Jax and Brock are tough to lose
He played a key role, remember, in 2005 and 2006, playing first as a nickelback as a rookie, then as a safety throughout 2006. He was Melvin Bullitt before Melvin Bullitt – i.e., the player playing safety when Bob Sanders was unable to be on the field. Jackson, drafted as a cornerback, always seemed most comfortable in the nickelback role, a hybrid safety corner who could use his physicality and size to cover the opponent’s slot wide receiver.
It was in that role that he made the play for which he will be most remembered, and it is the play that in one sense makes it tough to feel completely sorry for Jackson in his current circumstance: the last-minute interception of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game following the 2006 regular season.
It was Jackson who read Brady’s eyes that afternoon.
It was Jackson who cut in front of tight end Benjamin Watson and ended one of the most memorable playoff games in NFL history.
It was Jackson who fell to the RCA Dome turf, and stuck a finger in the air.
It was Jackson who teammates mobbed near midfield.
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