We just picked up where we left off last year," Vick said. "He's made big play after big play, so just put the ball in his hands and let him work."

Jackson was sporting a new tattoo down the outside of his left calf. It read: "Dedication."

Jackson said that it was self-explanatory, and that he's working this year on his consistency. For a player who can take over games by himself, he also sometimes disappears.

"Consistency is huge on my end. . . . I don't want to kind of have ups, downs," Jackson said. "That's something I learned from Jerry Rice, just being as consistent as possible, and going out there every day working hard."

The work may get harder in training camp, given the talented cover men the Eagles have imported.

"I consider myself one of the best receivers in this league, so for me to go against that every day in practice, by the time the game comes around I'll be ready to go," Jackson said.

He's also on an offense with many weapons, but said he's not worried about lacking opportunities.

"The balls will be around for everybody," Jackson said. He said he's confident the coaches will call his number "because I'm kind of the only one who can stretch the field like I can with my speed."

Jackson ended his holdout Monday and participated in a walk-through with the team that day, but Saturday was his first practice in pads with contact. Every time he takes the field, Jackson is at risk of injury and jeopardizing his shot at his first superstar contract.

Still, he had to report for the Eagles to be willing to negotiate.

"Anytime we step on this field we have a chance of getting hurt, so I just try not to think of it," Jackson said. "As long as I'm working hard and not taking the short way out trying to protect myself and do little things, just go full go, I think I'll be all right. Everything will handle itself."

For his first 11-on-11 play, Jackson was matched against fellow Cal alum Nnamdi Asomugha. The play was whistled dead when the defense jumped offside, but both stars said they hope to improve by playing against one another.

"The difference with him is his legs don't move as fast as other guys, so you don't think he's going as fast until he gets up on you," Asomugha said. "Then you realize he's going faster than any other guy out there."